The Red and Black

Issue date: 8/29/07 Section: News

Media Credit: KELLY WEGEL Julie Webb (left), a third-year clinical pathology resident from Canada, and Melinda Camus (right), a first-year resident from Athens, examine cells using a multi-headed microscope. [Click to enlarge]

Officials at The College of Veterinary Medicine say they are trying to raise the bar to compete with other prestigious vet school but need more space to offset growing fields and class sizes.

Paige Carmichael, associate dean for academic affairs, and Public Relations Director Tracy Giese said the college works with its available space at the corner of Carlton Street and East Campus Road but still runs into problems from that limited area.

"We need a new teaching hospital desperately," Carmichael said. "The University administration is aware and behind our efforts to do so. We have been doing a lot of rearranging to function in the limited space."

Brent Credille, a senior from Greensboro, said he still receives a great education from the college but becomes frustrated when patient animals are turned away due to space concerns.

"We have a huge case load, but not enough space," Credille said. "Sometimes we just run out of stalls for the patients."

The teaching hospital - a functioning facility where vet students work - saw 135,000 animals last year, according to the college's Facts and Figures pamphlet. It listed 1,400 house calls made by vet professionals and students.

Although he said vet students need a new school, Credille also said he understands the University is doing the best it can in terms of funding.

"Our school needs more funding, but there are other departments that need it just as bad as we do," Credille said. "There are things being done to expand the space we already have."

Giese said getting the necessary funds to expand the school is difficult because every other University department and college in the state is competing for them.

The college admits 96 students each fall, although Carmichael said she would like to increase that number once the school is equipped to handle it.

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