2008-2009 Roosevelt Ruffin Diversity Award at SVSU
The Roosevelt Ruffin Award Program was created to promote and encourage support of diversity by recognizing individuals and/or groups of individuals at SVSU who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and creativity in the area of diversity. SVSU alumni, students, faculty and staff may nominate candidates. The recipient of this award will receive a monetary award presented at the 2009 All-University Awards Banquet.
Diversity is represented by a variety of different characteristics and activities that promote, and enhance an environment that fosters and supports the personal and intellectual growth of students, faculty, and staff at SVSU.
Criteria
Submit a letter of nomination that addresses how the nominee or team/group has demonstrated a significant commitment to enhance diversity at SVSU including at least three of the following:
- Description of accomplishments, leadership and service in support of diversity enhancement
- Description of achievement in creating a supportive environment
- Description of success in recruiting and retaining individuals who represent diverse groups among faculty, staff and administrative positions
- Description of success in recruiting, retaining, and graduating individuals who represent diverse groups among students
- Description of efforts to change the University’s culture to be more accepting and understanding of diverse cultures
- Description of methods used to educate University leadership in areas of diversity
- Description of the development and implementation of community outreach projects related to diversity
Eligibility
Award nominees can be SVSU academic or academic support units (or teams within a unit), campus organizations, students, alumni, faculty or staff who have implemented policies, procedures, and/or programs at SVSU to enhance diversity on the basis of color, race, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran or military service status, gender identity, economic status, political belief and marital status.
What activities are suitable in a nomination?
Nominations must cite activities that demonstrate the significant contribution that the individual or team/group, unit/organization has made toward advancing human rights, equity, diversity and special and social justice at SVSU and the broader community.
What should be included in a nomination packet?
A complete nomination packet must include the following:
- A legibly written or typed nomination statement that addresses at lease three of the criteria; not the exceed three (3) pages.
- Completed Nomination Form (either Individual Nomination Form or Group Nomination Form).
- Three (3) letters of support not to exceed more than one (1) page each. At least one (1) letter of support must be from someone currently employed at SVSU, e.g., administrator, faculty, or staff member.
- Current vita or resume of any person nominated for the "Individual" category.
- For "Team/Group" nomination, include a list of all teams members, and position.
How are winners selected?
The Roosevelt Ruffin Diversity Award Committee will select one award to be given to an individual or team/group. The committee, SVSU’s faculty and support staff may change from year to year. The committee will be chaired by Dr. Mamie T. Thorns, Special Assistant to the President for Diversity Programs.
Additional Nomination Forms
For additional information, please contact the Office of Diversity at (989) 964-4068 or e-mail us at mtthorns@svsu.edu. Regular office hours are Monday-Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Mail Nominations To:
Dr. Mamie T. Thorns
Saginaw Valley State University
Office of Diversity Programs
Roosevelt Ruffin Diversity Award
7400 Bay Road
University Center, MI 48710