Asia House co-op in debt

OSCA hoping Old B won't have to face similar problems as Asia House co-op

A common boast going around OSCA the past semester has proclaimed that if only President Nancy Dye would hand over the reins, the school wouldn't have to worry about a structural deficit. If OSCA ran the school, there would be no need for cutbacks; money wouldn't be tight anymore.

The current situation in Asia House co-op shows part of the OSCA the week. "We ordered food this week," said Seiden. "It's just that we ordered less of it." Next week, Asia House's food buyers will begin to put in regular orders again, but they will be more cautious of what they buy.

Asia House just opened this semester, and for many of its members, this is their first time in a co-op. The costs involved with setting up a new co-op, along with the inexperience of many of its members, is what originally led Asia House into debt. According to Khuu, people went overboard on spending for their special meals "because they just didn't know any better." Khuu said, "One meal had lots of papaya and kiwi in the fruit salad, and that's just too expensive for a co-op."

Set-up costs can befall any new co-op, but OSCA is hoping that after this experience with Asia House, the re-opening of Old Barrows next year won't face the same problems.

Until three years ago, when it was closed due to structural disrepair, Old Barrows was a 16-woman housing co-op. During the years that Old Barrows (Old B) was closed, OSCA still had a contract with the college, assuring them of those 16 housing spaces.

College first-year Yvonne Doble, HLEC for Old B next year, said, "While communication had broken down over the contract, things are progressing and Old B will be open next year." The question now is whether the third floor of Old B can be brought up to fire code standards in time for the fall semester.

If repairs are not finished by the beginning of next year, the opening of Old B could be postponed until the spring, or it could be opened as an eleven women house, with people living only on the second floor.

There is currently a waitlist for placement in the house, with 25 women on it, but no one will be formally accepted until OSCA knows for certain when Old B will open. It is Doble's hope that everything will be straightened out by the end of this semester because "it would be nice to have our first house meeting and room lottery before the end of the year." Doble said, "Everyone wants to know where they will be living."