"Co-ops" = OSCA = Cooperative housing or dining options

quaere
Mon, 15 Sep 2008 10:14:54 +0000

The vegetarian and vegan options are way better in the co-ops than in CDS. In addition to Fairchild (historically vegan) and Harkness (historically vegetarian, but probably a third of the members are vegan), every co-op has vegetarian options at every meal. In practice, what this means is that even if you’re in an “omnivore” co-op, there probably won’t be meat more than once or twice a week - possibly more often in KHC, but there will always be a vegetarian alternative. On top of this, co-ops set their own food policies and are very conscious of the needs of their members. If you’re vegetarian or vegan, or gluten-free, or don’t eat refined sugars, or have any other dietary restriction, people will make sure to label things and will go out of their way to make sure you get good food. It’s also worth mentioning that co-opers own the stuff that’s in our kitchens. So if you don’t like what’s for dinner, or if you want noodles at 2 AM, you can go cook for yourself any time, using anything that’s in the kitchen.

I’m a first-year living in a co-op, and joining OSCA is the best choice I’ve made so far at Oberlin. The community here is so, so wonderful, and tighter than in any of the dorms I’ve seen. It’s an instant group of friends spanning all class years, college and conservatory, international students, etc. You can’t get lost in a co-op – there’s always someone to be with, someone to look out for you. And there’s always something going on. We have some of the best jam sessions on campus; midnight scavenger hunts that last for hours; spontaneous dance parties in the kitchen or the showers; raids on other co-ops, which can get very elaborate; Frisbee games, dancing in the rain, and snowball fights; or just staying up late playing Cranium and talking about whatever comes to mind. There’s always someone making something in the kitchen – fresh bread or granola, vegan cupcakes and cinnamon buns. And Friday pizza nights in Harkness are hands-down the best food you’ll ever eat.

The caveat I’d give for anyone considering living in OSCA (as opposed to just dining there) is that most co-op policies are basically “live and let live” (or, as we call it, the “don’t be an a$$hole policy”). So you will quite probably see naked people, smell pot in the hallway, have some pretty messy common areas - in some co-ops more than others. There’s absolutely no pressure to do anything: I’m substance-free and living in what’s allegedly the most mind-altered co-op, and it’s been a complete non-issue. And if you tell someone they’re making you uncomfortable for some reason, they’ll stop, or at least talk with you about it. But if you don’t think you can tolerate a certain degree of disorder and permissiveness, living in a co-op is not the best choice.

If you’re not sure, you can always live in a dorm and eat in a co-op your first semester, or just come hang out at one to get a feel for what they’re like. Folks in OSCA are incredibly kind and welcoming, and we love to share co-op joy with new people – not to mention co-op food…