WEST HAVEN, Conn. — City officials and the University of New Haven announced a major expansion of their education partnership Thursday, opening discounted tuition to all graduating students who live in West Haven and offering free college courses to first responders.
“We frequently say, we’re a private university with a public mission. And that mission is global, but it is certainly grounded right here in West Haven,” said Jens Frederiksen, president of the University of New Haven.
The announcement came during a joint event at city hall that included Mayor Dorinda Borer, first responders, school leaders, and UNH officials.
Currently, only students at West Haven High School, Notre Dame High School, and Engineering and Science University Magnet School (ESUMS) receive 50% off UNH tuition through the partnership.
But Borer said about 900 other students living in West Haven, but attending different high schools, are left out.
“We know that universities are non-taxable. It is difficult for them to provide funding to their host cities. We know that we are distressed, and we have rising costs. So, how do we make it more equitable,” Borer said.
Borer also confirmed that firefighters, police officers, and 911 center workers will now be able to take UNH undergraduate or graduate courses for free.
“Our people don’t have time to go to another college or go online and they’re very busy and they have family obligations.
So, to have the opportunity to go to a program that is internationally known, and you can do it without a burden on your family, is instrumental,” said Chief James O’Brien of the West Haven Fire Dept.
Additionally, UNH will purchase the long-vacant property at 1101 Campbell Avenue for $500,000 to grow campus operations. The site, formerly North End Field, has sat unused for 15 years.
