Oberlin Student Cooperative Association
In 1950, a group of 11 students at Oberlin College sought an alternative to the expensive, low-quality food and restrictive housing on campus.
So they brought a proposal before the administration, and the college, after a period of some reticence, gave way to student demand. After consulting with the manager of the local consumer co-op, the students created a business plan for a cooperative residence of 28 female roomer/boarders and 28 male boarders. Faculty approved the plan, and in the fall of 1950, Pyle-Inn opened as a co-op on West College Street.
Student Georgia Skoirchet is enjoying her sixth semester as a dining cooperative member. "I didn't really like the eating habits I was picking up in the dining halls," she recalled, adding that the dining co-op can save a student up to $1,000 per semester.
Each member contributes a certain amount of time each week, acting in positions such as food buyer, head cook, recycler, yogurt maker and kitchen maintenance worker. The staff holds elections for each position, and everybody participates in clean-up after meals.
This past year, Georgia worked as a local foods coordinator for Oberlin Student Cooperative Association (OSCA). "It got me really interested in the local food economy and ways that it can be revitalized," she said. "I think that a job linking farmers to nearby businesses and schools, giving them a fair price for food, would be very satisfying."
Learn more about OSCA at: http://osca.csr.oberlin.edu/