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| Vol. 17, No. 19 | Feb. 12, 1998 |
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| Vol. 17, No. 19 | Feb. 12, 1998 |
Initiated four years ago, the program has been greeted with enthusiasm by college and administrative units, according to Maxine Colm, vice president for administration.
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, she said.
Last year's proposals were outstanding and it was difficult to make a single award, Colm said. As a result, two awards were given-one to the Offices of Alumni and University Relations, Development, Media Services and Public Relations for their cooperative work on The Messenger, the award-winning publication for University alumni and friends, and the other to the Office of the Vice Provost for Research for developing a customer-oriented model that has streamlined the processing and awarding of research grants to academic departments.
"In both instances," Colm said, "technology and talented individuals came together to enhance services for the University community, and I am confident that proposals of similar excellence will be presented for consideration this year."
Nominations, which are due March 13, 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.
To help recognize the outstanding work of University employees during the last year, all members of the campus community are invited to submit recommendations.
Nominations, to be submitted to the appropriate dean or unit supervisor, should be in the form of a one-page memorandum that outlines the names and titles of the persons participating and their respective offices/units, plus 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 27 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 27. The provost, executive vice president and the vice president for administration will review all proposals forwarded by the college deans and unit suprvisors and make recommendations to the president no later than April 10.
The president will inform awardees no later than April 24, as well as those whose proposals are not selected.
Innovation Award recipients will be honored at the annual spring Service Recognition dinner May 14.
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 an article describing the projects honored will be published in UpDate.
Questions regarding the UD Innovation Award should be directed to Richie Holland, Office of Employee Training and Career Development, at 831-2059.
