Low Rebate Upsets Students

Students interviewed yesterday said they were disappointed by the Harvard Coop's announcement that it was offering a rebate of 1.1 percent, the lowest in the store's history.

Many students, most of whom are members of the Coop, blamed the low rebate on high prices and poor management.

Laura M. Bow '95 of Adams House said that the Coop's policy of offering a rebate to its members is deceptive.

"The Coop charges so much, and tricks you [into thinking that] you're saving, but it's totally false," said Bow. "It's sad that more effort goes toward making money than to helping students."

Many other students complained that Coop prices are too high. "It's too expensive, and it's a monopoly," said Yong Kim, a third-year Law School student.

Jeremy A. Rassen '95 blamed the Coop's high prices for its low profits, the cause of the low rebate this year.

"The Coop could compete if it had competitive prices," said Rassen. "If prices went down then profits and the rebate would rise."

Other students questioned the management of the Coop and brought up the issue of accountability.

Mather House resident Jol A. Silversmith '94 said that the lowered rebate "makes me wonder" about the student representatives on the Coop board.

"It would be interesting if they were electedat the same time as when the rebate was announcedinstead of in the spring when everyone hasforgotten," Silversmith said.

Most students interviewed yesterday admit thatthis year's rebate, down from 5 percent last year,will not affect how much they spend at the Coop."Non-competitive" prices already played a largerole in keeping them away, they said.

William H. Bossert, one of the Coop's trusteesand the master of Lowell House, defended thestore, saying it was fortunate to profit at all inlight of the recession.

He added that this year all the profits hadbeen directed toward rebates. Normally, the Coopsplits its profits between rebates and a cash fundto cover possible losses and pay for expansion.

Bossert said rebates, in the past, havefluctuated with the business cycle. "This is notthe first year where rebates have been reduced tonext to nothing," he said.

Bossert was not alone in defending the Coop forthe large drop in the rebate level.

A number of students interviewed yesterday saidthey blame the recession, not the Coop, for thelowered rebate.

"The lowered rebate is depressing, but it's theeconomy's fault not the cruelty of the Coop," saidIsaac J. Hall '96

"It would be interesting if they were electedat the same time as when the rebate was announcedinstead of in the spring when everyone hasforgotten," Silversmith said.

Most students interviewed yesterday admit thatthis year's rebate, down from 5 percent last year,will not affect how much they spend at the Coop."Non-competitive" prices already played a largerole in keeping them away, they said.

William H. Bossert, one of the Coop's trusteesand the master of Lowell House, defended thestore, saying it was fortunate to profit at all inlight of the recession.

He added that this year all the profits hadbeen directed toward rebates. Normally, the Coopsplits its profits between rebates and a cash fundto cover possible losses and pay for expansion.

Bossert said rebates, in the past, havefluctuated with the business cycle. "This is notthe first year where rebates have been reduced tonext to nothing," he said.

Bossert was not alone in defending the Coop forthe large drop in the rebate level.

A number of students interviewed yesterday saidthey blame the recession, not the Coop, for thelowered rebate.

"The lowered rebate is depressing, but it's theeconomy's fault not the cruelty of the Coop," saidIsaac J. Hall '96