Q: Where can I find information on FlexConnect?
A: You can download the FlexConnect Policy document from the Series Resources page for your program. Or, you can download it directly by clicking here.
Q: Which ETS events qualify for FlexConnect?
A:
• CivicProgress Challenge: January 18-20, 2022
• AeroConnect Challenge: March 15-17, 2022
• MobilityForward Challenge: April 5-7, 2022
• UtilityAdvance Challenge: September 20-22, 2023
Q: When can our ETS team register for an ETS event?
A: Registration for ETS events is open now at https://www.sae.org/attend/student-events
Q: When can our CDS team register for a CDS event?
A: Registration for CDS events opens the week of September 13th. CDS teams will register in the same location https://www.sae.org/attend/student-events.
Q: Do I HAVE to participate in FlexConnect as a CDS or ETS team this year?
A: No, this is a completely optional policy.
Q: If I registered for ETS amd submitted my FlexConnect documents on my ETS website, do I automatically qualify as a FlexConnect team?
A: No. You need to have a FlexConnect partner team registered for a CDS event in 2022. Securing an ETS registration is just the first step - the partner team will also need to secure a registration.
Q: When do we need to have our FlexConnect documents submitted?
A: Both the ETS and the CDS partner teams MUST submit documentation tying them together as partner teams by November 1st.
Q: Can we have more than one team for our university in an ETS event?
A: Yes, you may. Each ETS event allows up to 2 teams from a university. However, please understand that all need to be legitimate and have different designs/solutions/approaches. Also, the teams should be made up of different people.
Q: How many teams can a university have per ETS program?
A: Only two teams per university can register for any given ETS event.
Q: I am an SAE Aero Design student and my team fields a team for each class (micro, regular and advanced). How can we safeguard registration fees for all three of those teams?
A: Each ETS event only allows for two teams per university. If you would like to secure for 3 SAE Aero Design registrations, you will need to register for more than one ETS event. Example, you could register two teams for AeroConnect, and the 3rd team for CivicProgress.
Q: What happens if we secure an ETS registration but our CDS Partner Team ends up on the waitlist for their chosen event?
A: Any CDS partner teams on the waitlist for their chosen event will need to be graduated off of the waitlist by January 15, 2022. If the CDS partner team is NOT graduated off by January 15th, then the ETS team will have to decide if they are withdrawing from the ETS event or paying the ETS registration fee.
Q: When do I have to complete payment as a FlexConnect team?
A: The ETS partner team should select 'pay later' when registering for the ETS event of their choosing. The ETS team will NOT have to pay at all so long as their CDS partner team secures a registration spot by January 15, 2022. If the CDS partner team is NOT graduated off by January 15th, then the ETS team will have to decide if they are withdrawing from the ETS event or paying the ETS registration fee. CDS partner teams will pay their registration in full regardless of the scenario.
Q: What is to stop a team from registering for an ETS event, but not putting in maximum effort and "phoning it in"?
A: An ETS partner team MUST submit all required documentation and participate/compete in all aspects outlined in the rules for the team to 1) retain their free ETS registration and 2) for the CDS partner team to receive a refund in the event of government or venue cancellation.
