Rell proposes bill to keep students in state

Gov. M. Jodi Rell has announced her support of a tuition loan reimbursement proposal to keep Connecticut graduates in the state.

"An Act Concerning a Green Collar, Life Science and Health Technology Job Loan Forgiveness Program" is a legislative bill that will make $2,500 in loan forgiveness available for each year, up to five years, a graduate works in one of these key fields in Connecticut.

"Our state has always had – and always prided itself on – the quality and talent of our work force," Rell said last week. "The best and brightest are found right here. We cannot afford to allow that reputation to slip, any more than we can afford to lose our treasured young people and the enduring promise they represent to opportunities elsewhere."

The bill defines "green collar" jobs as "agricultural, manufacturing, research and development, administrative or service jobs dedicated to preserving environmental quality," according to a press release.

Jobs in renewable energy, mass transit, biofuels, energy efficiency and sustainable manufacturing, as well as those in life sciences and health technology also apply, the release states.

"Certainly we'd like to keep all the brightest and best students home," said Dr. Jack Clausen, co-director of the environmental science program at UConn. "We have great opportunities to work on ‘green stuff' in Connecticut.

It would be nice if the state continues to support the university [though], so tuition doesn't have to go up so much."

Interest in environmental science has increased steadily since the major was established in the mid-‘90s, Clausen said. The number of declared majors jumped in the past year from 92 to 149.

While many students would certainly appreciate loan forgiveness, 8th-semester chemical engineering major Lindsey Fink thinks the money might be better used another way.

"I think it's nice to encourage people to go into that industry, but I think the money might be better spent going into the companies that are doing these things," Fink said. "Stimulating them directly would probably be more efficient than encouraging people to go into these fields."

 "I think the interest in these types of jobs is there without this kind of incentive, although I guess this will keep people in Connecticut," said Fink, who hopes to go into nuclear power.

State officials commended the governor for her support of the program, saying the act will aid in the economic recovery of the state following the recession.

"We applaud the Governor's proposal, which addresses two critical needs – creating new educational curriculum and stimulating economic development in emerging fields of green technology," said Michael Meotti, higher education commissioner, according to the press release. "Today's economy demands both for Connecticut to create new and meaningful employment opportunities for our citizens."

The act would reward graduates of Connecticut schools after at least two years spent living and working in the state. Those with bachelor's degree can earn $2,500 in loan forgiveness per additional year, up to $10,000. Those who have earned an associate's degree can earn up to $5,000, according to the release.