UpDate - Vol. 12, No. 23, Page 1
March 11, 1993
New appraisal system set for professional evaluations

     A new performance appraisal system for University professional staff
members has been approved for implementation this spring, according to
Maxine Colm, vice president for employee relations.
     "The annual performance evaluation should be an opportunity for mutual
discussion between a supervisor and professional staff member," Colm said. 
"The process should support clarification of job duties, while encouraging
mutual goal setting and creation of a plan for further development.
     "I had heard from many sources within the University that the 'PRIDE'
form simply wasn't meeting the needs of professionals or unit heads," she
said.
     The new evaluation system was developed in consultation with senior
administrators, deans, directors and members of such representative groups
as the Professional Advisory Council (PAC) and the Employee Relations
Advisory Council (ERAC), Colm said.
     "Without exception, the reaction to the new appraisal format has been
positive, even enthusiastic," she noted.
     Special features of the new system include a self-appraisal worksheet,
to identify accomplishments during the past year and set future goals, plus
an 11-item performance rating section. Where specific areas needing
improvement are identified, a performance improvement plan is available to
assist the supervisor and professional staff member.
     Copies of the performance evaluation forms will be distributed this
week to professionals. In addition, training workshops have been scheduled
to acquaint supervisors and professionals with the system.
     Those interested in learning more about the new performance appraisal
program for professionals may attend any of the following training
sessions:

       * Monday, March 22 - 9:30-10:30 a.m., Lecture Hall, Georgetown
         Higher Education Building;
       * Tuesday, March 23 - Noon-1 p.m., Kirkwood Room, Perkins Student
         Center (brown bag session);
       * Thursday, March 25 - Noon- 1 p.m., Blue and Gold Room, Perkins
         Student Center (brown bag session); and
       * Friday, March 26 - 8:30-9:30 a.m., Collins Room, Perkins Student
         Center.

     Electronic copies of the new appraisal forms are also available at any
computing site or by forwarding a formatted diskette to CNS, Office
Systems, 114 Newark Hall. Available versions include WordPerfect 5.0 or
5.1, WordPerfect for Windows and Macintosh Microsoft Word 5.0.  Be sure to
include name, department and return address on the formatted diskette.
     For more information on the electronic version of the new forms, call
the CNS Helpline at 831-6000.
     Completed performance appraisals should be returned to Employee
Services, Academy Building, by April 30.
     Questions?  Contact James Flynn, Employee Services, telephone
831-6651.