Ross University anticipates $31 million veterinary school expansion

Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine is spending more than $31 million to expand its St. Kitts campus during the next five years. Officials broke ground on the project March 14.

The expansion includes a facilities and pasture management service center, a wellness and student center, expansion of the preparatory school and several other projects, including a full campus electrical infrastructure upgrade.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ROSS UNIVERSITY

"The electrical upgrade should assist in controlling power surges and outages, as well as support increasing demand of power supply as we expand our campus facilities and technology," says Jodi Peeler, assistant dean for external relations and communications.

The expansion also includes the purchase of a 24-acre parcel of land, which the school had previously leased from the local government. Ross University purchased the land for $6 million. The agreement to spend more than $25 million on the expansion of campus facilities was part of the school's partnership agreement renewal with the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.

"The drive behind the planned expansion is the desire to further RUSVM's development into an innovative educational program with focus on our students and their program so they can become leaders in veterinary training worldwide," says Peeler.

Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine has been in the spotlight recently since a February New York Times article focused on student debt in the veterinary profession. Hayley Schafer, a primary source in the article, credited Ross University with her $312,000 of student loan debt. Ross is one of the most expensive veterinary schools to attend when cost of living and commuting expenses are factored in.

Peeler says the expansion should be complete in the next five years.