Banning, Draper and Walker Hall officials are creating and hosting programs and workshops to help students be more financially literate.
The first workshop, “Let’s Talk about Taxes,” taught students about how to do their taxes. It was hosted March 6 in Draper Hall lobby.
Devin Murphy, hall director for Banning and Draper Halls, said students can highly benefit from these programs.
“It’s beneficial information whether you’re a freshman or a senior. I don’t think it’s ever late to get this information, and I also don’t think it’s ever too early,” Murphy said. “We get most of our first-time taxpayers within the first year of college. It’s a lot of firsts for students in their first year in college, so we really just want to try to help as best as we can,” Murphy said.
As a resident assistant, Matthew Newsom, music education sophomore, said he set his plan of financial programs and workshops in motion for students living in Banning and Draper hall.
“For my RA event series, it will all be focused around finances. Since it is coming up on tax season and a lot of students in college have to pay taxes but aren’t quite sure how, or need questions answered, I saw a need for this upcoming event,” Newsom said.
“Let’s Talk about Taxes” is one of the events Newsom organized. Newsom brought two local CPAs [certified public accountants] to talk about how to pay taxes and answer any questions students may have.
“I had heard a lot about two local CPAs in Oklahoma City, so I decided to call them and explain to them what the program was that I was doing and how I saw a benefit for them to come talk to the students,” Newsom said. “They agreed to come talk to students and were happy to volunteer their time at the event.”
Newsom is excited to bring in professionals who can help his residents learn more about finances.
“I wanted to choose a topic so relevant for my series, and something that could potentially be repeated in the coming years. The tax-oriented events are something that I would definitely want to re-implement from year to year,” Newsom said.
Murphy said Newsom put a lot of thought into the program.
“This program was planned very intentionally, and this has been a passion project for Matthew,” Murphy said.
The financial events will continue being put on through the residency halls throughout the year, each with a different focus of financial learning. To get more information about these financial programs and events, contact Matthew Newsom at mtnewsom@my.okcu.edu.
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