The purpose of this memorandum is to advise
you of this year's Service Awards programs and to announce
major changes to the Outstanding Contribution Awards Program
for 2003.
The Outstanding Contribution Awards program (OCA) has been
very special for recipients in past years. Established in
1987, the program has honored over 150 University of Virginia
employees for their outstanding service to the University.
Because this is the highest honor the University bestows on
classified employees, it is extremely important that those
deserving of this award be nominated and recognized for their
contributions. This year we are pleased to announce major
changes and improvements to the OCA program.
This year the University will conduct the nomination process
for the OCA concurrent with the State's program for recognizing
employees for their hard work and dedication to the Commonwealth
called the "Governor's Awards." Nominations submitted
to identify outstanding employees will be used for both the
OCA selections and for submission to the State for consideration
for the Governor's Awards. Three University selection committees
will choose up to eleven employees, five from the Academic
Divisions, five from the Medical Center, and one from UVa's
College at Wise to receive an OCA. The Virginia Public Service
Reward and Recognition Steering Committee will choose the
recipients of the Governor's Awards and there is no guarantee
that anyone will be selected from the University. Recipients
of the OCA and the Governor's Awards will be announced during
the week of May 5-11, which has been designated as Virginia
Public Service Week (VPSW.)
Governor Mark Warner will present the Governor's Awards in
Richmond during VPSW. As part of that celebration, the State
is offering the opportunity for interested employees to participate
as "Ambassadors" during the Governor's Awards Ceremony.
Any employee who is interested in serving as an Ambassador
should complete and submit the Ambassador
Sign-up Form by March 31, 2003. There will be a random
drawing from all applicants to select a total of 35 Ambassadors
from all regions of the Commonwealth. (If selected, employees
must receive permission from their supervisors to attend the
function. Travel expenses are to be reimbursed by the state's
Department of Human Resources Management. The time will not
be counted toward annual leave.)
President Casteen or his designee will present the OCA awards
at the annual Service Awards dinner banquet to be held on
June 5, 2003. We are extremely pleased to announce that in
addition to the engraved award and public recognition, winners
of the OCA will each receive a $1,000 cash award. (This award
is exclusive of any other pay action or any other potential
monetary recognition through routine departmental programs
such as Rewards and Recognition.)
This year, the nomination period is Monday, February 24,
2003 through Friday, March 21, 2003. (This is a change.) Nominations must be received in University Employee Relations,
914 Emmet Street, Michie South, by 5:00 PM on March 21, 2003.
The nomination must be submitted by the nominator as a complete
packet that contains the original nomination and two endorsements
by individuals who have direct knowledge of the employee's
contributions. (This is a change.) Either the nominator
or one of the endorsers must be the nominee's supervisor.
Detailed features and requirements of the program are included
on the enclosed nomination
form. Please inform your employees of this program. We
will also publicize the program in Inside UVA and Link. Forms
are available on the UHR website http://www.hrs.virginia.edu/linksforms.html and will be available through employee council representatives.
Nomination packets must be submitted in "hard copy"
and cannot be submitted on-line this year. Your help in nominating,
encouraging nominations and in publicizing the Outstanding
Contribution Awards and the Governor's Awards programs will
help insure a substantial number of high quality nominations
for consideration for both programs.
Last, but not least, the University will recognize its long
service employees through two annual events. We will honor
employees who have attained 10, 15, and 20 years of service
with a ceremony and reception. Honorees attending the ceremony
will be presented with appropriate jewelry and certificates
for their years of service and will be recognized during the
ceremony. The program is scheduled for Tuesday, May 20, 2003
in the Cabell Hall Auditorium beginning at 1:30 PM In order
to demonstrate employee support and to maximize participation,
departmental representatives are encouraged to attend with
their employees. We are requesting that all honorees and guests
arrive by 1:15 PM.
The awards dinner banquet honoring employees with 25 and
more years of service will be held at 5:30 PM on Thursday,
June 5, 2003 in the Omni Hotel Ballroom. The Outstanding Contribution
Award recipients will again be honored at this program. All
those we recognize will be permitted to bring a guest of their
choice. Space will be a factor in determining whether departmental
representatives will be invited to attend. Attendance at the
banquet will be by invitation only.
Detailed information about both Service Awards events and
invitations to the events will be sent to honorees and their
departments closer to the dates of the events.
If you know of any recipient or guest who has a disability
and who will need special accommodation such as interpreters,
please let us know so arrangements can be made. Both locations
are wheelchair accessible.
Your support of the University's efforts to recognize long
service employees and outstanding performers through departmental
publicity will be greatly appreciated. |
