The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1942-09-25
THE STUDENT COOPERATIVE
PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY

youth had such a huge reservoir c
originality, humor, naturalness an
healthy zest for living. These youn
rugged individualists" could cooper
ate for fun and business with venge
ance. They did and periodic meet
ings such as the above have becom
permanent part of the SEA. pre-
gram. AS many as so to 80 attended
In June, 1912, the SEA. issued +;
pamphlet telling about the SEA LIE
me quote passage describing thu
attitude of the group toward the frs
year of the B.B.C.:
During this period, the leaders O
the Bachelors Buying Club began tt
realize that while they were doing 6
great service to the individual batch
ing students from practical stand
point, there were other ways in which
they. could do even greater service
Many of the students did not have the
time or the money to attend regular
University social functions and except
for their particular patching group,
they knew very few other students.
While being a hermit may have been
attractive to some, most of the stu
dent found it depressing and discour-
aging. They welcomed the chance of
attending dinner meeting, a group
Thanksgiving dinner for those who
couldn't go home, and various dances,
box socials, ETC., sponsored by the
Bachelors Buying Club"
Coop Group consoIidates Gains
The first years program was domi-
mated by hard work, much experiment
tation and the gradual development Of
a workable plan of operation. 1t did
not start because the board of educa-
ton urged it or because the president
willed it. 1t started from down I'M
der" in Missoula. Consequently, it
started as an idea and a practical
effort to meet genuine need. 1t had
% consolidate gains when and where
t could find them. The Lab, young
Is it was, and itself good example
If a cooperative, mothered the idea
md provided those early aids it
leeded- advisory help, moral support,
echniques in handling group meet
ngs, releasing publicity, and an at
nosphere of faith that the venture
,ould be successful. Gradually, aids
rom outside were used. The dean of
men, Burly Miller, became interested. |
IL hof
he necessary work of the B.B.C. done
nd gave much needed advice. Miss |
'latt of the home economics depart |
1ent helped with nutritional prob
ems. President Simmons was seen
frequently in order to obtain his sup
ort. The Kaimin published news
tories frequently. The convocation
ommittee made room for a program
ut on entirely by the BIC. Rev.
ATTY of the school of religion helped
The campus soon was
ware of the BB.C. 1t had much help
, offer.
uslness Leadership Greatly Needed
1t must be admitted that many diff
culties were faced during the B.B.C's
rst year The conflict between those
no wanted financial saving primar
Y VS.. those who wanted savings and
J many services as possible was real.
My gradually did the latter achieve
galway. Perhaps this conflict was i
liefly responsible for the demon
rated lack of business leadership. {
Dr. months, the project seemed to
and still. Discussions were endless
Id without apparent success. De- +
sions badly needed were slowly +
ade Group meetings were color
IS and drab. The BIC. conducted /;
!, blitzkreig 1t is wonder the Z
hole project didn't fold up. The pa
ence of the members was superb. 6