UpDate - Vol. 15, No. 18, Page 1
February 1, 1996
'96 Innovation Award to recognize contributions

     Nominations are being sought from the campus community for the UD
Innovation Award, which recognizes employees and work groups whose
projects have made a significant contribution toward promoting
University-wide objectives.
     This is the second year for the program.
     According to Maxine Colm, vice president for employee relations,
last year's pilot program was greeted with enthusiasm.
     "Twenty-two proposals were received from colleges and
administrative units," Colm said. "I am pleased that the Innovation
Award is now a permanent part of the University's program that
recognizes the meritorious contributions of employees and employee
groups. I hope for, and encourage, broad participation in 1996."
     The Innovation Award recognizes work groups and departmental
units whose members have designed projects that improve overall
institutional innovation and effectiveness, as well as the quality of
life in the work force and in the larger University community, Colm
said.
     Nominations, which are due March 1, 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
head, 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, including 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 should
also be included.
     The review process will include:
        * the dean or unit head, 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
          April 1 as to whether their proposal is moving forward or
          will not be considered further,
        * the provost, the senior vice president and the vice
          president for employee relations will review proposals
          forwarded by the college deans and unit heads and make
          recommendations to the president no later than April 15,
        * the president will inform awardees, no later than May 1, as
          well as those whose proposals are not selected.

     Innovation Award recipients will be honored at the annual spring
Service Recognition dinner.
     Each recipient will receive a cash bonus of $250 and a
certificate of recognition. The work team or department unit will
receive a commemorative plaque and UpDate will publish an article
describing the projects honored.
     The recipients of the first University Innovation Award,
announced last fall, were recognized for their contributions to the
development of FLEX BY PHONE, the Interactive Voice Response System
that enables employees to access personal benefits information and to
make changes in their benefits during a two-week enrollment period.
     In its first year, the program was used by more than 1,200
employees.