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Awards and Nominations (Halifax)



The 14th annual Impact Awards takes place on March 27 at 7:30 p.m. in the McInnes Room (Student Union Building). Ticket info coming soon!


Nominations are now open! Ìý(nominations close February 7, 2025)
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Every year, there are over 50 awardsÌýgiven to Â鶹´«Ã½ students and societiesÌýwho demonstrate leadership, civic engagement, and exemplary contributions to the community.Ìý

Awards are separated into 6Ìýnomination categories:

NOMINATION CATEGORIES

Category Criteria
Residence Life

- Must be a current member of a residence hall community at Â鶹´«Ã½.
- Contributes to the life of the residence hall community.
- Encourages and empowers residents to get involved in the wider community.
- Promotes an atmosphere of respect.
- Takes initiative in creating new opportunities for their peers.

Student Life & Community Service - Contributes to the life of the Â鶹´«Ã½, Halifax or greater communities.
- Demonstrates personal values through action.
- Creates or contributes to new initiatives that inspire others.
- Contributes to a culture of student leadership and social responsibility.
Academic Life -ÌýInvolved outside of the classroom in faculty and/or student societies events and initiatives.
- Encourages their peers to engage in faculty events.
- Demonstrates passion for the discipline.
- Takes initiative in creating new opportunities.
Student Societies - DSU ratified society and/or club that demonstrates significant contributions and impact in the community.
Graduating Students - Awarded to graduating students who are receiving an IMPACT award.
President's EDIA

- NominationsÌýmustÌýdescribe how the individual or group demonstrated exceptional and creativeÌýachievementÌýin advancing equity, diversity and/orÌýinclusiveness and be linked to one or more of theÌýFour Goals of Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s Diversity and Inclusiveness Strategy.

  • Climate and Intergroup Relations
  • Student Access and Success
  • Education and Research
  • Institutional Viability and Vitality (Structures)
  • Additional Factors

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WHO CAN NOMINATE?

Anyone can nominate a student or society for an IMPACT award and we encourageÌýstaff, faculty and studentsÌýto submit nominations. You can even nominate yourself.

Nominations are accepted for all Â鶹´«Ã½ students regardless of level or year of study provided they meet the specific criteria for each award.

HOW TO NOMINATE

When nominating an individual be as detailed as possible about a student's accomplishments and involvement and prove how they fit the award criteria. It may be helpful to talk with a student in person about their achievements to better inform your nomination.


AWARDS & CRITERIA

In addition to above, the following awards have additional criteria. All awards are open to undergraduate and graduate student student nominees, with the exception of the Outstanding Graduate Student Award.ÌýThe recipients of these awards are determined by the Â鶹´«Ã½ Student Union Impact Awards Selection CommitteeÌý(Student Life & Community Service, Student Societies), Residence Life Selection Committee, and individual Faculty committees (Academic Life).

Category: President’s Awards for the Advancement of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA)

Description

At Â鶹´«Ã½, we believe that equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility are fundamental to education and employment, and therefore, are essential institutional strategic priorities. To support our collective community efforts to advance equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility, Â鶹´«Ã½ is pleased to present the  (pdf - 88 kb)

This award is in recognition of Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s EDIA core values and framework (5.2) and is inseparable from the university’s strategic plan

The President’s EDIA Awards (Student Category) recognizes the outstanding efforts in advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility at Â鶹´«Ã½. 

Eligibility

Nominations for the Student Category are welcomed and encouraged for individuals and groups in all University areas. Groups can be a formal or an informal Â鶹´«Ã½ student organization. 

Prior winners cannot be nominated again in the same category.

Criteria

Nominations must describe how the individual or group demonstrated exceptional and creative achievement in advancing equity, diversity and/or inclusiveness and be linked to one or more of the Four Goals of Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s Diversity and Inclusiveness Strategy.

  • Climate and Intergroup Relations
  • Student Access and Success
  • Education and Research
  • Institutional Viability and Vitality (Structures)
  • Additional Factors

Application Process

The deadline for nominations for this cateory closes on February 8, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. (Atlantic Time).

Nominations must include the  (pdf - 201 kb) and a maximum of three supporting statements, one of which should be written by a Â鶹´«Ã½ nominator (between 250 and 1000 words each).  

Please email nomination packages to vpei@dal.ca or student.experience@dal.ca and include ‘EDIA Award Nomination (Student Category) – 2023/24’ in the subject line.

Nomination Form

View this category's (pdf - 88 kb) for more details, and the  (pdf - 201 kb) to submit an application.

Category: Academic Life

Faculty Leadership Impact Awards

Awarded to undergraduate or graduate students in good academic standing for each Â鶹´«Ã½ faculty. Part-time students are eligible for this award. These students exemplify the highest level of passion for their discipline, take initiative in creating new opportunities and encourage their peers to engage in faculty initiatives.  Faculty Leadership Impact Award winners positively impact other students in their faculty and the reputation of their faculty at Â鶹´«Ã½ outside of the classroom.

Outstanding Graduate Student Award

Awarded to a graduate student in either a professional or research program. These students exemplify the highest level of passion for their discipline and are engaged in initiatives that improve the quality of the graduate student experience at Â鶹´«Ã½. Outstanding Graduate Student Award winners positively impact other graduate students with activities that extend beyond their academic programs.

Category: Residence Life

Residence Life Impact Award

Presented to current members of each residence hall community who have made outstanding contributions to the life of their residence community, led by example by encouraging and empowering residents to get involved, promote respect and create opportunities for their peers.

Residence Life Leadership Awards

Awarded to current residence students in positions of leadership (such as a Resident Assistant) who have best demonstrated an exceptional level of maturity and professionalism. They encourage and empower students to engage in student life, they lead by example and work to improve the life of the residence hall.

Category: Student Life & Community Service

Student Entrepreneur of the Year

Awarded to a student who has demonstrated excellence in generating an innovative idea, concept, or business. The student uses their leadership, vision, and focus to make their ideas come to fruition. 

Community Service Award

This award recognizes an outstanding off campus student leader who has demonstrated significant leadership, commitment and service aimed at improving the community they live in.

Student Activist

Awarded to a student who demonstrates passion and commitment to social justice and action, and who leads by example, organizes students in an inclusive way, acts with integrity, raises awareness, and inspires others to create change.

Sustainability Award

Awarded to a student who has made a significant contribution to improving awareness on sustainability issues at Â鶹´«Ã½. This person's actions reflect their passion for the environment and inspire others to make positive change.

International Student of the Year

Awarded to an International Student who has demonstrated excellence in leadership, shown engagement in the community, inspired others and is a respected voice for international students at Â鶹´«Ã½.

Â鶹´«Ã½ Student Council Member Award

Awarded by the Â鶹´«Ã½ Student Union to the Councillor who has demonstrated a commitment to collaborative problem solving, active representation of their constituency, and initiative in the pursuit of innovation.

Rising Star Awards

Awarded to first, second, and third year students who have demonstrated an outstanding level of commitment, leadership, creativity, and initiative to the DSU, as well as to the campus and community at large.

Dal-King’s Impact Award

Awarded to the King’s student who is most highly engaged and takes on a leadership role at Â鶹´«Ã½.  This is the sister award to the KSU Community Engagement Award for Â鶹´«Ã½ students at King’s which acknowledges the contribution of a Â鶹´«Ã½ student to the community at King’s College.

To be eligible, students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or equivalent. Otherwise, all students - undergraduate, graduate or professional faculty student, full or part-time, at any stage in their academic career - may be considered for an award.

Varsity Athlete Award

Awarded to a Â鶹´«Ã½ varsity student-athlete who demonstrates significant contribution to the community, has increased awareness at Â鶹´«Ã½ of a given charity or cause and demonstrates positive leadership and inspires others to get involved.

Intramural & Sports Club Award

Awarded to a Â鶹´«Ã½ intramural or sports club participant who demonstrates significant commitment to Â鶹´«Ã½'s intramural or sports club programs, exemplifies the role of intramurals and/or sports clubs in developing and promoting student engagement and fun on campus and demonstrates positive leadership and inspires others to get involved.

Student Wellness Award

The Student Wellness Award is presented to the student who best demonstrates leadership in promoting and contributing to a healthy campus. The recipient of this award is a role model for health and wellness both in practice and by impacting others to lead a healthy lifestyle.  This impact may be evidenced through peer-to-peer education, volunteering, service learning, global outreach or any activity that enhances quality of life and development.

Student Employee Award

Presented to a student employee who has demonstrated leadership and fostered community spirit in their work on campus. This student will be employed in any capacity on campus and through their work, contribute to the Â鶹´«Ã½ student experience.

Â鶹´«Ã½ Student Union Gold D’s

Awarded to Â鶹´«Ã½ students to recognize an elite level of involvement and achievement in campus life over the course of their university career. These students have shown outstanding extracurricular contributions in the community.

Outstanding Student of Distinction Award

Awarded to a student for an elite level of involvement and achievement in campus life over the course of a university career. This student has shown an elite level of consistent campus involvement over the course of their university career and has made outstanding and impactful extracurricular contributions in the community, be that through student advocacy, academic justice, leadership or other student involvement. The award was based off of the academic and community accomplishments of Â鶹´«Ã½ alumni Level Chan, Malcolm Honour, and Lilli Ju.

Category: Student Societies

Most Impactful Emerging Society

Awarded to a society, which is relatively new or was revived after inactivity. The society has demonstrated positive impacts through their programming, education, student engagement and/or community building. This award also recognizes initiatives taken by a group of students to adapt to ensure the safety of the student body on and off campus.

Most Impactful Charitable/Community Society

Awarded to a student society ratified with the DSU that has made a significant contribution to a charitable cause, within the Â鶹´«Ã½ community or beyond. The society has demonstrated consistency in planning and delivery of programming or events, high student participation and attendance of its membership, and sets an example for other student societies.

Most Impactful Faculty/Departmental Society

Awarded to a faculty or departmental society ratified with the DSU that has best demonstrated consistency in planning and delivery of programming or events, high student participation and attendance of its membership, and sets an example for other student societies.

Most Impactful Cultural/Spiritual Society

Presented to a student society ratified with the DSU that has raised awareness, engaged students, and increased representation of a culture, religion, or spirituality on campus. It demonstrates consistency in event planning and delivery, high participation and attendance of its membership, and sets an example for other student societies.

 

Most Impactful Sports Society

Awarded to a student sports society, club, or intramural league. The society must demonstrate the ability to encourage students to engage in physical health and lead in new and innovative ways to keep the student body engaged in a safe way.

Most Impactful General or Special Interest Society

Awarded to a Student Society ratified with the Â鶹´«Ã½ Student Union that caters to the general or niche interests of students, and has demonstrated consistency in planning and delivery of programming or events, high student participation and attendance of their membership and sets an example for other student societies.

Most Impactful Residence Council

Awarded to the residence council that has demonstrated consistency in event planning and delivery, has high participation and attendance of their membership and sets an example for other councils. This council also acts as a strong advocate for the individuals it serves.

Most Impactful Sustainability-oriented Society

Awarded to a society that demonstrated positive impacts on sustainability issues through raising awareness, programming, education, advocacy, and student engagement. Aspects of sustainability can include but are not limited to environmental, social or/and economic.

Most Impactful Social Justice Society

Awarded to a society that upholds social justice principles by its actions.  With equitable practices, the society has demonstrated transformative impacts on the community on and/or off campus through raising awareness, programming, education, advocacy, student engagement and/or student action.

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Category: Graduating Students

The Alumni Distinction Award

The Alumni Distinction Award is presented to all graduating students who are receiving Impact Awards. These award recipients will receive the opportunity to be Alumni Ambassadors within all Â鶹´«Ã½ Alumni Chapters around the world, which will provide the opportunity to stay connected to Â鶹´«Ã½ and to continue making exemplary contributions to their communities.

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AWARDS SELECTION COMMITTEES

Each award category for the IMPACT Awards is reviewed by a different selection committee as outlined below. Once the winners have been selected, they are notified by email and have pre-allocated seats to ensure they can attend the awards ceremony.

Selection Proces:

Each award for the Impact Awards is reviewed by a different selection committee.

  • This helps to minimize bias or favoritism.Ìý
  • All personal student information is removed from the nominations (including reference links).
  • The selection committees review and score each nomination based on the nomination descriptions provided, and select the final award winner for each award category.Ìý
  • Once the selection committees haveÌýselected anÌýaward winnerÌýfor each category, the information is given to the Impact Awards Committee Chair who then reaches out to the studentÌýleaders selected for each award. ÌýÌý

Committees:

  1. Academic Life - Each faculty has its own selection committee through the Dean's office.Ìý
  2. Residence Life - ÌýResidence Life Team Members.
  3. General Selection Committee -ÌýDSU Member Services, DSU Vice President Student Life, Student Life Staff, 2 - 3 Students (selected by the DSU).
  4. International Student of the Year Award -ÌýInternational Centre team members.
  5. Varsity Athlete award, Intramural award, and Sports Club Award -ÌýAthletics & Recreation.
  6. President's EDIA Award -ÌýIndependent selection committee through the President's Office and Human Rights & Equity Services.
  7. Board of Governors' Award -ÌýBoard of Governors' selection committee.