OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY VETERINARY MEDICINE AUTHORITY

The OSU Veterinary Medicine Authority convened a regular meeting at 10:00am on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 in the Alumni Conference Room, McElroy Hall, OSU College of Veterinary Medicine, 115 McElroy Hall, Stillwater, OK.

Notice of the meeting was provided to the Oklahoma Secretary of State consistent with the open meetings guidelines, and the agenda was posted at 115 McElroy Hall prior to the meeting in compliance with the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act.

Meeting Minutes

1. Call to Order, Acknowledgement of Meeting Filing and Establishment of a Quorum
   • Chair Arthur called the meeting to order at 10:02am. A quorum was established.
   • PRESENT: Blayne Arthur, L. D. Barker, Joe Hall, Jerry Ritchey, Troy Shelby, Jimmy Harrel, Jeff Stroup
   • ABSENT: Richard Prather
2. Discussion and Possible Vote for the Approval of Minutes of the October 21, 2025 Meeting of the Authority
   • Chair Arthur asked for a motion to approve the minutes for the October 21, 2025 Authority meeting.
   • Motion to approve the minutes was made by Joe Hall and seconded by Jimmy Harrel.
   • AYES - Arthur, Barker, Hall, Ritchey, Harrel and Shelby
   • NAYS - None
   • Chair Arthur welcomed students who are working as interns with state legislators this semester.
3. Report and Overview of OSU - President Jim Hess
   • President Hess reported that the search for the new Dean is progressing. The committee has narrowed the choice to three candidates who will be visiting the campus for interviews in the upcoming weeks. The final decision should be made within a few weeks of the final visit. He thanked everyone who served on the search committee.
   • The spring legislative session will be an important one. President Hess has two main priorities. The first is a new Agrononmy Research Facility. The second is the completion of the Health and Biomedical Science Building, which will allow all of the biological sciences to be in one building.
4. Report and Overview of College of Veterinary Medicine Status - Interim Dean Jerry Ritchey
   1. Status and update report on the College of Veterinary Medicine
   2. Report on Rural Veterinary Scholarships
      • Interim Dean Ritchey welcomed several new faculty members and asked them to introduce themselves.
      • He presented a power point to provide an update to the board:
        • Class of 2030 - had a record number of applicants and the non-resident limit was established. Offers will be going out soon. Interviews and final selection of resident applicants will be finished in February. There are currently 69 Oklahoma resident seats.
        • He presented a map of the United States showing the location of the 11 newest established Veterinary Schools. (7 Veterinary School with a Provisionally Accredited Letter of Assurance and 4 Veterinary Schools under exploration)
        • Scholarship and Loan Forgiveness Program - 14 Students from the Class of 2026/2027 received scholarships and/or loan forgiveness. Eleven students received $100,000, one student received $50,000, and two students received $25,000. Students who receive the awards commit to practicing in rural Oklahoma for as many years as they have received scholarship money.
        • Architects have been working on the design for the new Veterinary Hospital. They have completed a proximity design and will continue to work with consultants to finalize the plan.
        • A portable chute and headgate system has been purchased for clinical skills instruction and for use at area ranches if needed.
        • There are a few open positions currently in the recruitment and interview process.
        • Retirements and Service Awards were recently celebrated. Among those retiring is Dr. Jerry Malayer, Senior Associate Dean for Research & Graduate Education. Interim Dean Ritchey presented a table showing the growth in the CVM research area before and after Dr. Malayer began his role as Senior Associate Dean.
5. Chief Executive Officer's Report and Possible Action Items
   1. Discussion and possible vote on a budgetary revision for the 2025-2026 budget.
      
      • Dr. Stroup presented the OSU Vet Med Authority budget spreadsheet that was approved at the July 2025 Authority meeting. He asked for a motion to approve a shift of $200,000 from the Vet Med/Hospital Support Plan line item to the Lee Denney Act Scholarship line item to bring the total for scholarships up to the needed $1.2 million.
      • Jimmy Harrel made a motion to approve the revision to move $200,000 from one budgeted item to the other. Joe Hall seconded the motion.
      • AYES - Arthur, Barker, Hall, Ritchey, Harrel and Shelby
      • NAYS - None
   2. Discussion and report on the request for funding from the Oklahoma Legislature for the 2026-2027 year.
      
      • Dr. Stroup reported that the budget hearings at the Oklahoma Legislature went well. The presentation was well received and there were minimal questions. The legislators are pleased with the increase in the number of in-state students.
   3. Discussion and possible vote to recommend the site for the new OSU Veterinary Hospital to the OSU A&M Board of Regents - Phil Thomas
      
      • Dr. Stroup recognized Phil Thomas, Director of Long Range Facilities Planning, to present the site options for the new OSU Veterinary Hospital. Phil discussed the Site Analysis Executive Summary which presents four possible sites, pros and cons, and diagrams. After considering all of the information, Phil reported that Site One at the northwest corner of 6th and Western is the most viable. Among the many advantages, this site provides easy access, high visibility and land needed for future growth and pastures for large animal care.
      • A motion was made by Joe Hall to recommend Site One to the OSU A&M Board of Regents for approval. Jimmy Harrel seconded the motion.
      • AYES - Arthur, Barker, Hall, Ritchey, Harrel and Shelby
      • NAYS -None
   4. Discussion and possible vote for the approval of scholarships and loan forgiveness awards pursuant to HB 3196. Proposed actions include payment for scholarships for third year and fourth year OSU Veterinary Medicine students and loan forgiveness for practice in rural communities. Authorization is requested for the CEO of the Authority to execute agreements with recipients.
      
      • Dr. Stroup asked for a motion to approve the current list of students from the Class of 2026 and 2027 receiving scholarships and loan forgiveness awards.
      • Troy Shelby made a motion to approve the scholarship and loan forgiveness awards. Lloyd Barker seconded the motion.
      • AYES - Arthur, Barker, Hall, Ritchey, Harrel and Shelby
      • NAYS -None
   5. Discussion and possible vote for the approval of an amendment to the existing Memorandum of Understanding between the Authority and the Oklahoma Capitol Improvement Authority for the allocation of capital funds previously appropriated in the 2025 legislature session.
      
      • Dr. Stroup asked for a motion to approve an amendment to the existing MOU between the Authority and the Oklahoma Capital Improvement Authority (OCIA). The MOU was initially approved when the initial $79 million was allocated from the legislature. The amendment is necessary because of the allocation of additional funds ($250 million in last year's session). 
      • Interim Dean Ritchey made a motion to approve the amendment to the existing MOU. Troy Shelby seconded.
        
      • AYES - Arthur, Barker, Hall, Ritchey, Harrel and Shelby
        
      • NAYS - None
        
   6. Discussion and possible vote on Cooperative Agreement between The Oklahoma State University Veterinary Medicine Authority and The Board of Regents for the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges for the allocation of capital funds appropriated via the Oklahoma Capitol Improvement Authority.
      
      • Dr. Stroup asked for a motion to approve a Cooperative Agreement between The OSU Veterinary Med Authority and The OSU A&M Board of Regents for the allocation of capital funds appropriated through the Oklahoma Capitol Improvement Authority (OCIA). The Cooperative Agreement allows funds to be transferred to the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine for constructing, refurbishing, equipping, or expanding the animal teaching hospital and related facilities at the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine.
        
      • Jimmy Harrel made a motion to approve the Cooperative Agreement. Joe Hall seconded the motion.
        
      • AYES - Arthur, Barker, Hall, Ritchey, Harrel and Shelby
        
      • NAYS - None
        
   7. Discussion and possible vote on Cooperative Agreement between The Oklahoma State University Veterinary Medicine Authority and The Board of Regents for the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges for the allocation of appropriated funds for the Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory.
      
      • Dr. Stroup asked for a motion to approve a Cooperative Agreement between The OSU Veterinary Medicine Authority and The OSU A&M Board of Regents to allocate appropriated funds for the Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (OADDL). The Cooperative Agreement concerns the $20,000,000 which was appropriated for the purpose of providing equipment, construction, and/or renovation of the OADDL.
        
      • Jimmy Harrel made a motion to approve the Cooperative Agreement for the allocation of appropriated funds for the OADDL. Joe Hall seconded the motion.
        
      • AYES - Arthur, Barker, Hall, Ritchey, Harrel and Shelby
        
      • NAYS - None
        
   8. Report and possible action on architectural expenses paid since October 21, 2025.
      
      1. Payment of $27,662.70 on 10/29/25 to GH2 Architects 
         • Dr. Stroup reported that one payment of $27,662.70 was made for architectural expenses since the last OSUVMA board meeting. That brings our current balance to $78,685,715.91.
           
      2. Total payments made (8/6/24 to 10/29/25) total $314,284.09. Approval is requested to make additional payments that may occur prior to the next meeting of the Authority. Any payments authorized by the CEO will be reported to the Authority at their next regular meeting.
         
         • Dr. Stroup requested a motion to ratify the payment made for $27,662.70 and for approval of interim payments until ratified at our next meeting. A motion to approve the payment made and for the CEO to approve additional payments for expenses that may occur prior to the next Authority meeting was made by Interim Dean Ritchey and seconded by Troy Shelby
           
         • AYES: Arthur, Barker, Hall, Ritchey, Harrel and Shelby
           
         • NAYS: None
           
      3. Report on debt service payments to date to the Oklahoma Capitol Improvement Authority.
         
         • Dr. Stroup shared the report showing that the Authority has met obligations for debt payments to date.
           
   9. Report on the renovation and toxicology program at the Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostics Laboratory (OADDL) 
      • Dr. Stroup presented the OADDL renovation timeline. The Conceptual and Schematic Designs have been completed. A team is currently reviewing the prioritization of needs to maximize the efficient use of funds. The hope is that all of the renovations can be accomplished with the available funds. The veterinary toxicology laboratory is in final testing. This is a collaboration between the OSU Center for Health Sciences and OADDL.
        
   10. Financial Report for the College of Veterinary Medicine and Authority restricted funds as of December 31, 2025 – Kristi Howey
       
       • Dr. Stroup introduced Kristi Howey for the presentation of the financial report of the Authority restricted funds for the College of Veterinary Medicine. Kristi's report shows the amount spent on Rural Scholarship/Loan Forgiveness awards and the carryforward amount of $400,000 which is the encumbered amount to be paid to students per their scholarship schedule.
         
       • The Operational Support budget shows the amount received from the Authority and the normal expenditures.
         
   11. Financial Report of the Authority as of December 31, 2025 - Kristi Howey
       
       • Kristi presented the Financial Report of the Authority. The expense total of $314,284 represents payments made in the design phase of the capital improvement project for the Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
         
6. Adjournment
   
   • Chair Arthur asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
     
   • Motion to adjourn made by Troy Shelby seconded by Lloyd Barker. The meeting was adjourned at 10:59 am.

Meeting Minutes signed by Oklahoma State University Medicine Authority Chair Blayne Arthur.

If you would like a copy of these minutes, please reach out to Karen Castle at karen.castle@okstate.edu.