MILE – A New School Year, A New Format

As we anticipate the start of a new MILE semester, it’s become clear that we will not be able to hold classes on-site at MxCC this fall. The challenge that all school programs face is compounded by the fact that our members are in a higher-risk age group, many with compromising medical conditions. Faced with the difficult choice of cancelling this semester or trying something new, we’ve decided to try something new. MILE is offering presentations to our members via the videoconferencing app, Zoom. We chose Zoom because many of you have already used it to attend religious services or meet up with family members and for those who have not, it’s pretty easy to learn. We already know MILE members are lifelong learners... now we hope you will join us on this new learning adventure.

This is what we have planned for the fall. We will hold two MILE Zoom presentation sessions each week: on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. from October 1st to November 19th. Our Great Decisions program will be held on Thursday mornings from 9:30-11:30 and begin earlier, on September 24th, to catch up on the missed spring sessions.

For the safety of our volunteers, registration materials will be emailed to you on August 17th along with the link to attend introduction to Zoom sessions that will take place on Tuesday, August 18th at 10:00 am and Thursday, August 27th at 1:30 pm. We may add additional Zoom training sessions in September, if there is a need. Once you know how to get onto Zoom, the rest is as easy as clicking on the link that will be emailed to you each week. Written instructions will also be posted on our website.

When you get the MILE registration form, you need only fill out the top part, as we will be registering you for all sessions. Since we are not reserving space at the college, we can offer you the flexibility to attend whatever you choose, even if you decide at the last minute. The course descriptions and a virtual introduction by the presenters will be posted on our website www.mileonline.org. Directions for mail-in registration are listed below and will be sent again in the August 17th email.

The fee for the year is reduced to $60 as MxCC has graciously reduced the share of membership from 30% to 15%. This fee structure will enable us to continue to pay our remaining expenses this year, i.e. honoraria for some presenters, contributions to the MILE Scholarship Fund and support for the Middlesex Foundation. We are hoping that we will be able to return to an in-person format for a full spring semester, if the situation allows us to do so safely.

​We know that Zoom does not take the place of meeting and greeting each other in person, but we believe that MILE still has an important educational mission to offer us, as we try to remain safe. We hope that you will join us this fall as we try this new approach.

Loretta Rubin - MILE Chair
See Recent Newsletter page for more information

Our new calendar, descriptions, registration form, and presenter's introductory videos have been posted for you to explore.  Find them on their own pages in the website.  Check out the notes on the ZOOM training page for training or guidelines for viewing our ZOOM presentations.

Welcome to MILE


​Middlesex Institute for Lifelong Education (MILE) was created in 1993 for the purpose of providing a learning environment that enriches the intellectual, social, and cultural lives of adults aged 50 and over who share a love of lifelong learning. 

We are sponsored by Middlesex Community College (MxCC).  MILE is an all-volunteer non-profit organization with programs designed for, and attended by, members.  Membership is open to all adults, retired, semi-retired or employed in Middlesex County although interested residents of other communities are always welcome.  Currently, our membership averages about 350 people from all walks of life and represents at least 35 area towns!

MILE offers classes in a wide range of disciplines without concern for credit, grades, or pre-requisites.  Programs are often enhanced by field trips.  

Lifelong learning begins today and continues forever.  Take part in MILE's ever-evolving educational offerings and opportunities.  We'd love for you to join us.

Navigating Our Website: 
The best way to view our website is using a Win 10 or iOS computer.  When viewing it with a computer, use the side bar menu on the left to select the desired page, such as This Week's Presentations.  If an Android phone/tablet or iPhone/tablet are used to view our website, the additional pages will need to be found in the top of the screen.  
"Nobody grows old merely by living a number of years.  We grow old by deserting our ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul." ~~  Samuel Ullman