The cooperative principles are guidelines by which cooperatives put their values into practice.
1: Voluntary and Open Membership
Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political, or religious discrimination.
2: Democratic Member Control
Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions. Men and women serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary cooperatives members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote) and cooperatives at other levels are organized in a democratic manner.
3: Member Economic Participation
Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the cooperative. They usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing the cooperative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.
4: Autonomy and Independence
Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their cooperative autonomy.
5: Education, Training, and Independence
Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives. They inform the general public -- particularly young people and opinion leaders -- about the nature and benefits of cooperation.
6: Cooperation Among Cooperatives
Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional, and international structures.
7: Concern for Community
While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members.
Responsibilities
House members must do a chore each week, determined by the house managers. Additionally, house members who participate in the house meal plan must work with other house members once a week to cook a meal for the whole house. The recipes are planned and directed by house stewards who also buy all of the food for the house meal plan every week, so the only work house members must do is the prep and cooking. Finally, every semester house members must participate in a house clean and eight hours of house improvement spread throughout the semester.
Room Types
Singles
There are nineteen singles in Redbud
Singles have queen beds
Singles are generally reserved for existing house members, but exceptions can be made
Doubles
There are six doubles in Redbud
Doubles have twin beds
Triple
There is one triple in Redbud
The triple has twin beds
History
Founded in 1956, Redbud Cooperative in Von Cramm Hall is the largest cooperative house on campus. The recent addition of "Redbud" to the name commemorates the wooded area that used to be behind the building. Residents are a mixture of undergraduate and graduate students, and many are international or exchange students. The building was founded using gift funds from a donor with the hopes that the building would promote international understanding.