Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I move into the Co-op?
We accept all members of UCLA, UCLA Extension, Santa Monica
College, and other educational institutions.
Do you have tours?
Tours are given on select days. Please call (310) 208-8242 for tour times. Meet in the front
lobby of Hardman Hansen Hall (500 Landfair Ave).
When can I move-in?
Our check-in/check-out dates follow the UCLA Undergraduate Quarter system. The
dates are available by calling the front office (310) 208-8242,
or by looking here. If you'd like to move in before the move-in
date, you can pay an additional $25 per day.
Can I stay less than a quarter? Contracts are for a quarter. You can move-in in the middle of a quarter, but only if we have space available.
Do you have monthly contracts?
No. We do not have monthly, academic-year, or calendar-year
contracts. Only quarter (approx. 3-month) contracts based on
UCLA's Fall, Winter, and Spring Quarters. If you are going to a
school that doesn't follow the UC Quarter system, you can still
be accepted, but only if you are able to adhere to the UCHA schedule and
we have space available at your desired
check-in time. Be sure to call in advance.
Do you have any single rooms?
We have approximately 30 single-person rooms. However, they are
almost always taken. Since room selection is based on seniority
(the amount of days a Co-oper has lived at UCHA), it is most
likely that you will be placed in a double or triple room.
How are rooms assigned?
We will place you into an available same-sex room when you first
check-in. This is your temporary room until you go through Room
Bump.
Can my friend(s) and I
move in together?
That depends. If you are of the same sex and we've got a room
with enough empty spaces, then sure. But living in the same room
will depend on available room spaces at the time.
Are your rooms arranged
according to gender?
Yes. Our rooms are assigned either as male or female, depending
on the current occupants at the time. Couples wishing to live
together will try to be accomodated, but there is no guarantee
that men and women will get a room together.
Is there any parking at the Co-op?
There are 90 spots available in the Co-op for parking. They are
distributed during Parking Bump, based on seniority. Most likely,
you will not be eligible for a parking spot your first quarter.
What is Room Bump?
Since our rooms are based on seniority, each new Co-oper must go
through Room Bump at least once. Room Bump occurs at the
beginning of each quarter (second or third weekend of a quarter),
and is well advertised. It is run by the Membership Committee.
All those Co-opers who are new (and older Co-opers who want to
switch rooms) are given a priority number based on the number of
days they've stayed at UCHA. When that number is called, he or
she is asked to pick from the available open spaces in rooms.
Once you've gone through Room Bump, you can truly be called a
"Co-oper" ;-). Groups of 2 or 3 co-opers bumping
togetter are weighted more highly than single bumpers, to
encourage people to select their own roommates.
Who's in charge?
We are! The Board of Directors is elected by Co-opers to
represent them. MemCom (also elected) handles registration of
status, member disputes, fines, and other such issues.
What are choreshifts?
Choreshifts are the 4-5 hour weekly assignments each Co-oper must
do as part of your stay here. Groups of choreshifts that
accomplish similar tasks are organized into crews. Each crew is
headed by a crew chief, a Co-oper appointed by the Executive Director.
In turn, each Crew Chief reports to a particular employee.
What is my choreshift?
If you are a new Co-oper, you need to spend your first quarter
working in the Kitchen, Clean-Up, Maintenance, or Security.
After that, you can continue to be a
kitchen worker, or seek a position in another crew.
What are Quarter
Project Hours?
QPH's are a special task that each Co-oper
must accomplish each quarter. Usually, a new Co-oper has his/her
QPH's covered the first quarter by attending New Member
Orientation and Kitchen Orientation. If you can think of a
special project that would benefit the Co-op, you can propose it
to the department head, and get QPH's. Each Co-oper must do
four QPH's each quarter.
Can I have Pets?
Unfortunately, pets are not permitted in the Co-op.
How do I get a phone
line connected?
You can call the local phone company to get a phone line. However, if you have a
roommate(s) already in the room, you probably already have a
phone line in the room. In that case, you should work out a
cost-sharing agreement with your roommate(s).
What does the Membership
Fee cover?
The Membership Fee covers lifetime
membership in NASCO, and membership services such as the Computer
Room, Co-op parties, movie nights, New Member Orientation, and
other social and educational activities.
What is NASCO?
The North American Students of Cooperation is a continent-wide
non-profit organization. It was founded in 1968 to promote
cooperative movements amongst campus students. UCHA has been a
long time member, and has hosted the WestCo (West Coast Co-op)
conference several times.
What are the Rochdale Principles?
These are the principles upon which the Co-op is founded. They
include
What is the role of the Board
of Directors (BOD)?
The BOD handles all the long term issues
for UCHA. It hires the Executive Director, approves the annual budget, and takes care of other such
matters.
What is the role of the Membership Committee (MemCom)?
The MemCom checks for rent delinquency,
chore deficiency, handles elections,Room and Parking Bump, and
holds expulsion hearings when necessary.
What is discussed at House Meetings?
The MemCom usually calls a house meeting once a quarter to
nominate candidates for MemCom and BOD elections and discuss pertinent issues.
Can someone stay over?
If your roommate(s)are OK with it, then you can have someone stay
overnight. Note, this doesn't cover meals,
which you still must pay for.
Can I smoke at the Co-op?
Smoking is permitted only in the OK and on the cafeteria patio.
As for in your room, its alright if your roommate(s) agree.
If I move out before the end of the quarter, what happens?
You receive a $100 breach of contract fee, taken from your
security deposit, plus rent till the end of
the quarter, unless you find a replacement for yourself.
What if I stay longer than the end of the quarter?
If you are planning on continuing into the next quarter, then
your Winter and/or Spring break periods are covered. Break
periods last anywhere from one to four weeks.
Do I get my security deposit back?
Yes, you do receive your deposit after check-out assuming that you fullfilled
all your obligations as required. Allow approximately 21 days after you leave to get it back.