Lead Student Volunteers

What is a Lead student volunteer?

Lead Student Volunteers (LSVs) are valued leaders in student programs and work directly with committee members on a specific part of the conference. LSVs are experienced student volunteers who have demonstrated a passion for SC and desire to make a greater volunteer contribution to the field. As a member of the Lead Student Volunteer program, the students become junior committee members, providing them with the exposure and experience of being a committee member at SC.

The following are typical roles filled by LSVs. Many of these roles include a component of communicating during the conference on Slack, ensuring Student Volunteers check into their assigned shifts, and assisting the SC Committee as needed. 

commitment

LSVs typically work more hours than student volunteers, and are required to attend several phone meetings in advance of the conference as well as to arrive in Atlanta the Friday before the conference begins. They help select and train the rest of the volunteer team and mentor new students. This is an excellent opportunity for students looking to join the conference committee.

age

• If the applicant is applying for a non-SCinet LSV role, the applicant must be 18 years old.
• If the applicant is applying for a SCinet LSV role, the applicant must be 21 years old.

student status

• All applicants must be students, actively working towards the completion of a degree program, through the duration of the entire conference.
• If the student status of a LSV should change (i.e, graduates) while involved in the Program, the Lead Student Volunteer program chair should be notified immediately.
• Both full-time and part-time students are eligible to apply.
• Both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply.

availability

• LSVs are required to participate in committee meetings prior to the conference (starting in March) and actively collaborate with the committee members.
• International students are responsible for producing their own visa to come to the U.S. for the conference.
• LSVs are required to work approximately 20 hours during the conference.
• Non-SCinet LSVs are required to arrive Friday, November 15, 2024 for orientation and must attend the entire conference (Sunday–Friday) and stay until Saturday, November 23, 2024.
• SCinet LSVs are required to arrive Sunday, November 10, 2024 and stay until Saturday, November 23, 2024.

past participation in sc

• If applying for a non-SCinet LSV role, the applicant must have at least one year of experience participating as a student volunteer within the SC Conference series.
• If applying for a SCinet LSV role, the applicant must have at least one year of experience participating as a student volunteer within SCinet.

other sc commitments

To ensure that applicants will have the time required to fully participate in the program and the conference at large, all applicants may not have other commitments at SC (such as working at your university’s booth or other programs) that exceed 10 hours during the duration of the conference.

dress code

Student volunteers are expected to dress appropriately for the conference. Dress in clean, business casual or casual clothing while performing volunteer duties – lightweight, comfortable clothes and shoes (appropriate T-shirts, polo shirts, sweaters, jeans, trousers, skirts, dresses). Many conference attendees dress casually during the conference and during most events; business attire is not expected or required. Please make sure all clothes provide coverage appropriate for a professional event.

The Students@SC program includes a Job Fair and two evening events: the Grand Opening Gala Reception and the Technical Program Reception. Students may choose to bring more formal attire for these events.

Please remember that this is a professional conference. If you are not sure if something is appropriate or could be considered offensive, please ask.

code of conduct

Students are required to follow the SC Code of Conduct at all times.

SC Provided Travel Funding

SC provides travel support to a limited number of accepted student volunteers. Applicants for the Student Volunteers program may include a request for travel support from within their application. Travel support is only available to accepted student volunteers. The Student Travel Funding Commitment Form must be submitted by your advisor or department member by the application deadline. Students who receive funding at this stage must make their travel arrangements through the SC travel agency.

External Travel Funding

Depending on your school, there may be a variety of places to request funding for travel related to your studies. Many schools do not publicize the availability of these funds, so you’ll need to ask. Prepare your ideas in advance in order to make a favorable impression.

Your Advisor

Whether you’re an undergraduate or graduate student, you likely have an advisor. This person may or may not be able to directly support your travel to SC; but even if they can’t help you directly, they may give you some good ideas about who can!

Your Department Head

Most departments set aside money specifically for student travel. If you tell them you’ve applied to the Student Volunteers program at SC and explain what you expect to gain from this experience, they may support you.

Your Dean

The dean’s office also typically has discretionary funds for student travel. Don’t be shy – deans love to see students, especially those who are active in their research communities. You will make their day by going to see them!

Student Associations or Other Student Groups

These organizations may have funds available to students for conference travel. Keep in mind that these organizations sometimes only meet monthly, so contact them early to get information on procedures and timeframes for requesting funds.

Vice President or Chancellor for Research

Call this office and explain that you’re a student seeking conference travel funds. You will be directed to the right person to talk to in the office.

College Research Dean and College Education Dean

Call the office main number and explain that you’re a student seeking conference travel funds. You will likely be directed to the right person to talk to in the office. You may need to schedule an appointment to see the dean. If this is the case, have a short speech prepared so you can make your case succinctly and effectively. These people are busy!

Graduate School

Just because you’re an undergrad doesn’t mean you can’t request funds from the grad school. You may be a future grad student! The grad school does have funds to support student activities such as conference travel. Call the main office number to determine who you should speak with about your request.

ACM Student Research Competition

Students who have posters accepted to the ACM Student Research Competition can be reimbursed for partial expenses after the conference with the proper documentation.

SIGHPC Travel Grants

SIGHPC offers travel grants to help undergraduate and graduate students attend the SC Conference. These grants are reimbursed after the conference.

Who’s eligible: Students at the undergraduate or early graduate levels, enrolled in an accredited university in any country, who are members of SIGHPC. Applicants are expected to explain why they will benefit from attending the conference.

View SIGHPC Travel Grants

ACM-W Scholarships

ACM-W provides support for undergraduate and graduate student women in computer science and related programs to attend research conferences. This exposure to the computer science research world can encourage a student to continue on to the next level. The student is not required to be a presenter at the conference or a member of ACM. These scholarships are reimbursed after the conference.

View ACM-W Scholarships