Sources: Ralph Richardson, 785-532-5660, vetdean@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Angie Johnson, 785-532-6415

Tuesday, October 28, 2003

K-STATE'S COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE REACCREDITED FOR SEVEN YEARS

MANHATTAN -- Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine was recently reaccredited for the next seven years. The accrediting body found no major deficiencies, said Dr. Ralph Richardson, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. He said the college is prepared to take steps to be even better by 2010.

Veterinary colleges are required to be reaccredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association's Council on Education every seven years. A nine-member evaluation team, including a dean from the College of Veterinary Medicine in England and one from Canada, a representative from the Kansas Veterinary Medical Association and one from the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, and a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association staff, visited K-State in March to begin the reaccreditation process.

The team spent four days visiting with students, faculty, veterinarians throughout the state and university, and members of K-State administration, including President Jon Wefald and Provost James Coffman. They looked at K-State's College of Veterinary Medicine budget, library, hospitals and facilities. The team also took a trip to one of the college's satellite learning center in Clay Center, Neb.

Richardson said he and his staff were extremely pleased that there were no major deficiencies and everything ran smoothly. However, he said the team did express concern about the state budget report. They suggested continuing efforts to increase funding from all sources, includes grants and gifts, and encouraged the college to adopt a plan for replacement of computer hardware.

"They were very complimentary about our student body, supportive faculty efforts and commitment to teaching, as well as our physical facilities," Richardson said. "They were impressed with our research programs and summer research opportunities funded by the National Institutes of Health."

Richardson said reaccreditation was a rigorous process, but well worth it for students and faculty alike. With only 28 veterinary medical colleges in the United States, K-State is fortunate to have one of them, he said. Graduates from K-State's accredited College of Veterinary Medicine can be licensed to practice if they pass the national and state license examinations; graduates from nonaccredited colleges cannot be licensed.

"The whole thing is pretty detailed," Richardson said. "But it's a great boost to our college."

After the process was complete, the American Veterinary Medical Association's Council on Education granted K-State's College of Veterinary Medicine full accreditation for a period of up to seven years. Richardson said the reaccrediting proves that the college is heading in the right direction and that it not only meets, but exceeds modern standards of education.

"It affirms that we can function and grow even in difficult financial times," Richardson said. "And it confirms by an outside reviewing process that we are delivering an excellent program for our students."

Richardson said he hopes they will be able to repeat performance and be even better by 2010.

"I'm extremely pleased with the tremendous effort that the entire college put into the reaccreditation process," he said. "It was helpful not only to the Council of Education, but to us as we measured our growth and where we stand."


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