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Nominations are being sought from the campus community for the UD Innovation Award, which recognizes employees and work groups who have made a significant contribution recently toward promoting University-wide objectives.
Initiated eight years ago, the program has been greeted with enthusiasm by college and administrative units, according to Maxine Colm, vice president for administration. She noted that the Innovation Award is an incentive program that encourages work groups and/or departmental units to design projects that improve overall institutional innovation and effectiveness as well as the quality of life in the workforce and in the larger community.
“The Innovation Award program offers individuals and units an opportunity to be recognized for making the campus environment more conducive to learning and the conduct of University business more efficient,” Colm said. “I am confident that, as in prior years, we will have an outstanding group of nominees for award consideration."
Nominations, which are due March 15, should focus on one or more of the following areas: increased operational efficiencies, new applications of technology, documented cost savings, improved employee morale, customer (student) satisfaction, adaptability to other University offices/units, team-building initiatives and community outreach.
Nominations, to be submitted to the appropriate dean or unit supervisor, should be in a one-page memorandum that outlines the names and titles of the persons participating and their respective offices/units and a brief description of the initiative. The nomination materials should include how the design of the project meets one or more of the established criteria for the program.
Any additional documentation in support of the proposal also should be included. The review process will include review by the dean or unit supervisor, who may appoint a committee to assist in selecting no more than two proposals for continued review. Individuals or teams will be notified no later than March 29 if their proposal is moving forward or will not be considered further.
The selected proposals are due to the vice president for administration by March 29. The provost, executive vice president and the vice president for administration will review all proposals forwarded by the college deans and unit supervisors and make recommendations to the president no later than April 5.
The president will inform awardees no later than April 12, as well as those whose proposals are not selected.
Innovation Award recipients will be honored at the annual spring Service Recognition dinner on May 16. Each recipient will receive a cash bonus of $250 and a certificate of recognition. An article describing the projects honored will be published in UpDate.
Last year, two groups of winners were recognized — one that developed a “Problem-Based Learning Clearinghouse” to coordinate academic and technical talents to expand opportunities for faculty in this innovative teaching area, and the other team that developed “UDMart,” an online catalog that has enhanced workflow among UD offices.
Questions regarding the UD Innovation Award should be directed to Richie Holland, manager of human resources, at 831-2059. The web site is at [www.udel.edu/EmployeeTraining/innovation.html].
Feb 18,2002
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