Will nominees be considered for other awards?
The committee does reserve the right to select a nominee for an award other than the one for which they have been nominated. This happens when the group reads the material submitted and feels that it is a better match for another award.
Should I nominate students for more than one award?
If you feel a student is qualified for more than one award, please feel free to nominate her/him for each one. As each award has different criteria, a candidate has the maximum chance to be selected when the committee has information about them that is specific to each award.
What if I don't know a student very well. Should I ask them for information?
You certainly can ask a student for additional material. All nominees are contacted by our office and invited to submit additional information, so if you prefer, submit the nomination with what you know and we will contact the student anyway.
Will the student have access to my nomination?
Nominees are told that what award they have been nominated for and by whom. If the student requests a copy of the nomination, we generally refer them back to you.
What makes a strong nomination?
Nominations that speak directly to the criteria listed for the award and use concrete examples are generally more successful. A nominee who excels in one aspect of the criteria may be selected, but those who show evidence of success in all categories will be more likely to be selected.
Do multiple nominators make a stronger nomination?
Mulitple people submitting nominations or signing onto one shared nomination does not automatically influence the selection committee. However, the more examples we have of how the student exemplifies the criteria, does often help them rise to the top. If interested in coordinating a group to nominate together, it is most useful to have each person contribute concrete examples and submit one longer document or to have each person submit a nomination seperately.
Who makes the selection? How does the process work?
The selection committee is made up of staff and faculty from several departments. The committee members read through each nomination, as well as all information submitted by nominees prior to attending a selection meeting. Selection is a consensus process and is based on the criteria as detailed on this website.