Source: WKMS
Murray State University is moving forward with plans to establish Kentucky’s first Veterinary college after its Board of Regents voted to create a College of Veterinary Medicine. The decision follows January approval of the university’s Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine program by the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education. The next major step is securing accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association. Dean Laura Hoffman said the university has requested an on-site consultation, which will begin a multi-year accreditation process that includes a self-study, evaluation, and site visit. If granted a Letter of Reasonable Assurance and later provisional accreditation, the first class could enroll as early as fall 2028.
In other business, President Ron Patterson voiced opposition to a state bill allowing layoffs of tenured faculty for financial reasons. The board also extended Athletics Director Nico Yantko’s contract and approved several new academic initiatives, including programs in dental hygiene and artificial intelligence.