In order to slow the “brain-drain” from Wisconsin, Ben Merens’ guest, after four, is offering a proposal that would provide free college tuition for students who agree to live and work in Wisconsin for ten years.
Guest: Mark O’Connell, executive director, Wisconsin Counties Association, member of the Commission on Enhancing the Mission of the UW Colleges.
After five, in the second of two programs on charitable giving in America, Ben Merens' guest questions the appropriate use of philanthropy to fund social needs in a democratic society.
Guest: Susan Ostrander, professor of sociology, Tufts University.
posted by At Issue with Ben Merens @ 12:02 PM
3 comments
3 Comments:
Presently, the valedictorian from each high school is awarded a full scholarship to attend a UW school. In my community, in the last six years, very few of the eligible students ended up using this scholarship because they headed off to out of state schools. Are there any statistics that tell how many top graduates actually attend and complete their degrees at the UW system and then stay in the state for employment? Other than being available to all post education students, I don't see this as so different and that program is not keeping our young workers here.
Hello Ben,
This program was dead-on. I'm a 31-year old skilled knowledge worker who sold his home and left the state for graduate school in Minneapolis, MN. My reasons for leaving were perfectly outlined in your program: lower pay, lack of culture and diversity and high property taxes in Wisconsin.
A pool of brains and talent in Wisconsin will draw businesses, including new entrepreneurs. This eventually brings up pay and creates new tax revenue. The property tax situation must also be addressed. Lower wages and high property taxes will drive skill out when they can make more somewhere else.
Great program. Kudos.
Regards,
Hi Ben,
Mr. Mark O'Connell's comments on WPR upset me the other day. Business and industry should take a hard look at how they are recruiting graduates and how they treat their employees before taxpayers start paying free tuition to keep them in the state. Wisconsin is a great state to live in with many recreational and cultural activities. There are always those who will leave for big city life or a warm year-round climate.
We are now in a growing service-based economy and that requires higher thinking and technical skills. This is a transition that is taking place and K-12 and higher education are being asked to prepare students for this economy. But I still need the auto technician, carpenter, and plumber to take care of repairs too.
Mr. O'connell indicated that the Baby Boomer Generation is retiring along with graduates leaving the state. As one of those who retired, I am seeing many of my colleagues lookiing for part-time, flextime or even full time jobs in the state. We have one or more degrees, extensive experience, and a work ethic. We're not interested in stuffing envelopes or doing all of the volunteer jobs.
It was suggested that graduates who received the free tuition would be monitored in some way to make sure they stay in the state. A newspaper article indicated recently how many doctors and other professionals are not paying back college loans. This idea will not work.
Commission members studying this proposal state this is the "big bang" idea; I think it is a big bust for taxpayers!
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