Johnny George, Carmen Tsui and Judi Sui Some thirty co-op alumni, from as far away as Oregon and Southern California, attended the 10th annual alumni membership meeting at The Convent during Homecoming Weekend. In addition to reminiscing, attendees enjoyed a bountiful brunch, heard updates on the USCA and the Alumni Association, and were entertained with folk music by a trio of graduate students, two from The Convent.

195os Cloyne alumni

Following Alumni Association President Tom Sutak’s report USCA President Johnny George and USCA Vice Presidents Tim Ponti and Elizabeth Lim described recent efforts to strengthen the co-op board, reach out to the community, and strengthen recruitment and retention. USCA General Manager George Proper reported that for the first time
in recent years co-op occupancy was 100%, with a long waiting list. He also outlined current efforts to obtain bond-financing for major seismic, accessibility, and cosmetic renovation of both Cloyne Court and Casa Zimbabwe (Ridge Project).

The Convent folk trio ended the meeting Graduate Student Carmen Tsui from Hong Kong thanked alumni for her scholarship, which expedited her ability to enter UC graduate school, and spoke of her goal to eventually work in mainland China.

There was much groaning among current students in attendance as alumni recalled days of $36 per semester “incidental fees” (there was no tuition) and $50 per month room-and-board charges at the co-op. Even though room-and-board in the USCA remains less than 50% of market rates, it currently runs $2,913 a semester with tuition approximately the same.