In a letter sent to veterinary school deans, the COE said it will “not require programs to report on, or comply with, current aspects of the Standards of Accreditation that relate to DEI…in a manner that conflicts with applicable law or other institutional directives.” In effect, what was once mandatory is now optional.

The council emphasized that schools may still pursue and share DEI initiatives, but critics warn that removing accountability has serious consequences for the profession:

Loss of Transparency: Without required reporting, schools may sideline DEI work, making it difficult to measure progress.

Student & Faculty Impact: Data on recruitment, retention, and support of underrepresented groups could disappear, allowing disparities to persist unnoticed.

Equity Setbacks: Mandatory reporting has been one of the few tools to push the overwhelmingly white profession toward change. Making it optional risks slowing that momentum.

Veterinary medicine already faces deep representation gaps. According to AVMA data, as of 2021 the profession was 91.9% white, with Black veterinarians making up less than 1%. Without structured reporting, inequities may remain invisible—robbing underrepresented students and faculty of the support they need.

The COE frames the change as protecting institutions from legal conflicts, but many veterinarians, students, and educators see it as a step backward. During the public comment period, dozens urged the council to preserve DEI reporting. Their concerns went unanswered.

For those who believe accountability is essential, action is still possible: contact AVMA representatives, engage with the House of Delegates, and advocate within veterinary schools. Without continued pressure, the profession risks losing one of its few mechanisms for tracking—and tackling—its diversity problem.

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