The houses at 1670 and 1648 Alder St. are not listed on the major property management Web sites in town. They do not have marble countertops or brand-new beige carpeting like some of the other houses and apartments in Eugene, but the co-opportunity housing at the Campbell Club and the Lorax Manner provide other amenities that students may be overlooking in their hunt for the perfect living situation next fall.
“I feel like moving here changed my life,” Abby Bluth, 20, said of her experiences at the Lorax.
The Lorax and Campbell Club are two of three student co-operative houses in Eugene. The other is the Janet Smith House for graduate students located further down Alder near East 18th Avenue. The intent behind the establishment of the houses was to provide affordable housing to students, and at less than $1,000 a term for rent and food, the houses have maintained that goal.
One of the ways they have kept costs down is by maintaining the houses themselves, rather than hiring cooks and house cleaners.
“We do all our own stuff,” Max Smoot, 25, said.
Every resident is expected to contribute 10 hours of housework a week, Smoot said. Duties range from gardening to cooking; the Lorax cooks only vegan and vegetarian meals, and the chore chart changes every term.
Dividing up chores is just one of many ways the houses enforce collaborative living.
Another important feature is an emphasis on open communication. All decisions are made as a group at the houses’ weekly meetings.
“We don’t vote,” Smoot said.
Instead, if something comes up, the group must talk it out and come to a consensus.
“I’m glad to be in a place that is so much more of a human environment. People are held accountable for each other on a more direct level here,” Smoot said about the importance of strong communication and personal relationships at the houses.
Smoot said the reliance on good communication sets the houses apart from other living situations around town. And, when looking for people to move into the house, strong communication skills are something they look for in applicants.
“Strong communication,” Smoot said. “And an open mind.”
Students can pick up an application at the Lorax, Janet Smith House or Campbell Club offices. Those who apply to live at the Lorax are encouraged to attend dinner, 6 p.m. every weeknight, to learn more about the houses and decide whether co-operative living is really right for them. Co-operative living is unique and can take some time to adjust to, Smoot said.
“Some people move in, don’t know what they’re getting themselves into and leave,” he said. “We have common grounds in acknowledging how different we are from one another and respecting that. Applicants should be committed to learning from people that are very different from themselves.”
Co-operative housing is not the right option for everyone, but many of the residents of the house said it has provided cheap living, good friends and a unique experience.
“Moving here was the best decision I’ve ever made,” Erin Grady, 22, said.