Co-op changes its name to Pyle Inn

Asia House co-op changes name to clarify separation from residence

History has a way of repeating itself. After years the original OSCA co-op is back.

Although not known to most OSCA members, Asia House co-op voted two weeks ago to change its name to Pyle Inn co-op. The change was made to clarify the co-op as distinct from the residential Asia House, which is located in the same building. "People sign up for Asia House thinking they're getting Asian food," said college senior Ben Sanders. "We don't have programming related to Asia House."

Sanders independently came up with the idea for a change. The essential goal, he said, was "to minimize confusion." Other than reserving 20 spots each semester for Asia House residents, Pyle Inn co-op has no connection to Asia House.

"Co-ops have had different names over the course of time," said Sanders. He suggested Pyle Inn in honor of the first Oberlin co-op, an all-women co-op which was founded 50 years ago. It was located west of Dascomb, in the lot now paved over by the Mudd parking lot.

Co-ops have the option of temporarily changing their name at any time, but permanent changes require a more complicated process. After the proposal was made, a long discussion was held, followed by an official ballot vote and approval by the OSCA board. "It was a long process," said Pyle Inn Dining Loose End Coordinator Claire Miller.

One of the most entertaining parts of the process was choosing a name. Suggestions that didn't make the final ballot included Clemptor Hut and Badass Muthafucka' Inn. "My main point was changing it away from Asia House; however, changing it to something like Badass Muthafucka' Inn would have undermined the reason for changing it," said Sanders. "There was some concern on part of the board."

OSCA President Tickey Makgopela said that the board would have let the members choose any name, but they were hopeful that some of the more eccentric names were not chosen. "Well, [Badass Muthafucka' Inn] is kind of offensive, and people may not want to eat there because of the name," said Makgopela.

In the final ballot, "Pyle Inn" received 33 votes, far above "Food" with 15 votes, "Vinny's Co-op" with 12, "Magnum Pyle Inn" with five (from a slightly demented desire to be able to refer to the co-op as Magnum P.I.) and "The Co-op Formerly Known as Asia House" with three. A solitary member boldly abstained from the vote; 30 percent did not vote for a name.

Unavoidably, the process resulted in a non-majority decision in the 101 member co-op, rare considering OSCA's general rule of consensus. The co-op members agreed that a majority rules vote was necessary.

Student response to the new name is mixed. "I don't think it's any better than Asia House," said college sophomore Ashley Russell.

"The co-op itself is so dysfunctional. Sometimes there's no salt or sugar," said college junior Rohit Ramanath. "I don't like the co-op so I didn't vote at all."

"I think it's a good idea to change the name but I think they could have come up with better ideas," said Keep co-op member first-year Jody Gilbert.

So far, the change hasn't become evident. Co-op forms will be reprinted as soon as possible, but people's attitudes may take longer to change. In a similar situation, Langston Hall, which was renamed several years ago, is still commonly known by its old name, North Hall.

"I don't hear anyone calling it Pyle Inn," said college junior Austin Johnson. "I think it'll take at least a year."

"It's basically only official," said college junior Maia Skutel.

Where are we?: Pyle Inn co-opers dig in to lunch. Few students are aware of the name change yet. (photo by Stephen Menyhart)