Tuskegee University sues the American Veterinary Medical Association

Earlier this week, Tuskegee University, the only historically black veterinary school in the US, filed a federal lawsuit and an emergency motion attempting to block the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) from proceeding with a hearing to determine whether Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine (TUCVM) will be stripped of its accreditation.

A complaint and a time-sensitive motion for preliminary injunction were both filed, accusing the AVMA and its Council on Education (COE) of violating due-process requirements and failing to follow their rules during an ongoing accreditation review. According to the filings, if Tuskegee were to lose its accreditation, it would jeopardize the university's ability to operate the program, cause long-term reputational harm, and eliminate access to federal student-aid funding.

"Tuskegee University respectfully requests that the court enjoin the AVMA from conducting an appeal hearing under procedures that deny Tuskegee a fair opportunity to present evidence and witnesses,” according to the motion.2

Within the lawsuit, Tuskegee argues that the AVMA did not apply its standards consistently and conducted its review in a manner that did not follow the association's established procedures, thereby violating Tuskegee’s right to a fair process. Through its emergency motion, Tuskegee provided 4 primary violations of procedural fairness in the AVMA’s handling of the university's appeal1:

1. Blocking testimony from expert witnesses, including Willie M. Reed, DVM, PhD, DACVP, DACPV, dean of Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, and James W. Lloyd, DVM, PhD, former dean of the University of Florida and Michigan State University.
2. Refusing to release internal AVMA records related to the accreditation decision.
3. Barring Tuskegee from introducing evidence about unequal treatment compared with other institutions.
4. Restricting the hearing to 2.5 hours, covering all witness testimony, exhibits, and rebuttals.

Based on the restrictions Tuskegee outlined, each violates the AVMA’s own policy, Section 2.5.4, that states each institution is guaranteed the right to present witnesses and documents pertinent to the case.1

“When Purdue University faced comparable facility challenges, the AVMA COE did not demand financial documentation before approving extensions,” the complaint asserts. However, "Tuskegee’s verified commitments from its board, president, and financial institution were rejected as insufficient.”

The motion asks the court to issue an injunction before December 4, 2025, the day before the scheduled AVMA hearing, to preserve Tuskegee’s rights and maintain the status quo until the case is fully heard. The motion also warns that if things continue under the current AVMA procedures, it could damage its reputation, lead to a loss of student recruitment, and possibly result in the program's closure.

Within the filings, Tuskegee asks the federal court the following1:

1. Stop the AVMA from holding the hearing on December 5, 2025, until a fair process is guaranteed.
2. Compel AVMA to allow full witness testimony and document access.
3. Grant other relief necessary to maintain procedural integrity.

“In 2021, the [AVMA] visited our campus and identified deficiencies that Tuskegee proactively addressed, eventually demonstrating full compliance with accreditation standards. The AVMA has not returned to our campus since 2021, and accreditors refuse to recognize substantial evidence of our strong financial health, extensive clinical resources, and significant improvements in licensing exam assessments,” the school said in an issued statement.1

If Tuskegee’s injunction is granted, the case would proceed to determine whether the AVMA’s accreditation process was in violation of federal due-process standards and the Higher Education Act.

For now, while Tuskegee navigates the appeals process, all of its veterinary medicine academic programming, clinical training, and support services will continue to proceed as planned. Students currently enrolled will also be able to complete their degrees, remain fully enrolled with their degree path unchanged, and become eligible for licensure, internships, and residencies.

AVMA and Tuskegee history

TUCVM was the first veterinary medical professional program located on the campus of a historically Black college or university in the US. With more than 127,000 veterinarians in the US, 2% are Black; of that 2%, a total of 70% graduated from TUCVM. The college is recognized as the most diverse of all schools/colleges of veterinary medicine in the US.4

RELATED: Lincoln Memorial University sues American Veterinary Medical Association

In 1944, Frederick Douglass Patterson first envisioned TUCVM, and it was then established a year later. At this time, TUCVM was 1 of 10 veterinary schools in the US, and it is estimated that within the Southern part of the US, there were fewer than 5 Black veterinarians.

TUCVM had its first graduating class in 1949, comprising 5 graduates, including 1 woman. Although its first class contained exclusively Black veterinary students, TUCVM is now known as one of the most diverse and inclusive veterinary schools in the US and has served as a singular role in expanding the diversity of the profession.4 Since its first class, Tuskegee has graduated almost 3200 veterinary medical students and accepts 65 students a year.

In fall 2021, the AVMA COE's notice of accreditation actions for spring 2022 following a 2021 visit stated that Tuskegee was put on probationary accreditation with major deficiencies, including Standard 2, Finances; Standard 4, Clinical Resources; Standard 11, Outcomes Assessment; as well as minor deficiencies in Standard 3, Physical Facilities and Equipment; Standard 6, Students; and Standard 9, Curriculum.3

“The integrity of the nation’s only historically Black veterinary college—and the progress it represents in diversifying the veterinary profession—hangs in the balance,” the complaint concludes.

References

1. Blevins S. Tuskegee University sues to stop American Veterinary Medical Association’s attempt to strip their accreditation. Yellowhammer News. November 11, 2025, Accessed November 12, 2025. https://yellowhammernews.com/tuskegee-university-sues-to-stop-american-veterinary-medical-associations-attempt-to-strip-their-accreditation/
2. Tuskegee University. Case No. 2:25-cv-00890. US District Court for the Middle District of Alabama. Accessed November 12, 2025. https://yellowhammernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/002.-Time-Sensitive-Motion-for-Preliminary-Injunction-Ruling-Requested-by-December-4-2025-1.pdf
3. Notice of accreditation actions by the AVMA Council on Education. American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education. 2022. Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.avma.org/sites/default/files/2022-04/2022-March-Accreditation-Actions.pdf
4. The historical legacy. Tuskegee University. Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.tuskegee.edu/academics/colleges-schools/cvm/The-Historical-Legacy.html