AVMA Council on Education's Removes DEI Reporting Requirements Despite Pushback
AVMA Council on Education Drops Mandatory DEI Reporting for Veterinary Schools: What It Means
In March 2025, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Education (COE) quietly updated its guidance on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) reporting for veterinary schools. A "Dear Colleague" letter sent to all veterinary school deans revealed that DEI reporting will no longer be required as part of accreditation standards. This represents a major shift, turning a previously mandatory obligation into an optional practice for veterinary programs.
Understanding the COE’s Decision
The COE framed the change as a measure to address potential legal and regulatory conflicts. According to the letter, the council will “not require programs to report on, or comply with, current aspects of the Standards of Accreditation that relate to DEI or other related language in a manner that conflicts with applicable law or other institutional directives or regulations as determined by impacted institutions.”
In practice, this gives schools the discretion to report DEI activities if they choose, rather than making it a formal accreditation requirement.
Potential Implications for the Veterinary Profession
While the COE clarified that DEI initiatives are not prohibited, critics warn that eliminating mandatory reporting could have significant consequences:
Loss of Accountability: Without required reporting, schools may deprioritize DEI programs, making it harder to measure progress or hold institutions accountable.
Impact on Students and Faculty: DEI reporting provides essential data on the recruitment, retention, and support of underrepresented groups. Without it, disparities may go unnoticed and unaddressed.
Professional Equity Concerns: Students and professionals advocating for DEI initiatives may feel sidelined, as mandatory reporting has historically been a key mechanism for driving change.
Long-Term Cultural Effects: Reporting requirements help foster inclusive learning and workplace environments. Making them optional could slow momentum toward a more equitable profession.
The Continuing Lack of Diversity in Veterinary Medicine
Veterinary medicine has long struggled with underrepresentation. According to 2021 AVMA data, the profession was approximately 91.9% white, 2.5% Asian, 1.4% Hispanic, 0.9% Black, and 0.4% Indigenous—far below the diversity of the U.S. population.
Without mandatory DEI reporting, schools are no longer required to track and submit data on student and faculty diversity. This creates a fundamental problem: if disparities are not measured, they cannot be addressed. The lack of accountability may mask inequities and slow progress toward a more inclusive veterinary field, leaving underrepresented students without the visibility, support, or advocacy they need.
The Bottom Line
The AVMA COE presents the removal of DEI reporting as a protective measure for institutions navigating legal complexities. However, the decision has raised concern among students, faculty, and veterinarians who see mandatory reporting as critical to sustaining progress in diversity, equity, and inclusion. By making DEI reporting optional, the profession risks losing a vital tool for understanding and addressing ongoing disparities in veterinary medicine.
Taking a Stand
Veterinarians, students, and advocates for equity have several ways to take action, though past efforts have shown the challenge of effecting change. Dozens of veterinary professionals submitted formal comments to the COE during the public feedback period, yet the reporting requirement was still removed. To push for meaningful change, individuals can contact their AVMA state representatives, engage with the House of Delegates, or work with their institutions to continue tracking DEI metrics voluntarily. Find your representative here: https://www.avma.org/about/board-directors-and-avma-officers
