Frequently Asked Questions

OSCA is an acronym for the Oberlin Student Cooperative Association. It is pronounced “AH-skuh”. If you hear people refer to “the co-ops,” they are likely talking about OSCA.

OSCA is a student-owned and student-operated non-profit membership corporation which provides low-cost housing and dining services to hundreds of students at Oberlin College. OSCA is entirely separate from Oberlin College, but all member-owners of OSCA are Oberlin College students.

If you know students in OSCA, it’s likely that you’ll get an invitation to a meal. If not, don’t hesitate to ask if you can visit their co-op. Guests are always welcome, and it doesn’t mean any extra work for co-opers, since they’re already cooking for dozens of people. You might want to plan on arriving a little early, so you can get a seat (and a plate) before food is served. Feel free to help out with the dishes afterward! (Many co-ops have a guest policy of 3 meals = work 1 crew.)

How do I join OSCA? (I am a new Oberlin student)

New students must participate in the new student lottery by going to OSCA’s website and filling out the new student application form. The new student lottery is held mid-June every year.

New students may sign up on the waitlist once the school year begins if they do not get into their first-choice co-op during the new student lottery so long as you are a member of OSCA (ie placed into another the time being).

IMPORTANT: In order to get placed off the waitlist as a new student, you MUST fill out a New Student Application!

How do I join OSCA? (I am a returning Oberlin student)

At the start of the Spring semester, students returning to Oberlin fill out an OSCA Upperclass Lottery Form (online) listing all their co-op preferences (as well as checking off OSCA as a preference on the Residential Education housing and dining forms) for the next Fall semester. Each student is assigned a random lottery number, so everyone has an equal chance of getting into a co-op, regardless of seniority. The two exceptions are co-opers holding all-OSCA positions and new students, for whom 100 spaces are saved for the summer new student lottery.

If you do not get into your first choice co-op, you can get on the waitlist for that co-op so long as you are a member of OSCA (ie placed into another the time being)

Can I leave OSCA for CDS?

Yes, the current rent-contract does allow students to leave OSCA throughout the semester, however, students may not opt into OSCA mid-semester outside of the Spring lottery. Students must fill out a Request to Leave OSCA Form in order to have their request processed. Requests will be processed every 2 weeks.

OSCA reserves the right to withhold semester payment to offset dining and housing exemption costs to Oberlin College. Students will be free to withdraw from OSCA dining between semesters without penalty.  For further information, please contact our office by emailing osca@osca.coop or calling (440) 775-8108 during our office hours.

I submitted a release request form but I’m still in OSCA! Why?

Due to our rent contract with the college, co-op releases can only be processed on certain days, and become effective by our effective dates. These dates are outlined HERE . We can not make exceptions to this policy!!

I was in “x” co-op over winter term, but now I’m getting emails from another co-op! Which co-op am I in?

Winter term co-ops are separate from semester co-ops, which means that you are likely in whatever co-op you are getting emails from. For example, if you were in Pyle in the Fall, and in Harkness for winter term, you are still in Pyle for the Spring unless you got off the waitlist. If you are confused about what co-op you are in, please email the All-OSCA membership secretary at office@osca.coop.

I’m a part-time student who is not required to have a meal plan. I was in OSCA in the Fall but want to leave, do I still need to fill out a release request form?

YES! (here it is!)

Once I get into OSCA for the Fall, am I in for the year?

Yes, unless you release your co-op assignment !

What happens if I’m going to be away from Oberlin in the Fall? Can I still enter the lottery?

Yes. If you know you will be LOA (leave of absence) for the Fall semester, you still need to sign up for the lottery to obtain a lottery number. Once the lottery is over, remember to put yourself on the Spring semester waitlist no later than Commencement Day (extended deadline for students who will be away) to keep your current lottery number. You do not need to pay a deposit if you will be away Fall semester because OSCA cannot guarantee you a spot for Spring.

What Work Do Co-opers Do?

Each co-op has a workchart to organize the work of all of its members. In dining co-ops, each co-oper does 4-5 hours of volunteer work per week. Some co-opers are elected to positions (such as committee representatives, food buyers, bread bakers, and Directors of the Board), while others sign up for jobs on the workchart (such as cooking, cleaning, chopping vegetables, and soaking beans). Still other co-opers have “all-OSCA” positions, working not for a specific co-op, but for OSCA as a whole (such as the President, Treasurer, Membership Secretary, Operations Manager, and Housing Coordinator). Housing co-ops have a separate workchart that generally involves one hour per week of household chores.

Read more about OSCA positions.

Who Is a Member of OSCA?

~565 Oberlin students—about 20% of campus—are members of OSCA each semester. 183 of these co-opers are in housing co-ops, meaning they eat, sleep, and live in co-ops. Most of our members only dine in OSCA, and live in either a college-run Residence Hall or off-campus.

What if I miss the Spring Lottery or I decide I want to be in OSCA part way through the year?

Unfortunately, the current rent contract does not allow students to join OSCA after the Spring Lottery. You will have to wait until next year. 

How will it be determined which co-ops are open each year?

According to OSCA’s Rental agreement with Oberlin College, OSCA is permitted to purchase up to 565 dining and 183 housing units each year. Based on the results from OSCA’s Spring Lottery, the co-ops are “opened” according to demand. This allows for financial flexibility and to best accommodate the interest from our membership year to year. 

Can I switch co-ops throughout the year?

Yes! You can join the waitlist (LINK) for another co-op.

Am I still on the waitlist if I got placed into a co-op?

Everyone on the waitlist remains on the waitlist until they get into their first-choice co-op. This means that if you are dining in co-op X because your 1st choice was not available, you will automatically be switched into your 1st choice co-op when a space opens up (unless it is a housing co-op, we first need your consent to place you!). You will be emailed notification of this change. So, if you get into your second, third, fourth, etc. choice dining co-op, and you like it, take yourself off the waitlist to avoid being switched into another co-op. You will only be removed from the wait list if you are assigned to your first choice co-op or if you remove yourself from the wait list.

How does the waitlist work?

During the Spring and New Student lottery (two separate lotteries), members are assigned a random lottery number. Those who do not get placed into their first choice co-op can get on the waitlist in lottery number order. Students then get placed into their co-op of preference in waitlist order when vacancies open up in each respective co-op.

I got on the waitlist in the beginning of the semester but still haven’t been placed! Why?

Did you fill out the Fall/Spring wait list confirmation form? If not, you are no longer on the wait list! If you did, it may just be that no vacancies have opened up yet!

If I submit my waitlist entry multiple times will I get off the waitlist faster?

Nope!!

Is there a way to circumvent the waitlist due to accessibility/dietary needs?

Yes, there are ways to switch you between co-ops. Please contact the All-OSCA Membership Secretary or the All-OSCA AccessCo at office@osca.coop for more information.

Is there a way to get off of the waitlist faster?

If you select as many co-op options as possible, there is a higher likelihood you will get off of the waitlist faster. However, it all depends on how full the co-ops are and how many people are leaving.

Contrary to popular belief, expensive gifts and marinated tofu won’t move you up the waitlist any faster. Finding and messaging the All-OSCA Membership Secretary on Facebook also will not help you!

I’ve been on the waitlist for TWC/TWSJ forever!! Why?

To be placed into TWC and/or TWSJ, you must BOTH get on the waitlist and fill out an application. Here is the TWC application and the TWSJ application.

Once you’ve done both those things, your application has to go through a selection committee, which can take a while! If more than two weeks have passed since you’ve filled out the application and added yourself to the waitlist, please email the All-OSCA membership secretary at office@osca.coop so we can make sure both forms were processed!

Additionally, if the co-ops are full, you’ll just have to wait until a vacancy opens up!

What are the odds I will get into a certain co-op?

Popular co-ops have longer waitlists than other co-ops, and different co-ops have differing degrees of membership turnover. Some co-ops will remain at capacity for many weeks, meaning no one is able to join that co-op as long as it's full. If you are further down the waitlist, you may not get into your desired co-op until the following semester. To find out your position on the waitlist, as well as your likelihood of joining a certain co-op, email office@osca.coop. 

When will I get off the waitlist?

If you are at the top of the waitlist for one of the co-ops you listed as a preference, changes occur on Wednesday change dates throughout the semester. When you are switched into a desired co-op, your change will be processed on the next Wednesday change date, and you will be notified by email two days later, on Friday. Your change will become effective and you may begin dining in your new co-op assignment on the following Monday.

Do Students Save Money by Being in OSCA?

OSCA charges less than the College-run programs for both Housing and Dining. Most underclass students are required to live on campus, and requires most students to eat on campus. Because we are an at-cost, student-run organization, a student eating in OSCA instead of Campus Dining Services (CDS), saves money per year.  

Additionally, OSCA’s sister organization, OSCA Foundation (OF), has a Scholarship program, through which members of OSCA are eligible to apply to have part of their bill subsidized by OF. 

Will my financial aid be reduced if I’m in OSCA?

Unfortunately, Oberlin College recently changed their Campus-wide Financial Aid Policy. 

If a student joins OSCA, the College reduces the student's Financial aid dollar for dollar for Dining and/or Housing only. (Merit aid and any loans one receives can't be touched) Only the Scholarship dollars that Oberlin College offers are affected.  What this essentially means is that if you receive financial aid from the College for their Dining and Housing rates, they will reduce the amount of aid for the difference between their Dining and Housing rates and OSCA's Dining and Housing rates. You should never pay more for being in OSCA.

Some of the advantages of OSCA membership:

• organic food choices

• using local food growers

• OSCA's food buying policies

• applying for OSCA Foundation Scholarships

How do I receive my OSCA bill?

Your OSCA bill will be mailed to your home address and a copy will be emailed to your student email address before the start of the semester. 

Is there a payment plan for my OSCA bill if I cannot pay the full amount at the beginning of the semester?

Yes; Once you arrive on campus, you can visit the Financial office to fill out a payment plan form with the OSCA Financial Manager or Treasurer. The payment plan splits your bill into three equal payments due monthly on the 25th of September, October, and November for the Fall Semester and the 25th of each month in February, March and April for the Spring Semester. 

I've already paid the College for their housing and/or dining invoice OR I’m waiting on loans and scholarships to pay my semester bill, what do I do?

If you were assigned to a co-op after you paid the College for their dining and/or housing, your student account will have surplus funds because you are billed directly by OSCA. You can send an email to the Students Accounts office (stuaccts@oberlin.edu) requesting the funds to be transferred directly to OSCA. 

Please note that loans, scholarships or payments made to Oberlin College are applied directly to your student Presto account at the Office of Student Accounts, 122 Carnegie Hall.  If the loans or scholarships will not be available until after the due date of your OSCA bill, you will need to fill out a payment plan form.  You can always stop by the OSCA office during open hours or you can reach out to the OSCA Treasurer or the Financial Manager for additional information.

What happens if I can’t make a payment on time?

OSCA offers payment plans, and the OSCA Foundation offers Financial Need Scholarships.  If a member has neither paid their semester bill nor notified OSCA within 30 days after the due date, the expulsion procedures will begin with the Board of Trustees. If you are expelled, you cannot join OSCA until the overdue balance is paid. If you have a remaining balance in your account, your name will be turned over to a collection agency.

OSCA Spring Lottery

Students who get into OSCA during the Spring Lottery for the following Fall semester are required to pay an advance deposit of $75 to ensure their commitment for co-op placement.  The $75 will be applied to the Fall invoice reducing the bill by the advance deposit amount. 

Do I get the $75 advance deposit back if I decide to leave OSCA?

Yes; As long as you notify the Financial Manager by August 1st that you will not be in OSCA for the Fall Semester, your $75 advance deposit will be refunded.

What is an HLEC?

HLEC stands for Housing Loose Ends Coordinator.  This person acts as what you would normally think of as an RA (Resident Assistant) for the building.  There are traditionally two HLECs in Tank, Harkness, and Keep, and one HLEC in TWSJ.  They facilitate meetings, make sure house-elected positions are filled, and take care of personal and interpersonal problems as they arise.  HLECs are there to answer your questions and make your transition to OSCA and Oberlin as smooth as possible.  Never hesitate to tell your HLEC if you have having a problem, or ask your HLEC for advice or knowledge!

Who are my HLECs?

Tank Ezra Rudel erudel@oberlin.edu 

                 Ellie Lane elane2@oberlin.edu 

Harkness Clea Thomas cthomas3@oberlin.edu

                        Morgan Piper Cordova mpiperco@oberlin.edu 

Keep Emily Watkins ewatkins@oberlin.edu 

TWSJ Sophie Winner swinner@oberlin.edu 

What size are the beds?

Beds are Extra Long Twin.  They are the same as the traditional dorm’s beds. You will need to purchase extra long sheets for your bed. 

Do my beds loft?  Do they bunk?

Your beds should do both.  When you arrive, place a work order and Oberlin College Facilities will assist you. A lofted bed is about three feet off the ground and can fit a small filing cabinet or mini-fridge underneath it.  

What will be in my room?

You will typically have a bed, a closet, a chest of drawers, a desk, a regular chair and a set of shelves.  The room also may have a comfy chair, a mirror, or a bulletin board.  The size of the closet varies from co-op to co-op and if you are very unsure about how much you should bring, you can always call OSCA or email your HLEC.

Are there laundry facilities in my co-op?

Yes, there are!  The machines are free to use but you will need to supply your own detergent. 

Can I bring personal audio equipment, televisions, etc?

Co-ops do not usually have house stereos, so a personal stereo can be useful.  You are welcome to bring one as long as you observe rules your house makes about quiet hours.  Also, you may want to be careful about the size of your stereo along with the amount of things you bring.  While rooms in OSCA are generally larger than first year dorms, they are still smaller than what you may be used to, and the space must be shared co-operatively with your roommate.  A television is also an okay thing to bring.  Cable is not included in your board bill, and would have to be purchased from the local cable co-op.  Also, an antenna will get you the networks (NBC, CBS, FOX and UPN) in most places on campus.  Again, however, be mindful of space and be respectful of the community you are living in.  

Can I use the co-op kitchen for personal cooking?

Yes.  You do have to respect food policy as it is made by your dining co-op.  This may mean certain allergens are not allowed in the kitchen, even for personal use.  Cooking meat will also require a brief additional training with the Food Safety Advisor.  Also, it is your responsibility to clean up after yourself in your co-op kitchen as if it were your dorm kitchen.  Be respectful to the dining community and don’t leave a huge mess for the next crew to clean up, as they also have to worry about the next meal.  Don’t forget that co-op dishes belong to the co-op and shouldn’t be kept in your room.  Forgetting to return glasses and forks is not cool, and forces the rest of the co-op to drink out of bowls, measuring cups or ladles (trust me, I’ve seen it).  

Who keeps the co-op clean?

You do! Unlike traditional residence halls, where people are hired by the college to clean the hallways, bathrooms, and common spaces, co-ops are kept clean by their members. At the beginning of each semester, you’ll receive training about how to keep the co-op clean. You’ll then be assigned two chores each week, which can be anything from sweeping the stairs to scrubbing the toilets. Members are expected to spend about an hour a week, although it is usually less. 

What is this RCR thing I got when I moved in?

Your RCR is a very important document that lists all the problems with your room upon move in.  Make sure to fill it out very carefully, listing every scratch, dent, and chip throughout the room.  Read the paper to see what is supposed to be in your room.  If it lists a chair, do you have one?  How about a bookshelf?  Or a desk hutch?  Anything you do not check or list on your RCR that is found to be wrong with your room at the end of the year will be charged to you by the college.  There is nothing OSCA can do about this, so it is important you protect yourself from errant charges.  Also, make sure you get an RCR EVERY TIME YOU MOVE ROOMS.  In co-ops housing can be very fluid.  It is fine to move, just make sure you get an RCR and fill it out as thoroughly as your last one.  You don’t want to be paying for damage made by someone else.  No matter what anyone may tell you, this is a very important responsibility.  Please take it seriously and make sure to do it. 

How do I request a single accommodation?

Email office@osca.coop if you have medical documentation for a single accommodation, or email accessco@osca.coop if you would like to talk to an Accessibility Coordinator about the possibility of a need-based single without a doctor's note. In both cases, the details of your request will remain confidential to only the given point of contact. While a single accommodation request does not guarantee that we will be able to place everyone in a single, any confirmed accommodation request will receive priority for single placement. 

Can I bring my Emotional Support Animal (ESA)?

Yes! Per continuing policy, any OSCA students who wish to bring an emotional support animal must send documentation from a healthcare professional to office@osca.coop detailing their need for said ESA. Please note that OSCA does not allow pets, so any animal not registered with the office as a service animal or ESA cannot live in OSCA housing.

Who should I contact if I have more questions?

Email housing@osca.coop to reach the OSCA Housing Coordinator and Housing Operations Managers.