Students and faculty become members of a university co-op after paying share. After that, they will be able to use the co-op’s stores and services. The amount of share varies depending on each co-op, but is usually 5,000-30,000 yen. The share will be refunded in full upon graduation or retirement.
Members are owners of a university co-op and can participate in the decision-making process. Every year, members participate in the general assembly, approve the account settlement and budget, and elect the directors and auditors.
Author: Manabu Yamamoto
Please read from right to left
- What is a university co-op?
- Well... To put it simply, it's "Everyone's store."
- Everyone's store?
- Share capital?
- Please take a look at this illustration!
By buying member share, everybody will become a member of the university co-op!
Admission
Member share
Members
And most importantly, this member share will be given back at the time of graduation.
Graduation
- It will be given back? Is that okay?
- The new students will invest.
Alumni <-- Return New students --> Invest
- Investing for the co-op’s operation? It’s like a stockholder.
- That’s a good analogy!
- A member is a user of a university co-op, and also its investor and operator of the co-ops business and activities! Members can enjoy services they need using their own money! This is what I meant by "Everyone's store."
- So members can speak their opinion in the co-op’s operation?
- Exactly! University co-ops also have “Hitokoto Card” (Opinion Card).
- Hehehe... I won’t tell a thing about it for now.
- Hey! You were about to say something.
- I will do it in the next page!
- Page? What page?
大学生・教職員の皆さんは、一度出資金を払うと、大学生協の組合員になって、大学生協のお店とサービスをその後ずっと利用することができます。出資金額は大学生協によって異なりますが、5,000円~30,000円(2011年9月現在)です。その出資金は大学を卒業・退職した時に全額払い戻されます。
大学生協の組合員というのは、大学生協のオーナーということでもあり、意思決定過程に参加することができます。組合員は毎年の総代会に参加して、年度決算・予算を承認し、理事・監事を選挙します。