Hal Neff: Eight Years to Life

To the Editor

Last week the State Senator Tim Mathern, as a candidate for governor, advertised his “free tuition” for ND students at ND colleges. His news release to the newspapers and media extolling his plan was full of self praise for his support of education.
It also criticized Governor Hoeven for not doing enough for our college-bound young people, especially in light of the significant balance in the ND treasury.
Mathern’s proposal carries a stipulation that the free tuition is contingent upon the student remaining in-state for employment for eight years after graduation.
A worthy objective; however , it is nearly impossible for graduates to fulfill because the job seekers and the job openings do not appear in coincidence, leaving the seekers unable to make good on the obligation. A new graduate and job seeker will find that a very difficult and expensive lesson learned at the critical time they begin a career of work.
In 2007 Governor Hoeven, with the legislature and higher education officials, set up a state initiative to increase funding to state colleges and universities, and they have allocated money for tuition assistance to students to further help in holding down their costs of education.
In light of the growing economy in the state and the healthy balance in the treasury, the governor is proposing additional and significant financial help for student tuitions and will work with the coming legislature to achieve that goal.

-Hal Neff
Bismarck