The Journal of Paleontological Sciences was recently announced by the Association of Applied Paleontological Sciences. Part of the journal’s mission is to publish information about fossils held in private collections. While it is important that scientifically significant fossils and fossil assemblages are described in an accessible format, the SVP has several concerns about the new journal. In response, members of the SVP Executive Committee have opened a dialogue with the sponsors of the new journal to revisit long-standing differences about fossils held in private collections.
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Margaret Matthew Colbert, who illustrated popular books on dinosaurs and prehistoric life, and who designed the SVP logo, passed away on February 24 at the age of 95. Read more…

The 2007-2008 SVP election candidate slate and biographies are available to society members.  Login to learn more.

The SVP is a strong and vibrant society, in part because of its ongoing plans and initiatives. Learn more about SVP's strategic plans.

The Program Committee for the 67th Annual Meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, Austin Texas, Oct. 17-20, is calling for symposia proposals. Proposals should include a concise description of the symposium topic including its significance and specific relevance to the particular meeting time and location (if appropriate), and a list of speakers and preliminary titles, not to exceed 15 speakers in total. Five to six poster presentations are also welcome. Proposals should not exceed two pages in length.

Please send proposals to Jason Head, Program Committee Chair.

The deadline for proposal submission was Dec. 1, 2006.

-Archived 2.16.2007

To encourage student participation in the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology annual meeting, the Development and Executive Committees are pleased to announce initiation of the Student Member Travel grant program beginning with the 2006 SVP Annual Meeting in Ottawa, Canada. We plan to expand the Student Travel grant program in subsequent years and to develop an endowment to fund grants.  For more information, visit http://vertpaleo.org/meetings/studenttravel.cfm.

The Society of Vertebrate Paleontology takes seriously allegations of procedural or ethical improprieties by any of its members. The Burke Museum Report, released to the public via the Seattle Weekly on Jan. 25, 2006, contains allegations of improper procedures for the field collection of vertebrate fossils from U.S. public lands and for incomplete, and in some cases, inaccurate, documentation of fossils in the museum’s records. The individual accused of these improprieties is a member of SVP.

The Ethics Education Committee is in the process of investigating further this report and its allegations. This committee and the SVP Executive Committee stand by the Statement on Ethics in the SVP Bylaws and are also committed to a fair investigation. The SVP Executive Committee will make a statement about the Burke Museum Report after a fair inquiry has been conducted.

-Archived 9.18.2006

The SVP Executive Committee is concerned with reports about the sale of vertebrate fossils by some members of SVP. When individuals join SVP, they sign an agreement to abide by the bylaws of the Society, including the code of ethics, which states, "the barter, sale, or purchase of scientifically significant vertebrate fossils is not condoned unless it brings them into or keeps them with, a public trust" (Bylaws of SVP, Article 12, Code of Ethics, Section 6). We are compelled by our Bylaws to enforce the Code of Ethics.

We wish to make clear our position on this subject. As of March 1, 2005, we have a standing committee to investigate reported incidents involving the sale of scientifically significant vertebrate fossils by SVP members to destinations other than recognized scientific organizations. This committee will make a recommendation to the Executive Committee, including the possible termination of membership in SVP of those who fail to abide by the Code of Ethics.

Annalisa Berta, President SVP
-Archived 8.14.2006