All the classics return for 2019, and they've brought a mate. This year we're introducing the Spotlight Award, a celebration of students groups that have gone above and beyond to support other groups, have overcome adversity, or have shown outstanding charitable prowess.
Download the criteria PDF below for a full breakdown of each award.
Voting for this year's Spotlight Award has now closed.
The Panel
All nominations will be decided by a panel comprising of:
- Vice President Societies and Media
- Societies and Media Groups Coordinator
- Student Opportunities Manager
- Student Opportunities Committee representative
For the following awards a further representative will join the panel:
- Skills and Employability Cup: Representative from the Careers Service
- Community Shield: Representative from Royal Holloway Volunteering
- Raising and Giving: Representative from RAG Board
- Sarah Parker Remond Inclusion and Accessibility Award: Vice President Welfare and Diversity
Individual
Freshman of the Year
This is awarded to an individual who is new to the group, has shown outstanding dedication and made a significant contribution to the success of the group’s activities this year. Nominees for this award must have joined the group this academic year, though they do not need to be in their first year at Royal Holloway.
Society Crest
This is awarded to someone who has gone above and beyond the call of duty of any member or committee member throughout their years of participation, and has shown outstanding dedication and commitment to their group. Nominees for this award should not be in their first year at Royal Holloway, nor should they have joined their specific group this academic year.
Vice President's Cup
This is awarded to someone who has shown outstanding dedication to Student Opportunities, going above and beyond to make a difference to societies or media, and wider student engagement, dedicating their time to a number of different areas within the Students' Union and student groups.
Group
Skills and Employability Cup
This is awarded to a group that has shown a clear dedication or made an outstanding effort in the area of improving the employability, and/or employable skills, of their members through their group’s activities.
Community Shield
This is awarded to a group that has made a significant impact on the relationship between Royal Holloway Students’ Union and the local community. They should have engaged in consistent and high quality volunteering, fundraising or community projects facilitated either by themselves or Royal Holloway Volunteering.
Raising and Giving
This is awarded to a group that has made a significant contribution to the RAG total this year, not only in size of donation but also in commitment, ingenuity and consistency.
Best Event
This is awarded to a group that has organised and delivered a show stopping event this year that was innovative, exciting and has left a lasting impression on those that attended.
Most Improved Society
This is awarded to a group that has made significant effort to develop this year including membership recruitment, range and success of events, maintaining good finances, committee development etc.
Best New Society
This is awarded to a group that has gone above and beyond the expected growth of a new society in their first full year as a ratified group. Through this they will have successfully established themselves as a group significantly impacting on student life at Royal Holloway, and on the Students’ Union.
Sarah Parker Remond Inclusion and Accessibility Award
Sarah Parker Remond was an African American activist, an anti-slavery lecturer and the first black student at Bedford College. Throughout her life she promoted inclusivity, equality and worked tirelessly to support the rights of minority groups. The Inclusion and Accessibility award is therefore awarded to a group that has demonstrated an outstanding effort to ensure that their activities are as accessible as possible, and have made a significant effort to promote an inclusive attitude within their membership and in the wider campus community.
Society of the Year
This is awarded to a group that has made a significant contribution to Royal Holloway, student life, and the Students’ Union. They should have worked in order to significantly grow as a group, increasing their membership, holding innovative events, and working to hit objectives across all areas of the development plan.
Spotlight Award
Nominations have been put forward by societies and media outlets and shortlisted by the Socs Ball panel, with the final four put to a public vote. This award will recognise a Bronze, Silver and Gold recipient.