Broadview—Senior Living
Broadview—Senior Living at Purchase College
Purchase College’s plan for bridging the gap between generations is underway with the development of a residential learning community for adults 62 years and older, housed on our college campus.
Think Wider Open
Our tagline “Think Wide Open” captures so much about Purchase culture—rigorous pursuit of ideas, high regard for dialogue, creativity and collaboration, mutual respect, and of course, inclusivity and acceptance.
Broadview will be an extension of Think Wide Open; a vigorous learning community for residents whose values are consistent with our own. They’ll blend into our community in ways that benefit students and faculty as well as themselves.
How Will Broadview Enhance Our Students’ Experience?
Academics
New ties to academic programs in psychology and sociology may evolve, and entirely new programs could emerge, like gerontology, nursing, or art therapy.
Revenue Stream
Revenue produced by Broadview will provide valuable funding for scholarships and hiring new faculty in areas of demand.
Mentorship
Just think about the groundbreaking possibilities that could result when the generations interact with and inspire one another. The rewards of intergenerational mentorship can pass in both directions, each expanding the other’s world view in the process.
Employment
The wide scope of services available at Broadview will provide many job opportunities for students.
New Audiences
The residents will be a readily available audience for student productions, exhibitions, and athletics on campus.
Uncommon Learning in the Learning Commons
Open to the entire Purchase College community, the Learning Commons will be a center for engagement, a laboratory for lifelong learning, offering students of all ages intellectual and social growth opportunities beyond the typical experiences available on either a college campus or at a senior residential community.
The space will hold a dining venue, multimedia seminar rooms, a computer lab, and studios for art and movement.
Imagine a place where residents can grab lunch with a professor or a student; where a dance student can lead senior citizens in a simple movement class; where a psychology major collaborates with residents as subjects for a research study; or where an art student can help residents tap into their creativity—and stay young—by guiding an art project. Film students can screen their work, creative writers can impress an audience, and journalists can find new source material.
Stereotypes will break down, learning will cross age boundaries, and lasting relationships will form over coffee and conversation.
Timeline
Depending on your graduation year, your experience with Broadview will differ. Some of you will be here for the groundbreaking, but interaction with its first residents likely won’t happen for several years. For those who will have graduated long before Broadview is complete, know the addition of this important community adds value to a Purchase College education.
Funding
The project sponsor is Purchase Senior Learning Community Inc., a non-profit, 501c 3 set up by the college to develop the senior learning community. Approval for the project came from the State of New York through enabling legislation passed in 2011.
The development and funding for this project are completely separate from the college’s operating budget—no funds have been diverted from current students, faculty, staff, academic programs, or facility maintenance. Funding for the project comes from tax exempt bonds issued by the Westchester County Local Development Corporation.
