A 16 percent increase in tuition may be a lot, but students in the College of Veterinary Medicine said something needs to be done to rebuild the oldest veterinary school in the nation.

Although they would likely have to take out larger student loans for the next four years, students in the college said they wouldn’t mind having to dig deeper into their pockets — as long as they can see results from their money soon.

With the college operating on limited accreditation with outdated facilities and equipment, a small faculty, lacking programs and a poor national ranking among veterinary medicine colleges, students have said the college is in drastic need of financial support.

At its last meeting on Nov. 4, the Iowa Board of Regents considered a supplemental tuition proposal to increase tuition for veterinary medicine students above the 4 percent base increase for all students already proposed.

In-state veterinary medicine students would pay 16 percent more — or an extra $1,648 — in tuition during the next four years; 12 percent more than all other ISU students. Out-of-state vet medicine students would see a 12 percent increase in tuition rates — or $3,271 more during the next four years; 8 percent more than all other non-resident students.

“Obviously, it will add to students’ debt load, but to build anything you need funding and resources. With state funding the way it is, it’s almost necessary,” said Matt Heeb, Graduate and Professional Student Senate senator for veterinary medicine. “The general reaction from students is, if they can see the quality of their education improve, then they’re willing to pay additional tuition, as long as it goes back directly into the college.”

According to the proposal, all revenue generated from the additional tuition increase would go directly to the college, with money from the 4 percent base increase going to the university. The 4 percent Higher Education Price Index-based increase is expected to generate about $1.5 million, with the supplemental Vet Medicine increase expected to generate almost $3 million.

The college is $8 to $9 million behind peer institutions in core funding.

“There’s a distinct difference in core funding and faculty numbers, which is reflective of budget cuts,” said John Thomson, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. “Cuts that have restricted our ability to have funds to invest in critical programming and in adequate faculty numbers.”

At least 15 percent of gross tuition revenue generated is expected to be set aside for student financial aid. Also, the College of Veterinary Medicine ranks second from the bottom among its 11 peer institutions in the mean level of student indebtedness — $8,000 to $16,000 less than students in surrounding states like Illinois, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin and Missouri.

“With the vision of the college right now, in order to progress, we need to make monetary advancements somehow,” Heeb said.

Some students in the college have raised the question as to why such a burden is being placed on students’ shoulders to make up for the college’s shortcomings.

In a recently published survey from U.S. News and World Report, the college ranked 17th out of 20 of the nation’s 27 veterinary schools. Iowa State also ranks last among its 12 peer institutions for its veterinary program.

However, Thomson said, tuition is only one source the college will be using for funding in its mission to regain its once held prestige.

“We are establishing, right now, a road map for us to regain our position as a leader in the upper tier of veterinary colleges in the country,” he said, adding that the college is looking at all revenue streams for support “We’re not trying to do it all at once from one source. I am very sensitive to the cost of education.”