ACCUO presents recognition awards to acknowledge the dedication and impact of its members. The awards celebrate meaningful contributions to the Association and to the broader practice of ombuds work. 

​

Distinguished Service Award

This is ACCUO’s most prestigious award. The distinguished service award (DSA): awarded from time to time to recognize an individual who has, or a group of individuals who have made, an extraordinary contribution to the development, support and/or furtherance of Ombudmanship in higher education. Since its creation, the DSA is presented to those who have made outstanding contributions to ACCUO’s development and to the development of the ombuds function through their individual practice, leadership roles within both ACCUO and other ombuds organizations and the Ombuds profession as a whole.

​

Criteria
The individual:
(i) shall have contributed above average time, effort or energy to ACCUO, and/or other Ombuds Association and their activities (including association executive and/or committees);
(ii) shall have demonstrated support for ACCUO and its goals;
(iii) shall have presented or facilitated a discussion on an Ombudsing issue at an ACCUO or other Ombuds Association meeting or conference;
(iv) shall have fostered significant change at his or her institution and is considered a model Ombuds at other universities or colleges;
(v) is a long-time member (typically a minimum of 10 years) of ACCUO;
(vi) shall have exceptional contribution and service on both ACCUO Executive and committees; and
(vii) is well recognized as a leader and mentor in Ombuds higher education at institutional and
regional level.

Selection
Nominations must be received in writing and signed by two nominators. It is essential that detailed support for all relevant criteria be supplied by the nominators for the candidate to be considered. Selection will be made by the Association Executive Committee.

​

Presentation
The presentation will be made at the Association’s Conference or other appropriate occasion agreed upon by the Association Executive Committee. Traditionally, the DSA gift has been a gold pin embossed with the portrait of Lars Mannerheim, first parliamentary ombudsman in Sweden in 1809 (although not required).

Special Contribution Award