Why enter the SIGUCCS Communication Awards?

To help answer some questions you may have concerning the SIGUCCS Communications Awards, here is some advice from three members of the 2008 ACM SIGUCCS Communication Awards Team, whose institutions won more than 40 Communication Awards in the previous five years, and some answers to other commonly asked questions.

Why should I enter the SIGUCCS Communication Awards?

There are several reasons to consider here. How about to receive the adulation of your peers at universities and colleges across the country? Or just the respect and admiration of colleagues at your institution (think how proud your boss will be when you inform her you've won). Earning an award in a highly competitive, international, peer-juried competition has been rumored to never hurt during times of increasingly tightening budgets, too.

Entering also helps to raise the level of excellence for future ACM SIGUCCS Communication Awards. All winning entries are displayed during the annual fall conference, so all conference participants can see your work - which might spark ideas for your colleagues to take back to their university or college, and might give you a chance to take some ideas back home, yourself.

Plus all entries receive feedback from the judges, so even if your entry isn't award-worthy this year, you will get some unbiased peer feedback about what you are doing well and where you might target potential improvements.

What should I enter in the SIGUCCS Communication Awards?

Take a look at all the categories and then consider entering any Website, publication or other promotional material developed by staff affiliated with your institution that will fit into those categories. Don't be too self-critical. Remember, a project you consider mundane might actually be breaking new ground - and spark ideas for other institutions. You also might enter something, just to receive the peer feedback. Hearing the opinion of someone unfettered by the traditions, habits and politics at your institution may cause you (or your boss) to view things in a new light.

Does my piece have to have been made this year to be entered in the SIGUCCS Communication Awards?

No. We are aware that the entry deadline may not align well with your own organization's driving factors. And since we do what you do, we understand that you always want to send in your latest things, since it's always so much better that the older stuff. But go ahead and send in that piece from last year. You may send in work that was created in past years, too. And then next year you can send in that great piece that was finished just after this year's entry deadline.

May I enter the same piece in multiple categories in the SIGUCCS Communication Awards?

If your entry can fit in multiple categories, you most certainly may enter it in those categories, and do modify your descriptions for each category to explain why it fits there. Remember, each category is judged by last year's winner in that category. So, each category may be judged by a different peer group. Imagine your pride (and that of your boss) when one of your entries is deemed a winner by different judges.

I have a wonderful print piece, but you're saying you prefer a PDF -- how should handle this?

Fantastic! Send in both! To make certain that the judge receives your entry before the deadline, when you fill out the entry form, send a URL to the PDF and be certain to mention what kind of paper stock the piece was printed on in your description. Then, do mail your copies of the print piece to the judge (believe us, we know what an impact that paper stock can make).

So send your entries in before the deadline, and let the judges decide.