The University of Arizona will not be opening a veterinary school as planned, after losing an appeal Thursday to become accredited.

The $8 million project, funded by taxpayers, is now on hold until at least 2019. The American Veterinary Medical Association’s Council on Education has decided a second time not to grant accreditation to the University of Arizona’s veterinary school.

The Tucson Citizen reports UA disputed that its plan was inadequate -- and spent $10,000 to appeal the original decision.

The accreditor first ruled last summer that UA’s plans to create a novel fast-track veterinary school were flawed to the point that students might not receive a high quality education.

A university provost said the school will continue to pursue the issue.