Graduate & Professional Student Association

Graduate Student Service Awards Program

Award Purpose

Student Service Awards are designated for graduate students who have exhibited exemplary service and a clear commitment to serving to graduate students at ASU. Specifically, awards will be determined based on applicant's demonstrated consistent, meritorious, and ongoing service to graduate students.

Eligibility

Any graduate student represented by GPSA per the bylaws shall be eligible for a Student Service Award. Specifically, nominees must hold a bachelor's degree and be enrolled for at least one credit hour on ASU's Tempe campus this semester.

Types of "Service" Honored

GPSA seeks to honor the voluntary service of graduate students that directly benefits other graduate students. This may include:

• Service on campus (e.g.: serving as an officer of a graduate student organization, service to GPSA, service to an academic department)
• Service to local/state/national organizations that directly benefit graduate students (e.g.: service on the Executive Committee or Board of Directors of a scholarly organization as a graduate student representative)

This does NOT include

• Any type of position held or service that involved monetary compensation for the services rendered (e.g.: salary, stipend, tuition waivers/reimbursement)
• Service that does not directly and primarily benefit graduate students

Selection Process

1. Nomination

a. Any ASU graduate student, faculty or staff member may nominate a GPSA member (see eligibility above) for this award using the nomination form, including a letter of nomination. PLEASE READ THE "RULES" SECTION VERY CAREFULLY WHEN COMPLETING NOMINATIONS!

b. Multiple nominations for one nominee are acceptable and encouraged.

c. Self-nomination is not acceptable for this award.

d. All nominations must be submitted via hard copy to Annette Jecker in the Graduate Student Center Business Office (Center for Family Studies - 1st Floor), mail code 3402.

e. The nominations deadline is 5:00pm Arizona Time on March 23rd. If you submit your nomination by mail, it must be received by GPSA by this deadline. We can not be responsible for applications delayed by the mail service.

2. Preliminary Selection

a. Nominations will be checked to ensure all eligibility requirements are met and all rules have been followed.

b. If a nomination meets all requirements, GPSA will contact the nominee and request that they submit an application packet.

c. Selected nominees will be invited to submit an application by 10:00pm Arizona Time on March 30th.

3. Application Packet

a. Nominees will submit an application packet that includes:

i. An application form (provided by GPSA)
ii. An abbreviated curriculum vitae highlighting service experience
iii. A personal statement of no more than 500 words

b. All nominations must be submitted in hard copy to Annette Jecker in the Graduate Student Center Business Office (Center for Family Studies - 1st Floor), mail code 3402.

c. The application deadline is 5:00pm Arizona Time on April 6th. If you submit your nomination by mail, it must be received by GPSA by this deadline. We can not be responsible for applications delayed by the mail service.

4. Final selection

a. All completed application packets will be blind reviewed by the selection committee. Criteria for selection include:

i. Demonstration of a consistent and ongoing level of service to graduate students.
ii. Merit of service.
iii. Clear, specific examples of service provided.

b. All nominees selected will receive a certificate of award along with a financial prize between $100-800. The financial award will be determined by the selection committee based on the overall caliber of the application.

c. Before awards are finalized, the nominee's service will be verified with the various organizations they have served. Nominations/applications containing false information will be disqualified. Nominators/applicants who knowingly provide false information will be referred to University Office of Judicial Affairs and the Graduate College Dean's Office for appropriate action.

5. Awards

a. All applicants will be notified of the status of their application no later than 10:00pm Arizona Time on April 8th.

b. Awardees will be invited to accept their awards at a dinner banquet held at 6:00pm on April 10th, 2009 at the University Club.

Nomination Rules (Important!)

About the Nominee

• Must be a current GPSA member (see "Eligibility" on page 1)
• Must be enrolled during the Spring 2009 Semester

About the Nominator

• Must be a current ASU graduate student, faculty or staff member.
• Self-nomination is not acceptable.

About the Nominee's Service

• Only service performed while enrolled as a graduate student at GPSA may be discussed in the letters of nomination and application.
• Only service that directly benefits graduate students may be discussed in the letters of nomination and application. (See "types of service" above).
• Only UNPAID service may be discussed in the letters of nomination and application. This includes paid service to GPSA (as an officer or director, for example). (See "types of service" above).
• Performing paid service does NOT disqualify a nominee. However, this service may NOT be mentioned in the letter of nomination / application. Inclusion of such information may disqualify a nominee.

About the Letter of Nomination

• Letters of nomination will be separated from the nomination form. Letters will be blind-reviewed.
• Letters may not exceed 500 words.
• You may NOT mention your name of the name of the nominee anywhere in the letter of nomination. Use pronouns (he/she/I) or "the nominee." While we understand this may be awkward, be assured that all other nominees must follow this same procedure.
• You may NOT mention service for which the nominee has received any financial compensation. Only service that is conducted on a 100% volunteer basis may be included.
• You SHOULD give the names of the specific organizations with which your nominee has volunteered, and the specific titles of positions they have held. The committee will not use this information to identify nominees; it will be used to verify the service of applicants after they have been selected.
• You SHOULD be as detailed and specific as possible about how the nominee's service benefits graduate students.

ANY DEVIATION FROM THESE RULES MAY RESULT IN THE DISQUALIFICATION OF YOUR NOMINATION!!!

Please direct any questions to Annette Jecker at annette.jecker@asu.edu.