“Vet School on Life Support”: OSU President Sounds Alarm Over $295M Crisis That Could Jeopardize Oklahoma’s Food Supply
Oklahoma State University President Dr. Jim Hess is making an urgent plea to lawmakers: fund a new veterinary teaching hospital—or risk a catastrophic collapse in Oklahoma’s rural veterinary system, food safety infrastructure, and public health oversight.
As the state legislative session races toward its final days, Dr. Hess is asking for $295 million to build a 275,000-square-foot facility to replace the university’s outdated and overcrowded animal hospital, which was built in 1981 and originally designed for just 60 students. Today, more than 155 students are packed into the aging building every day for training.
In an interview with political analyst on Channel 6 News, Scott Mitchell, “We’ve reached an existential moment for the College of Veterinary Medicine,” Hess said in a sit-down interview with political analyst Scott Mitchell. “If we don’t act now, the state’s ability to train veterinarians for rural and agricultural needs could be permanently crippled.”
A Looming Rural Crisis
Oklahoma's veterinary crisis is unfolding in real time. According to Hess, at least 85 rural veterinarians are ready to retire but feel obligated to stay due to the intense demand in agricultural communities.
“They’d love to step back, but their commitment to farmers, ranchers, and food producers is keeping them in the field,” Hess said.
That’s especially concerning in a state with one of the largest beef cattle herds in the nation. From farm visits to USDA food safety inspections, veterinarians play a hidden but essential role in the food chain.
“When you eat a hamburger or a chicken sandwich, you may not think about the veterinarians involved—but their work is literally on your plate,” Hess said.
Outpaced by the Competition
Neighboring states like Texas, Kansas, Iowa, and Colorado have already invested heavily in new veterinary teaching hospitals. OSU’s aging facility, Hess warned, is costing Oklahoma talent.
“We’ve lost out on top-tier rural clinical veterinarians—people who wanted to come here—but they chose newer facilities elsewhere,” Hess said. “It’s not always about salary. It’s about where they see themselves working for the next 20 years.”
Why $295 Million?
Hess insists the requested amount is not just for bricks and mortar. The funding includes modern medical equipment, large-animal training areas, and protection against rising construction costs.
“Our radiology and CT work are being done in a trailer,” he said. “It’s not just embarrassing—it’s unsafe and unsustainable.”
Factoring in inflation and the specialized needs of large-animal medicine, the estimated cost breaks down to roughly $900 per square foot. “This isn’t a luxury,” Hess added. “It’s a lifeline.”
A 40-Year Investment in Oklahoma’s Future
Dr. Hess believes the new facility would be a generational investment—one that wouldn’t need major replacement for at least four decades.
“This will serve Oklahoma families and the agriculture economy for the next 40 years,” he said. “If you care about food on your table, public health, and the future of our rural communities, then this is your cause.”
Final Call for Action
With only weeks left in the session, Hess is calling on Oklahomans to act now.
“This has been a marathon, but we’re at the sprint,” he said. “If we miss this opportunity, I fear we won’t get another. And yes, the outlook would be bleak.”
Whether you’re a rancher, a veterinarian, or just someone who enjoys a safe dinner, the stakes are clear: without funding, the heartbeat of Oklahoma’s veterinary future—and its food security—may flatline.