The Board of Trustees authorized the Iowa Agricultural College (Iowa State University) to establish course work in Domestic Economy in 1872. At which time, there was no one to teach it, nor any real precedent to follow elsewhere. Mary Beaumont Welch, wife of President Adonijah Welch, attended cookery schools in New York and London to prepare for the task. She developed and administered (1875-1884) the Department of Domestic Economy, which was among the first in the nation. The name of the department was changed to the Department of Home Economics in 1912 and received division status in 1913, becoming the Division of Home Economics. At that time, the curricula were domestic science and domestic art; physical culture was added in 1915. The Division was designated a College in 1959 when Iowa State College became Iowa State University. The name of the College changed in 1987 to the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. In 2005, the College merged with the College of Education to form the College of Human Sciences.

The Family and Consumer Sciences Council is a student organization, which served as a liaison between faculty, administration, and students. The council consisted of 18 members-at-large, with representatives from the Government of the Student Body (GSB) and college clubs. The dean of the college and associate dean of programs were ex-officio members of the council. All student members were required to maintain a GPA of 2.5 or better, attend all meetings, and participate in the college's activities. Council members are appointed to seats on faculty committees in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. The council participated in numerous activities including a monthly newsletter, a fall scholarship reception, and the Welcome Day Picnic. In addition, the council offered grants to College of Family and Consumer Sciences' students and student organizations each semester for educational opportunities.

The collection (1947-1989) contains meeting minutes and annual reports for the Family and Consumer Science Council.

The collection is arranged in chronological order.