Mission Statement:

"To provide all interested students with the opportunities to learn about viruses and their impact; to explore their options in a treatment or research-oriented field; and to participate in viral awareness activities."

Origin:

Since Fall 1999, the Society for Viral Studies, otherwise known as the Virology Club, has been dedicated to exploring the world of viruses. Various speakers, from virologists to campus nurses, have guided our exploration. Not limited to the classroom, we have visted the National Institute of Health and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Some of the topics that we have covered are as follows: Smallpox, new strand of Poxvirus, Hepatitis, and other blood-born as well as sexually transmitted viruses existing within the UF population.

Goals:

2002-2003 looks to be an exciting time for the Virology Club. We are looking to break barriers that have not been done before in the University of Florida . By Spring 2003, the Society for Viral Studies is planning an unprecedented trip - CUBA . Cuban scientists have managed to eradicate Dengue Fever from their island nation - a virus carried by mosquitoes. Analagous to that virus and vector in the United States is the rapidly spreading West Nile Encephalitis. The Virology Club is set on learning the procedures that the Cuban scientists used for eradication of their particular virus, and eventually bring back this information and educate the University of Florida population in hopes that this may be translated in our own home.

We are also looking forward to making our presence felt on campus. By working with the Student Health Care Center and other student organizations such as the Microbiology Club, we hope to better educate and enrich the lives of the UF students in matters pertaining to virology.

Most of all, we look foward to having fun.

Membership:

"Members of SVS shall be both undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in the University of Florida who are interested in viral studies and who are in good standing. Membership requirements will be to attend a minimum of three meetings each semester, and participation in a minimum of 25% of designated social events. Attendance will be taken at each general meeting. In addition to student members, faculty and staff interested in viral studies may be delegated as associate members." ( SVS Constitution )

To join the Society for Viral Studies (Virology Club) the best way to start is by emailing any one of the executives. You will be added to the mailing list and you may already consider yourself a member at that point. We encourage you to remain active with the club as most of the activities are central to the organization at any given time. If you have conflicts with the schedule, please email one of the executives so that you can be updated with the material and information you have missed.

There are no membership points or strict attendance taken in this organization. HOWEVER - attendance and participation will be taken into account when distributing funds for the organization's trips.