OTMs
Submission
Click here to go to the NRHH OTM database and submit an OTM.OTM submissions are due on the 7th of the month by midnight Central Time.
How to write OTMs
An OTM or Of The Month is a way to recognize outstanding programs and individuals within residence life. Not only do OTMs recognize an amazing person or program at your school, they also let other schools across the nation read how wonderful TU is and even create similar outstanding programs at their schools!Recognition is an important part of making people feel appreciated for what they do. Writing an OTM for someone who has gone above-and-beyond their job is a great way to make them feel important and to congratulate them on their great service. Plus, writing an OTM is quick and easy!
There are two types of OTMs, Program and General Of the Months. A Program OTM recognizes an amazing program or event. There are four categories of Program OTMs: Educational, Social, Diversity, and Community Service. Writing a Program OTM involves answering a short series of questions, such as what planning was involved, what were the goals of the event, and how could the event be adapted to another campus.
A General OTM recognizes a specific person or group of people. There are ten categories of General OTMs: Advisor, Community, Executive Board Member, Organization, First Year Student, Resident Assistant, Spotlight, Student, Bulletin Board, and Custodial/Maintenance. Bulletin Board and Custodial/Maintenance are campus only OTMs and do not move on to the Regional and National levels. The format of a General OTM varies by category, but generally involves writing 600 words that describe the person's or group's accomplishments in the past month.
When writing an OTM, make sure you stay month specific. Your Resident Assistant Matt has certainly done a really good job over the past couple of months, but make sure you only talk about what he did during September when writing an OTM that is submitted for September. And make sure you use all the words you can. And keep in mind that this isn't an academic paper. It will be read and evaluated by students, so be creative! (When writing about Bulletin Board, please submit a picture to otms@utulsa.edu).
OTMs are due on the 7th of the month following the month for which they are written. That means that an OTM written for that amazing Welcome Week program in August is due by September 7th at 11:59 PM.
Still not so sure on what an OTM is? Email us at otms@utulsa.edu, or visit the OTMs database (click submit OTMs link above) and read past winners to get inspired.