How to Nominate Someone for the USC Ice Bucket Challenge

Overview

The USC Ice Bucket Challenge is a campus and community tradition that raises awareness and funds for ALS research through peer nomination and public participation. If you want to nominate someone, the process centers on identifying an eligible individual, gathering required materials, and submitting through official USC channels before stated deadlines. This guide explains how the challenge works at USC, who can be nominated, and how to prepare a strong nomination while aligning with university communications policies.

What is the USC Ice Bucket Challenge

The USC Ice Bucket Challenge is a university-sanctioned event that invites the Trojan community to nominate peers, mentors, and leaders to participate in the ice water bucket-raising activity. It serves as a fundraising and awareness initiative for ALS research, framed within USC’s commitment to health, community engagement, and public service. The event typically coordinates with national ALS initiatives while maintaining its own campus-specific timeline, branding, and participant guidelines.

Nomination Eligibility and Criteria

To ensure safety and meaningful participation, USC applies clear eligibility criteria to nominations. Nominees must meet the following baseline conditions, and nominations should reflect individuals who embody the values of leadership, service, and community spirit central to the initiative.

Attribute	Verified Detail	Source Type
Affiliation	Current faculty, staff, students, or recognized USC-affiliated organizations	University policy and event guidelines
Age	18 years or older at the time of participation	Institutional event requirements
Health considerations	Medical clearance may be required; certain health restrictions apply	Event safety protocols
Participation limits	Individuals may participate periodically, per event cycle rules	Event guidelines and historical procedures

How to Submit a Nomination

Submitting a nomination involves collecting the required information and using official USC channels. The typical process includes completing an online form, providing details about the nominee, and agreeing to event policies. Late or incomplete submissions are generally not considered, so attention to deadlines and instructions is essential.

Locate the official nomination form on the designated USC communications or development portal.
Fill out all requested fields accurately, including the nominee’s name, contact information, and USC identifier if applicable.
Provide a brief description of the nominee’s contributions that align with the challenge’s objectives.
Submit the form by the published deadline and confirm receipt via email or portal notification.

Selection, Timing, and Communication

After submissions close, the organizing team reviews nominations against eligibility, capacity, and event objectives. Selected participants are notified through official USC email and given instructions for event logistics, including dates, locations, and preparation guidelines. Because participation involves safety and scheduling considerations, not every eligible nominee may be selected for each cycle.

Communications around the challenge follow university branding and media guidelines. Nominators and nominees are encouraged to coordinate with USC Public Relations or designated event staff before sharing details on personal or external channels to ensure consistent messaging.

Best Practices and Common Issues

Following best practices improves the likelihood that a nomination is reviewed and acted upon. Be precise, timely, and concise in your submission, and verify all contact information before submitting. Avoid resubmitting duplicate nominations, as these can delay review and clutter the selection pool.

If a nomination is not selected, it may be due to timing, capacity, or incomplete information rather than the merit of the nominee. You can submit a new nomination in a future cycle if the individual remains eligible and willing to participate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question	Answer	Source Type
Who can nominate someone for the USC Ice Bucket Challenge	Members of the USC community, including students, faculty, staff, and recognized organizations	Event guidelines
Can alumni be nominated	Nominations are generally limited to current USC affiliates; exceptions may be considered at the discretion of organizers	Event policy documentation
How often can an individual participate	Participation may be limited to specific intervals per event policy, to ensure broad engagement and safety	Event and safety guidelines
What happens after a nomination is submitted	Nominations are reviewed for eligibility; selected participants receive official notification and next-step instructions	Communications and event workflow
Is participation mandatory after nomination	No, participation is voluntary. Selected individuals may decline without penalty	Event policies and participant rights

Key Dates and Planning Considerations

Planning a nomination requires attention to deadlines, preparation steps, and internal approvals. Below is a summary of typical timelines and actions to align your nomination with event planning cycles.

Date or Period	Event	Why It Matters
Nomination window opens	Official forms and guidelines become available	Allows adequate time to prepare materials and gather information
Nomination submission deadline	Cutoff for receiving nominations	Ensures sufficient review time and event logistics planning
Participant selection announced	Notification of selected nominees	Enables participants to prepare for event requirements
Event date	Day of the ice bucket challenge activity	Core event for fundraising and awareness

Aligning With USC Communications Policies

All nominations and related materials should comply with USC communications policies. This includes respecting privacy, avoiding misleading claims, and coordinating any public announcements through designated offices. Working with USC Public Relations ensures that the event maintains a consistent, responsible presence across channels.