Oklahoma State University is getting a $250 million appropriation for the College of Veterinary Medicine.

In recent years, the American Veterinary Medical Association has put the college on probationary accreditation twice. In an effort to prevent future accreditation issues, the university asked state lawmakers for a $295 million appropriation to modernize facilities and recruit faculty and students to maintain long-term accreditation.

The state budget framework announced Wednesday includes $250 million to go toward the facility.

"We are deeply grateful to the Oklahoma legislature for recognizing the critical importance of a new veterinary teaching hospital,” OSU President Jim Hess said in a statement. “This investment will ensure OSU can continue training veterinarians who protect our food supply and safeguard public health.”

The current appropriation is earmarked renovation and construction of the Boren Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. During an Oklahoma Senate Appropriations Committee meeting in April, Hess said long-term accreditation of the vet school depends on replacing the 40-year-old facility.

During a press conference this week, House Speaker Kyle Hilbert said the appropriation is essential given the shortage of large animal veterinarians.

“It should be an absolute gem for the State of Oklahoma and for the nation, and that is not the way it’s been treated,” Hilbert said.

The $250 million will be added to an existing $79 million dollar appropriation.

Jimmy Harrel, chairman of the OSU A&M Regents, thanked lawmakers and said the appropriation is a win for OSU, its veterinary students and the agricultural community.

“Our mission is to be number one in the nation, and this will be the launching pad to achieve our shared vision, advancing the university’s top-tier status as a land grant institution,” he said.

Oklahoma State University is the license holder and a financial supporter of KOSU, but we report on them just as we do any newsmaker.