Letter from the Higher Education Commission Executive Director Jane Oates

March 26, 2007

Dear Dr. Kicenuik:

Thank you for writing to Governor Corzine regarding funding for the Veterinary Medical Education Program. The Governor has asked me to respond to your email.I appreciate your support for a sufficient supply of well trained veterinarians in New Jersey. You have raised significant points regarding the importance of veterinarians to the future well-being of the state. The 1971 statute that created the Veterinary Medical Education Program plays an important role in addressing this need. The statute calls for state funds within the limits of available appropriations, however, not a specific funding level.Difficult choices and decisions were necessary in developing and finalizing the fiscal 2007 budget, because the state faced and extraordinary budget gap that had to be closed. The Veterinary Medical Education Program was originally slated to be eliminated from the state budget for the current year, but the final budget for higher education included a little more than half of the previous year's funding for the program.The budget preparation cycle for the coming fiscal year is underway, and the state continues to face significant fiscal challenges. I am pleased to report, however, that the Governor's proposed budget does not include a cut in this program; level funding is recommended. In addition, statutory language is included that would require any newly admitted student attending a school of veterinary medicine in a reserved space for New Jersey residents to practice veterinary medicine in the state for one year for each year of contract funding provided on their behalf. If the service requirement is not met, funds expended for the recipient's contract seat must be refunded. This new requirement will help to ensure a supply of well trained veterinarians in New Jersey to meet the needs you described.Once again, thank you for sharing your thoughts with the Governor.

Sincerely,

Jane Oates
Executive Director