FAQ's

Membership
What is SEM?
Who should join SEM?
What are the membership requirements?
What are the student status requirements?
How can I get more information?

Account Portal and Logging In
Do I need an account to submit an Abstract/Paper?
Do I need an account to register for a conference?
I have an account. How do I login?
How do I update my profile?
I do not know my username and password.
I do not know the email address that was used to sign up for my account.
I received an email containing my username and a temporary password - what next?

Journals
How do I access journals as a member benefit?

Conferences
How do I register for the conference?
What is included with my paid registration?
What is included with pre-conference courses?
Can I register on-site for a pre-conference course/conference?
Can I register and pay with a Purchase Order (PO)?
What is the Cancellation Policy?
Who is eligible for Student Rates?
Can I bring a guest to the conference?
Is my guest allowed to attend vendor sponsored events?
How can I get an invitation letter?
Can I get a Certificate of Attendance and/or Presentation?
What time is my presentation?
Is parking included at the conference?
How do I access the downloadable conference papers?
How do I make my hotel reservation?
What files are required to submit with my final paper?
Does SEM provide templates?
How do I upload my files?
Can I proof my paper before it is published in Conference Proceedings with Springer?
Why is having your badge important?
What if I lose my badge?
Can I take pictures during Technical Papers?

Communications
I am not receiving emails regarding abstract/submissions, what can I do?


Membership
What is SEM?

SEM is the Society for Experimental Mechanics, a professional society formed in 1943 by engineers and scientists involved in the validation of new designs and materials. The ever-increasing pressure to reduce the cost and development cycles has directed the work of these “experimentalists” toward the concept stage, predicting design performance and reliability. The dependence on the “experimentalist” has fostered a renewed interest in experimental analysis and test methods.

SEM continues to support the experimentalist’s work, which is with materials, the forces that affect them, and the responses generated by the combination of the two. We provide various opportunities for the exchange of knowledge in all areas involved with experimental mechanics.


Who should Join SEM?

You should join SEM if you have an interest in these four areas: materials; modeling and analysis; strain measurement; and structural testing. Within these four areas specific topics are covered by SEM Technical Divisions that all SEM members are welcome to join.


What are the membership requirements?

You are eligible for membership if you have an interest in and are willing to support the mission and activities of the society.


Student Status
What are the student status requirements?

Student status applies to Profile Accounts, Membership and Conference Registration for all full-time students

  • Submit proof of student status in engineering or science studies
    • Unofficial transcript emailed to shari@sem.org.  Subject Line: “Student Status Proof Requirement - Your Name”
    • Transcript to include planned graduation date 
  • Click here to create your student profile
    • NOTE:  The webpage reads “MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION” this does not mean that you are required to become a member.  You only need to create an account profile to proceed.

BECOMING A STUDENT MEMBER for $50/year SAVES YOU MORE THAN 50% ON CONFERENCE REGISTRATIONS
You may sign up for student membership when registering for a conference.  If you have at least one more year to complete your degree, then become a student member and save hundreds of dollars on conference registrations and gain access to many other SEM benefits (i.e. SEM’s three peer-reviewed journals). 
 
Student accounts will be eligible for renewal up to their graduation date after which point, students may upgrade to Individual or Individual Lifetime.

PostDoc does not qualify for student membership.
 
DO NOT create more than one student profile. Access to your profile will become available after SEM approves student requirements.
 
If you are having difficulty with creating your student profile, email shari@sem.org with the subject Line: “Student Profile – Request for Help.”


How can I get more information?

Visit our Join page or contact us directly:

Society for Experimental Mechanics, Inc.
7 School Street
Bethel, CT 06801-1405 USA
P: (203) 790-6373
sem@sem.org


Account Portal and Logging In
Do I need an account to submit an Abstract/Paper?

Yes. All applicants (Members and Non-Members) must have an account to submit Abstracts/Papers.


Do I need an account to Register for a Conference?

Yes. All applicants (Members and Non-Members) must have an account to register for Conferences.


I have an account. How to I login?

If you know your username and password please click here to login. If you do not know your username and password you can retrieve that information by clicking here (retrieve password) and entering the email address that was used to sign up for your account.


How do I update my Profile?

To update your profile, click on "My Profile" in the member portal menu. Review your information, make changes as necessary, and click on the "Save Changes" button to update your profile.


I do not know my username and password.

If you have a SEM account you can retrieve your username and a temporary password via email by clicking here and entering the email address that was used to sign up for your account.


I do not know the email address that was used to sign up for my account.

If you attempt to retrieve your credentials and your email does not match what we have on file please contact the SEM office by calling 203.790.6373 or submit your question to us via email at sem@sem.org.


I received an email containing my username and a temporary password, what next?

Please proceed to the login page and type in your username and temporary password.


Journals
How do I access journals as a member benefit?

Login to you account, click on "Member Only Journal Access" from the MEMBERS ONLY section of your account portal page. You can then select the journal you'd like to access from the link.


Conferences
How do I register for the conference?

Go to sem.org, login top right if you already have a profile set up (email/password) then hover your cursor over “EVENTS” and select the respective conference and scroll down to Registration. If you do not have a profile set up yet go directly to “EVENTS” and select the respective conference.


What is included with my paid registration?
  • Conference bag, name tag and final program
  • Access to all conference events and exhibit hall*
  • One awards luncheon ticket
  • Downloadable conference papers

What is included with pre-conference courses?
  1. Lunch each day of the course.
  2. Course handout materials.
  3. Refreshment breaks.

Can I register on-site for a pre-conference course/conference?

Yes, but it is best to pre-register, as it offers a significant discount and saves time at the start of registration.


Can I register and pay with a Purchase Order (PO)?

Yes, registration and Purchase Order (PO) must be received no later than one month prior to the start of the conference. Purchase Orders will not be accepted outside of this time frame.

Purchase Orders (PO) are Net 15 days. Payment MUST be received by SEM within 15 days of the invoice date.  All Purchase Orders not paid by the Early Bird Pricing cut-off date stated on the conference webpage will incur fees. The fee(s) shall be the difference between Standard pricing and Early Bird pricing for each registrant.  Purchase Orders are not accepted as a form of payment after Early Bird Pricing cut-off date.

Purchase Order should be faxed or emailed to Shari Matthews: Fax: 203/790-4472; shari@sem.org.


What is the Cancellation Policy?

If the course or conference is canceled for any reason, the Society for Experimental Mechanics’ liability is limited to the return of the registration fees. We understand circumstances may arise that require you to cancel. If you need to cancel, your registration, you will be refunded once the cancellation is made in writing and received four weeks prior to the start of the conference, less a $75.00 non-refundable processing fee. No refunds will be given for cancellations received less than four weeks to the conference date. Cancellation notification should be faxed or emailed to Shari Matthews: Fax: 203-790-4472; shari@sem.org.


Who is eligible for Student Rates?

To qualify for student status/rates, you must be a full-time engineering or science student (graduate or undergraduate) and submit proof of full-time status; this is required for ALL STUDENTS. If you are attending our IMAC or SEM Annual Conference, you must be a full-time engineering or science student at the time of the conference to qualify for student status/rates.

  • Submit proof of student status in engineering or science studies
    • Unofficial transcript emailed to shari@sem.org. Subject Line: “Student Status Proof Requirement - Your Name”
    • Transcript to include planned graduation date

 


Can I bring a guest to the conference?

Yes. You may bring a guest to all SEM sponsored functions (i.e. Welcome Reception, President Reception, Exhibition Hall). If you wish to bring your guest to the Awards Luncheon, you must purchase a guest ticket. 

Guests are not allowed to attend technical paper sessions.


Is my guest allowed to attend vendor sponsored events?

Please stop by the hosting company’s booth in the exhibit hall.


How can I get an invitation letter?
  1. Send an email request to Shari Matthews at shari@sem.org.
  2. Include your FULL name and FULL mailing address in the request.

Can I get a Certificate of Attendance and/or Presentation?

Yes, please stop by the Conference Registration desk to get your name on the list. ALL requests MUST be received no later than 12:00 NOON on the Wednesday of the conference week. After Wednesday you will be put on a list and the certificate will be emailed once Shari returns to the office. You have 30 days after a conference to email Shari Matthews (shari@sem.org) and obtain a certificate - after 30 days we cannot provide a certificate.


What time is my presentation?

You can locate this information on the IMAC/Annual conference pages, in your final program (included in your welcome bag) or on the smartphone app currently being used.


Is parking included at the conference?

Since this varies from venue to venue, please check with the hotel registration desk.


How do I access the downloadable conference papers?

Instructions will be emailed to those whom register prior to the conference.


How do I make my hotel reservation?

Book via the link on our website or call the hotel directly.

Do not use a 3rd Party Reservation Service/Agent or SEM and the Hotel will not be able to guarantee your reservation.


What files are required to submit with my final paper?

A. Full Proceedings Papers/Extended Abstract to Springer for Publication:
Create a single zip file or folder containing all files. Name zip file/folder your assigned paper number.

Checklist (required files to Springer):


Zip file to include:

  1. PDF of completed paper as it is intended to be read
  2. Source Files (text and images separately)
    * required if submitting a full paper or an extended abstract (must be 2-3 pages, no word limit) to Springer for publication
    *not required if submitting PowerPoint materials.  (PowerPoint materials are not published with Springer.  They will only be in the downloadable paper proceedings)
  3. Completed Copyright Transfer Agreement
  4. Completed brief biography form

 

B. Full Proceedings Paper/Extended Abstract not going to Springer for Publication:
You must notify Shari Matthews via email after you upload your files at shari@sem.org with your paper # and title stating you do not want your paper to go to Springer.

Create a single zip file or folder containing all files. Name zip file/folder your assigned paper number.

Checklist (required files to Springer):

Zip file to include:

  1. PDF of completed paper as it is intended to be read
  2. Completed Copyright Transfer Agreement
  3. Completed brief biography form

Does SEM provide templates?

Yes. Templates can be found in the Author Toolkit located on the Conference Website on the Author/Submission page.


How do I upload my files?

Please upload your files by logging into my account using the username and password. Select the Upload Paper option from the appropriate menu on the left.


Can I proof my paper before it is published in Conference Proceedings with Springer?

Yes, after the conference you will receive an email from publisher (Springer/SPI-global). You will have ONE chance to review the proofs and indicate any corrections. Please watch for the email from Springer/SPI-global.


Why is having your badge important?
  1. You cannot attend technical sessions without a White Badge.
  2. You cannot attend SEM/IMAC sponsored receptions without your badge.
  3. You cannot attend vendor sponsored sessions without your badge.

What if I lose my badge?

Come to the conference registration desk and ask the SEM Staff for a replacement badge.


Can I take pictures during Technical Papers?

Pictures and videos of presentations are not allowed; however, this may be possible only if you have received express permission directly from the presenter and the session chair has been made aware that such permission was granted.


I am not receiving emails regarding abstract/submissions, what can I do?

In order to allow for maximum email deliverability, we rely on SendGrid, which is a third party provider for sending out our emails. To ensure delivery:

  1. Have your domain administrator (the person who manages your @something.org / @something.com addresses) setup an SPF record. Here is a sample SPF record they can use: v=spf1 ip4:192.254.116.40 ~all.
  2. If your incoming mail server needs to have emails white listed, be sure to set us up on that whitelist. Provide them our IP address: 192.254.116.40.