June 21, 2004

Boise State Cultural Center Offers Debt Counseling Presentations

The Boise State University Cultural Center will host two presentations addressing the challenges college students face with regards to debt, credit cards and student loans. The Boise-based not-for-profit credit counseling organization Debt Reduction Services will facilitate the one-hour seminars. The classes are free to Boise State students, faculty and staff. The first class will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 21, in the Student Union Chief Joseph room. The second class will be held from 1-2 p.m. the next day, Thursday, July 22, also in the Student Union Chief Joseph room. According to U.S. Senate Resolution 316, passed March 9, 2004, barely one-quarter of adolescents reported that their parents actively taught them how to manage money. It has also been found that high school seniors know even less about credit cards, retirement funds, insurance and other personal finance basics than high school seniors did five years ago. Debt Reduction Services educates consumers about how to create and live by a personal budget, develop effective spending habits and foster wise use of credit before they require additional assistance through debt management programs, according to Todd Christensen, education director at Debt Reduction Services. “As in medicine, an ounce of financial prevention is worth a pound of our financial cure, and seminars and workshops such as the two at BSU’s Cultural Center provide excellent preventative skills,” he said. Seating is limited and reservations are suggested. To RSVP or for more information, contact the Cultural Center at 426-5950. -30- Contact                          Ro Parker                            Cultural Center                      208 426-4317                         Media Contact Kathleen Craven communications and marketing 208 426-3275