 Cochetti described the organization's goals as "to assert and protect the inherent rights of its members and the community" through the use of powers available to corporations, such as making contracts, borrowing money, and receiving property.The organization soon began using its independent status to develop and expand a number of new businesses designed for students' needs.It is not known when the organization formally adopted the name "The Corp."

Shortly thereafter, students began selling extremely low-cost yogurt and water on the University's Healy Lawn to fund the fledgling corporation—at times to the same demonstrators whose gassing had prompted the group's formation.