Members

The UConn Co-op is organized as a not-for-profit, cooperative organization. As such, it is an independent organization, owned and governed by its members. There are very few university bookstores that are organized like the Co-op, and of the few that are, virtually none have the governance structure we have where all directors are elected by the members and there is a student majority on the board of directors required by the Bylaws.

Membership Eligibility

Any person who is or has been connected with the University of Connecticut as a student or as a member of the professional or classified staff may become a member of the UConn Co-op. So ... if you've taken UConn courses or worked for UConn you can become a member of the Co-op.

Types & Fees


There are 3 basic types of membership in the UConn Co-op:

1. Current Student. Current students become members when they pay the one-time, refundable* Cooperative Bookstore deposit fee of $25 that is included in their first fee bill for both undergraduate and graduate students.** This fee automatically appears on the first fee bill.
: *If you are a student member, the membership fee is automatically refunded when you leave the University. You may continue your membership by paying the annual dues ($1) or by converting your deposit fee into a lifetime membership. After you leave the University, you will receive a letter outlining these options. If you do nothing, the deposit fee will be automatically refunded.; **The only exceptions to the automatic bookstore deposit fee are: Health Center students in Farmington; MBA students in Hartford and Danbury; students registered solely for summer session; non-degree students; and, students engaged exclusively in non-credit extension work. These students are eligible to join the Co-op as a student or a non-student. Check with the Co-op for details.

2. Annual Membership. Other members of the University community including students who are not assessed the Cooperative Bookstore fee are invited to join the Co-op. There is a non-refundable $5 membership initiation fee that includes the first year's dues. Annual dues are $1 each year thereafter.

3. Lifetime Membership. Lifetime membership is available for $25. All previously paid annual dues can be applied toward a lifetime membership.

Membership Benefits


As a member of the Co-op you receive many benefits, some of which are:
: • The availability of an excellent bookstore on campus, focused on meeting your needs.; • A voice in the governance of the corporation. This is exercised through the election of and participation on the Board of Directors, the Co-op's governing body.; • Your eligibility for patronage rebates on your purchases. As a member you are eligible to receive a portion of the Co-op's surplus (profits). Your rebate is determined as a percentage of your purchases at the Co-op.
• The availability of an array of services for free or at a nominal charge. They include banking services, notary public, postage stamps, package shipping service, special book orders and book searches, bus tickets, HuskyCard and UCard, and much, much more.

Patronage Rebates


The patronage rebate plan is the Co-op's way of returning a portion of the Co-op's surplus (profits) to our members. Each year the Co-op's Board of Directors determines what portion of any surplus is needed for the Co-op's operation and growth and what portion can be rebated to the members.

You are eligible to participate if you are a current member of the UConn Co-op. Your share of the rebate is based on your purchases from the Co-op during the rebate year: June 1-May 30.

At the time of purchase you must identify yourself as a Co-op member when asked and give your
Co-op number (University ID/Social Security or PeopleSoft #). Your purchases are recorded through your member number. We urge all members to save their sales receipts. They allow you to verify that your member number was used and allow you to verify the Co-op's records of your purchases.

Your total rebate depends on the amount of your eligible purchases (P) which is then multiplied by the rebate % rate (R) as set by the Board of Directors.


Your Total Rebate = P x R

All you have to do is pick up your patronage rebate voucher. Vouchers are distributed at the Co-op on the Storrs campus beginning the start of classes for the Fall semester. Regional campus customers may request to have their rebate sent to their nearest campus location. Vouchers not picked up by mid-September will be mailed to you. Make sure to keep us informed of your current address.
Address change forms are available at the Co-op or you can e-mail us your address change.

Vouchers expire the last Saturday in March of the following year.

Board of Directors


The UConn Co-op is an independent, self-supporting business organized as a not-for-profit cooperative corporation. As such, it is owned and governed by its members. Overall oversight and governance is vested in a Board of Directors, who are elected by the members.

Role of the Board.

The Board of Directors is elected to represent the members and in so doing represent the interests of the University community at large and the University of Connecticut. The Board provides oversight, governance, advice and consent concerning the operations of the Co-op's business. The directors establish broad policies and directions, act on major operating issues and give direction to the president/general manager, who then conveys that to the staff.

Board Structure.
The Board consists of fifteen (15) elected directors and the president/general manager who serves in an ex-officio (non-voting) capacity. Of the 15 elected positions:
: • At least eight (8) must be students, of which at least four (4) must be undergraduates and one (1) must be a graduate student; (Note: this assures that the Board has a voting majority of students.); • At least two (2) must be members of the faculty or staff of the University with at least one (1) being a member of the faculty;; • At least one (1) must be a student or member of the faculty or staff from a regional or professional campus.; • At least one (1) must be an alumnus or alumnae of the University.; • The remaining three (3) positions are elected on an at-large basis from the categories above.


Board Elections.
Elections are held each year in the Spring. In even numbered years, eight (8) directors are elected; in odd numbered years, seven (7) directors are elected.

Potential candidates must complete a candidates nomination application and, if a student, have his or her nomination petition signed by the appropriate number of members. Click here to download a 2008 Board of Directors Nomination and Election Packet.

Directors are elected to a two-year term starting with the Annual Meeting in the September following their election. Occasionally, members are appointed by the Board to complete the term of a director who has resigned.

If interested in running for the Co-op Board, please watch for information early in the Spring semester or call Carol Tabor, the member relations coordinator, at (860)486-1309 or e-mail her and ask for more information.

2007-2008 Board of Directors

Undergraduate Students:

William Armitage	Christopher Grohs
Eric Hale*	Xue Feng Liu
Matthew Shapiro	Jonathan Sierakowski
Michael T. Wisniewski*

Graduate Student:

N. Abimbola Sunmonu

University Faculty/Staff:

M. Kevin Fahey	Donna M. Gionfriddo*
Gim Seow

Alumni:

Justin Carbonneau	Christian Giorgione
John S. Ireland	Susannah Richards

President/General Manager:

William P. Simpson

*elected from a regional or professional campus


How the Board of Directors Works for You.
The Board of Directors meets periodically to fulfill its role. The Annual Meeting is held each September and other meetings are held throughout the year, generally once a month during the regular semesters. Special meetings and executive committee meetings are called occasionally to address special situations.

The board also uses the committee system to assist it in fulfilling its responsibilities. Standing committees include the finance, nominations and elections, bylaw and member relations committees. While a director must chair the committee, any member may join.

Annual Meeting


Each year the Co-op holds its Annual Meeting in September on the Storrs campus. The meeting provides a chance to talk about the year past and about future plans with members. We strongly urge members to attend. Watch for announcements in the Daily Campus and at the Co-op.