Spring Break
Groups seek to entice students to stay in Philly
By: Jordan Osecki
Issue date: 6/8/07 Section: News
Originally published: 6/8/07 at 4:47 AM EST
Last update: 6/8/07 at 4:48 AM EST
Originally published: 6/8/07 at 4:47 AM EST
Last update: 6/8/07 at 4:48 AM EST
A survey from 2004 conducted by PhillyFellows showed that only 29 percent of people who came to Philadelphia for college from outside of the region stayed in the city after they graduated. The numbers are very similar for Drexel University graduates, according to senior exit interviews between the years 2000 and 2005, only 32.8 percent of seniors began working or entered graduate school in the Philadelphia metropolitan region.
PhillyFellows is an organization that has set out to try and increase those percentages. The program awards scholarships in the form of stipends, healthcare and housing, to "fellows" graduating from colleges in the area who agree to work for one year in one of Philadelphia's non-profit public sectors. "The program is good because it allows students to develop innovative partnerships and attachments to different parts of the city, that may last," Mark Falbo, director of the Center for Civic Engagement, said.
Drexel does not have any such programs in place and may actually be indirectly contributing to the problem by trying to create more opportunities for students.
"The University's reputation has increased dramatically in the last few years and companies from sectors that are more prevalent in other cities are now interested in our co-ops and graduates. Now this is creating opportunities for students of these different majors, but it may be hurting retention for Philadelphia," said Peter Franks, executive director and associate vice provost.
Drexel is actively involved in efforts within organizations trying to improve Philadelphia's economy. "We are trying to do what is best for our students. We want them to have a full menu. We are concerned with Philadelphia because if they [graduates] want to stay here, we need to help them find the opportunities to do so. However, if there isn't a job, they won't stay, or they will stay but have to commute elsewhere. We are trying to contribute to a strong and self sustaining economy so our students can stay or go, and it's their choice," Bernard Lentz, executive director for the Office for Institutional Research, said.
PhillyFellows is an organization that has set out to try and increase those percentages. The program awards scholarships in the form of stipends, healthcare and housing, to "fellows" graduating from colleges in the area who agree to work for one year in one of Philadelphia's non-profit public sectors. "The program is good because it allows students to develop innovative partnerships and attachments to different parts of the city, that may last," Mark Falbo, director of the Center for Civic Engagement, said.
Drexel does not have any such programs in place and may actually be indirectly contributing to the problem by trying to create more opportunities for students.
"The University's reputation has increased dramatically in the last few years and companies from sectors that are more prevalent in other cities are now interested in our co-ops and graduates. Now this is creating opportunities for students of these different majors, but it may be hurting retention for Philadelphia," said Peter Franks, executive director and associate vice provost.
Drexel is actively involved in efforts within organizations trying to improve Philadelphia's economy. "We are trying to do what is best for our students. We want them to have a full menu. We are concerned with Philadelphia because if they [graduates] want to stay here, we need to help them find the opportunities to do so. However, if there isn't a job, they won't stay, or they will stay but have to commute elsewhere. We are trying to contribute to a strong and self sustaining economy so our students can stay or go, and it's their choice," Bernard Lentz, executive director for the Office for Institutional Research, said.
