A group of faculty who teach Elon 101 classes met Thursday, Sept. 4 to learn about a new interactive Web site that could help Elon students manage their money more wisely.
The site, developed by a group that included Assistant Director of Residence Life Steve Anderson, Physical Therapy Education professor Steve Folger, Computing Sciences instructor Joel Hollingsworth and Elon junior Ryan Markel, includes interactive features intended to teach students fiscal responsibility early in their college careers. It was largely funded by a $1,000 multimedia grant from the Association of College and University Housing Officers-International. Although other colleges and universities teach students money managment techniques, Folger says Elon’s new approach is unique.
“To my knowledge, no one has done this kind of interactive program on this level,” Folger said. “The interactive quality of this…I think is one of the more important aspects.”
Among other things, the site, titled “Money Management: the college years,” will teach students about credit, budgeting, managing credit cards and bank accounts and how to manage money in college. It will also allow students to create a vitual life to track income and expenses.
The idea for the site originally came about when Folger realized the need for some kind of money management training in his Elon 101 classes. After meeting with Anderson, the two decided a Web site covering the basics of money management would be the most accessible and efficient option for students and instructors.
“We talked about doing an off-the-shelf unit that any Elon 101 instructor could use,” said Folger. “We want to draw upon the resources that are out there…so that the students have some guidance.”