Student Outreach for Networking and Integrating Colleagues (SONIC)

The SONIC program is a networking opportunity at ASA conferences in which first-time student attendees (“newcomers”) are matched with more experienced students or early-career professionals (“guides”). For the week of the conference, guides help newcomers navigate their first ASA meeting, share their tips, and connect newcomers to the larger acoustics community. Guides and newcomers are matched by area of interest and are introduced by email a few days prior to the start of the conference.

First-time student attendees might feel overwhelmed by the whirlwind of lecture sessions, technical committee meetings, and social events that take place during an ASA meeting. It is helpful to have the company a more experienced student who is familiar with the flow of ASA meetings, has similar research interests, and can help with introductions. As participants in the SONIC program, newcomers have the opportunity to ask questions, make connections, and immediately engage with the ASA community.

The SONIC program has a few mandatory activities that coincide with the ASA students events, but the program is largely open-ended to allow participants to choose how to interact and share their experience.  If you are an ASA student member or recently a student member (early-career professional) who has been to ASA multiple times, please consider volunteering as a SONIC program guide to give something meaningful back to the next group of students following in your footsteps. Your participation could completely change someone’s first-time experience at an ASA conference in a positive way.

The ASA Student Council is continuing the SONIC program for the 186th meeting in Ottawa, Canada. We hope this program will continue to develop and benefit both current and future ASA student members. To participate in the program as a new student or guide, please use the links below to fill out the registration form.  Registration is open through 11:59pm Tuesday of the conference week.

Register as a newcomer

Note: Participation as a “newcomer” is not restricted to first-time attendees! Students who have attended an ASA meeting but who might still want to connect with more experienced students are welcome to sign up as “newcomers.”

Register as a guide

Note: If you are an experienced student or early-career professional, please consider volunteering to be a “guide.”  We need volunteer guides to help make this program a success.  This is a great opportunity for you to get involved in the ASA student community and gain leadership experience.

ASA Diversity Policy

The Acoustical Society of America (ASA) is committed to making acoustics more accessible to everyone, and asserts that all individuals, regardless of racial identity, ethnic background, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, or national origin, must be provided equal opportunity in the field of acoustics. The Society upholds the belief that diversity enriches the field of acoustics, and is working to diversify its membership and the acoustics community in general by identifying barriers to implementing this change, and is taking an active role in organizational and institutional efforts to bring about such change. The Society actively supports efforts by the acoustics community to better engage the knowledge and talents of a diverse population, increase the viability of acoustics as a career option for all individuals, and promote the pursuit of acoustics careers by members of historically under-represented groups.

ASA Statement on Racism and Injustice

ASA Harassment Policy

It is the policy of the Acoustical Society of America that all participants in Society activities will enjoy an environment free from all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. As a professional society, ASA is committed to providing an atmosphere that encourages the free expression and exchange of scientific ideas. In pursuit of that ideal, ASA is dedicated to the philosophy of equality of opportunity and treatment for all members regardless of any other reason not related to scientific merit. Harassment, sexual or otherwise, is a form of misconduct that undermines the integrity of Society meetings. Violators of this policy will be subject to discipline.

Definition of Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment refers to unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Behavior and language that are welcome/acceptable to one person may be unwelcome/offensive to another. Consequently, individuals must use discretion to ensure that their words and actions communicate respect for others. This is especially important for those in positions of authority since individuals with lower rank or status may be reluctant to express their objections or discomfort regarding unwelcome behavior.

Sexual harassment does not refer to occasional compliments of a socially acceptable nature. It refers to behavior that is not welcome, is personally offensive, debilitates morale, and therefore interferes with work effectiveness. The following are examples of behavior that, when unwelcome, may constitute sexual harassment: sexual flirtations, advances, or propositions; verbal comments or physical actions of a sexual nature; sexually degrading words used to describe an individual; a display of sexually suggestive objects or pictures; sexually explicit jokes; unnecessary touching.

Definition of Other Harassment

Harassment on the basis of any other protected characteristic is also strictly prohibited. This conduct includes, but is not limited to the following: epithets, slurs, or negative stereotyping; threatening, intimidating, or hostile acts; denigrating jokes and display or circulation of written or graphic material that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual or group.

Definition of Discrimination

Discrimination refers to a bias or prejudice resulting in denial of opportunity or unfair treatment regarding selection, promotion, or transfer. Discrimination is practiced commonly on the grounds of age, disability, ethnicity, origin, political belief, race, religion, sex, i.e., factors which are irrelevant to a person’s competence or suitability.

Definition of Retaliation

Retaliation refers to taking some action to negatively impact another based on their reporting an act of discrimination or harassment.

Scope of Policy

This policy applies to all attendees at Society activities, including scientists, students, guests, staff, contractors, and exhibitors, participating in the scientific sessions, tours, and social events of any ASA meeting or other activity.

Reporting an Incident

This policy covers first-person incidents only.

Any individual covered by this policy who believes that he or she has been subjected to harassment should contact the ASA President, Executive Director or other ASA Officer. Other ASA Officers include: President‐Elect, Vice President, Vice President Elect, Treasurer, Editor‐in‐Chief, Standards Director. The list of ASA Officers can be found here. The individual reporting the incident is not required nor expected to discuss the concern with the alleged offender. All complaints will be treated seriously and will be investigated promptly. Confidentiality will be honored to the extent possible as long as the rights of others are not compromised.

You may report the incident anonymously with ASA’s smart phone app.