A chronic shortage of large animal veterinarians is an oft-repeated mantra as to why Texas needs a second school. The 85th Texas Legislature, which convened this past January, agreed that the idea for a second veterinary college in Texas—Texas A&M is presently the only one—warranted a closer look.As a result, the Legislature earmarked $4.1 million in the current state budget for further study of the project’s feasibility.
“They [consultants] will offer guidance on the process, including such things as planning, budgets, and accreditation,” said Brad Ashworth, vice chancellor, communications and marketing at Texas Tech.
The consultants will be paid out of the money coming from the state.The initial funding from the state fell far short of the nearly $17 million Texas Tech had sought to begin building its school of veterinary medicine (SVM) on its Amarillo campus.“I want to be clear, this is a planning grant. It is not a vet school opening in Amarillo,” Duncan emphasized at a news gathering.Texas Tech analysts estimate construction of the veterinary school will cost $80 to $90 million.