Source: VIN News
The American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education faces potential changes despite the dismissal of a lawsuit challenging its accreditation role. A federal judge dismissed Lincoln Memorial University’s antitrust lawsuit without addressing its merits, finding the university’s alleged harms too speculative. LMU could bring the claims again.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Education has proposed an overhaul of higher education accreditation. Of particular significance to Veterinary education is a provision requiring programmatic accreditors to be fully separate and independent from related professional, trade, or membership associations.
The AVMA maintains that the COE already makes accreditation decisions independently, although the AVMA and Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges provide staff support. The proposed regulations could require greater separation.
Other proposed changes would encourage competition among accreditors, make switching accrediting agencies easier, and clarify that federal recognition does not provide immunity from antitrust laws. If adopted, the COE could face competing Veterinary education accreditors.
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