A state commission has signed off on elevating the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's veterinary department to a school of the same.

The Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education has approved the creation of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at UNL.

The University of Nebraska Board of Regents approved the change last month.

University officials said then the upgrade would cost the campus an estimated $5,700 for a new sign, Web page changes and new stationery. UNL expected no need for additional faculty, staff or other resources.

Commission officials say the change will communicate a sense of validity, respect and authority, which are successful to the program's success.