Saint Louis University’s Residence Halls (SRH) held a plenary session on 6 April 2025 at the SLU Ladies’ Residence Hall (SLULRH). Residents from the SLU Men’s Residence Hall (MRH), Ladies’ Residence Halls (LRH), and Maryheights Students’ Residence Hall (MSRH) participated in the event that aimed to strengthen financial literacy among student interns—aligning with the university’s advocacy for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1: No Poverty and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
Themed “Personal Financial Management: A Paradigm Shift to Financial Discipline and Responsibility,” the session was facilitated by Engr. Quennie Balidoy, who discussed practical financial management strategies such as budgeting, saving, and investing—empowering students to make informed financial decisions early in life. Mr. Allan Joseph Lipe, the Dorm Master of MRH, reflected on the role of financial literacy in the students’ overall well-being. He said, “Financial literacy is crucial for SLU Students’ Residence Halls interns as it fosters responsible financial behavior, helping them avoid overspending and mismanaging their allowances. It equips them with practical skills, such as budgeting and managing expenses.”
Meanwhile, Ron Aldren Cruz, a resident of MSRH, shared how the session helped ease his anxiety around investing. “As a student having the pressure if ano’ng type ng investment ang aking ipu-pursue, the speaker helped me know what possible investments I could do. For example, investing more in the long run,” he remarked.
Further, Precious May Taguinod, an intern from LRH, emphasized how the session promoted mindful spending. She said, “I see that the importance of this is to provide knowledge, especially for us na magagastos, to help with our mindful spending and also to help us with our financial freedom goals.”
Putting the event to a close, the Head of SLU Residence Halls, Blesilda Braganza, underscored the deeper mission behind the session. “I hope interns reflect as well as carry on the principles of financial responsibility and discipline, which are essential for personal and professional success,” she noted. (Article by Jhanver Mallare | Photos by Ludwig Dalusong)
