The WVSU Multi-Purpose Cooperative, formerly the Laboratory Cooperative, started its formal business operation in the main campus of the University in January 1980.  A brainchild of Dr. Silva Hipolito, the Agri - Consumers' Laboratory Cooperative had for its founding members the seventeen agribusiness students of her Agricultural Marketing and Cooperative class in the second semester of School Year 1979 - 1980 and the eight University faculty and staff members, mostly from the then School of Agriculture. To become a full-fledged member of the Laboratory Cooperative, one was required a minimum subscription to two shares of stock and initial payment of ten pesos. The par value per share of stock then was ten pesos. After complying with all the paper requirements, the Agri - Consumers' Laboratory Cooperative was given Recognition by the Presidential Assistant on Community Development (PACD), Regional Office 6, in 1980.