Articles of Incorporation

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ARTICLE I: Name

The name of this corporation shall be the “Berkeley Student Cooperative.”

ARTICLE II: Purposes

A. The Berkeley Student Cooperative is a corporation that does not contemplate pecuniary gain or profit to the members thereof. It is formed for charitable purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 and its property is irrevocably dedicated to religious, charitable, scientific or hospital purposes within the meaning of Section 214 of the California Revenue and Taxation Code. Its primary purposes are:

  1. To promote the social and general welfare of the community by offering low-rent housing to all university students, regardless of race, creed, color or national origin, and thus influence the community to eliminate prejudice and discrimination in housing.
  2. To advance the cause of education by providing inexpensive board and lodging for university students with limited resources, so that those who might not otherwise be able to continue at the University because of economic need, may enjoy the fruits and the benefits of higher education.
  3. To relieve the government of the State of California from the burden of building and operating state-owned dormitories by creating housing facilities for students at low cost on a cooperative basis; and to continually expand and extend those facilities in the community interest.
  4. To engage in a continuous educational program designed to eliminate prejudice and discrimination in housing, and to further the principles of tolerance and cooperation through mutual, self-help living at minimal cost.

B. To further the primary purposes of this organization, this corporation shall be empowered to, but not limited to, do the following:

1. Own, lease and operate dormitories, dwelling units, residence halls, boarding units and similar activities for university students.
2. Do all the things expedient and necessary for the furtherance of the primary purpose of the organization.

ARTICLE III: Place of Business

The principal office for the transaction of business for the corporation is to be located in the County of Alameda, State of California.

ARTICLE IV: Board of Directors

The statement which appears in the original Articles of the names and addresses of the first directors is as follows in this article:

The names and addresses of the persons who are to act in the capacity of directors until the selection of their successors, and who shall be known as directors are:

1.	Douglas S. Cruickshank, President, 2714 Ridge Road, Berkeley, California.
2.	Dudley D. Dillard, 2714 Ridge Road, Berkeley, California.
3.	William E. Spangle, 2714 Ridge Road, Berkeley, California.
4.	Hardy N. Smith, 2498 Piedmont Avenue, Berkeley, California.
5.	Thomas A. Blakeley, 2498 Piedmont Avenue, Berkeley, California.
6.	Kenneth M. Eastman, 2498 Piedmont Avenue, Berkeley, California.
7.	Francis A. Smart, 2227 Union Street, Berkeley, California.

ARTICLE V: Membership

A. Membership in the University Students’ Cooperative Association is unlimited, provided the following membership qualifications are complied with:

1. Each member shall be a student or a member of the staff of the university or college, the constituency of which is served by the unit that s/he seeks to join.
2. Each member must pay the membership fee stated in the by-laws of the corporation.
3. Each member must be living or boarding at one of the authorized units.

B. There shall only be one class of membership. All members shall enjoy the same rights and privileges that are stated in the by-laws of the corporation.

C. The liability of members for the dues and assessments shall be definitely stated in the by-laws of the corporation.

ARTICLE VI: Amendments

The articles may be amended in the manner prescribed by law.

ARTICLE VII: Formation

This corporation is organized pursuant to the General Non–Profit Corporation Law of the State of California.

ARTICLE VIII: Incorporation

The name of the existing unincorporated association that was incorporated to form the present corporation was the “University of California Students’ Co-operative Association.”

ARTICLE IX: Dissolution

A. Upon dissolution, no part of the assets of this corporation shall accrue to, or be distributed to, or among, its members.

B. Upon the liquidation, dissolution or abandonment of this organization, its assets, remaining after payment or provision of payment of all debts and liabilities of this organization, shall be distributed to an organization organized and operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes meeting the requirements of Revenue and Taxation Code section 214. The distributee shall be Sogorea Te' Land Trust, organized and operating exclusively for charitable and educational purposes meeting the requirements of section 214, if it qualifies under this Article.


[Updated as per approval by the Board and by the required vote of the members (Spring 2022)]