When I asked Governor Tom Vilsack on Monday what he could do to assist the nonresident veterinary students pay back our loans, his answer was, “Honestly, I have no idea.” I expected as much, especially after finding out he was unaware of the incredibly large gap between the debt of a veterinary graduate and the national average starting salary. In cooperation with the 27 U.S. colleges of veterinary medicine, the American Veterinary Medical Association conducted an annual survey of veterinary medical graduates in spring 2001. That survey indicates that the base starting salary across all employment types (inclusive of private practice, public, and corporate employment) was $39,389 in 2001. Survey respondents were also asked to indicate their total educational debt. The mean debt was $67,819, an increase of 7.6% between 2000 and 2001. However, 11.3% of the respondents reported their total educational debt to be greater than $100,000.* Upon graduation, I will be among that percentage, as I estimate my total educational debt to be nearly $200,000.

According to the governor, he and the Board of Regents are open to suggestions. I would like to suggest the idea of a “reverse contract” for nonresident veterinary students. With a “reverse contract,” the state of Iowa would allow nonresidents to pay resident tuition after the first year of veterinary school through an agreement that the student must practice in Iowa equal to number of years that he or she receives resident tuition.

I feel it is necessary to recognize that all veterinary students, resident and nonresident, are a very vital part of not only Iowa State University, but also the state of Iowa. By minimizing our student loan debt, the state of Iowa will be able to keep more of its veterinary graduates in this state, promoting the human-animal bond, protecting economically vital livestock, and paving the way in veterinary medical research.

* Wise, JK, Gonzalez ML. Employment, starting salaries, and educational indebtedness of year-2001 graduates of US veterinary medical colleges. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2002; 220:179-181.

Andrea Warner

Veterinary Medicine, 2nd year