Memorial University of Newfoundland Students’ Union
Canadian Federation of Students Local 35

Memorial University of Newfoundland Students' Union

Awards for Excellence in Teaching and Outstanding Contribution to Student Life

Background

In 1995 the MUN Students' Union briefly established an 'Excellence in Teaching Award'. Due to lack of continuity and other internal matters, however, the award became defunct after two years. This proposal aims to revitalize these awards and to establish a consistent set of criteria and plan for continuity.

Nomination Information

Awards:

All awards will consist of:

1) The award-winner's name will be inscribed on a plaque in the Breezeway Bar

2) The award-winner will receive a plaque.

3) The award-winner will receive a small cash honorarium, which will be donated in part as a bursary to a student of their choice, and part as a donation to a student initiative on campus in their name.

The awards will be presented at an annual ceremony in the Breezeway Bar.

Process:

The nominations will be reviewed by a sub-committee composed of Board of Directors, Executive Directors and staff of the MUN Students' Union.

Nominations will consist of:

• An application form to be completed by the nominator, outlining their reasons for nominating the candidate
• Five letters of support from other students (current or past)
• An acceptance of nomination from the nominee

The sub-committee of the Students' Union Academic Affairs Committee will review the nominations at length. The sub-committee will select the winners for the five awards, and will present them to the Board of Directors for ratification.

Timeline:

Nominations will open on January 28th, 2010

Closing for Nominations will be 12:00 p.m. (noon) March 4th, 2010

Awards Ceremony during the week of March 23rd, 2010

For more information, contact Ryan Marshall, Executive Director of Advocacy with the MUN Students' Union at advocacy@munsu.ca - 2 -

Excellence in Teaching Awards

Awarded in recognition of outstanding dedication to students and to the pursuit of teaching on campus. Successful candidates should demonstrate all of the following qualities:

Approachability. A demonstrated record of being approachable, of listening to students, and of doing their utmost to support students and assist them in their academic lives.

Fairness. A demonstrated reputation for fair grading which accurately reflects the efforts and abilities of students.

Communicability. A demonstrated ability to clearly communicate subject material to students in a fashion which enables them to understand the material, think about it in a creative fashion, and apply it in the appropriate ways.

Length of service, tenure status, and record of research/publications are not criteria on which this award is judged. This award recognizes the primacy of the teaching mission at Memorial, and the ability of an instructor to meet the above criteria. Part-time instructors and lecturers are eligible for this award.

Awards: 3. Awarded annually to one (1) instructor in the Faculty of Arts, one (1) instructor in the Faculty of Science, and one (1) instructor in the remaining faculties and professional schools.

Outstanding Contribution to Student Life Award - Faculty and Staff

Awarded in recognition of outstanding contributions to the well-being of the student population as a whole. This award reflects the fact that instructors and staff have a responsibility to recognize that many factors affect students' lives and can impede the education process. This award recognizes instructors and staff who have demonstrated a holistic understanding of issues facing students, and their dedicated and open commitment to supporting the needs of students and the goal of accessible post-secondary education.

This recognition is awarded on the basis of any of the following:

• Involvement with student clubs, societies and centres.
• Assisting with Student research projects, outside of course requirements.
• Assisting in scholarship and bursary pursuit.
• Involvement with student success programs.
• Demonstrated commitment and involvement with any student-faculty-staff initiatives.

Awards: 2. Awarded annually to one (1) academic instructor (part-time instructors and lecturers are eligible for this award) and to one (1) full or part time staff person of the university or affiliated campus entities

Click on the download link below for an application. Please drop the completed application off at the MUNSU General Office (UC-2000)