Spring Break
Nutter places hope in students
By: Noah Cohen
Issue date: 5/11/07 Section: News
Originally published: 5/11/07 at 2:45 AM EST
Last update: 5/11/07 at 10:05 AM EST
Originally published: 5/11/07 at 2:45 AM EST
Last update: 5/11/07 at 10:05 AM EST
|
"I am going to have an office of college and university relations," Nutter said.
The candidate said he would meet with area school presidents in an effort to include academia in reforming Philadelphia. Nutter hopes to create a better partnership between the city and institutions of higher education.
Recruitment, internships and tuition assistance are programs Nutter feels could help keep students in the city.
"City government on a regular basis should be a recruiter," Nutter said.
He acknowledged that government employment cannot compete with the salaries offered by the private sector but said he would seek ways to lessen financial burden for those who live and work in Philadelphia.
Nutter explained that Pennsylvania students have a higher than average student loan debt.
He described his plan for a tuition debt reduction program.
"Part of your reward for staying [in Philadelphia] is lightening that debt loan a little bit," he added.
Nutter compared the plan to a mix between ROTC and financial aid with students receiving student loan assistance if they agree to work in government service.
The co-op program at Drexel is an "incredible opportunity" according to Nutter, and he said that he would create a public service-oriented internship program for students.
Nutter acknowledges that government work is not for everyone, but he said that it provided a "great training ground."
The city's soaring murder rate-one per day-is a major issue for Nutter, and he sees a connection to campus safety.
"Before long, much of what's going on in the surrounding neighborhood is going to start impacting what's going on campus," Nutter said, referring to the higher crime rates seen outside the jurisdiction of university security.
As part of Nutter's "Safety Now" plan, he would create a Regional Public Safety group to address crime in the city. University public safety officials would be included in this discussion.
