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CORVALLIS - Oregon State University's Summer Session is offering the community an assortment of courses, from organic chemistry to the joys of horsemanship, said Martin Barry, Summer Session director.

"Summer Session offers a wide variety of classes, lasting anywhere from a few days to 11 weeks," Barry said.

The campus undergoes a transformation of sorts during Summer Session, he said. While many OSU students are taking solid core courses to get a jump on university studies, visiting students from other universities and community colleges are attracted to OSU for the varied course offerings.

And streamlined admissions policies attract community members ranging from elementary school students to retirees.

A variety of youth camps, classes and workshops keep the younger set busy, while classes that delve into the Hollywood blacklist or explore active Cascade volcanoes pique the interest of the community at large.

"There's really something for everyone and it's an easy process to register," Barry said. "No matter what your age, we have many different challenging, interesting and fun classes to expand your knowledge and stimulate your thinking. Pick up a course in website design, or explore the mysteries of identity in a philosophy course.

"We have foreign language courses," he added, "and there are many courses designed for professionals to upgrade their credentials."

Last summer, Kate Nehrbass, a school teacher from Ashland, attended a week-long course on race and ethnicity.

"Everyone we have worked with and met here at OSU has just been terrific," Nehrbass said at week's end. "They have gone out of their way to help and make us feel welcome. Everyone in the OSU Department of Ethnic Studies made a special effort to welcome us and help us through the week."

"The professors here are great. They are very accessible and they make the extra effort to really make the material relevant and interesting," said Aliscia Niles, a public school teacher from Roseburg who took the same course.

Summer Session offers courses from more than 70 of the university's departments. Courses range from art to zoology.

Registration deadline for many Summer Session courses is June 21, although some classes have July or August registration deadlines. For information, see the Summer Session website at http://oregonstate.edu/summer, or call 541-737-1470.

"Summer Session offers a great chance to catch-up, speed-up and jump ahead," Barry said.