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U.Va. Human Resources
Memorandum: Outstanding Contribution Awards Program and Virginia Public Service Week
DATE: March 1, 2006
TO: Vice Presidents, Deans, Department Heads and Administrative Officers
FROM: Alan S. Cohn
Director, University Faculty and Staff Employee Relations
SUBJECT: 2006 Outstanding Contribution Awards and Service Awards Programs
The purpose of this memorandum is to advise you of this year's Service Awards programs and the Outstanding Contribution Awards Program for 2006.

The Outstanding Contribution Awards program (OCA) has been very special for recipients since its creation in 1987. Because this is the highest public honor the University bestows on staff employees, it is extremely important that those deserving of this award be nominated and recognized for their contributions.

Three University selection committees will choose up to eleven employees, five from the Academic Divisions, five from the Medical Center, and one from the University's College at Wise to receive an OCA.

The OCA awards will be presented at the annual Service Awards dinner banquet to be held on June 14, 2006. In addition to an 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 Wednesday, March 1. 2006 through Friday, March 31, 2006. Nominations must be received in University Faculty and Staff Employee Relations, 914 Emmet Street, Michie South, by 5:00 PM on March 31, 2006. 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. 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 nomination form. Please inform your employees of this program. We will also publicize the program in the various University news publications. Nomination forms are available on the UHR website and will be available through Employee Council representatives. Nomination packets must be submitted in "hard copy." Your help in nominating, encouraging nominations and in publicizing the Outstanding Contribution Awards will help insure a substantial number of high quality nominations.

Selected nominations received for the OCA Program will also be used for agency submission for Governor's Awards, a state-wide program held in conjunction with Virginia Public Service Week. This year Virginia Public Service week is May 1-7.

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 23, 2006 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 6:00 PM on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 in the Omni Hotel Ballroom. Honorees and their invited guests should arrive no later than 5:45 PM for registration. The Outstanding Contribution Award recipients will again be honored at this program. Attendance at the banquet will be by invitation only.

Detailed information about both Service Awards 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.