On Tuesday afternoon, Cody and I met and spoke to a member of a fairly new local housing co-operative created around the principles of the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers (1844). I heard about the small group through friends, and it turns out I know at least a couple of the people who currently reside there through various classes and mutual friends. Cody and I asked about their goals for this year, their hopes for the co-op after they have left Geneseo, and more specific questions about leadership roles/positions within the small group. The student was very excited to be able to tell us all about the work they try to do, and tries to wake up every morning with the mindset “what can I do for the co-op today?” He said that being in the co-op was very transformative for him: it has taught him to work towards becoming not only a better member, but also a more understanding person to all people every day.

He was especially interested by our Into the Woods class’s content and final project; he is really eager to collect all of the documents that the co-op has accumulated in the past four years and put them together into a cohesive history available to the public. He also hopes having more information out there will encourage younger students to join, or, if they’re anything like me (an embarrassed senior), at least hear about the co-op for the first time.

Something really important that he touched on during our interview was the reason why this particular co-op sprang up. He said that when it really came down to it, students were tired of eating campus food and wanted an environment where friends could come together every night and enjoy real, home-cooked meals as a group, almost like a family. And once this inspired the co-op, and they realized that a communal living space was necessary, the members also realized how important it is to be a knowledgeable tenant in college towns. Their next objective is to collect a group dedicated to educating students about their rights as renters to ensure that landlords do not take advantage of our ignorance as young adults without much understanding of real estate contracts. He also wants to screen documentaries, bring speakers, and hold events that connect the co-op to the local community as well as the larger community.

In the past, the co-op has struggled with issues among its members. Although this was briefly touched on (he admits that he now knows that the co-op is only as committed as its members are), I think there are valid and relatable problems being slightly avoided. If some members join but are in the mindset that they will do the least possible, not much active work is being done for the community. If the co-op functions this way, is it really a co-op or, as Erik Reece would say, “eight liberal vegans living in a group house” (8)? What this particular member was saying was that in past years, the co-op has only had enough time to focus on centering and stabilizing itself without the financial or organizational means to reach out to the community yet. He has high hopes that with the strong group of members living there this year, they will be able to do more outreach than in years past.

Overall, the informal interview went extremely well. Cody and I were enthusiastically invited to a delicious dinner next Wednesday and are very excited! Oh, and it helps that as a vegetarian, all meals are meatless… – Dana