Meristem Cooperative

Are you looking for a quiet, friendly and cooperative living atmosphere? Meristem Cooperative currently has openings and is seeking members! Rent is $470 for a single large room. These prices include foodstuffs for snacking and for dinner, wireless internet access, free laundry facilities and utilities. Meristem is a non-smoking house with a capacity for five members (all single rooms). The house is located on 824 Davis Street. If you are interested, you should contact Caleb Oliver (caleb.j.oliver@wmich.edu; (616) 719-9787) for more information.

About Meristem

• Located in the Vine Neighborhood on Davis Street near W. Vine Street
• Houses 5 members
• This is a non-smoking house 
• 5 bedrooms
• 2 bathrooms 
• We buy food together, with an emphasis on local, organic, and nutritious food. There are house dinners five nights a week with vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free options.
• Common dining room and living room with a piano!
• Common office with a house computer
• Off-street parking
• Wireless high-speed internet
• Laundry facilities
• Pet-free
• Quiet hours begin at 10pm every night
• Access to collective goodies like books, piano, art supplies, office supplies, tools
• Near Metro Transit bus system
• Members have access to scholarship money for conferences and training

Membership

Membership at Meristem is open to everyone. Here's the process:

1. Tour the house and/or join us for dinner (optional)
2. Submit an application
3. Come to an interview with current house member

We strive to be a inclusive community that welcomes all, regardless of gender, color, sexuality, ability, or spirituality. Together, we work toward dismantling oppression in our lives and communities.

Costs

• Single room: $460 per month for a large room, $420 for the small room. Includes lease, utilities, food, maintenance, and common supplies.
• One-time refundable security deposit: $390

Contract Term

• Leases at Meristem run from August 1 - July 31

What to expect when you live at Meristem

• Good food! Staple foods are available to members for all meals. The house doesn’t buy meat collectively, but members may purchase whatever personal food they like.
• A cooperative community in which all members are collectively responsible for the well-being of the house
• Collective, consensus decision-making
• Collective, civil conflict resolution
• A nonsmoking house
• Group budgeting and financial decisions
• Always working to reducing our “ecological footprint” – reducing waste, efficient use of resources, reducing dependence on nonrenewable resources, creating a healthy and nontoxic living environment
• Sharing skills and knowledge that help us become self-sufficient (ex: gardening, cooking, repair and maintenance, etc.)
• Opportunities to connect with and learn from co-op members around the country through organizations like North American Students of Cooperation
• An emphasis on affordable living
• A friendly and fun atmosphere

Responsibilities of members

Meristem members are committed to regular duties that are listed below. New members should expect to devote 6 hours per week to a combination of these responsibilities:

• Prompt payment of monthly charges
• House meetings every other week
• Cooking dinner
• Cleaning and chores
• Administrative tasks such as purchasing or event planning

Questions?

Email us at meristem@kalamazoo.coop or come to one of our events to chat!