Editor:

Bravo to Jeffrey Jenkins (“Financial class should be required,” April 15), for proposing that every student at the U take a financial literacy course. In these tumultuous economic times, it is unsettling to read news stories that highlight Americans’ limited financial knowledge. Having a basic understanding of financial concepts is critical if someone is to achieve her or his long-term financial goals and, in my opinion, a financial literacy course should be required for all students.

Jenkins notes that the David Eccles School of Business is the place where a financial literacy course for non-business majors might be developed. I would like to point out that such a course already exists in the department of family and consumer studies. FCS offers a general consumer and family financial planning course for both majors and non-majors. FCS 3500 covers the basic principles of investing and asset allocation, risk management, tax planning, retirement planning and estate planning. The department also offers more specialized, advanced courses on each of these topics. Students who complete all of these classes are eligible to take the Certified Financial Planner Board exam.

The department of family and consumer studies welcomes the opportunity to help U students improve their financial literacy.

Cathleen Zick, Ph.D.,
Professor, Department of Family and Consumer Studies