OSU’s $295 Million Gamble: Will It Save Their Veterinary School's Reputation?
Oklahoma State University (OSU) is asking state lawmakers for a $295 million appropriation to help its College of Veterinary Medicine maintain long-term accreditation and boost recruitment of both faculty and students. The proposed funding would support construction of a new animal teaching hospital and provide student scholarships. This comes after OSU’s veterinary college was placed on probationary accreditation last September, although it was recently removed from that list.
During a recent Oklahoma Senate Appropriations Committee meeting, OSU Interim President Jim Hess said the current hospital—over 40 years old—has reached the end of its useful life. He explained that past reductions in state appropriations, due to revenue shortfalls, left the facility underfunded for years.
“We have a great opportunity to recapitalize the Animal Teaching Hospital and restore the College of Veterinary Medicine to its former standing among veterinary schools nationwide,” Hess said.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) had cited deficiencies in physical facilities, equipment, and clinical resources when it placed the college on probation. Although the probation has been lifted for now, OSU must address these concerns by December 15.
What the Funding Would Cover
The legislature allocated $79 million to the college in 2023, and Hess reported that about $78.2 million of those funds remain. This money would be combined with the new $295 million request, primarily going toward infrastructure updates and facility modernization.
Hess stressed that a modern facility is crucial for attracting faculty, increasing clinical referrals, and creating a strong teaching environment. Recruitment is particularly competitive among the nation's roughly 30 veterinary colleges.
Ties to Rural Veterinary Shortages
There is a well-documented shortage of large-animal veterinarians—an issue closely linked to rural economies. OSU currently admits about 106 veterinary students annually, 58 of whom are from Oklahoma. Hess hopes to boost in-state admissions to address the rural vet shortage.
Despite past challenges, OSU’s veterinary graduates posted a 94% pass rate on the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination in 2024.
A Critical Moment for OSU
Hess emphasized that without new facilities, OSU risks falling permanently behind peer institutions. “We will always be in the bottom three or four without this funding,” he warned.
Recent leadership changes at OSU add urgency to the situation. Former university president Kayse Shrum resigned in February, and an audit soon after revealed approximately $41 million in misallocated state funds over two and a half years.
Still, OSU’s leadership remains firm in its commitment: “OSU is not interested in running a mediocre college of veterinary medicine,” Hess said.
