National Residence Hall Honorary, "The top 1% of campus leadership" University of Missouri Chapter, Columbia, Mo.

Of-the-Month Awards (OTMs)

General Information

What is an OTM?

An OTM, or "Of-The-Month" is an award written by students and/or staff members to recognize a person/group or program/event for outstanding service and leadership in the residence halls.

Download the OTM informational flyer here!

When should I write an OTM?

Anytime you want to recognize someone for what they do in the residence halls!  You can nominate a hard-working resident or stakeholder, or recognize a program/event that went really well!  You can make an OTM for any occasion to show how great our campus is and award those who deserve it!

What do I write an OTM about?

There’s a whole list of categories you can use to help you decide what OTMs to write!  You can write about a program (Program Category) or a person/group (General Category).  Look below to see all the different options to choose from.

How to Submit:

  1. Log on to http://otms.nrhh.org.
  2. If you don’t already have an account, you can create one  using the “Create Account” link on the mid-left side of the page or click here.
  3. If you don’t want to create an account, click either “General Category” (to nominate a person/group) or “Program Category” (to nominate a program/event) under Submit OTMS on the top left side of the page.
  4. Fill out your information under the “nominator” side of the page.  Then fill out the information for the person, group, or event you are nominating on the “nominee” side of the page.
  5. Fill in the boxes below that with the details of the person, group, or event and why they should be awarded.  Then click submit!  Easy as that!

OTM Categories and Descriptions

Advisor

Any  individual  who  directly  advises  a  residence  life  organization  and  has  made outstanding contributions to the organization(s).  The individual may be the main advisor or the graduate advisor.

Community Service Program

A service or philanthropic program that benefits a group, charity, or other organization.  This could include drives, fundraising, charity runs and/or book fairs, or other specific events. The program should focus on the importance of the residents giving back to their broader communities in which they live.

Diversity Program

A program that promotes and educates about diversity and understanding. This program illustrates the importance of promoting diversity in the residence halls as well as embracing diversity in the everyday lives of the residents. 

Educational Program

A program meant to educate residents/students about a topic, issue or idea. Programs nominated in this category can range from academic success programming, learning a new skill or promoting global citizenship, etc. 

Executive Board Member

This category recognizes 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 across residence halls on their campus.

First Year Student

Any student first year student leader (freshman, transfer student, non-traditional, etc) who excels in adapting to a new environment within their residence hall and taking an active role in their communities and positively impacting those around them.  Submissions in this category may emphasize academics, leadership, involvement, contributions to community, floor, hall, residence life organizations, etc. Individuals that would be eligible for nomination in any other category are ineligible for nomination in the First Year Student category.

Institution Faculty/Staff

Individuals who aid students in their academics, which includes professors, instructors, teaching assistants, counselors, and other academic affairs staff. This category is intended to recognize institutional faculty who have made a contribution to the residence life community both in and out of the classroom.

Organization

Any organization that has actively contributed to the student leadership, recognition, or other aspects of residence life during the month of nomination. This is for recognition of the organization as a whole and not just the accomplishments of a few members.   Emphasis should be placed on the successes of the organization as well as how they have helped the campus in general and the residence life community.

Passive Program

Any program that does not require anyone to actively run it for people to participate in it.  This category is intended to recognize residential programming that occurs through bulletin boards, newsletters, pamphlets, etc.

Residence Life Faculty/Staff

Individuals who aid residents within the housing campus community.  This category is intended to recognize the Residence Life Faculty/Staff who are not eligible for the Resident Assistant category and who have made contributions to the residence life community.

Resident Assistant (PA/CA/LA/NCO)

Any  individual  within  a  residence  hall  student  staff  who  has  worked  with/impacted residents on their floor or in their hall, gone above and beyond the duties of their job, supporting residents in the communities in  which they  work, supported their residence life organizations, and/or made outstanding contributions to the hall in which they work during  the  month  of  nomination.  The  OTM  should  focus  on  the  nominee’s accomplishments within the RA role, but may also include other roles or responsibilities taken  on  during  the  month  of  nomination,  such  as  supporting  the  above-mentioned organizations.

Residential Community

Any  residential  community,  such  as  wings,  halls,  floor,  complexes,  etc.  This  award should emphasize what this community has done as well as how it has supported others (both within and outside their community). This community being recognized must not be an official campus organization. Should illustrate what brings a  group of individuals together and how they worked together as a group to accomplish their goals during the month of nomination. Communities that  would be eligible for nomination in any other category are ineligible for nomination in the Community category.

Social Program

Any social program that focuses on resident interaction and their ability to meet new people and socialize.  Programs in this category can range from being a floor social program to a campus wide program.

Spotlight

Anything that does not fall under any of the other categories that you feel is worthy of an Of the Month recognition.  Individuals or groups that would be eligible for nomination in any other category are ineligible for nomination in the Spotlight category.

Student

Any individual enrolled as a student at the institution who has made outstanding contributions to the residence halls during the month of nomination. Things to consider may be students who have made a contribution to their floor, hall, residence life organization, etc. through leadership, motivation, programming, volunteering and/or being a role model for other residents during the month of nomination. This OTM may address several areas of student life, such as academics, leadership, involvement and more. Also of importance is how the nominee has balanced their roles as a leader and a student and the display of good academic choices. Advisors, executive board members, first year students and anyone that can be classified as being in the resident assistant category are not eligible for an award in this category.