Oberlin Student Cooperative Association (OSCA)

Formed: 1950 Established: 1950

This page last updated:2/1/2012

Oberlin, Ohio,

United States

The Oberlin Student Cooperative Association (OSCA) is an association of nine self-managed student-run housing and dining cooperatives at Oberlin College.

OSCA, est. 1950, is a unique co-op in that it houses and feeds 174 student owners and feeds an additional 452 student owners in dining facilities, saving its members thousands of dollars per year from the regular campus room and board rates. Individual houses are self-managed, and decisions for the association are made democratically, with representation from all of the individual units. Some decisions are by simple majority and consensus; the Board of Directors runs on consensus. It is not an exaggeration to say that OSCA is the most complex, intense, and authentic "real life" experience available to Oberlin College students.

OSCA buys food from local farms as much as possible; special provisions are made for members with vegan, vegetarian, and kosher or halal dietary preferences. The co-op owns one of its facilities, and leases eight from the college.

OSCA educates its members through various programs that include purchasing foods from local farmers, tofu production, composting, the Nicaragua Sister Partnership (women's farming cooperative), conference subsidies, and scholarships.

Website: http://oberlin.edu/osca

Contact:

Oberlin College Wilder Hall 402
PO Box 118
Oberlin, Ohio 44074-0118 United States
Phone: 440-775-8108

Community location is placed at the center of the zip/postal code, city/state, or city/country (not based on street addresses)

Former/Other Names: OSCA

This page last updated:2/1/2012

Visitors Accepted

(during the academic year)

Visitor Process: Email us. Office hours are Monday through Thursday, noon to 4 p.m., in Wilder Hall, room 402.

Statement of Housing Non-discrimination:

Our community does not discriminate in regards to housing based on race/color, national origin, religion, sex/gender, family status (i.e. having children, not having children, or being pregnant), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, ancestry, source of income, age, creed, personal appearance, political affiliation, HIV infection, military/veteran status, unfavorable military discharge, gender identity or expression, receiving public assistance, or being the victim of domestic abuse.

Population

Members(adults and children):

174

Open to new members:

Yes

(Members must be enrolled as students at Oberlin College.)

Labor and Money

Financial Style:

100% income sharing

Open to Members with Pre-existing Debt:

Labor Contribution:

Expected

Join Fee:

(must be an Oberlin College student)

Regular Fees:

Social Factors

Become an Editor Current editor(s): osca

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