The Student American Veterinary Medical Association has canceled a sold-out symposium scheduled for March 14 to 16 after the host school, Cornell University, enacted restrictions because of the global coronavirus outbreak.
The 50th annual symposium was expected to bring together about 1,100 people — SAVMA members, veterinary faculty and industry leaders — for three days of lectures, wet labs and other activities.
Cornell’s administration ordered a stop to on-campus events involving more than 100 people, including those that would draw “a significant number” of out-of-town visitors.
“This policy does not include on-campus events where participation is primarily by Cornell audiences,” the university reported.
The ban runs from March 9 to April 15.
SAVMA President Kyre Larrabee, a fourth-year student at the Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine, confirmed the cancellation.
“We’re working with the AVMA and trying to work out all options for what we can do” for registered attendees, Larrabee said.
Cornell’s announcement came nine days before the symposium’s scheduled start in Ithaca, New York, and after many people had made travel and lodging arrangements.
“It literally happened hours ago, so we’re trying to work through all [the ramifications],” said Derrick Hall, DVM, the AVMA’s associate director for student initiatives.
“We will communicate it all to the attendees as best we can,” he said. “For the time being, we ask for their patience as we figure all this out.”
Did you know a subscription to Today’s Veterinary Business is free to qualified veterinary professionals? All you have to do is sign up here (and renew each year). You also can sign up to receive the Today’s Veterinary Business weekly e-newsletter.