The "Of the Month" (OTM) Award is a very simple, and very impactful, service NRHH provides that is intended to recognize the outstanding contributions individuals, groups, and programs make for on-campus living communities of colleges and universities nation-wide. Any person is able to submit a nomination for an OTM, but the nominated individual, group, or program must be affiliated with and made an impact on Residence Life and Housing. NRHH has a helpful tool to assist in determining if your desired nominee would "qualify."
Every OTM should be month-specific and illustrate how the nominee went above and beyond expectations during the month of nomination, as the name suggests. Campus winners are selected each month by UNL's "Scarlet and Cream Chapter of NRHH" and are submitted to the regional level, where they may be considered for regional and national recognition. You are able to submit as many OTMs as you would like each month to recognize as many people as possible!
OTMs are grouped into three categories: individual, group, or program. Individual and group OTMs are a maximum of 600 words and should describe the outstanding accomplishments of an individual or group within that month of submission. Program OTMs are for various types of programs on campus and can be nominated during the month in which it occurred. Program OTMs are broken down into several sections with directive questions about the program with individual word maximums.
If you have someone in mind that you would like to nominate, you can easily submit an OTM today! You just need to create an account on the NRHH OTM Database using your UNL credentials - no one will have access to your credentials or account except for you. From there, you can submit as many OTMs as you would like throughout the year!
Individual OTM
Advisor
This category works to recognize the impact any individual who directly advises a residence life organization has made on the residence hall communities. Submissions will highlight outstanding contributions to the organization(s) and residence halls.
Shall be a professional staff, graduate students, or undergraduate student that advises a residential life organization at the affiliated institution.
Executive Board Member
This category works to recognize the outstanding contributions of an Executive Board member of a member school’s residence life organization and the work of the board member within the Executive Board and within their residence hall.
Shall be an executive board member of a residential life organization at the affiliated institution.
First Year Student
This category works to recognize the impact a first year student (first-time first-year student, transfer student, non-traditional student) has made on the campus community in and outside of housing campus communities. This category is intended to highlight individuals who excel in adapting to new environments within their residence hall, take an active role in their community, and positively impact those around them. Submissions may also highlight the academic achievements, involvement, and contributions to the campus community.
Shall be a student who is in their first-year at the affiliated institution.
Graduate Assistant
This category works to recognize the impact that housing graduate assistant staff have on the housing campus communities. This category is intended to highlight the achievements of GAs who have gone above and beyond the duties as outlined in their job description to support housing campus communities.
Shall be a graduate student who has an assistantship, or institution equivalent, in residential life at the affiliated institution.
Institution Faculty/Staff Member
This category works to recognize the impact that institution faculty or staff have on individuals outside of residence life who support students in their academics and/or personal affairs. This category is intended for individuals who have made a contribution to the campus community in and outside of the classroom.
Shall be a full time faculty or staff member that is not part of the Housing or Residential Life department at the affiliated institution.
Residence Life Professional Staff Member
This category works to recognize professional staff members who aid residents within housing campus communities. Emphasis should be placed on the impact that the nominee has had on the residential life community and the students within it.
Shall be a staff member who is part of the Housing or Residential Life department at the affiliated institution.
Resident Assistant
This category works to recognize Resident Assistants who impact individuals within housing campus communities. This category is intended to highlight the achievements of RAs who have gone above and beyond the duties as outlined in their job description to support residents in the communities and should focus on the accomplishments within the RA role.
Shall be a student who serves as a Resident Assistant, or institution equivalent, at the affiliated institution.
Spotlight
This category works to recognize the impact of anything that does not fall under any of the other categories that have made notable contributions to the campus community. Individuals or groups that would be eligible for nomination in any other category are ineligible for nomination in the Spotlight category.
Shall be anything that has contributed to the Residential Life at the affiliated institution and does not qualify for another OTM category.
Student
This category works to recognize the impact enrolled students have on the campus community in and outside of the residence halls. This category is intended to highlight several areas of student life such as academic, leadership, involvement, etc.
Shall be an undergraduate or graduate student at the affiliated institution.
Student Staff
This category works to recognize the impact that student staff members of residence life have on housing campus communities. This category is intended for individuals who have made a contribution to the residential community. This category is intended to highlight the student staff members who have gone above and beyond the duties as outlined in their job description.
Shall be a student who works as a part of the Housing or Residential Life department who is not a Resident Assistant or Graduate Assistant at the affiliated institution.
Group OTM
Organization
This category works to recognize any campus organization that has actively contributed to the student leadership, recognition, or other aspects of on-campus life during the month of nomination. Emphasis should be placed on the successes of the organization as a whole, not just a few members and should detail how they have helped their campus community.
Shall be a campus organization at the affiliated institution.
Residential Community
This category works to recognize the impact that residential communities have on students living on-campus. This category is intended to highlight the achievements of the community (excluding programming) and how the communication has benefitted the residents living within it.
Shall be an informal or formal residential community at the affiliated institution.
Spotlight
This category works to recognize the impact of anything that does not fall under any of the other categories that have made notable contributions to the campus community. Individuals or groups that would be eligible for nomination in any other category are ineligible for nomination in the Spotlight category.
Shall be anything that has contributed to the Residential Life at the affiliated institution and does not qualify for another OTM category.
Program OTM
Educational
This category works to recognize the importance of using programming space to educate members of the residential life community. A program meant to educate residents about a topic, issue or idea. Programs nominated in this category can include, but are not limited to programming focused on academic success, learning a new skill, promoting global citizenship, etc.
Shall be a program that has a primary focus of educating residents on a topic, issue, or idea at the affiliated institution.
Empowerment
This category works to recognize the importance of programming focused on student empowerment. A program that promotes student reflection, uplifting others, and mentorship. This program illustrates the importance of promoting community engagement in the residence halls and broader community as well as embracing the empowerment of residents to act upon their best interests.
Shall be a program that has a primary focus on student empowerment at the affiliated institution.
Passive
This category works to recognize residential life programming that does not require anyone to actively run it for participation. Submissions can focus on the outreach, impact, and achievements of the program.
Shall be a program where participation does not require someone who is actively running it at the affiliated institution.
Recognition
This category works to recognize programs that focus on recognition. This category is intended to highlight the importance of recognition across the residential housing community.
Shall be a program focused on recognition at the affiliated institution.
Service
This category works to recognize the importance of service initiatives in residential life. A service or philanthropic program that benefits a group, charity, or other organization. The program should focus on the importance of the residents giving back to the communities in which they live.
Shall be a program that has a primary focus of service or philanthropic activities at the affiliated institution.
Social
This category works to recognize the importance of programs that promote social interaction and engagement within the residential community. Any social program that focuses on resident interaction and their ability to meet new people. Programs in this category can range from a floor social program to a campus wide program.
Shall be a program focused on interaction and/or social engagement at the affiliated institution.