Finding compatible roommates is one of the major challenges of college housing. However, students who commit to the new co-op housing initiative will be alleviated of this problem.
All members of the housing cooperative will commit to shared values and democratic decision making in the house.
College freshmen Penny Jennewein is leading the initiative. The co-operative, she said, will be a place for those interested in economic, social and environmental justice. It will also support varying degrees of vegetarianism.
In addition, members of the co-operative will follow a set chore rotation and dine together three to five days a week.
“I see us hosting different meetings for different activist groups ... as a center for dialogue,” Jennewein said. The co-operative will seek to encourage social activism on campus and in West Philadelphia.
The initiative has already attracted many students.
Jennewein estimates that about 20 members will commit to the cooperative for next year, and they are currently looking into different houses between 42nd and 45th streets.
College sophomore Meghna Chandra is drawn to the prospect of living with “people who share her ideals.”
“I like the idea of living with people who are committed to social and food justice ... and living in a community where decisions are democratically based,” Chandra said. “It’s a lifestyle that I believe in — getting a chance to personally decide the way you live.”
For Engineering sophomore Ian Penkala, the community aspect of the co-operative was more important.
“Right now, I live in Harrison [College House] with just my friends — it’s not like a co-op at all,” Penkala said. “I’m looking for something where the way you live is more structured and communal ... it should be your family away from home.”
He added that although he is a vegan, he is not as active about the issues as other students are.
“We all have similar values ... but vary in how interested we are in spreading them,” Penkala said.
According to Jennewein, student housing cooperatives are a national movement — the biggest one is currently based in Berkeley, Calif.
Last summer, Jennewein participated in a housing cooperative set in an impoverished neighborhood of San Diego and found the experience to be “incredibly powerful.” She hopes to replicate this initiative at Penn.
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