Rebate checks were available for collection at the Coop yesterday for the first time since fiscal year 1993.

For almost a month, the Harvard Cooperative Society has advertised that it turned a profit this past fiscal year and intended to issue a 3.5 percent rebate to its members in October. Yesterday was the first day those with their COOP membership card and a photo identification could collect that rebate.

According to Coop President Jeremiah P. Murphy Jr. '73, the 3.5 percent rebate applies to purchases made between July 1996 and June 1997. Coop members who supplied their membership number when making purchases at the Coop can collect a check for 3.5 percent of the total amount spent during that time period.

Murphy emphasized that members must provide cashiers with their Coop numbers each time they make a purchase. He expressed regret that many members failed to use their number and therefore will not collect the full amount to which the rebate entitles them.

However, Murphy estimated that between 35,000 and 40,000 rebate checks were printed for those students, faculty, alumni and other Harvard affiliates who take advantage of Coop membership. These checks are available for immediate collection at the Coop.

The average amount of each check, Murphy estimated, is $15.

For the next two weeks, members may collect their rebate checks in the main building of the Coop between 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. A Coop representative at a table near the Palmer St. exit will distribute the checks. After two weeks, checks will be available for collection in the Coop's credit department, located on the fourth floor of the main building.

For those members who do not manage to collect their rebate in per- son, the Coop will be mailing the checks in mid-November.

Murphy expressed his hope that with the continuing re-organization and streamlining, the Coop will be able to provide a larger rebate in upcoming fiscal years.

The last time a rebate was given, in 1993, it amounted to 1 percent. Murphy noted that this rebate may serve to encourage more individuals to join the Coop and to exercise their membership privileges.

"Actually [seeing others] get the check may be the call to action," he said. "When your roommate is going out to dinner with his rebate check, you may decide [the $1 Coop membership fee] is a good investment."

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, 65 members had collected their rebates