As college students, we are learning how to budget our money — saving here and there and treating ourselves when we want to spend that extra time out with our friends. It’s a give and take methodology.
PSUC Professor of Biological Sciences Nancy Elwess trusts that concept in a different way with her “money board,” according to staff writer Markeshia Thompson’s article, “Students, faculty promote kindness.”
Students, faculty, staff or anyone in the campus community can give or take money off of the cork board Elwess created, located in front of her office in Hudson Hall. People leave extra dollars or coins they may have in their wallet, and others take when they need. They can also leave messages on Post-it notes Elwess leaves near the board. Most people leave positive thoughts and thanks for the extra support.
“Elwess said that, despite skepticism from other faculty members in her department, the amount of money on the board grew tenfold,” according to the article.
When we first heard about this board, we were also unsure of how it would work. We thought students would just take the money for beer and never look back, having little faith in our classmates and campus community.
It turns out we were wrong. We were wrong to think the worst in people. That is part of what society has ingrained in us all.
The professor and her colleague PSUC Professor Shannon Nephew experimented with a $5 bill instead of $1. They found the higher the worth the longer it stayed on the board.
“(Nephew) said it makes people think about how much they really need versus how much they want,” according to the article.
Going against our initial reaction, this board proves our campus is a giving one. We are a community that often tries to support all of the people in it. Whether we see it every day or not, the money board proves it.
