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 seven 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 recognizes the special contributions of departments and units that benefit the entire University community," Colm said. "Technological enhancements to library services, the more efficient processing of contracts and grants, and an award-winning format for the Messenger, our alumni magazine, are but a few of the projects that have received this recognition in past years. I am confident that this year's nominees will be of similar caliber."

Nominations, which are due March 16, 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 30 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 30. 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 6.

The president will inform awardees no later than April 13, as well as those whose proposals are not selected.

Innovation Award recipients will be honored at the annual spring Service Recognition dinner on May 17.

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.

Questions regarding the UD Innovation Award should be directed to Richie Holland, human resources, at 831-2059.