Cambridge vet school saved from closure
The recommendation for closure has been denied
Plans to close the University of Cambridge vet school have been scrapped.
The decision was confirmed following a meeting of the general board on Monday (23 February). In a statement the university confirmed it will “continue to admit students onto the course” and said “offer letters will go out imminently for students to enter the course this autumn.”
The announcement follows a protest against the university’s decision to close the vet school which took place before the board meeting.
A statement published by the Cambridge Students Union said: “We welcome the sensible and reasoned decision of the general board today to support our vet school, and we are glad that they have seen that this was the only sensible way forward.”
The General Board have agreed the following regarding the vet school:
• The University will continue to admit students onto the course. Offer letters will go out imminently for students to enter the course this autumn
• As both the Department and the School recognise, there is a need for new leadership in the Vet School to be put in place to support the Department in addressing its many challenges, and that transition should begin
• The General Board will share the analysis conducted by the School and the Department with the Regent House
• The General Board recognises that the School of the Biological Sciences cannot be solely responsible for the future of veterinary education
• Further analysis, supported by external experts, is required to develop and evaluate alternative models for the future of veterinary education at Cambridge. The General Board will hold the Vet School to account and keep the Regent House informed on progress
• The financial and operational reorganisation of clinical services, outlined in the Department’s submission, should move forward. All immediate cost-savings identified by the Vet School should go ahead without delay.