Goucher College & Edenwald Senior Living University Retirement Community

A university retirement community (URC) is a senior living community (typically serving individuals 60 and older) with a strong affiliation with a university or college. This affiliation makes it possible for the senior living community’s residents to take advantage of many of the elements that a college offers, such as attending cultural and sporting events and lectures, auditing classes, borrowing from the college library, and accessing various other campus amenities.

There are many reasons why this expansion and relationship is important. First, with the aging population in America growing exponentially over the next 30 years, aging services providers need to expand their services to meet future demand. By 2050, the number of Americans over 65 will exceed the population of those under 20. The country is ill-equipped to meet the needs of this enormous population of seniors, so organizations must act now to be prepared for what is to come.

Second, because of the longstanding relationship between Goucher College and Edenwald and the proximity of the two campuses, it makes sense to create an intergenerational learning environment that can benefit both organizations. Goucher, as a leader in delivering an innovative liberal arts education, is in the ideal position to prepare students for a world that is rapidly changing in many ways, and one of these is the dramatic demographic shift underway. Combining Goucher’s future-forward vision with a senior-living community benefits both parties in ways that can’t be underestimated.

• Special intergenerational Intensive Courses Abroad (ICAs)
• Ability to audit Goucher College courses at no additional charge
• Ability to enroll in new, specially developed intergenerational courses
• Ability to attend concerts, performances, and lectures free of charge
• Ability to access the library and other Goucher College resources

• Possibilities of career conversations, networking, and job/internship opportunities
• Mentoring opportunities and access to networks with valuable life experiences
• Increased ADA accessibility across campus means improved access for everyone
• Opportunities to engage in intergenerational activities together (e.g., “Lost Arts Studio”—knitting, sewing, woodworking)
• Shared community garden with additional funding for capital improvements coming from Edenwald
• Develop intergenerational interpersonal skills from courses and shared experiences

Goucher students always have priority in registering for classes first. Auditors register after all Goucher students have finished registering. We have students of all ages auditing courses today. It does not impact registration.

No determination has been made yet. We will start by opening three courses to Edenwald auditors in the spring of 2025 and then increase or decrease the number each term, depending upon demand.

The faculty members who will open their courses to auditors in the spring of 2025 are currently participating in a professional learning community focused on how to create welcoming and inclusive multigenerational classrooms that benefit from the diverse life experiences of all participants. Similar professional development opportunities will be afforded to all Goucher faculty members on an ongoing basis as we expand this element of the URC partnership.

No. The Office of Global Education is currently creating a model for intergenerational ICAs that will not reduce the number of spots available to Goucher undergraduate students. This model will employ higher levels of faculty and/or staff presence than ICAs for undergraduates only. It will be employed for the first time for the Scotland ICA in the summer of 2025 and refined as needed for subsequent program offerings.

No. The Student Government Association (SGA) is reserved for fully matriculating, degree-seeking undergraduate students.

No. All fees for Edenwald residents will be included in the standard university retirement community fee.

A lot has changed on college campuses since many Edenwald residents attended college. Orientation sessions will include a basic introduction to the technology used today, as well as an introduction to the Goucher Community Principles and an overview of Title IX and the contemporary conventions regarding gender, pronouns, race, and ethnicity on Goucher’s campus today.

We do not anticipate any changes in current policies.

Goucher is leasing three acres of land to Edenwald, where the three new eight-to-10-story apartment towers will be located. Goucher is not contributing to the costs of construction in any way.

The groundbreaking is dependent on receiving full county approval and building permits for the proposed development of the 127 new apartment units. It is anticipated that Edenwald will break ground in the fourth quarter of 2026, although it could be sooner if the approval process can be expedited.

The expansion is intended to open in the first quarter of 2029, but the planning and implementation of the programmatic elements of the partnership are already underway with Goucher College faculty and staff and Edenwald staff and residents. Construction of the new towers will commence once the necessary building permits and financing are secured, which is anticipated to be in 2026.

This depends upon the timing of Edenwald securing the necessary building permits, but we anticipate the gatehouse at the entrance to Goucher’s campus will be relocated in 2026.

Edenwald and Goucher College are very aware of the importance of our role as stewards of the environment. As planning for the expansion has proceeded, the project’s environmental impact is being reviewed and assessed. All new development is anticipated to meet or exceed current LEED standards. Edenwald will also work with Goucher College to reforest areas of the campus with new trees to replace those that need to be removed to build the 127 new apartments contained in the Edenwald expansion.

The impact will be limited to the three acres that Edenwald is leasing from the 287 acres that compose Goucher’s campus. Edenwald will be required to plant new trees on Goucher’s campus that are equal to those that need to be removed from the three-acre construction site.

Except for the study abroad component, the costs of the Goucher College programming will be incorporated into a monthly service fee that current Edenwald residents will pay. A portion of the monthly service fee will be transferred to Goucher to support URC programming and services.

New residents moving into the Edenwald expansion will pay an upfront entrance fee based on the size and style of the apartment a resident chooses, just as existing residents have done. Both new and existing Edenwald residents will have access to the same resources available through the Goucher relationship, which will be funded through their monthly service fees.

Edenwald provides service to an aging population at a wide range of price points, with residential living in the new expansion being just one of several options.

People who move to communities like Edenwald are planners. They are planning for their future and ensuring that any care they may need, now or in the future, is in place so that they and their loved ones don’t have to worry. In addition, Edenwald guarantees their residents a home for life, even if they outlive their resources. In 2023, Edenwald provided over $300,000 in benevolent assistance to individuals who could no longer pay for their care and services.

Edenwald and Goucher would love to see a high percentage of Goucher alumnae and alumni included in the first wave of university retirement community residents. However, no decision has yet been made to offer any discounts.