University of Delaware
Office of Public Relations
UpDate - Vol. 16, No. 17, Jan. 23, 1997
Nominations due March 3 for UD Innovation Award

     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 toward promoting
University-wide objectives.
     Initiated three 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.
     Last year, members of the Graduate Admissions Innovation
Team received the award for "Graduate Admission Processing on the
World Wide Web," an application of technology that ensures a
smoother flow of business among and between University offices
involved in the processing of graduate admissions.
     Nominations, which are due March 3 to deans or unit
supervisors, 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, 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 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 18 as to whether their proposal is moving
   forward or will not be considered further,
        * the provost, the executive vice president and the vice
   president for administration will review proposals forwarded
   by the college deans and unit heads and make recommendations
   to the president no later than  April 1,
        * the president will inform awardees no later than April
   15, as well as those whose proposals are not selected.
     Innovation Award recipients will be honored at the annual
spring Service Recognition dinner on April 30.
     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.