>> HOME
1935: Co-op living fills the bill
In September, 1935, elated by Dean Johnston's waiving the $45.00
semester registration fee, the offer of an NYA job allowing me to make
$20.00 a month, and a chance to live in a cooperative, I left Salem, Ohio
with a packed laundry case, put my thumb in the air and headed for Athens.
A few hours later, I arrived and made my way to Palmer Hall. The
room I was to share was about 10 by 12 with a sink, a couple of desks and
chairs, some drawers for clothes and a double bed. The other facilities
were down the hall. Not exactly the Ritz, but to a seventeen year old,
this was going to college, a privilege offered to only a small percentage
at that time.
"Cooperative" meant just that. Your room condition, which was up
to you, was expected to be reasonably neat and clean. The "dining hall"
was the responsibility of the students-cleaning the floor, setting and
waiting on tables and washing the dishes, pans and silverware. Two brave
women ordered the food, did the cooking, made up the work schedules and
figured the costs.
This doesn't sound like college life as described in the brochures,
but the room was $1.50 a week and the board averaged about $2.50. Room and
board for $17.00 a month! Not the Intercontinental, and some work was
involved, but all had the opportunity to get an excellent education. Then
a job that paid $20.00 a month and it is easy to see what a wonderful
opportunity had been dumped into my lap. Figure out the total financial
picture and you are looking at one of the best bargains of all times. Thank
you Ohio University.
Donald Hammell
Class of 1941
