The Students’ Guild Awards recognise and reward the inspiring and exceptional achievements of student groups, individuals and actions here at Exeter. By looking at the impact they make locally, nationally and internationally, the awards aim to highlight the incredible enthusiasm and commitment that can be seen across the Students’ Guild, from volunteering and representation, to welfare and our local community.
The familiar face across campus who goes above and beyond on a daily basis to ensure that the great services and ideas seen within their Guild department are executed smoothly and effectively. They are the campus superstar whose everyday efforts make big differences, without whom the Guild simply couldn’t function in the same way.
What the judges will be looking for:
- Evidence of what the nominee has contributed to make a difference to the department they are working for and the customers the departments serves. How has the student staff member gone above and beyond the call of duty?
- Evidence of how the nominee has driven quality standards in their workplace.
- Evidence that the nominee has impacted positively on the other staff, student staff and officers that they are working with, the department they are working for and the wider Guild in general. Judges will be looking for actual evidence such as supporting comments from students and staff, or evidence of achieving departmental objectives.
- Evidence that the student has delivered an exceptional level of customer service within the role.
- Evidence of a development or innovating idea that has made a significant contribution to the Guild department they are working in. This can be a new idea, process or method of working in the role which has had a benefit to their role, department, membership or wider Students’ Guild.
A student society, team or group who have shown consistent success or who have had a significant impact in their respective aims and goals. Through hard work, wide appeal and effective promotion, they have had a noticeable breakthrough and brought about significant and relevant changes to those around them.
What the judges will be looking for:
- Details of the outstanding contribution made by the student group concerned.
- Evidence of positive impact – what effect has the student group had on its members, the Guild, the University and/or community. What negatives could have occurred if it was not for the events and activities organised by the student group.
- Evidence of promotion to, and engagement of a diverse group of students, including those students that are harder to reach. The judges will be looking at how the student group has tried to attract students that do not traditionally get involved with the Students’ Guild or student group concerned.
- Evidence that the student group is running original, new or creative ideas.
- Evidence of how the student group has carried out events and activities, or provided services that meet and go beyond the aims and objectives of that student group.
- Evidence of engagement in the student group – attendees to student group activities, how fundraising has been allocated or spent, supporting comments from students, staff or clients etc.
The winning event will have actively involved a diverse range of students and societies, whilst ensuring that meaning of the event is continually reinforced. The winner will have created, planned and delivered an original event which has demonstrated great practice in publicity, finances and execution
What the judges will be looking for:
- Details of the event, supplemented by the aims and objectives of the event.
- Details of the planning process involved in organising the event and evidence of good planning – for example good budgeting, creative use of resources, value for money, good publicity, Health & Safety processes followed etc. If problems arose how were these overcome?
- Evidence of how the event achieved its aims and objectives. The judges would like to see this explained through actual evidence – i.e. amount of people attending the event, how fundraising has been allocated or spent.
- Evidence of promotion to, and engagement of, a diverse group of students. The judges will be looking at evidence of who attended the event and/or comments from attendees.
- Evidence of achievements and the impact the event had on members, students, the Guild, University and/or wider community, client group or community organisation.
- Evidence of how the event has benefitted those attending.
- Evidence of originality and innovation. While the event does not have to be the first of its kind, we are looking for events that are original and creative – something that not everyone is doing.
A campaign, society or group who has made a significant impact not only within the university to help students and the Guild, but also on a wider level within the local community through educating, volunteering and fundraising beyond the university campus.
What the judges will be looking for:
- Details of the work carried out by the individuals/project/student group.
- Evidence of active engagement with the community, both on-campus and/or off-campus.
- Evidence of engagement with the student population and/or local community to tackle identified issues on-campus and/or off-campus.
- Evidence of the group/individuals impact on the local community and how their actions, activities, facilities, information, services and/or events have delivered this positive impact on the community. If appropriate, what negative things would have happened without these actions?
- Evidence of how this community impact has benefited students, the Students’ Guild and/or University.
- Evidence of how this community impact volunteering has benefited the relationship between the community, students, Guild, University – either on-campus or off-campus. This includes enhancing the reputation of students, the Guild and University.
- Evidence of how this community impact volunteering has improved and promoted community cohesion, and brought different groups together.
Not all heroes wear capes! This is the award for the individual who has, often single-handedly, worked tirelessly to help others around them, therefore contributing to the improvement of the student experience through their own proactive actions and efforts. From campaigning, to fundraising to representation or events, they are the people whose work has impacted upon so many.
What the judges will be looking for:
- Details of the work of the nominee, or the groups/organisations/committees the nominee has been involved with and in what capacity.
- Evidence of what the individual has achieved and the outcomes for students, staff, the Guild, University and/or community as a result of the volunteering/work of this individual.
- Evidence of the impact the nominee has had on the student community and/or local community through their actions, activities, services and/or events. This can include supporting evidence from students, staff and/or clients, as well as examples of the benefit to students such as skills development.
- Evidence of how the nominee has benefitted the relationship between the community, students, Students’ Guild, University. This includes enhancing the reputation of the Guild and University and/or creating volunteer positions for students.
To the incredible and unparalleled work put in to tirelessly supporting and constantly making changes to the academic experiences of students. Through insightful networking, innovative ideas and unfaltering determination, this individual group has shown consistent and dedicated efforts to improve the student experience and pioneer change for future generations.
What the judges will be looking for:
- Details of the exceptional contribution made by the nominee(s).
- Evidence of what the individual/student group has achieved and the outcomes for students and the broader academic experience.
- Evidence of the impact the individual/student group has had on the wider academic community. What effect has the nominee had through their actions, activities and/or events? Supporting evidence from students, staff and clients is welcomed.
- Evidence of achievements and resultant outcomes as a result of the work of the individuals/student groups. Judges will be looking for how academic standards and/or the academic experienced has been improved as a result of this individual/student group.
- Evidence of how the individual/student group has embodied the Guild’s desire to work alongside colleges, academic services and the University to achieve academic excellence across the University.
Best individual campaign this year, demonstrating thoughtful planning and strategy with clear and meaningful aims and goals. An example of effective teamwork to create an innovative and exciting campaign that has delivered successfully and has had a positive impact upon a wide audience.
What the judges will be looking for:
- A description of the campaign and its clear aims and objectives. In addition details of what the campaign achieved and what quantifiable impact it had on others locally, nationally or internationally.
- Details of what effect the campaign has had on students, the academic community, staff or wider community.
- Evidence of how the campaign showed creativity in the delivery of campaign objectives through events, activities and communication channels.
- Evidence of how the campaign did something different – showing creativity to achieve the campaigns aims and objectives, or to overcome problems experienced during the execution of the campaign.
- Evidence of how the campaign utilised resources within the student body, local stakeholders and/or the media.
- How the campaign used the resources available to them in a way that maximises the impact of the campaign in achieving its aims and objectives.
- Evidence of the campaign delivering demonstrable change on the issue campaigned for.
The widely effective and well organised on-campus project that is run exclusively by the driven energies of students for a clear and admirable cause. With clear and ambitious goals, this project is an example of the incredible motivation and tireless efforts of students to work towards making positive changes across campus and beyond.
What the judges will be looking for:
- Details of the student-led project and what it involved.
- Evidence of how the event or activity has had significant impact either on-campus or off-campus. This can be demonstrated through the number of people attending the event, how fundraising has been allocated or spent, and supporting comments from students, staff or clients.
- Evidence of how the project has impacted on its members, the Guild, the University and/or community.
- Evidence of promotion to, and engagement of, a diverse group of students. How has the project tried to attract students that do not traditionally get involved with extra-curricular activities or the Guild.
- Evidence of how the student-led project has provided development opportunities to its members and the wider student population.
- Evidence of how the project has been innovative. The definition of this being ahead of its time and original. Even though the project’s event or activities do not have to be the first of its kind, the judges will be looking for ideas that are original.
A committee, group or individual who has strived to effectively coordinate and lead their society, group or charity to achieve its aims and get wide recognition for the work they do. Their superb organisation skills, team work and clear objectives have been a key factor in the success of the group they have led this year.
What the judges will be looking for:
- Details of the activities/services/groups/projects that the nominees have overseen and in what capacity they have been involved.
- Clear evidence of the achievements and outcomes as a result of the leadership of the individual(s) nominated. What have the outcomes been for students and the wider on and off campus community through their outstanding leadership?
- Evidence of the impact the nominees have had. What effect have the nominee(s) had on the student community and/or local community through their actions, activities, projects and/or events. What negative things could have happened if it was not for the nominee’s actions?
- Evidence of how the nominee(s) have reached out to students, and proved a source of motivation and inspiration for others.
- Evidence of how the nominees have exceeded expectations in their role.
- Evidence of what opportunities have resulted from the volunteering/work of the student leaders, i.e. how have the nominees enabled students to develop key skills and competencies.
- Evidence of how the volunteering/work of the nominee(s) have benefited the Students’ Guild and/or University.
- Evidence of how the nominee(s) have benefited the relationship between the community, students, the Guild and the University – including how they have enhanced the reputation of the Guild & University.
The individual, group or society whose constant work and commitment to help those in need of personal support and understanding is unrivalled. They have gone beyond all expectations to deliver a service or series of actions that have shown compassion and understanding as well as incredible effort to improve the welfare of others.
What the judges will be looking for:
- Details of how the nominee(s)/student group have supported the welfare of students throughout the year both on-campus and/or in the local community through their actions, activities, services and/or events.
- Evidence of how the nominee(s)/student group have been a champion of student welfare and student support, ensuring it is at the forefront of the Guild and University agenda.
- Evidence of how the nominee(s) have gone above and beyond to provide a great source of support for all those who seek it.
- Actual evidence of the impact, such as supporting evidence from students, staff and/or clients/organisations, and examples of how the volunteering work has benefited students through skill development.
The alumnus/a who has shown a great support or engagement with groups or societies associated with the Guild throughout the past year. The input and opportunities provided by this individual has given groups and the Guild the ability to expand their knowledge or make great changes and continue to improve the student experience for future generations.
What the judges will be looking for:
- Details of the exceptional contribution made by the nominee(s).
- Evidence of what the alumnus/a have achieved and the outcomes for students and/or the Guild as a whole.
- Evidence of the impact the alumnus/a have had on the wider academic/student community. What effect has the nominee had through their actions, activities and/or events? Supporting evidence from students, staff and clients is welcomed.
- Evidence of achievements and resultant outcomes as a result of the work of the alumnus/a. Judges will be looking for how opportunities for students, groups or societies within the Guild has been improved as a result of this alumnus/a.
- Evidence of how the alumnus/a have embodied the Guild’s desire to maintain links and help improve the student experience across the University for future generations.