ATLANTA – The Georgia House of Representatives today passed House Bill 742, the Fiscal Year 2013 (FY 2013) state budget. State Representatives Keith Heard (D-Athens), Doug McKillip (R-Athens) and Chuck Williams (R-Watkinsville) successfully advocated for the budget to maintain the $52.3 million in 20-year state bonds that the Governor requested for construction of the Veterinary Medical Learning Center at the University of Georgia (UGA).
“For many years, UGA has been a leader in veterinary education. Unfortunately, they are unable to increase their enrollment solely because the current facility cannot hold an increase in students. This funding will allow UGA to enroll more students into their world-class veterinary education program,” said Rep. Williams, a member of the Higher Education Committee.
“Not only will this facility increase enrollment at UGA, it will also attract some of the brightest students in our nation to study and practice veterinary medicine in Georgia,” said Rep. McKillip, who serves a member of the Higher Education Subcommittee of House Appropriations. “This is a wonderful investment in the future of our state’s veterinary care.”
“This funding will greatly impact UGA, our community, and the state of Georgia as a whole,” said Rep. Heard. “With this new facility, UGA can maintain their status as one of the best vet schools in the nation.”
The construction of the Veterinary Medical Learning Center will allow the veterinary program at UGA to increase enrollment from 102 to 150 students per year. The expansion will also address problems of faculty and staff retention and recruitment, facilitate patient care, expand existing specialties and develop new programs to keep up with medical advances.
Since the current facility opened in 1979, the veterinary program’s staff has increased by 339 percent, but square footage has increased by only 4 percent. With 1,700 fewer square feet per student than other comparable institutions, UGA must deny four applicants for every one admitted due to lack of space. The proposed 140,000 square foot animal hospital will include easily-accessible parking areas, green space for animals and room for future expansion.
In addition to the funds appropriated by the House budget plan, the university has set a $15 million fundraising goal to obtain private support for the project.
The FY 2013 state budget directs spending for all state agencies, departments, and programs from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013. Although the $19.2 billion state budget reflects a slight increase from the FY 2012 state budget, when adjusted for inflation the FY 2013 budget continues to reflect decade-old per-capita spending levels.
Now that the Georgia House of Representatives has passed the FY 2013 state budget with a vote of 151 to 21, the legislation will be sent to the state Senate for consideration.
For more information on UGA’s proposed Veterinary Learning Medical Center, please click here.
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