Contact: Kevin Hartshorn

Department of Mathematics and Computer Science

Moravian College

Background: In the fall of 2008, the Moravian Mathematical Society was interested in developing an outreach activity. Specifically, the society officers wanted to offer a service that would have immediate and clear utility for the college student community, and offer something beyond tutoring for mathematics courses. In organizing the event, the officers had three key principles in mind: providing a service to the community, creating an event of interest to both mathematics and non-mathematics majors, and keeping the planning and execution student-centered. The idea was “Money Talks,” an evening teach-in for undergraduates on financial matters that directly impacted them.

Description: The officers of the mathematics society began preparations by distributing a survey (attached) in all the mathematics classes. This served both to gauge the interest of the student body and to begin raising awareness of the event. Using the results of the survey – and recognizing the strengths and knowledge base of the organizers – the officers began planning the event.   Ultimately, they decided run a workshop focusing on credit reports, student loan terms, comparing loan offers, and the relative merits of CD and savings accounts. To help with the evening, the society joined with the Amrhein Investment Club, another student organization.

Approximately 40 students attended the evening workshop.  The mathematics society and Amrhein club each developed a powerpoint presentation and a sequence of handouts for the workshop.  The event began a presentation from the mathematics society on comparing terms of various loan offers (particularly student loans).  One of the officers even shared his own student loan information with the audience to help parse the terms of the loan. Based on the presentation, audience members worked through examples provided in the handouts. After a short break, a member of the investment club continued the presentation focusing on credit history and the relative merits of different savings options. For this portion, the presenter navigated to specific credit rating web pages to show students how to gauge their credit rating and what they can do to improve that rating.

The evening was well received – audience members seemed to really appreciate the information, and responded well to having it come from fellow students rather than faculty or staff.  Plans are already in progress to repeat the event, this time involving a broader base of each student club in the preparation for the evening. Speaking for the mathematics society, we appreciated not only the chance to share our expertise with the student body, but also the chance to work together with a fellow student organization.