JMM 2018

Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question about the meeting? This page contains answers to commonly-asked questions about the 2018 Joint Mathematics Meetings. Please check this page frequently for updated information. Can't find what you are looking for? Email us at meet@ams.org.

Audio-Visual

Courses

Child Care

Employment Center

Exhibits/Sponsors

Housing

Miscellaneous

Poster Sessions

Program

Registration

General Online

Social Networking

Students

Travel


Where will the meeting be held and when?

The Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina will be the headquarter hotel for this meeting. The JMM Registration Desk, exhibits, poster sessions, scientific sessions, and AMS Employment Center will be located in the San Diego Convention Center (SDCC). Committee meetings, social events and affiliate events will be held in both the Marriott Marquis San Diego and the San Diego Convention Center. The actual dates of the meeting are January 10 - 13, 2018, Wednesday - Saturday.

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What are the deadlines for this meeting?

The remaining deadlines for this meeting are listed here.

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What is the difference between a contributed paper (CP) session and a Special Session (SS) and/or Invited Paper Session?

AMS Contributed Paper sessions consist of ten-minute talks contributed to the AMS program by the authors (speakers); these are grouped by related subject classifications into sessions by the AMS Associate Secretary responsible for the scientific program. Only one AMS contributed talk may be given at the meeting.

MAA Contributed Paper sessions consist of ten-minute talks (general CP session) or fifteen-minute talks (specific topics).  Both types of sessions have organizers who can answer more specific sessions (see the websites that include the listings; the email of the contact organizer is included there). The selection process is detailed below in "How do I submit an abstract for talks in the MAA sessions?"  Speakers may give at most one talk in the MAA contributed paper sessions.  If their paper cannot be accommodated in the session in which it is submitted, it will be considered for the general session automatically.

MAA Invited Paper Sessions are organized by mathematicians on specific topics.  These sessions are usually filled by invitation only.  If you feel your talk would be a good "fit" for the session, please email the contact organizer.

AMS Special Sessions consist of talks (usually of twenty minutes' duration) organized by mathematicians on specific topics. It may be that all available places within a Special Session are taken by invitation; however, contributions can sometimes be accommodated. These are known as abstracts for consideration in Special Sessions. It is strongly advised that you email the contact organizer with a short summary of what you wish to speak about, and how your contribution will add to the session, well in advance of the abstract deadline. See http://jointmathematicsmeetings.org/meetings/national/jmm2018/2197_special.html for the list of sessions and organizers' email addresses. Most organizers will let you know right away if you are a good "fit" for the session goals, or if all available time frames will be filled by invitation. Any contribution that cannot be accommodated in a Special Session will be considered for presentation in an AMS Contributed Paper session.

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How do I submit an abstract for a talk in AMS sessions?

Authors must submit abstracts of talks through http://jointmathematicsmeetings.org/meetings/abstracts/abstract.pl?type=jmm. Indicate the number of authors for the paper, click on the “submit” button, and you will be taken to the submission form. Simply follow the step-by-step instructions (read them carefully) until you receive your unique abstract number. No submission is complete until you receive your abstract receipt number.

The deadline for all submissions is September 26, 2017. Late papers cannot be accommodated. Please email abs-coord@ams.org if you have questions. If you make an inquiry about your specific abstract, please include your abstract number.

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How do I submit an abstract for a talk in MAA sessions?

Authors must submit abstracts of talks through http://jointmathematicsmeetings.org/meetings/abstracts/abstract.pl?type=jmm. Indicate the number of authors for the paper, click on the “submit” button, and you will be taken to the submission form. Simply follow the step-by-step instructions (read them carefully) until you receive your unique abstract number. No submission is complete until you receive your abstract receipt number.

The deadline for all submissions is September 26, 2017. Late papers cannot be accommodated. Please email abs-coord@ams.org if you have questions. If you make an inquiry about your specific abstract, please include your abstract number.

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Are there opportunities for undergraduate students to give talks on the JMM program? There are opportunities for undergraduate students to give talks on the JMM program; all require abstract submission through http://jointmathematicsmeetings.org/meetings/abstracts/abstract.pl?type=jmm.

AMS Contributed Paper Sessions: These are 10-minute talks grouped into sessions by math subject classification (as selected by the speaker upon submission of the abstract); a volunteer chair will be selected from within the group to introduce the talks. You may give only one AMS contributed paper talk.  The AMS CPS abstracts are reviewed by an AMS program committee; most abstracts are accepted for AMS talks unless they are libelous, contain no mathematical content, or are utter nonsense.

MAA Contributed Paper Sessions (on specific topics): 15-minute talks, and generally not really geared for student presentations, however, some may be suitable. If not approved by organizers for these MAA Contributed Paper Sessions on a specific topic, the talk gets automatically reassigned to the MAA General CPS.

MAA General Contributed Paper Sessions: 10-minute talks currently grouped under the headings listed on http://jointmathematicsmeetings.org/meetings/national/jmm2018/2197_maacp.html.  An experienced mathematician will be assigned to introduce the talks for each session.

There are also AMS Special Sessions on specific topics. These sessions do not usually feature undergraduate presentations, however, some may.  There is a “contact” organizer for each of these sessions who could give advice on this matter.  Submissions to these sessions that are not accepted are reassigned to the AMS Contributed Paper Sessions.

How do I present my talk?

Please see http://www.ams.org/meetings/national/presenting/meet-guideline-present for guidelines. An illustration of the basic setup for this meeting is provided here.

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How do I organize an AMS Special Session?

Please see http://www.ams.org/meetings/meet-specialsessionmanual. The deadline for proposals was April 1, 2017.

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How do I organize a MAA Session?

Please see http://www.maa.org/meetings/guidelines.html for details.

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How do I find out who organized a specific session?

Special sessions of the AMS are listed here. Invited papers of the MAA are listed here. You will find links to the sessions of each group, when listed. The organizer(s) is listed in each session or paper listing. There is no separate listing of organizers.

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When will the information about the scientific program be available?

Most current information is posted here. This information is updated on a regular basis.

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What is your policy for photographs or videos taken or broadcasting at the meeting?

Each invited address (50+minutes long) that takes place in the Invited Address room will be recorded, with the permission of the speaker, and posted online on a webpage hosted by the Joint Mathematics Meetings. These recordings will be taken by a professional videographer hired by the Joint Mathematics Meetings.

The recording or broadcasting of any AMS or joint-sponsored event, talk, and session by any other party is strictly forbidden without the explicit written permission of the AMS Executive Director or AMS Director of Meetings and Conferences. To obtain permission, send your request by email to meet@ams.org to the attention of the AMS Director of Meetings and Conferences. Having submitted a request form does not constitute temporary authority, and approval will not be given orally. Please allow sufficient time for the approval process to be completed. Allow at least two weeks from time of receipt of request by the AMS.

The recording or broadcasting of any MAA sponsored event by any other party is strictly forbidden without the explicit written permission of the Mathematical Association of America. To obtain permission to record and/or broadcast an MAA event or activity, complete the information requested in the Request to Record or Broadcast form on maa.org and send your request to the MAA Executive Director. You must have received a signed form granting approval for recording and/or broadcasting an MAA event before the event takes place. Having submitted a request form does not constitute temporary authority, and approval will not be given orally. Please allow sufficient time for the approval process to be completed. Allow at least two weeks from time of receipt of request by the MAA office.

Photographs and videos of meeting interactions will be taken by professional photographers hired by the Joint Mathematics Meetings or by AMS and MAA staff. These photographs and videos may occasionally be used for publicity purposes. By participating in the Joint Mathematics Meetings, participants acknowledge that their photograph or a video that includes them may be published in material produced by the Joint Mathematics Meetings, AMS or MAA. AMS and MAA are not responsible for unauthorized photographs, videos, or other images not taken by professional photographers hired by the Joint Mathematics Meetings or AMS and MAA staff.'

Under no circumstances will anyone be permitted to take pictures of an exhibitor’s product without permission of the exhibitor.

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When will the registration fees be published?

Fees are posted here.

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When will hotel rates be published?

Hotel rates are posted here.

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Who can exhibit at the meeting?

The Joint Mathematics Meetings Exhibits are open to scientific publishers, computer hardware companies, software manufacturers, database services organizations, professional associations, government agencies, health and lifestyle companies, scientific games and learning aids companies, insurance companies, and anyone with a business that is geared toward reaching key educators and researchers in mathematics, engineering, computer science, or statistics. Other information can be found at http://jointmathematicsmeetings.org/2197_exhibits.html.

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When and how can exhibitors reserve space for the exhibits?

The Invitation to Exhibit was sent out in May. See http://jointmathematicsmeetings.org/2197_exhibits.html for details. Spaces are still available.

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Who can register as an exhibitor for the meeting?

Any person exhibiting in the Joint Mathematics Meetings Exhibits can register as a "commercial exhibitor" and receive a badge (no fee). Any person contributing a piece in the Mathematical Art Exhibition can register as an "Artist Exhibitor" and receive a badge (no fee). This does not include anyone participating in any poster sessions. Any exhibitor who is a mathematician and wants to attend sessions, talks, etc. is expected to register separately for the meeting.

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How can I be a sponsor for the meeting?

Any company that provides a service or product to the mathematical community and wants to be in the spotlight at the Joint Mathematics Meetings can be a sponsor. Details are listed here. Companies who are not signed up to exhibit at the meeting can be sponsors; however, it is preferred that they sign up. If you are interested in sponsoring, please contact the MMSB at mmsb@ams.org or 401-455-4137.

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When can I register?

Registration is open now.

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Do I have to create an AMS account to register for the meeting?

You can use a guest account (Guest Login option) to register for the Joint Mathematics Meetings.  However, you must choose an email address as a username that hasn’t been used as an AMS account login.  If you use a guest account, you will be asked for your contact information after you make your registration choices.

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I created an AMS account, but where is the registration form?

Once you create an account, you must return to the registration link to click again to register for the meeting—the process of registering for the meeting doesn’t immediately follow the creation of the account. Look at the blue bar along the top of screen when you finish your account for a link called “JMM Registration”.   That will bring you back to the form, or you can go back to the meeting home page, and click on the registration link again.

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I registered for the meeting using my AMS web account but there isn’t any place on the registration form for my contact information.  Where do I enter that?

Once you log in, the registration form will use the address you have on file.  When you get to the shopping cart, there will be an option to change your shipping and/or billing address for the order if you need to. 

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I tried to log in and I put in my email address and password, but I am getting an error message that says “Invalid username/password”. What do I do?

Go back to the login screen, enter your email address, and click “reset my password.”  If you continue having trouble, call 1-800-321-4267, or 401-455-4000, and either ask speak to Customer Service Department or the MMSB in the Meetings Department.

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I put in my email address and password, but I don’t seem to have an AMS account.  I tried to register for one, and it says that my email address is associated with multiple records.  What should I do?

If you know your AMS customer code, try adding it to the screen where you register for an account.  Review the information under the link “Still having trouble logging in?”   If you are still having trouble, call 1-800-321-4267 or 401-455-4000, ext. 4144 or 4137 or email the MMSB at mmsb@ams.org.   

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How do I change my address for my order?

Once you log in, the registration form will use the address you have on file and put you into the registration form without having to enter contact information.  When you get to the shopping cart, there will be an option to change your shipping address and/or your billing address for the order if you need to.   Click on “change address” next to the address you wish to change.  You will be placed in a screen where you will be able to choose between retyping and saving the current address, or adding a new one.  If you enter a new address or update an old address, a question may appear on the top of the form, asking if you would like the new address to be the primary billing or shipping address for the account.  If this change is just for this order, please select “No”. Once you complete your address editing, you must click “Select Address” to return to the shopping cart.

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Where is the housing part of the form?

When you complete your registration for the meeting, you will see a button that says “Make Hotel Reservations”   A housing link will also be included on your email confirmation.  If you need the housing link sent to you again, please email mmsb@ams.org.

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How do I register someone else, or a group of people online?

The online form is set up for individual registration. If you need to register someone else, you may want to ask the person if he/she wants to login to his/her account. If the person does not have an account, use his/her email address and the Guest Login option. Fill out the registration form with the registrant’s contact information.  Please print the screen after you complete payment, because the email acknowledgment will be sent to the registrant.You can also email mmsb@ams.org for a copy of the acknowledgment.   If you continue on to reserve housing for that person, please check the email address for the person’s housing confirmation, as that may need to be edited. 

Alternately, you may use your own email address and a Guest Login (as long as that email address is not associated with an AMS login), and you may register a group using the same email address as user name for each one, each time choosing the Guest Login, creating temporary guest accounts.   Remember that when you fill out each form, you should fill it out with the registrant’s information.  You will not be able to add the registrant’s email address, however, and the acknowledgment and any other communications about JMM registration will come to you.  However, if you also reserve a hotel room for the person, you may edit the contact email in the hotel reservation section for the hotel confirmation.

If you have any questions, or if you would prefer assistance with group registration, please call or email the MMSB at 1-800-321-4267, ext. 4144 or 4137, or mmsb@ams.org.  If the group is large, it may be easier to contact the MMSB for assistance. 

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How do I get another copy of my registration acknowledgment?

Please email mmsb@ams.org and request one.

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Will registration packets be mailed before the meeting?

Yes, packets will be mailed out on December 8, 2017.

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When can I reserve a hotel room?

You can reserve a room now.

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Do I need to register for the meeting to get a hotel room?

Yes; however, it is possible to reserve a hotel room without registering for the meeting first, if necessary. Contact the MMSB for details.

Note also that you do not have to register for the meeting to take one of the short courses. If you are only registering for the short courses, you may reserve a hotel room.

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How does the room lottery work and do I need to have a room to be entered in it?

Yes, you need to have a reservation to be entered into the lottery. Winners will be picked from existing reservations at various JMM hotels and will be notified by the third week of December, 2017.

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How do I find out what programs and activities would be of particular interest to students?

A list of programs and activities that could be of interest to students is listed here.

Do I need to register for the meeting to participate in the student poster session?

It is recommended that you register for the meeting, preferably by the early registration deadline. You should register in a "Student" category.

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Can graduate students participate in the student poster session?

The session is reserved for undergraduate and first-year graduate students submitting posters on work done while an undergraduate.

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Where can I find detailed information about the student poster session?

See http://www.maa.org/programs/students/undergraduate-research/jmm-student-poster-session for further details and a link to the abstracts submission form.

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How can I find a roommate?

See http://bboards.jointmathematicsmeetings.org.

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I am sharing a room with someone else. Do we both have to make housing reservations?

No, if you are sharing a room, only one person needs to make the reservation.  However, that person should include the other person’s name on the reservation, and also, if possible, their email address, so that the person sharing the room may also get a copy of the confirmation email.  Please add any special requests, such as low floor, or rollaway cots, etc., under “Additional requests”. 

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I did not ask for a hotel room when I registered. Now, I want to reserve a room. What should I do?

Please use the hotel reservation link provided on your registration confirmation. If you cannot find it, send email to mmsb@ams.org for the housing link.

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How do I reserve rooms for a group of students?

Please contact the MMSB at mmsb@ams.org for instructions.

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I am new to the Joint Mathematics Meetings. How can I find out about social and networking events at this meeting?

A list of social events are listed here and a list of networking opportunities are listed here. See "Tips for Newcomers" here.

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What is the Employment Center and when does it occur?

Details about the AMS Employment Center can be found here.

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How do I register for the Employment Center and how much does it cost?

Details about the AMS Employment Center can be found here.

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I had already registered for the meeting, but now I want to register for the Employment Center as an applicant (full service). What do I need to do?

Details about the AMS Employment Center can be found here.

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What is the topic of the AMS Short Course, when will it occur, and how much will it cost?

The topic of the next AMS Short Course is Discrete Differential Geometry (DDG). Details are posted here.

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What is the topic of the MAA Short Course, when will it occur, and how much will it cost?

There is no MAA Short Course offered.

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What are the topics of the MAA Minicourses, when will they occur, and how much will they cost?

Details are posted here.

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Is there a timetable for this meeting?

Yes, the timetable is posted at http://jointmathematicsmeetings.org/2197_timetable.html. It is updated on a regular basis.

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Is there any travel information?

Detailed travel information can be found here.

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How much is parking at the hotels and at the center or nearby?

Detailed parking information for hotels used for this meeting can be found at http://www.jointmathematicsmeetings.org/meetings/national/jmm2018/2197_hotelpage.  

Information on other parking options is here.

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Do the hotels have wireless access and how much does it cost?

Information about wireless access in hotels is posted here. .

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Will there be a mobile app and/or scheduler for this meeting?

Yes, there will be a mobile app for this meeting and details on how to download it will be included in your registration materials and on this site. The mobile app will include a scheduler.

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Where can I get Visa information?

Visa regulations are continually changing for travel to the United States. Visa applications may take from three to four months to process and require a personal interview, as well as specific personal information. International participants should view the important information about traveling to the U.S. found at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en.html. If you need a preliminary meeting invitation in order to secure a visa, please send your request to meet@ams.org.

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What is a cvv number?

The cvv number is the Credit Verification Value number. For VISA, MasterCard and Discover, this number is the last three digits of the string of numbers found on the back of your credit card. For American Express, this number is the four digits that are above and to the right of your credit card number on the front of your card.

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What is the standard audio-visual setup in the session rooms where talks will take place?

A projection screen is included as standard equipment in all session rooms. Invited 50-minute speakers are automatically provided with an ELMO visual presenter (document camera/projector), and a laptop projector for PowerPoint or PDF slides. AMS Special Sessions and Contributed Papers, and MAA Invited and Contributed Paper Sessions, are provided with a screen and a laptop projector for PowerPoint or PDF slides. Speakers are responsible for bringing their own laptops. If you are presenting from a Mac computer please bring all proper adaptors and equipment needed. The meeting rooms will include adapters to accept both VGA and HDMI connections to the projector. Blackboards, sound for videos or Internet are not available in session rooms. Any request for additional equipment should be sent to cro@ams.org and received by November 1, 2017.

Note that overhead/transparency projectors are no longer provided as part of the standard audio-visual setup in session rooms.

Equipment requests made at the meetings most likely will not be granted because of budgetary restrictions. Unfortunately no audio-visual equipment can be provided for committee meetings or other meetings or gatherings not on the scientific program.

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Will child care services be offered at this meeting?

A limited number of Child Care Grants in the amount of US\$250 per family are available for this meeting. See details here.

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Is there a list of restaurants in San Diego?

A list is not posted on this meeting site yet. However, see www.sandiego.org/ for information about restaurants..

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Will there be any special raffles at this meeting?

Currently, there are no plans to hold raffles. (Many raffles will take place in the exhibits, however.)

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How can I give a suggestion for an Invited Address speaker?

The AMS and MAA welcome suggestions for Invited Address speakers. Please send your suggestions for AMS speakers to: Georgia Benkart at benkart@math.wisc.edu or secretary@ams.org. Please send your suggestions for MAA speakers to: Gerard A Venema at venema@calvin.edu or assocsecretary@maa.org.

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What is your ADA Policy?

We strive to take the appropriate steps required to ensure that no individual with a disability is excluded, denied services, segregated, or otherwise treated differently. All requests for special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) must be made allowing enough time for evaluation and appropriate action by the AMS and MAA. Any information obtained about any disability will remain confidential.

Please tell us before the meeting what you require to help make your participation more enjoyable and meaningful. If you require special assistance, auxiliary aids or other reasonable accommodations to fully participate in this event, please check off the appropriate box on the Registration Form or email the MMSB at mmsb@ams.org.

Questions on-site about accessibility of session rooms or public space should be directed to the Logistics Manager at the Registration Assistance Section, located at the Registration Desk. If you wish to speak to someone before the meeting, please send email to meet@ams.org. Information about ADA policies at the hotels is posted here.

Information about ADA policies at the hotels is posted here.

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Is there a Welcoming Environment Policy?

The AMS and MAA strive to ensure that participants in the Joint Mathematics Meetings (JMM) enjoy a welcoming environment. In all JMM activities, the two organizations seek to foster an atmosphere that encourages the free expression and exchange of ideas. The AMS and MAA support equality of opportunity and treatment for all participants, regardless of gender, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion or religious belief, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disabilities, or veteran status.

Harassment is a form of misconduct that undermines the integrity of JMM activities as well as the AMS and MAA missions. The AMS and MAA will make every effort to maintain an environment that is free of harassment, even though they do not control the behavior of third parties. A commitment to a welcoming environment is expected of all attendees at JMM activities, including mathematicians, students, guests, staff, contractors and exhibitors, and participants in scientific sessions and social events. To this end, the AMS and MAA will include a statement concerning their expectations toward maintaining a welcoming environment in registration materials, and have put in place a mechanism for reporting violations. Violations may be reported confidentially and anonymously to 855-282-5703 or at www.mathsociety.ethicspoint.com. The reporting mechanism ensures the respect of privacy while alerting the AMS and MAA to the situation.

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Is this meeting listed on any social networks?

Yes, follow us on Twitter @JointMath #JMM2018. Join us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JointMathematicsMeetings.

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My question is not listed here. Where can I send email to ask a question not listed here?

Send email to meet@ams.org.

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