Most Princetonians think of the first week of the spring semester as Bicker and sign-in week at the 'Street.' But it is also a time for campus food co-op groups to recruit new members. Dan Weiss '01, outgoing publicity chair of the 2 Dickinson St. co-op — which is vegetarian — and Eleanor Aversa '01, outgoing membership chair of Brown co-op, recently discussed their groups' offerings with 'Prince' Executive Editor Rob Laset.
'Prince': First, why do students join your groups?
Weiss: People join if they're looking for an alternative to the 'Street' but don't want to be completely independent and cook for themselves every night. With us you cook once a week and then you get all the rest of your meals cooked for you by the other members.
It's also just a really friendly place with a real sense of community.
Aversa: I'd have to say the same thing goes for Brown. Many of my friends in the co-op say they originally joined because of finances. Both co-ops are around $1,000 a year, which is significantly less than the eating clubs. Some members spend a year or a semester in the eating clubs and decide they're not getting their meals' worth and decide they'd be better off in an independent structure.
P: How many members do you currently have?
A: [Brown has] 16 so far, with three members abroad right now.
W: [2D currently has] 32 members with some people gone abroad. We normally have 40, so we have empty spots right now — we're looking for anyone who'd like to join for the spring semester.
A: Same goes for Brown. This current week is sophomore week. We actually have a maximum of 25. This is the first time in quite a while we don't have a full co-op. There was a 'Prince' article that mentioned Frist as a possible reason for a downturn in membership, which is possible.
P: What does membership entail or require?
A: Good looks, charm, connections. [Laughs] No seriously, it's a two hour commitment for cooking plus an hour for doing a chore, which can be shopping at Pathmark, making orders to our organic food supplier, or just keeping things clean.
W: Pretty much the same thing — cooking once a week, doing a chore.
P: What happens if someone doesn't fulfill his duties?
W: I guess in any structure where there is no means of enforcement you'll get people who sometimes don't pull their full weight. But mostly everyone does a pretty good job. In the event that someone is slacking, we remind them very nicely of what it is they need to do.
A: Brown has a constitution that outlines a system of penalties, but basically no one really has made serious transgressions. Sometimes when people are in a bind with work or conflicts they might miss a chore, but in that case they just make it up later.
We also have a co-op enforcer who keeps an eye on things and will send out e-mails and reminders if things get sloppy or if chores get undone.
She's from Texas.
P: How is the atmosphere different than at the 'Street?'
W: I would say it's a lot friendlier and welcoming and you don't need any guest passes to eat here. Anybody who wants can stop by for dinner anytime of the week. We love guests.
A: Our atmosphere is very family-like. We all sit down in one big table and there's usually a lot of joking. Sometimes there's several conversations at once, and sometimes there's just one big discussion. As the year goes on, the members get to know each other very well. When someone leaves, we all say goodbye.
And then also the atmosphere continues around the clock. It's not unusual to go for a snack at one and find a few other members doing the same. We also tend to hang out outside of the co-op, having movie nights in each others' rooms.
P: Why did you personally join?
A: [Pause] One of my friend's roommates had been in a co-op. They lived in a quad in Brown. I think I had visited a few times and I was just immediately attracted to the place.
W: I just found it had the best food I had eaten on campus. That could be because there's a lot more love that goes into home-cooked meals when the people who are doing the cooking are also eating.
A: [Jokingly] Not to mention your reputation is on the line.
P: Dan, are you a vegetarian? Is everyone vegetarian in 2D?
W: Yes, [I am.] And only half [of 2D is] vegetarian. I think the food is good enough that they don't notice there's no meat.
P: Is there anything else about your groups that is very attractive?
A: For breakfast and lunch in 2D and Brown, people just let themselves in and eat anytime they want. It's so much more flexible. There's no worry about late lunch. You can have your dinner at two in the morning.
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