Welcome to Cooperative Housing

Cooperative housing has been a part of the Purdue University community for over 75 years. In a cooperative house, students live and work together to develop personal, professional, and leadership skills and friendships. The best part is that at the end of the day, we get back home with some of the greatest friendships college brings. Together, we attend social events, participate in countless philanthropy opportunities, all while getting home cooked meals that are often passed down and made by your very own brothers and sisters.

Currently, Purdue is home to 11 cooperative houses: 4 men's houses and 7 women's houses. Students interested in joining a Cooperative House can participate in recruitment in both the fall and spring semesters. Cooperatives bring a unique aspect to housing that you simply cannot find on any other campus in the nation. We encourage you to experience the tradition!

Cooperative members are eligible for more than $15,000 in scholarships each year and have the ability to apply for funding for leadership programs as well. Cooperative living goes beyond just an affordable place to live. Members serve in the local community through community agencies and globally in international service projects. With GPAs consistently above the campus average and amazing graduation rates, cooperatives have a track record of being a very positive living and learning environment for all. Membership in cooperative houses allows students to begin building connections on campus early on. From the mentor programs offered by houses to intramural sports and social events, there is always something going on around the cooperative housing community.

Recruitment Information:

Our Cooperative houses have both a formal and informal recruitment process. Men's cooperative houses recruit informally in both the fall and spring semester, while both our men's and women's houses have a formal recruitment process in the Spring for incoming and current Purdue students. 

Men’s houses also participate in continuous recruitment that takes place throughout the Fall and Spring semester on a rolling basis. The men’s houses have formal events or opportunities to meet prospective members and extend invitations for membership based on their individual house selection process. Spots for prospective members will be left open in each men’s house to ensure that there will be availability for Purdue students and current high school seniors who would like to attend formal recruitment in the Spring.

Women’s houses do not participate in continuous recruitment. They only participate in formal recruitment. 

 

Men’s Recruitment Application: 2025 Men's Cooperative Recruitment Application -  https://purdue.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3D8hFTmt7g1F7SK

Women’s Recruitment Application: 2025 Women's Purdue Cooperative Application - https://purdue.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3EIw6NBNP0ePhrg 

Formal Recruitment:

The formal recruitment process for both men's and women's houses take place in the Spring. The dates have not yet been determined for next year. Spring 2025 formal recruitment will be in person, with a virtual participation option for those who cannot attend in-person or who are more comfortable attending virtually. 

Students (current Purdue students or incoming freshmen) will be able to choose between two weekends for their formal recruitment date. During formal recruitment, students will have the opportunity to meet all of the houses and get to know some of the members. At each house, both Men and Women, students will be able to interview with the house to allow for the house to get an insight to the students life and their personality. The houses will then invite individuals back for a second round of visits. After you have gone to all of the houses you chose to visit during the second round, you will rank those houses based on your preference.

Informal Recruitment:

Informal recruitment takes place following formal recruitment. Prospective members will be invited back to meet members in a more casual setting. This is a time to ask any questions that you may still have, and it is also a great time to learn more about the culture of the houses and assess which ones would be a good fit for you.

If you would like more information throughout the academic year come to any of the call-out meetings hosted by the Purdue Cooperative Council where you will be able to learn more about the individual houses and how the recruitment process works. If you have questions about the process, please contact:

Vice President of Membership: vpm@purduecooperatives.org

ED of Men’s Recruitment: edmensrecruitment@purduecooperatives.org

ED of Women’s Recruitment: edwomensrecruitment@purduecooperatives.org