The Michigan Daily/New Student Edition - Thursday, September 7, 1989 - Page 11 Co-op residents learn to cooperate by Ann Eveleth Daily Staff Writer While thousands of students in Ann Arbor continue to live in low- quality housing, unable to combat rising rents and University Housing costs, some students are escaping the crunch by living cooperatively. "It's cool that you learn to get along by working together," said John Gundlach, member of Sojourner Truth Co-op. Cooperatives at the University of Michigan are student owned and op- erated housing units. Over 550 stu- dents live in the 17 separate houses operating within the Inter- Cooperative Council (ICC). "Of primary importance is our commitment to open and accessible membership. Anyone can belong to a co-op. There is no exclusionary criteria for membership. On the con- trary we are committed to an open , multi-racial, multi-cultural popula- tion in our houses," said Yariv Houvras, member of Nakamura Co- op. The Council serves as a central- ized organization for the purpose of coordinating finances, development projects, maintenance and education programs, and contract signing for all houses. Co-op members buy shares in the ICC when they enter a co-op and are equal owners of the entire organiza- tion's holdings, over six million dollars worth of property. In addition to their shares, mem- bers pay a monthly rent that covers the still outstanding mortgages and all housing expenses, and funds ICC-wide educational events and ICC programs. Typically, rent is $300 per month, which includes all housing costs and board. Food is prepared by members, and is always available for individual use. Economically, Co-ops operate on a non-profit basis, and any surplus that occurs is divided equally among the members. "Co-ops are antithetical to capi- talism, and they help to fight poverty," said Miriam Dibble of Lester Co-op,"the veggie co-op that grooves." Each house is autonomous and has its own government. Dem- ocratically organized, each member has an equal vote in house decisions and policies. Houses are also responsible for their own finances, maintenance, and environment. All members participate in work- ing to keep the house running smoothly. Houses elect officers - generally a president, vice-president, work manager, treasurer, mainte- nance manager, food steward,and sec- retary - whose duties fulfill their house work requirement. Other work, such as cooking, dish washing, and lawn mowing, is assigned to members on a weekly basis. Each member works approxi- mately four to six hours each week. Houses also participate in office work at the ICC office, located on the fourth floor of the Michigan Union. Decisions affecting all houses are made by the ICC Board of Directors, which consists primarily of house presidents. In any decision-making process, the Principles of Co- operation serve as guidelines. ICC FILE PHOTO Co-op residents sit and chill out on the porch of their home, Steven's Co- op. Cooperative living is a great way to combat the high cost of housing. Co-ops are committed to open mem- bership, democratic participation, neutrality, education, mutual co- operation, and continual expansion. "It's a great way to experience a democracy and meet people from all parts of the world," said John Chartier of Sojourner Truth. Co-ops are more than just an eco- nomical place to live, they offer an alternative way of living that is edu, cational, diverse,and fun As Kelly Hoffine of Sojourner Truth said, "Co-ops are a good thing because you learn perseverance, co- operation, responsibility, and toler- ance, and make a lot of new friends." Going Greek: Is it right path for you? by Stes Riley Daily Special Writer In recent years, Michigan's Greek system and others nationwide have, grown in popularity. More people now than ever are "going Greek." However, as the number of people joining sororities and fraterni- ties grows, so does the amount of criticism the whole system receives. Growing is what this system is all about. Young women and men who are unsure of themselves and their position at the University join the system with hopes of finding a place to fit in. Once they do, their confidence usually sets in and they are able stand and better face the many challenges the University holds before them. This is not to say that everyone1 who joins the system is insecure, or that anyone who doesn't join, hasi their next four years planned. One fact can't be disputed. As a; new student, this is a big, scary place. Arriving at a school with al- most 40,000 students can be fright- ening to even the most cosmopoli- tan first-year-student. .. The rush process can in itself be; intimidating for both women andt men. While the process differs forE the two, the end result can be grati- fying or devastating for both.l Sorority rush is a lengthy and formal affair. Rushees are requiredt to visit all 19 houses on campus and then wait to be invited back by; members of a given house. There are four sets of "parties" before a rushee may receive a "bid" to become a member of a house. Fraternities take a much more ca- sual approach. Since there are more than 40 fraternities here, it would be almost impossible for someone to visit all of them in the five days alotted for men's rush. Instead, stu- dents visit only the houses they are interested in, for as many nights as they feel are necessary during rush. Then they nervously wait for frater- nity brothers to hand-deliver their bids. The rush process is the most crit- icized part of the Greek system. There are too many students who don't get bids and some of them are hurt by it. "It's a very difficult pro- cess but it's done the best way that it can be done," Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority President Stacy Sanderman said. Students ne d to be aware of their chances for be :oming a member be- fore going into rush. It is important to note that there are other options if a student doesn't go Greek. Being in a sorority or a fraternity is hardly the only way to belong, make a differ- ence or have fun at the University. This is, however, often the im- pression conveyed to students here. There is too much emphasis placed on the Greek system as a whole. It is a small part of the University and a majority of students do not belong to it. Their lives are much the same as Greeks'. What the system does do is im- portant nevertheless. Once a rushee becomes a member of a house, there is usually an instant feeling of be- longing. In addition, there is always a place to go besides the residence hall. Suddenly, the University ap- pears smaller than when students first arrived on campus and the chance to make a difference becomes easily reachable. It is making a difference on which the system prides itself. Many peo- ple believe sororities and fraternities just have parties but as Sanderman said, "We do other things besides having parties that are important to school life that you otherwise couldn't do on a campus this size." She cited recently raising $1200 for See Greeks, Page 13 L J JOIN UAC AND MAKE THEM LAST! JESSICkGREENE/Daily A contestant in the Pi Phi Jello Jump during Greek Week '89. The money raised from Greek week events goes to various local charities. r ftwopl% r 40 lri lant... " Prilliant wn'rl ' AnnrlAe t nn'c ,cI 'I' orfiitd r m r rvV% ,.. nn n , A~ni mI. F 1111C IL VW . r3PPIV 5 r i UIJ PUVVUI IUI personal computers enable you to create it. 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