The University of Arizonaโs plan to open a veterinary school, stalled after numerous flaws were found, is set for a hearing that could decide the projectโs future.
The American Veterinary Medical Association, which ruled in July that the UAโs proposal didnโt meet quality standards for veterinary training, will convene a panel in mid-December to consider the universityโs appeal of the finding, association spokesman Michael San Filippo said.
The association accredits veterinary schools, and the UA canโt 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 associationโs Council on Education rejected the UA plan saying it didnโt meet five of 11 standards for accreditation. โThe council found that the schoolโs plan, when implemented, will not permit the school to be in complianceโ with standards, a notification letter to the UA said.
Problems identified included lack of proof of the schoolโs 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 accreditorโs findings and Hart predicted in a July news release that the appeal would be successful.
โWe will demonstrate that we have addressed all of their concerns,โ she said. โWe are absolutely committed to earning AVMA accreditation.โ
The UAโs 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 โin the best interest of the state,โ said Teri Moore, the UAโs public records coordinator.
UA spokesman Chris Sigurdson said the appeal is a closed-door process. โIn 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,โ he said.
San Filippo, the veterinary association spokesman, couldnโt say when the appeal panel will render its decision.
