Terms and Conditions

Effective Date: October 2, 2026
Last Updated: October 2, 2026

Welcome to the website of The Vergilian Society ("The Society," "we," "us," or "our") accessible at vergiliansociety.org. By accessing or using this website, paying membership dues, registering for study tours, reserving accommodations at the Villa Vergiliana, or submitting applications for symposia or contests, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use our website or services.

1. Organization Overview & Eligibility

The Vergilian Society is an educational non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the study of Vergil, Roman antiquity, and classical humanities through international study tours, academic publications, symposia, and the operation of the Harry Wilks Study Center at the Villa Vergiliana in Cuma/Bacoli, Italy.

By using this website or registering for programs, you represent that you are at least 18 years of age (or possess legal parental/guardian consent if participating in designated secondary student programs or translation exams) and have the legal capacity to agree to these Terms.

2. Memberships, Subscriptions, and Dues

  • Membership Categories: Memberships are available in multiple categories (e.g., Student, Regular, Supporting, Contributing, Life, and Institutional) as described on our Membership pages.
  • Journal Distribution: Qualifying individual and institutional memberships include an annual subscription to our scholarly journal, Vergilius. Delivery timelines may vary based on international mailing logistics.
  • Dues and Renewals: Membership dues are non-refundable once processed. Electronic transactions may include a modest processing surcharge as noted at online checkout.
  • Villa Privileges: Stays at the Villa Vergiliana and participation in official society tours require active membership in accordance with Society Bylaws.

3. Study Tours, Workshops, and Villa Vergiliana Stays

Participation in Vergilian Society overseas study tours and stays at the Villa Vergiliana in Italy is subject to specific administrative, financial, and travel requirements:

  • Registration & Deposits: Tour applications must be accompanied by the required deposit. Acceptance into a tour or workshop is finalized only upon written confirmation by the Society or Tour Directors.
  • Payment Schedules & Cancellations: Balances must be paid in full by the designated deadlines. Cancellation fees and refund eligibility vary by tour and are subject to contractual commitments with overseas coach operators, hotels, archaeological sites, and the Villa staff. Deposits and partial payments may become non-refundable after published deadlines.
  • Travel Documents, Passports, and Visas: Participants are solely responsible for obtaining and maintaining valid passports (typically valid for at least 6 months beyond travel dates), necessary visas, health verifications, and complying with Italian and EU entry/exit regulations.
  • Health, Physical Mobility, and Travel Insurance: Classical tours frequently involve walking across uneven terrain, cobblestone streets, and archaeological excavations. Participants are strongly advised to purchase comprehensive international travel, medical, and cancellation/evacuation insurance.

4. Limitation of Liability and Assumption of Risk (Overseas Travel)

Please read this section carefully:

  • Assumption of Risk: Participation in overseas study tours and lodging at the Villa Vergiliana involves inherent risks associated with international travel, including transport delays, foreign medical systems, variable terrain, weather extremes, and municipal regulations. By registering, you voluntarily assume all risks associated with your participation.
  • Independent Providers: The Vergilian Society does not own or directly manage third-party airlines, chartered bus companies, independent hotels, or local tour guides. The Society assumes no liability for injury, property loss, delay, or expense resulting from acts, errors, or omissions of any third-party service provider.
  • Force Majeure: The Society shall not be held liable for failure, delay, or alteration of itineraries, symposia, or lodging resulting from events beyond our reasonable control, including acts of God, civil unrest, war, labor disputes, pandemics, quarantine restrictions, government travel advisories, or border closures.

5. Intellectual Property and Content Use

  • Website Content: All text, photographs, site design, logos, graphics, and materials displayed on this website are the property of The Vergilian Society or its content contributors and are protected by copyright and intellectual property laws.
  • Scholarly Contributions & Submissions: Contributors to Vergilius, symposia abstracts, and book reviews retain academic copyright to their original scholarship while granting The Vergilian Society the perpetual, non-exclusive right to publish, distribute, and archive their work in print and digital repositories (including JSTOR).
  • Limited License: You may view, download, or print informational pages from this website solely for personal, academic, and non-commercial educational use, provided you do not remove copyright or proprietary notices.

6. Contests, Scholarships, and Translation Exams

Rules, eligibility criteria, and submission deadlines for awards—including the Keely Lake Memorial Translation Exam, the Alexander G. McKay Book Prize, and the Harry Wilks Travel Grants—are posted on their respective pages. The Vergilian Society reserves the right to verify student/institutional standing and makes award determinations at the sole discretion of the designated prize and scholarship committees.

7. User Conduct and Form Submissions

When completing contact forms, tour applications, or membership submissions, you agree to provide truthful, accurate, and current information. You agree not to transmit malicious code, attempt unauthorized access to the website or its servers, or use society contact directories for unsolicited marketing or commercial solicitations.

8. Disclaimer of Warranties

This website and all information, services, and content provided on it are made available on an "as is" and "as available" basis, without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied. The Society does not warrant that the website will be uninterrupted, error-free, or entirely free from computer viruses or security vulnerabilities, though we employ reasonable industry-standard measures to safeguard our platform.

9. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms and any disputes arising out of or related to your use of this website or society programs shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia, United States, without regard to its conflict of law principles. Any legal action or proceeding arising under these Terms shall be instituted exclusively in state or federal courts located in the State of Georgia.

10. Changes to These Terms

We reserve the right to amend or update these Terms and Conditions at any time. When modifications occur, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page. Your continued use of the website following any changes signifies your acceptance of the revised Terms.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns regarding these Terms and Conditions, please contact us:

The Vergilian Society
PO Box 53
Avondale Estates, GA 30002
United States
Email
Italian Operations: Villa Vergiliana, Via Cuma, 320, 80070 Bacoli NA, Italy