Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

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Deadlines and Extensions
Applications
General
Upon Acceptance
Other

Deadlines and Extensions

1. When is the deadline to submit an application to the Student Volunteers Program?
The deadline for all completed Student Volunteers applications is 30 June 2011, 23:59 UTC/GMT (Hong Kong time 1 July 7:59 am).

2. Can I submit the application to the Student Volunteers Program after the deadline?
No. The deadline is absolute. All submissions receive equal consideration up until the published deadline. Please respect other contributors and allow time for unforeseen circumstances in your submission including, but not limited to, network connectivity, equipment failures, job impacts, life or family events, etc. These are outside of SIGGRAPH Asia 2011's direct control and cannot be administered fairly.

3. Why is this so absolute?
Firstly, the answer is fairness and equal opportunity for consideration. This respects the application process for everyone. Secondly, Student Volunteers deadlines were designed to maximize application development and quality for all applicants. Submission deadlines are set as late as possible, but they must also support quality in review, selection, and your efforts at SIGGRAPH Asia 2011.

4. Are partial or incomplete submissions considered?
No. Volunteers are required to complete all application guidelines by the published deadline. The Student Volunteers Committee will evaluate the merit of each completed application as it was submitted at the deadline even if it does not meet the author's personal quality objectives. Please allow enough time to meet your own quality goals.

5. How will SIGGRAPH Asia 2011 address network failures?
SIGGRAPH Asia 2011 is only responsible for the availability of the submission server. If the Student Volunteers Program Chair is notified of a hardware or service failure for the submission system, he will authorize an appropriate adjustment and prominently post notices at several locations. All other network failures between your location and the SIGGRAPH server will not exempt you from the deadline. Please apply early to avoid connectivity-support problems or last-minute server performance. Note: The local clock on the submission server determines the final submission deadline time.

6. When and how will I be notified if I have been accepted?
All applicants who submit a completed application will be notified via email at the end of August 2011. Team leaders will be notified approximately one week prior to this.

Applications

1. Where do I fill out and submit my application to be a Student Volunteer?
All applications must be submitted via the SIGGRAPH Asia 2011 Online Application Form.

2. How do I apply to be a Team Leader?
The application for becoming a Team Leader is part of the application form you submit to be a Student Volunteer. There is a section on the application form devoted to this topic. Applicants will be notified via email of their acceptance for Team Leader positions in August 2011.

3. My email address will be changing soon. How can I notify you of the update?
You can log in and change your contact information, including your email address, through the online submission system at any time.

4. I have completed the online submission form, but it still allows me to edit my account. Am I done?
Yes. However, you may edit your online submission account at any time until the deadline of 30 June 2011, 23:59 UTC/GMT.

5. I have graduated from my school, and I am working now. Can I apply?
Yes. Alumni who have graduated from schools after 1 January 2009 can also apply to the Student Volunteers Program whether they have previous experience in the Student Volunteers Program or not.

6. Am I expected to speak Chinese?
No. Applicants must be proficient in English, and all applications must be submitted in English. Of course, language skills (especially in Chinese) add value to your application. Please do highlight your language skills other than English in your application form.

General

1. On my application, I indicated that I need housing and agreed to work 25 hours. Will housing automatically be awarded to me?
No. Student Volunteers who work 25 hours or more and who do not live in Hong Kong can apply for a housing award of up to five nights of accommodation in conference housing. Student Volunteers who are awarded housing will share accommodations with other accepted Student Volunteers. Applicants will receive notification of their housing assignments upon acceptance.

2. Will I be able to experience some of the exhibits and other conference events?
Yes! This is one of the perks of being a Student Volunteer. You will have the equivalent of a Full Conference registration, so you will be able to go almost anywhere in the conference, except those places that require special access. The exhibit hall and most of the conference will be open to you during your free time.

3. What is a Student Volunteer expected to do at SIGGRAPH Asia 2011?
Student Volunteers' jobs and activities differ from position to position. The jobs vary by program, length, and amount of involvement, but all play a very important role in running the conference. Examples of jobs are checking passes at venue entrances and assisting at the registration counter.

4. What is a Team Leader expected to do at SIGGRAPH Asia 2011?
Team Leader jobs and activities are similar to those of Student Volunteers but also include managing Student Volunteers in their areas and coordinating volunteer duties with SIGGRAPH Asia 2011 Committee members. Typically, each Team Leader is assigned to a specific program and coordinates Student Volunteer staffing and tasks with that program's committee. Team Leaders also aid in training and supervising Student Volunteers, assisting committee members, assisting attendees and problem solving.

5. Where can I find more information about SIGGRAPH Asia 2011 events and schedules?
All information about SIGGRAPH Asia 2011 can be found on the official web site.

Upon Acceptance at SIGGRAPH Asia 2011

1. When am I expected to arrive in Hong Kong?

2. I'm a Student Volunteer working 25 hours and I am receiving complimentary hotel accommodation. I will arrive a day early at the conference. Can I get an extra night of accommodation?
No. Decisions on complimentary housing are final and cannot be negotiated.

3. I have been accepted as a Student Volunteer, but I'm no longer able to attend the conference. Who should I notify?
If you need to decline your position for any reason, please email the Student Volunteers Chair as soon as possible so that we can make preparations for your absence.

4. Are meals provided by the Student Volunteers Program?
No. Each Student Volunteer is responsible for his or her own meals at the conference. You will receive a limited number of meal vouchers for use in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre's concessions. Depending on items purchased, this may cover only one meal at the convention center. Student Volunteers should plan their budgets accordingly.

5. What should I wear during the conference?
Lightweight, comfortable clothes and shoes (appropriate t-shirts, polo shirts, shorts, jeans, trousers, and sneakers). Many attendees dress casually during the conference, and formal business attire is generally not required. As the weather is cool in Hong Kong during December, it is advisable to bring some warm clothing. Also, it is very important that you bring comfortable shoes! You will be walking quite a bit during the week, and comfort is key.
Please remember that this is a professional conference. If you are not sure if something is appropriate or could be considered offensive, please ask.

6. How early will I be expected to work?
Depending on the duties assigned, Student Volunteers may have shifts that start as early as 7:30 am. Student Volunteers need to report to the Student Volunteers office 30 minutes prior to their shift's start time to be marked present. They will then be taken to their assignments by their Team Leader.

7. How late am I expected to work?
Most of the events will be finished around 6 or 7 pm at the latest. However, there are shifts that do run later. Some Student Volunteers may have schedules that run as late as 11 pm.

8. I'm flying Internationally.

How early should I leave for the Hong Kong airport when I depart?
Most airlines require that you check in two hours in advance of your departure time for International flights. Please contact your airline for more specific information.

9. Are cameras allowed in the conference?
SIGGRAPH Asia 2011 does not allow cameras or recording devices. You can take your camera to the receptions, but cameras at the convention center are not permitted unless you have an approved media pass.

10. Am I allowed to bring personal items and bags to the convention center?
Yes. The Student Volunteers office will have a limited number of lockers available for use during daytime hours to store personal items and bags. Do note that SIGGRAPH Asia 2011 will not be responsible for any lost or stolen items.

11. What should I do if I am dismissed early from my shift?
If you are dismissed early from your shift, you should inform your Team Leader on duty and then report to the Student Volunteers office. If you cannot find your Team Leader, please report directly to the Student Volunteers office.

12. How do I get around the city and to the convention centre?
The convention center is accessible from most conference hotels. It is located at

1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai Hong Kong.
The nearest MTR rail station is Wan Chai MTR Exit A5. The Wan Chai Staion location map can be downloaded here: http://www.mtr.com.hk/jplanner/images/maps/wac.pdf

You can access the MTR rail system planner here: http://www.mtr.com.hk/jplanner/flash_eng/index.php

A map of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and surrounding area can be found here: http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/trip-planner/hongkong-maps.html#map

Other

My question is not in these FAQs. Who should I ask?
If your question is not answered on this web site, please send a message to the Student Volunteers Committee. We will answer your question and post additional information on the web site, or send a message out to students if it applies to the Student Volunteer population as a whole.