Student Organization Awards

These award categories aim to recognize individuals and their contributions to their student organizations over the course of the academic year. These are individuals who have exceeded expectations, they may or may not have served in formal leadership roles, but they are the ones within our organizations who embody our vibrant campus community. Below are each of the individual awards within this category and the criteria they will be evaluated on.

New Member of the Year: Without a growing and strong membership our student organization would not have such a powerful impact on our campus community. It takes a great deal of time and dedication as a new member to make a significant and positive impact on an organization. This award is given to an outstanding new member of a Student Senate recognized student organization who displays tremendous organizational leadership, dedication and involvement to their organization. Nominations will be evaluated based on the following criteria: 1) Contribution to their student organization and its individual members, 2) Contribution to the overall university community (i.e., students, staff, faculty, programs), 3) Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s purpose and those served by it, 4) Relations with members and officers of the nominating student organization

Unsung Hero: Members of student organizations give a great deal of themselves to the progress and success of our student organizations and invest in the campus culture and atmosphere because of their work. These members work hard to make this community a warm, friendly, exciting, and educational experience for students and we would like to recognize these efforts by awarding one member the Unsung Hero Award. This award will be given to recognize a student organization member (not an officer) of a Student Senate recognized student organization who often places his/her heart and soul into everything but often will go un-noticed for their valiant efforts. This student may be classified as often taking a “behind the scenes” approach but always goes above and beyond the standard to help his/her student organization, who displays outstanding leadership, dedication and involvement with their organization. Nominations will be evaluated based on the following criteria: 1) Contribution to their student organization and its individual members, 2) Contribution to the overall university community (i.e., students, staff, faculty, programs), 3) Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s purpose and those served by it, 4) Relations with members and officers of the nominating student organization.

Outstanding Graduating Member: Continued leadership and dedication is key to the overall success of our student organizations and to the positive influence organizations have on the campus community. Our graduating members often have given endless hours of their time and dedication to the advancement of their organization and we would like to recognize their commitment. This award is given to a graduating student (May or the upcoming December) of a Student Senate recognized student organization who displays outstanding organizational leadership, continual commitment over several years, dedication and involvement on campus. Nominations will be evaluated based on the following criteria: 1) Contributions to student organization and its individual members, 2) Contribution to the overall university community (i.e., students, staff, faculty, programs), 3) Involvement on campus, other organization, or community programs, 4) Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s purpose and those served by it, 5) Relations with members and officers of the nominating student organization.

Outstanding Officer of the Year: As the leaders of our student organizations, it is the officer’s duty to help their organization reach goals, empower others and engage the campus community. Our student organization officers often dedicate much of their time and effort to ensure that their organization is successful and tirelessly give themselves to the projects and events associated with their organization. This award is given to an Officer of a Student Senate recognized student organization who displays outstanding organizational leadership, dedication and involvement to the overall success of his/her organization. Nominations will be evaluated on the following criteria: 1) Advancement of student organization and its individual members, 2) Contribution to the overall university community (i.e., students, staff, faculty, programs), 3) Extensive involvement on campus, in other organizations, or community programs, 4) Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s purpose and goals

Advisor of the Year: Student Organization advisors often go far beyond their assigned duties to advance the students they work with. This award will be given to the adviser of a Student Senate recognized student organization who displays outstanding leadership, dedication and involvement with the organizations they advise. Nominations will be evaluated on the following criteria: 1) Contribution and dedication to nominating student organization, university and community, 2) Effective advising within the standards and expectations of the organization, any affiliated national/regional offices and all applicable university policies, 3) Excellent student relations, aptitude in challenging and empowering the organization to thrive, and providing support to assist the organization with meeting its goals.

Programs: These categories aim to recognize the many programs, events, and activities that are created, organized, and implemented by student organizations. These programs have impacted their members and participants in many ways. These programs take a lot of hard work and dedication but pay off tenfold because they help keep the campus environment vibrant and lively. Below are each of the individual awards within this category and the criteria they will be evaluated on.

Collaboration Program of the Year: Teamwork and collaboration often help foster a more innovative and creative atmosphere and help elevate programs and initiatives to a higher level. We would like to recognize those organizations that have worked together to create a successful campus event or program by awarding the Outstanding Collaboration Award to a Student Senate recognized student organizations who displays outstanding teamwork, dedication and involvement. Nominations will be evaluated on the following criteria: 1) Effective collaboration with other student organizations and/or departments- working together to plan and organize a successful campus wide program, 2) Contribution to the overall university community (i.e., students, staff, faculty, programs), 3) Creativity, innovation and draw to the event or program, 4) Goals and outcomes of program were met.

Diversity Achievement Award: Challenging students, faculty and staff to learn and grow in our ever changing and diverse world is something our student organizations help with each year. We would like to recognize these efforts by awarding one program or initiative with the Outstanding Diversity Achievement Award. Eligible programs must demonstrate substantive diversity-related achievements that are above and beyond typical organization activities, duties and expectations. Nominations will be evaluated on the following criteria: 1) Contribution to the overall university community (i.e., students, staff, faculty, programs), 2) Successful implementation of program/initiatives that promoted a more diverse and inclusive environment, 3) Promotion of greater understanding of diversity issues or advancement of diversity, 4) Successfully brought people of different backgrounds and statuses together to participate in an activity that promoted diversity and inclusion.

Educational Program of the Year: Student organizations work to plan not only social and fun programs for the campus community, but they also work to create opportunities that promote learning outside of the classroom through their programs and initiatives. This award will be given to recognize an educationally focused program or initiatives hosted by a student organization that encouraged students to engage in learning outside of the classroom here at Valparaiso University. The recognized program will have an academic, cultural or leadership emphasis while providing an educational experience for attendees. Nominations will be evaluated on the following criteria: 1) Contribution to the overall university community (i.e., students, staff, faculty, programs), 2) Successful implementation of an educational experience, 3) Opportunities for participant engagement, 4) Implementation of an academic, cultural, or leadership emphasis within the program/initiative.

Community Impact Award: Through programs and initiatives student organizations have the opportunity to have a real and meaningful impact on both the campus and local community. This award will be given to recognize a program/initiative hosted by a Student Senate recognized student organization at Valparaiso University that contributed to the broader mission of Valparaiso University and encouraged students to participate in activities that made an impact on the community. Programs/initiatives that had a significant impact on the community at large, both within the campus community and outside the university, will be considered for this award. Nominations will be evaluated on the following criteria: 1) Contribution to the overall university community (i.e., students, staff, faculty, programs), 2) Contribution and impact to the community outside of the university, 3) Demonstrated commitment to and fulfillment of the organization’s purpose, 4) Lasting impact made on both the community and student organization.

Outstanding New Initiative: Every year student organizations implement new initiatives and programs. Student organizations have the ability to change the landscape of the university by addressing student needs through these new programs and initiatives. This award will be given to recognize a new program or initiative created and implemented by a Student Senate recognized student organization that contributed to the overall student experience. Nominations for this award will be evaluated on the following: 1) Contribution to the overall university community (i.e., students, staff, faculty, programs), 2) Successful creation and implementation of new initiative/program, 3) Initiative/program met goals and outcomes, 4) Initiative/program fulfilled a need within the community.

Program of the Year: Each year our students create new, innovative, educational and entertaining events to share with the campus community. These programs take many hours of planning and a great deal of communication to execute. We would like to recognize these efforts by awarding Program of the Year to a Student Senate recognized student organization for planning and implementing a program, event, or project that demonstrates leadership, community engagement, collaboration, and relevance for college students. Nominations for this award will be evaluated on the following: 1) Creativity, innovation and draw to the event or program, 2) Contribution to the overall university community (i.e., students, staff, faculty, programs), 3) Collaboration with other organizations and departments, 4) Effective use of publicity.

These categories aim to recognize the contributions as a whole that student organizations make on the Valparaiso community. Our student organizations work hard year-long to produce quality experiences for not only their members but the campus and surrounding community. It is because of these organizations that many students are able to call Valparaiso University their home away from home. Below are each of the individual awards within this category and the criteria they will be evaluated on.

Greatest Strides: This award will recognize a student organization who has demonstrated an evident amount of improvement in varied student organization management affairs. The student organization recognized will have made significant contributions to the Valparaiso University campus community while experiencing an intentional overhaul of focused support and development towards reaching new heights as a student organization. Organizations nominated for this award will be evaluated on the following criteria: 1) Successful implementation of sustainable change within organization, 2) Contribution to the overall university community (i.e., students, staff, faculty, programs), 3)

Commitment to Leadership & Service: At Valparaiso University we strive to create students who want to lead and serve their communities. Student Organizations have the opportunity through a variety of capacities to help shape the lives of their members and help mold them into people who live to lead and serve others. Organizations can show a comprehensive commitment to leadership and service through the many endeavors such as; conference attendance, executive board positions, program creation & implementation, community service, and much more. This award will recognize a Student Senate recognized student organization who has demonstrated a commitment to leadership and service. Organizations nominated for this award will be evaluated on the following criteria: 1) Contribution to the overall university community (i.e., students, staff, faculty, programs). 2) Contribution to the development and advancement of its members.

Student Organization of the Year: Student Organizations serve an important role in the campus community and we would to recognize their contributions by awarding a Student Organization of the Year to one Student Senate recognized group who has gone above and beyond to create a quality experience for it’s members and campus community. Organizations nominated for this award will be evaluated on the following criteria: 1) Contribution to the overall university community (i.e., students, staff, faculty, programs). 2) Contribution to the development and advancement of its members. 3) Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s purpose and those served by it. 4) Collaboration with related university departments and other student organizations