Drake University Mission Statement

As a prospective college student, one looks for a wide variety of specific characteristics in a future home; A certain size, definitive mission statement, divergent student body, blossoming educational programs, and an abundance of opportunity were at the top of my list. I found all of these criteria to not only to be met by Drake University, but most were far surpassed. The institution seemed to be progressive and yet historic, accommodating to those for whom it was necessary while allowing vast amounts of freedom to all. Drake University appeared to be perfect in all regards, an utopia of equality.

Shortly after moving onto campus, I discovered that my campus of bliss was not quite the fairytale story of impartiality I had been told. Shortly after classes began, I started hearing complaints of mistreatments to certain groups of people, and noticed a very large discrepancy around campus; The overwhelming majority of people were completely able bodied, at least visibly, and many of the buildings reflected this. For example, Morehouse and Jewett Residence Halls both lack an elevator system, as well as their exclusive entrance being through the stairwell. According to the Campus Climate Assessment completed by a percentage of Drake students during the 2014-2015 school year, at least one percent of Drake

Thirty-four percent of these people referenced a difficulty for parking, as well as another eleven percent of these undergraduates expressing concern for the inadequacy of the walkways and classrooms for disabled pupils (Drake University: Campus Climate Assessment Final Report 70). As if those statistics are not agitating enough, thirteen percent of the same students also communicated lack of knowledge on technology usage, specifically Blackboard, and therefore inability to use it in classroom presentations and