October 5, 2020
Kansas State University students to host SAVMA Symposium online in March 2021
Submitted by Savannah Christopulos and Tyler Shim
While the venue may be different than originally planned, veterinary students at Kansas State University are moving forward as hosts for the 2021 SAVMA Symposium. The Student American Veterinary Medical Association, or SAVMA, is the national organization for veterinary students and works with local colleges of veterinary medicine to put on its annual symposium. For the first time ever, this year's event will take place online.
"COVID-19 interfered earlier this year, forcing the cancellation of the 2020 symposium that was to be held at Cornell University," said Savannah Christopulos, a third-year veterinary student and co-chair of the planning committee. "We feel fortunate to be able to bring back the symposium, albeit in a virtual format, to reinstate a traditional national meeting of veterinary students that dates back more than half a century. We are currently working out the details, but want people to know that the dates are set and that we are moving forward."
Christopulos explained how the symposium, scheduled for March 13-15, 2021, will consist of multiple tracks, workshops and virtual tours. This will be Kansas State University's first time to host the conference since 1986. The symposium rotates each year to a different campus among the 30-plus veterinary colleges in the U.S.
"We will incorporate a mixture of pre-recorded lectures and live lectures, along with some pre-recorded lectures while having a live question and answer session," Christopulos said.
Tyler Shima, also a third-year veterinary student is the other co-chair of K-State’s planning committee.
"We are planning how to hold opening and closing ceremonies," Shima said. "We hope to have some competitions to take place online so it will feel more like the annual in-person event."
Christopulos added, "We anticipate offering a reduced registration rate compared to a face-to-face conference. Official registration information should be coming soon."
"We believe that since travel costs will be eliminated and that a smaller time commitment would be needed, it will be much easier for more students to attend online than a traditional event," Shima said. "Another bonus is that content will be recorded and remain available for students to access after the symposium."
More information about the upcoming SAVMA Symposium will be available online.