Leon Botstein, the president of Bard College, has advocated an educational proposal that would radically transform the way we educate students and the economics of education: “All outstanding student loan debt should be forgiven. A new loan program should be created that is tied to incentives for college graduates to choose careers in public service and which indexes repayment to income.” The UFT might want to get on board. Students should not have to go into debt in order to get a college education. 

The second part of Botstein’s proposal especially deserves consideration as he is not advocating for college to be free, but he is tying any type of loan repayment to public service incentives and income. A public service incentive connected to either reducing or eliminating student loans would have positive effects that go beyond economics. Young people performing in a variety of public service roles would help to create an atmosphere in which we all have a connection and a responsibility to the greater culture. 

Although the well-being of students beyond K–12 is not within the direct province of the UFT, taking a position on student debt, college affordability and public service would be a progressive step that acknowledges the problem and supports a sound solution.

Larry Hoffner, retired