Panel of Experts to Discuss Financial and Mortgage Crisis
Five professors from Baylor University's Hankamer School of Business will provide perspectives and advice about the current financial and mortgage crisis facing the United States. The panel discussion will take place on Thursday, October 9, from 3:30 to 5:00 pm in Kayser Auditorium.
"The current financial and mortgage crisis and the associated bailout are looming large on everyone's minds. These issues are complex and difficult to understand. A number of faculty members felt that we could offer students some valuable perspective and analysis on the current economic situation," said Dr. Tisha Emerson, associate professor and associate chair of the Economics department. Emerson is coordinating the event. "The panel will be an opportunity for students to hear analysis from experts and get answers to their questions."
Panelists include experts in the fields of economics, finance, accounting and insurance. Each will speak to a different aspect of the crisis and then answer questions from the audience.
Dr. Gia Chevis, assistant professor of Accounting, will discuss "mark-to-market" accounting procedures. Mark-to-market accounting became widely adopted as a practice in the 1980s and 1990s and impacts how an asset's value is calculated. Mark-to-market is a practice specifically addressed within the bailout legislation recently passed by Congress.
Dr. James Garven, professor of Finance and Insurance and holder of the Frank S. Groner Memorial Chair in Finance, will focus on moral hazard related to bailouts. He will discuss some obvious examples of the risk of unintended consequences, including Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Dr. Kent Gilbreath, professor of Economics and the holder of the E.M. and Thelma Stevens Chair of Private Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, wrote presciently of the economic crisis more than a year ago. He will discuss the origins and causes of the crisis and its impact on the economy.
Dr. William Reichenstein, professor of Finance and holder of the Pat and Thomas R. Powers Chair of Investment Management, will provide commentary about what investors should do now and how the crisis might affect investor portfolios and savings plans.
Dr. David VanHoose, professor of Economics and holder of the Herman W. Lay Chair of Private Enterprise, will talk about the "blame game." Does any one person, group or decision bear responsibility for the crisis?
The event is free and open to all Baylor students, regardless of major.
For more information, contact Dr. Tisha Emerson, Tisha_Nakao@baylor.edu, 710-4180.
Note: Online streaming video of this event is available from a link at the right side of this page.
