I hope your fall semester is going well. I’d like to share some news with you about the cost of tuition at Drake. In Drake’s ongoing efforts to control costs and deliver value to our students, the annual tuition increase will be lower than in past years. Returning students will pay $36,112 for tuition next academic year, an increase of 3 percent, compared to a six-year average annual increase of 4.5 percent. Costs for 2017–2018 room (for those living on campus) and board will be released in early 2017.

I am sharing this news with you now because we are changing our approach to tuition pricing with the entering Fall 2017 class, and I want to avoid any confusion for our current students in this transition. Starting with the undergraduate students entering Drake in the Fall of 2017, we will move to fixed tuition pricing—what we’re calling the Drake Tuition Guarantee. That is, the tuition rate those students pay upon entering Drake will remain fixed for the duration of their Drake experience. As a current student, you will not be paying the Tuition Guarantee rate that undergraduate students entering in Fall 2017 will be paying. I encourage you to learn more about the Drake Tuition Guarantee and find answers to questions you might have at www.drake.edu/accounts/tuitionfees/returningstudents/

This lowering of the annual tuition percentage increase reflects our continuing efforts to be good stewards of the resources entrusted to us by you and your families. We have spent the last year finding ways to cut our operating expenses and to move existing resources into more high-impact activities—and we remain committed to doing both going forward. We saved $1.35 million in operating expenses during the just completed fiscal year, and are working on adding another $1.5 million to those savings in the current year. Our goal is to keep your annual tuition increases as low as possible, while continuing to make investments in new programs, needed facilities, and upgrades to technology.

The lower annual increase in tuition strengthens the value of your degree. A few of the many external reviews and assessments that affirm the value of a Drake education include:

• Drake is #1 in Iowa for median annual salary 10 years after entering college, and $20,000 above the national average.
• 98.9 percent of the graduates in our Class of 2015 had a job or graduate school acceptance within six months of graduation.
• The Economistmagazine ranked Drake 17^th out of 1,275 institutions of higher education (98^th percentile) for return on investment.
• The Brookings Institution placed Drake in the 97^th percentile nationwide among four-year colleges and universities regarding the mid-career earnings of graduates.
• Drake University is ranked 36th nationally on Kiplinger’s list of the “Best Values in Private Higher Education.”

I hope this information is helpful in explaining both the annual tuition increase for 2017–2018 and the new Tuition Guarantee. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. Have a wonderful fall semester.

—President Marty Martin

Every semester, The Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement offers a small, intimate group of Drake students the opportunity to meet with local, state, and national leaders for food and conversation.

Next month, we will bring Dennis Groenenboom, executive director of Iowa Legal Aid, to the institute for lunch on Wednesday, Oct. 5. The following day, the chairs of the Republican Party of Iowa and the Iowa Democratic Party will come together for a special lunch with a few lucky Drake students.

The Harkin Institute’s student lunch and reception series provides Drake undergraduate, graduate, pharmacy, and law students with networking opportunities by hosting small groups of students to meet informally with leaders in policy, government, business, and nonprofit industries. The first two of our four lunch receptions this semester are:

Dennis Groenenboom, Executive Director, Iowa Legal Aid
Wednesday, Oct. 5
11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.

Iowa Legal Aid provides legal assistance and education to low-income Iowans, envisioning a state where all residents understand their legal rights and are treated fairly in the justice system. Mr. Groenenboom has worked with Iowa Legal Aid his entire legal career and has served as its executive director for more than 20 years. Since 2012, he has served as the chair of the National Legal Aid and Defender Association’s civil policy group.

Apply here by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, for the opportunity to have lunch with Dennis Groenenboom.

Jeff Kaufmann, Chair, Republican Party of Iowa and Andy McGuire, Chair, Iowa Democratic Party
Thursday, Oct. 6
11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.

Jeff Kaufmann is the chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa. He served in the Iowa House of Representatives from 2005 to 2013 and was appointed to various leadership positions in the GOP caucus. Mr. Kaufmann is a seventh-generation livestock farmer, as well as a professor at Muscatine Community College, where he teaches history and government. Mr. Kaufmann is a member of the Cedar County Board of Supervisors.

Dr. Andy McGuire, chair of the Iowa Democratic Party, has worked in politics since 2014, when she helped organize her sister-in-law’s campaign. Dr. McGuire served as the president of Meridian Health and currently serves as the chair of the University of Iowa College of Public Health Board of Advisors. In her spare time, Dr. McGuire serves as a board member of the Des Moines Partnership and was a founding member of the Women’s Leadership Connection for United Way of Central Iowa.

To be considered for this lunch opportunity with Mr. Kaufmann and Dr. McGuire, please apply here by 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29.

Preference for the Harkin Institute’s student lunch and reception series is given to students based on strength of application, taking event interest and questions for the guest of honor into particular consideration. Except in rare cases, students will only be selected for one event in this series per semester. Do not let this discourage you from applying to multiple luncheons, but consider noting your event preference.

—Erin Austin, Communications Strategist

If you’re interested in spending a semester in Washington, D.C., for an internship, check out The Washington Center (TWC) for Internships and Academic Seminars. On Thursday, Sept. 29, Brian Bar, a representative with The Washington Center, will hold a campus-wide information session at 3:30 p.m. in Meredith Hall, Room 238.

The Washington Center offers students an opportunity to live and work in Washington for either a semester-long internship program (students work 30 hours per week, supplemented with policy seminars, professional skills training, and academic coursework) or shorter academic seminars (offered in January and May on specific policy questions or for special events). Internship and coursework options span a large number of fields of study and TWC programs are appropriate for any student. Their course offerings include everything from “From Ideas to Action:  The Anatomy of Entrepreneurship” to “Bioethics” to “Forensic Psychology” to “The Mass Media and National Politics:  Explaining Washington to the Public” to “Philosophy of Law, the Supreme Court and the U.S. Constitutional Tradition” to “The National Mall and America: Symbols and Memory.”

If you are unable to attend the information session, but would like to find out more or meet with the TWC representative, please feel free to contact Professor Rachel Paine Caufield (rachel.caufield@drake.edu).

—Rachel Paine Caufield, Associate Professor of Political Science

Due to increasing interest, those who previously attended Arabic Language Hour and new members are interested in forming an Arabic Club.

There are several areas of interest for those forming the club, including visits to the Islamic Center of Des Moines. The group’s next meeting is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 26, at 6:30 p.m. in Meredith Hall, Room 207. Anyone interested in participating in a new Arabic Club should contact Kelanie Crosswait at kelanie.crosswait@drake.edu.

—Dorothy Pisarski, Associate Professor, Advertising & Global Communications Liaison

Drake International offers more than 500 education abroad programs in 70+ countries. Whether you’re studying accounting or history, want to study for a semester or just a few weeks, you’ll find an option for you. Explore your opportunities at the Education Abroad Fair on Oct. 4, 4–6 p.m., in Olmsted Center.

Affiliated study abroad providers and Drake faculty will be available to talk about study abroad options for Drake students. You can also talk with students who have participated in programs and discuss financial aid and scholarship options while enjoying an afternoon treat.

—Breanne Ellis, Study Abroad Advisor

As part of Health Professions Week, students interested in health professions are welcome to attend a Health Professions Graduate School Fair on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 5–7 p.m. in the Cline Atrium. Learn more about your career of interest and speak to program representatives from the following Midwest universities:

• Creighton University (Physical Therapy)
• University of Iowa (Physician Assistant)
• Palmer College of Chiropractic
• Des Moines University (all programs)
• Drake University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
• Drake University Law School
• Drake University College of Business & Public Administration
• Drake Professional and Career Development Services (information about applying to graduate school, résumés, interviewing, etc.)

—Katie Shields, Interim Coordinator, Student Programs

Not sure about your major and want to explore options?
Thinking about adding a major or minor and need more information?
Want to start exploring careers?

Join us for the Academic Fair on Wednesday, Sept. 28, in Parents Hall North, 3:30–5 p.m.

For more information, please contact Marina Verlengia at marina.verlengia@drake.edu. Hope to see you there!

—Marina Verlengia, Director, New Student Programs

Want to give campus tours? Want to host overnight visits with prospective students? Want to build up your resume? Come and join Admission Cole-ition, a student volunteer program through the Office of Admission.

Each year, Cole-ition members play an integral role in our Group Visit programs, providing campus tours and hosting prospective students. There are tons of opportunities to get involved! We’re hosting four informational sessions next week in Sussman for all new members:

• Sept. 19
  3:30–4:45 p.m.
• Sept. 21
  3:30–4:45 p.m.
• Sept. 22
  2–3:15 p.m.
• Sept. 23
  9–10:15 a.m.

Interested, but can’t attend an informational session? Email admissioncoleition@drake.edu and we can meet individually!

—Zack Blevins

Emerging Leaders Model (ELM) is a seven-week series of workshops for first-year students designed as a foundation for future leadership on campus, in the community, and beyond. Becoming an Emerging Leader is a great way to get acquainted with the endless opportunities for meaningful involvement at Drake. The program meets for one hour each week for seven weeks in a small group setting with a staff and upper-class student facilitator. Here are seven great reasons why you don’t want to miss out:

1.  ELM offers a jump start to leadership at Drake, equipping you with the tools and skills you need to dive into leadership and involvement in the college setting.
2. You’ll be in a small group creating connections with other students who are also interested in leadership, and you’ll leave the program with more connections.
3. Each week, you’ll meet different upper-class student leaders who will share about their experience and give valuable advice as you start in leadership at Drake.
4. You’ll be invited to a lunch off campus with Donald V. Adams, the man who is the inspiration for the whole institute.
5. You’ll leave the program with a vision statement, ‘futurerésumé,’ and action steps to reach your leadership goals at Drake.
6. ELM will empower you to take on leadership roles, opens the door to many future opportunities, and can boost your résumé!
7. It’s free, thanks to alumni who care about your development as our future leaders!

ELM will be offered Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3 to 4 p.m. or 4 to 5 p.m. starting the week of Sept. 26. The deadline to register is Friday, Sept. 23; apply here: http://bit.ly/ELMFall16

If you have any questions, please email shelby.derrick@drake.edu or meghan.blancas@drake.edu.

—Meghan Blancas, Director, Student Leadership Programs