Judging

Colleagues from 20 SUNY institutions will act as host coordinators for each category and will assemble a panel of experts for judging. Judges will examine each entry for creativity, innovation, adherence to professional standards, and success in meeting stated objectives with available resources. Additional judging criteria are specified, as needed, in the category descriptions.
Winners will be notified by May 4, 2009. Awards will be presented at the 2009 SUNYCUAD Educational Conference in Lake Placid (conference will be held June 10-12, 2009). An invitation and conference registration packet will be mailed to you in March.
Address questions to Awards for Excellence Chair Patrick Hennessey, College-Community Relations Director, Westchester Community College, Valhalla, New York 10595; phone 914.606.6638; fax 914.606.6515; email patrick.hennessey@sunywcc.edu.
Judging Guidelines
Awards Program Rationale
The SUNYCUAD Awards for Excellence Program, which rewards outstanding achievement in institutional advancement, encourages professional development by recognizing excellence in the pursuit of institutional goals and objectives. The Awards for Excellence Program is designed: (1) to identify programs and products that have achieved outstanding results through good planning, well-conceived goals and objectives, and resourceful and effective solutions; 2) to share models of performance to the full SUNYCUAD membership; and 3) to reward institutions and individuals for their singular achievements.
Diverse Nature of the Entries
The entries are as diverse as the institutions submitting them. There are variables in types of institutions, size and type of audiences, goals, results, and financial and human resources. Because of this diversity, it is advisable to emphasize how well the institution has met its own goals with available resources rather than how its entry compares with those from other institutions.
Criteria for Awards
The ultimate concern in choosing award winners is the achievement of goals and objectives stated by the entrant, taking into consideration creativity and the investment in time, staff, and money. In some of the communications categories the documentation of results will be sketchy. In these categories, go by your own reactions as a reader or viewer. One should also make note of the entrant and the targeted audience. Do the materials reflect the personality/mission of the institution? Are they effective when one considers the audience to which they are being directed? We have requested budget information for all entries. This information comes in handy when measuring results. Entries that do not include this information should be not considered for an award.
Type of Awards
“Best of Category” is awarded for exceptional planning and execution of the program or products. “Judges’ Citations” give honorable mention and are optional. Up to two Judges’ Citations may be awarded. All awards will be at the judges’ discretion. In other words, judges reserve the right to deny Best of Category and Judges’ Citation awards for any category where worthy entries are lacking.
Resources for Judges and Host Coordinators
Expenses Form (pdf)
Host Institution Information Sheet (pdf)
Judges Checklist (pdf)
Winners Report Form (pdf)
Judges Comments Form (pdf)
Notification Letter Format (pdf)
Suggestions Form (pdf)
Ratings Sheets (pdf)
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