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U.Va. Human Resources
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February 22 , 2008

To: All University of Virginia Employees

From: Susan Carkeek, Chief Human Resources Officer

Subject: 2008 Outstanding Contribution Awards

Each year the University is proud to honor employees through a special award program, the Outstanding Contribution Awards (OCA). I am looking forward to celebrating those employees who make exceptional efforts toward the University’s success.

The Outstanding Contribution Award is the highest honor for staff at the University. It is extremely important that we recognize excellence in our ranks, so sharing information about this program would be deeply appreciated. I am asking for your help in singling out the best and brightest among the staff and nominating them for this award.

Deadlines
The nomination period for the 2008 OCA program is Friday, February 22, 2008 through Friday, March 21, 2008. Nominations must be received in the Office of University Faculty and Staff Employee Relations, 914 Emmet Street, Michie South, by 5:00 PM on March 21, 2008. Nominations must be submitted in a “hard copy.”

Nomination Guidelines
To be considered complete, a nomination package must include an original nomination, a completed nomination form, and one additional endorsement by an individual who has direct knowledge of the employee’s contributions. Either the nominator or the endorser must be the nominee’s supervisor. Nomination forms are available on the UHR website and will be available through employee council representatives and the person who handles HR in your area. Three University selection committees will choose employees to receive an OCA from the Academic Division, Medical Center, and College at Wise.

Recipients
Each OCA recipient will be publicly recognized and receive an engraved plaque as well as 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. Detailed information will be sent to honorees and their departments closer to the event dates.

Governor’s Awards
The University also uses this nomination process to identify employees for the Governor’s Awards, the state’s recognition program. Select nominations from the OCA process will be submitted to the state for consideration for a Governor’s Award. The Virginia Public Service Reward and Recognition Steering Committee will choose the recipients of the Governor’s Awards.

Recipients of both the OCA and the Governor’s Awards will be announced during the week of May 4-10, 2008, which has been designated as Virginia Public Service Week (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, 2008. 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.)

If you have any questions please contact Lori Ann Willy at (434) 924-6263 or willy@virginia.edu. I thank you for your support of the University’s efforts to recognize employees, and look forward to meeting you at these important events.