Awards Guidelines

1. Environmental Leadership Awards are given biennially for significant contributions to the principles and objectives of UConn's Environmental Policy Statement.
2. Nominations for the awards will be accepted and evaluated in each of the following categories.  For the undergraduate, graduate, faculty/administrator, and staff categories, individuals or groups may be nominated.
   1. Undergraduate Student
   2. Graduate Student
   3. Faculty/Administrator
   4. Staff
   5. UConn-Affiliated Groups (formally recognized clubs, organizations, centers, and institutes)
   6. Team (cooperative networks that may not have a formal affiliation but have worked together on a program, initiative, etc.)
   7. Alumni
   8. Special Recognition/External
3. Nominations should cover activities that took place during the 2007 and/or 2008 calendar year(s).
4. Self-nominations will be accepted.
5. Nominations can be submitted online at the EcoHusky website until March 1st.
6. Announcement of winners will be done on or around Earth Day (April 22nd).  Recipients will be notified in advance in order to participate in an award ceremony.

 Criteria for Nomination

1. Nominees must be affiliated with the University in one of the award categories.  Alumni and Special Recognition/External nominees need not currently be working directly with the University provided that their work reflects positively upon the University's reputation.
2. Nominees must have proven dedication and outstanding contributions to at least one of the principles of environmental leadership as outlined in UConn's Environmental Policy Statement and described below:

   Performance:
   Help ensure environmental compliance or improve environmental responsibility as it relates to the University's operational, research, or other activities.

   Responsible Management and Growth:

   • Significantly influence or promote environmentally sustainable design and construction of UConn buildings or sustainable landscaping of UConn's grounds, or
   • Improve practices for maintaining them in order to better protect the environment, natural resources, public health and safety

   Outreach:
   Demonstrate UConn's environmental stewardship and initiative through volunteer efforts and partnerships with surrounding communities or non-profit organizations working on behalf of the environment.

   Academics:      
   Advance understanding of the environment through academic endeavors.  These include but aren't limited to:

   • Developing a new General Education course,
   • Implementing an environment-related curriculum enhancement, or
   • Conducting an innovative education, research or outreach program that either improves environmental literacy at UConn or demonstrates UConn's academic leadership in the area of environmental sustainability

   Conservation:

   • Conserve or restore natural resources (including energy, water, etc.) or improve habitat and ecological value on UConn-owned land or areas that may be affected by UConn's activities; OR
   • Increase UConn's use of environmentally sustainable products, materials and services (including those that are renewable, recycled, recyclable, non-toxic, or energy or resource efficient).

   Teamwork:       
   Achieve shared environmental goals, i.e., initiate environment-related activities or organizations that involve multiple parties, disciplines or functions across the University  

3.  The nominees' activities related to the principles above should have taken place in the 2007 and/or 2008 calendar year(s).