The dean of the University of Arizona veterinary school says plans for the school’s $49 million in new facilities soldier on, despite the university’s freeze on capital projects during its deficit.
The university is pausing several capital projects through the end of June as it deals with its $177 million deficit. Earlier this month, UA listed these, including construction of a $30 million College of Veterinary Medicine Surgical Center and a $15 million Human Animal Interaction Building.
But no adjustments have been made to the facility’s plans in the wake of the financial freeze, UA College of Veterinary Sciences Dean Julie Ann Funk said Friday.
As the deferment is implemented, the veterinary school will continue its fundraising efforts, Funk said.
“We do not have sufficient funds for these facilities, so the facilities have always been planned for a future date when we had funding.”
Students are still able to achieve their competencies in surgery and anesthesia with the available surgical facilities, located away from the school’s Oro Valley campus, she said.
The new facility will bring the two existing facilities and the central Oro Valley location together. Funk called the planned setup “more efficient.”
Additionally, having new facilities would mean the school could add a feral cat ward, Funk said.
“Our goal is to be able to help serve the community by providing spays and neuters for feral cats.”
In addition to the surgical center, the school still plans the Human Animal Interaction research facility.
Funk said the veterinary school wants to be part of UA’s financial solution and “will contribute to support the University however we are asked to serve.”
In August 2023, 106 UA College of Veterinary Medicine students graduated, marking the school’s first class of homegrown veterinarians.
A new internship program at the Reid Park Zoo gives University of Arizona veterinary students a monthlong opportunity to train under the zoo's head veterinarian. Video by Caitlin Schmidt / Arizona Daily Star.
