The AIR Outstanding Service Award (OSA) has been created to recognize members or former members who have made extraordinary and sustained contributions to the Association for Institutional Research for a period of at least five years. Nominations for the OSA shall be to the Membership Committee chair of the Association. An affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Board of Directors shall be required for the award. The OSA may be awarded posthumously.

General Policy

1. The Outstanding Service Award, bestowed sparingly, should be a meaningful recognition of those individuals who have provided exemplary service and professional leadership to the Association for Institutional Research and who have actively supported and facilitated the goals and constitution of AIR.



2. The Outstanding Service Award differs from the Distinguished Membership Award in that it is restricted to members or former members who have exhibited outstanding service to the Association. The Distinguished Membership Award is awarded to members or former members who have made distinguished contributions to the broad field of institutional research. A member can be eligible for both awards.

Criteria

1. Has been a member of an AIR committee or board as specified in the Constitution, Article X



2. Has been an officer of or a recognized leader in the establishment of a regional, provincial, state, or special interest group that is associated with AIR



3. Has made a professional contribution to AIR by being actively involved in a combination of the following:

1. Presented contributed papers at the AIR Forum



2. Organized, offered, or acted as a primary participant in workshops at the AIR Forum, AIR regional workshops, or workshops sponsored by affiliated AIR groups



3. Participated in seminars at the AIR Forum



4. Chaired contributed paper and/or special interest group sessions at the AIR Forum



5. Contributed in some other specific and significant way that has advanced the professionalism of AIR.

Application of Criteria

The criteria outlined above are largely quantitative in nature and serve as minimal for nominee consideration. A nominee meeting these criteria is not assured selection. Rather, the spirit of the OSA has a qualitative dimension as well. The award is intended to recognize individuals who have made noteworthy personal contributions to the Association. Therefore, supportive nomination letters should emphasize qualitative as well as quantitative assessments of the nominee's contributions.

Procedures for Selection

1. Submit nominations via email to nominations@airweb.org. The deadline for nominations in January 15, 2010.



2. AIR members may submit nominations for Outstanding Service Award to the Membership Committee chair after the annual Call for Nominations. It will be the responsibility of the member submitting the nomination to provide all pertinent professional data to the Membership Committee chair.



3. The primary nominator should ask at least two other AIR members to provide supporting letters of recommendation to the Membership Committee chair.



4. All nominations are screened by the Membership Committee.



5. An affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Membership Committee is required in order to forward a nomination to the Board of Directors.



6. An affirmative vote by two-thirds of the Board of Directors is required for approval of an Outstanding Service Award.

Awards Submission

Attach supporting documentation and rationale (candidate's curriculum vitae and three supporting letters of recommendation) for each nominee.

Click here to view the Distinguished/Outstanding Awards recipients.