University of Nottingham Students' Union - Prizes and Awards

Prizes and Awards

There are currently four levels of awards granted by the Students' Union to graduating students :

• Ordo Caligulae
• Honorary Life Membership
• Union Prize
• Student Experience Award

The Students' Union makes the following awards to non-students:

• Don Varley Award
• Golden Jubilee Award

The Ordo Caligulae is the highest award of the Students' Union, and includes Honorary Life Membership of the Students' Union, and consequently members of the Ordo Caligulae enjoy those benefits detailed under Honorary Life Membership. Membership of the Ordo Caligulae (literally, "The Order of the Boot") is granted to those "who have given outstanding contribution to the University of Nottingham Students’ Union." It is probably named after Jesse Boot (later Lord Trent), who was a great benefactor of the University. Members entering the Ordo Caligulae are presented with a cast metal boot on a pedestal at the Union's Annual General Meeting. This is at a substantial expense to the Students' Union when compared with the cost of the other awards. The existence of the Ordo Caligulae is laid down in the Ordinances of the University (Ordinance XI: Union of Students), which are themselves approved by the Privy Council.Honorary Life Membership is conferred on those who have furthered the achievements of the aims of the University of Nottingham Students’ Union.

The Students' Union Constitution lays down certain rights of its members (including Honorary Members):

1. Take part in functions organised by the Students’ Union.
2. Become members of all Clubs and Societies affiliated to the Students’ Union.
3. Attend Union Council, Executive Committee and Standing Committees
4. Wear official University colours.

(Further rights, such as the ability to stand and vote in Students' Union Elections, are reserved for "Full Members" - those registered as students at the University).In recent years typically five to eight new Honorary Life Members have been created in any year. With typically thirty recipients each year (from a graduating class numbering around 8000) the Union Prize is presented to graduating students of the University of Nottingham in recognition of their contribution to the benefit of the students.