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 he housing problem is one that need not worry Home Economics girls for one semester
at least, and that semester at least, and that semester is the one they spend at Sims cottage. The John Francis
Sims cottage, named in honor of the late President John Sims, is built on the college campus facing Fremont
street. It was completed in 1916, and a group of Home Economics girls, under the direction of Miss Bessie May
Allen, moved in on December 8. All Home Economics girls are required to spend some time at the cottage. At
present, they spend one semester during either their Junior or Senior year. The cottage can accommodate eight
girls a semester, but because of the decreased enrollment, only half of the cottage is being used. Miss Allen
lives at the cottage as director and house mother for the girls.
Gives Practical Experience
 Living at the cottage is planned for the purpose of giving the girls practical experience in housekeeping.
The duties of the house are divided into four groups, and the girls rotate these jobs weekly. At some time
or other they are cook, dining room girl, mistress of the house, and the house maid. The mistress plans
the meals, acts as hostess, shops, keeps the accounts and plans the meals with the cook. The cook prepares
the meals, and keeps the kitchen clean. The dining room girl takes care of the fire, cleans the basement,
acts as waitress and assists the cook. The housemaid has charge of the upstairs, where she cleans the rooms
and makes the beds. And if you think all this sounds like work, you�re right! �Favorite jobs� are carrying
out the ashes on a windy day and rising in the wee small hours to stoke the furnace. Shoveling snowy sidewalks
is another irksome duty, but their pleasant neighbor, George Stein, often does this task for them.
Food is a Big Item
 ne of the pleasures of staying at the cottage is the really wonderful food the
girls eat every day. Often the first thing that greets a visitor is the odor of some delicious dish the
cook has just taken from the oven. There are a few �down and out� failures, but occasionally the prunes
are burnt, or there is some other little accident. Part of the fun of staying at the cottage is �rounding
up the stray food� and having a little snack. Two of the most important events at the cottage are the two
formal dinners served every semester. The two girls who cook the meals are also the hostesses, while the
other two girls act as the waitresses. The service at the dinner is completely formal. Cottage housekeeping
is strenuous at times, but it is a very valuable experience. It gives the Home Ec girls many pleasant memories.
Living at the cottage is just about next door to living at home.
*The Pointer, April 1944, p.2-3
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