This prestigious award recognizes one student at the November convocation ceremony who excels in their studies and contributes to life of their institution or community during post-secondary study, rewarding one or more of these activities: inclusion, democracy, and reconciliation.
Faculty or staff may nominate students for contributions made that demonstrate any one of the three award criteria (described below).
In granting this award, Royal Roads University may also give consideration to students who have overcome significant personal challenges, and/or may be members of historically disadvantaged groups that face sociocultural barriers to full participation in B.C. society. For example, single mothers, members of the LGBTQ2S+ community or students with refugee status.
Eligibility
- undergraduate student
- eligible to convocate this calendar year (whether in June or November)
- receive a nomination from a faculty or staff member
- preference may be given to single mothers, members of the LGBTQ2S+ community or students with refugee status
- in the case of a tie, GPA will be used to decide the recipient
Award criteria
Inclusion
Inclusion and Diversity are sources of strength and at the heart of the success of B.C. communities.
This award criterion recognizes students who have promoted diversity and inclusion on campus or in their community. Students must demonstrate strong collaboration and unifying efforts, through the promotion and display of tolerance, and respect for others. Institutions may wish to consider the significance, impact and outcome of a student’s contribution, and the personal example set by the student, when making nominations under this category.
Examples:
- A student may be recognized for their work in building community through the organization and coordination of events, activities or services, that contribute to a more welcoming and supportive environment on campus.
- A student may be recognized for their work organizing a community response to an act of intolerance.
Democracy
This criterion recognizes students who have strengthened democracy through civic engagement for the advancement of human rights. Students must demonstrate recognition of the fundamental rights and dignity of all persons at a local, national or global level Institutions may wish to consider the significance, impact and outcome of a student’s contribution, and the personal example set by student when making nominations under this category.
It is important to note that the Lieutenant Governor’s medal program for Inclusion, Democracy, and Reconciliation is a non-partisan award. Activities directly tied to or coordinated by a political party or movement are not considered grounds for nomination.
Examples:
- A student may be recognized for their contribution to student governance or promoting social change and public discourse on campus, in their community or online.
- A student may be recognized who has supported, advocated or empowered minority rights and/or the most vulnerable in society such as those with mental health or addiction challenges, the homeless, new immigrant youth or refugees.
Reconciliation
In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada urgently called Canadians to take action to transform society by establishing a renewed relationship with indigenous peoples. This criterion recognizes students who have answered this call to Reconciliation and are undertaking important efforts to heal their communities.
Institutions may wish to consider the significance, impact and outcome of a student’s contribution, and the personal example set by the student, when making nominations under this category.
Examples:
- A student may be recognized for their collaboration with a local Indigenous community to start a for-profit business s where proceeds support programming for indigenous women.
- A student may be recognized for teaching indigenous ways of knowing and doing (an indigenous language, law, dance, or another custom) to other students.
The recipient will be contacted approximately six weeks before November convocation.
How to nominate a candidate
- Program Heads each select one candidate to put forward to the School Director.
- Nearing November convocation, each School is invited to put forward one nomination to the Administrative Managers.
- The Deans review the nominations together select the recipient.
