9 staff recognized for Bright Ideas

UD's Bright Ideas program is generating wide-ranging and innovative suggestions from faculty and staff. Winning suggestions for December and January were illuminating, coin and paper conscientious and music to one's ears.

Nine UD faculty and staff received $100 in their paychecks and will receive T-shirts and certificates at a reception in April, as well as recognition in UpDate and on UDaily. The University launched the campuswide campaign in November to encourage UD personnel to share their bright ideas and be rewarded for their innovative suggestions.

After reviewing the Bright Ideas submitted thus far, Richie Holland, manager of Human Resources, said the program is working better than expected. "There were 35 submissions for the month of December, an overwhelmingly positive response with very diverse ideas from faculty and staff. I am really amazed at how far-reaching this program has become in such a short time."

December winners were

Patricia Haas, assistant director, Student Health Services, who suggested additional lighting at the corner of Amstel and South College avenues to better illuminate the pedestrian crosswalk;

Qiang Hu, postdoctoral fellow with the Bartol Research Institute, who suggested replacing paper book overdue notices now sent through Campus Mail with automatic e-mail notices;

Saundra M. Jenkins, program coordinator, Student Center, who suggested giving all on-campus vending machines the ability to accept both cash and UD1-FLEX cards; and

Robert J. Long, research associate in biological sciences, who would like to see the UD band record and sell a CD.

In addition to Holland, the selection committee for December's Bright Ideas included Maxine Colm, vice president for administration; Steve Fifield, assistant professor of biological sciences; Gil Johnson, associate director, Student Center, Professional Advisory Council representative; and Sue Lane, staff assistant, bioresources engineering, Salaried Staff Advisory Council representative.

January winners were

Scott Mason, associate director, Student Center, who suggested a separate student-activities catering menu, geared more toward student food and beverage preferences;

Ronald Nichols, manager, IT-User Services, who proposed listing department and college web page locations in UD's Campus Directory;

Sara E. Poultney, administrative assistant, Undergraduate Research Program, and Susan Tkachick, coordinator, Office of Vice Provost for Research, who suggested that employees use UDaily as their home page to keep better informed; and

Susan D. Tompkins, project director, Office of the Vice Provost for Research, who proposed that information about reimbursement of dependent day care claims be distributed through e-mail or on the web, similar to pay check stubs, rather than issuing paper statements.

The selection committee for January's Bright Ideas included Colm; Teresa DeRose, analyst, Facilities Administration, Professional Advisory Council representative; Kimberly Doucette, administrative assistant, marine studies, Salaried Staff Advisory Council representative; Holland; and Connie Vickery, professor of nutrition and dietetics.

"Not all suggestions can or will be selected as Bright Ideas," Holland said. Moreover, not all suggestions selected as Bright Ideas will be implemented, he said, "but all ideas are appreciated."

To submit a suggestion, go to the "Bright Ideas" web site at [www.brightideas.udel.edu] or click on the "Bright Ideas" link on UDaily [www.udel.edu/udaily]. Entries are due by the end of each month, and up to four winning ideas will be selected monthly.

For more information, contact Holland at 831-2059 or via e-mail to [richieh@udel.edu].