The University of Arizona’s plan to open a veterinary school, stalled after numerous flaws were found, is set for a hearing that could decide the project’s future.
The American Veterinary Medical Association, which ruled in July that the UA’s proposal didn’t meet quality standards for veterinary training, will convene a panel in mid-December to consider the university’s appeal of the finding, association spokesman Michael San Filippo said.
The association accredits veterinary schools, and the UA can’t proceed without its blessing. The project received an $8 million infusion from state taxpayers before concerns came to light, money already being spent to renovate a proposed site in Oro Valley.
The association’s Council on Education rejected the UA plan saying it didn’t meet five of 11 standards for accreditation. “The council found that the school’s plan, when implemented, will not permit the school to be in compliance” with standards, a notification letter to the UA said.
Problems identified included lack of proof of the school’s long-term financial viability, inadequate staffing and recruiting plans, lack of a high-quality research program and concerns about student access to learning opportunities.
The project, a signature initiative of UA President Ann Weaver Hart, will be in limbo for at least a year if the university loses its appeal. Once turned down, a school must wait 12 months before attempting to restart the accreditation process.
UA officials have disputed the accreditor’s findings and Hart predicted in a July news release that the appeal would be successful.
“We will demonstrate that we have addressed all of their concerns,” she said. “We are absolutely committed to earning AVMA accreditation.”
The UA’s proposal differs from traditional veterinary schools in that it relies heavily on partnerships with entities such as Reid Park Zoo and the Pima Animal Care Center to provide training opportunities for students.
So far, the UA proposal has not been made public. University officials recently denied a public-records request from the Arizona Daily Star to examine it. Keeping the document under wraps for now is “in the best interest of the state,” said Teri Moore, the UA’s public records coordinator.
UA spokesman Chris Sigurdson said the appeal is a closed-door process. “In order to protect the integrity of our appeal, we are not releasing the original submission requesting the first stage of accreditation nor the appeal document until the AVMA has made their final decision,” he said.
San Filippo, the veterinary association spokesman, couldn’t say when the appeal panel will render its decision.
