2011 Outstanding Service Award Program
For
Civil Service and Bargaining Unit Employees
Page 2 - Program Description
Page 3 - Performance Criteria
Page 4 - Nomination Form
2011 Staff Merit Award Nomination Packet
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PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Outstanding Service Award Program for Civil Service and Bargaining Unit Employees
Objective
The School of Nursing acknowledges and celebrates the success and contributions of faculty and
staff. The School would like to honor staff members who have gone beyond consistent high
performance to make innovations and outstanding contributions to enhance the objectives of the
School, the university and/or higher education.
Award and Recognition
$1,000 (pre-tax), accompanied by an individual certificate, to be presented at the School of Nursing
annual spring all school assembly. The award decision will be listed in the SoN Update, the AHC
Newsletter, Minnesota Nursing, and communications will be submitted to appropriate University
publications. The award will be posted on the School’s website, accompanied by a photo, bio, and
description of the award. A name plate will be added to the plaque that hangs in the Dean’s Office
reception area with other School of Nursing awards.
Eligible Employee Groups
All School of Nursing Civil Service and Bargaining Unit employees with a minimum of 12 months
consecutive service to the School at 75% or greater appointment are eligible. The award will be open
to all eligible staff employees without regard to type of position. An employee receiving the award
will not be eligible for the award for three years after the award year (e.g. the 2011 awardee is
ineligible until 2014). No award shall be made in any year in which the Awards Committee feels that
there is not a strong candidate who merits recognition.
Criteria
The Academic Health Center has created performance standards for all non-faculty employees. One
or more of these criteria needs to be exceptional in a nomination, with overall excellence in all areas.
Additional characteristics or performance standards outside of this list may also be considered, such
as ability to respond quickly to challenge, adversity, changing circumstances. Definitions of these
criteria are included in the nomination packet below.
 Cooperation/teamwork
 Communication/interactions
 Dependability and commitment
 Job related professional/technical knowledge and skill
 Initiative and independence of action
 Planning, problem solving and decision-making
Nomination and Selections Processes
The School of Nursing Awards Committee will determine awardees. The Awards Committee voting
membership will be comprised of, at a minimum, one member from P&A, one member from Civil
Service, one member from Bargaining Unit, one tenured faculty member, one tenure-track faculty
member, one member of administration. Additional reviewers may be: NCB Chair, Faculty
Assembly Chair, one graduate student. Every year at the fall All School Assembly (or equivalent
event at the beginning of the academic year), the Awards Committee will solicit nominations from all
current faculty, students, P&A and Civil Service/Bargaining Unit employees. Employees are free to
nominate themselves. Each nomination must be accompanied by two letters of support from a
supervisor, faculty member, student, vendor, U of M affiliate, or administrator (not from the same
constituency). Nominations will be due to the Office of the Dean by April 1 each academic year.
2011 Staff Merit Award Nomination Packet
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AHC PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
Cooperation /Teamwork
Promotes an atmosphere of mutual respect and cooperation. Encourages and supports others.
Provides information, assistance and guidance to others to help them perform their
responsibilities. Volunteers and offers suggestions. Shows courtesy and respect. Creates a
climate for comfortable expression of ideas.
Communications /Interactions
Develops and maintains smooth and effective working relationships with co-workers,
supervisors, subordinates and others within and outside the work unit and the Academic Health
Center. Uses positive methods of interactions with others. Discusses and explains information
with others effectively. Produces accurate, well-presented and thorough written documents,
records and reports.
Dependability and Commitment
Can be counted upon to complete duties and responsibilities accurately and on-time. Utilizes
time well and sets appropriate priorities. Follows through with plans. Knows when to ask for
help when workloads or critical work assignments demand it. Accepts responsibility and new
job assignments. Work absences are infrequent and only when necessary. Accepts and supports
unit, AHC and University goals.
Job-Related Professional/Technical Knowledge & Skill
Knows and applies principles, techniques, technology and practices that demonstrate competency
in the particular job function. Achieves, maintains and demonstrates necessary knowledge and
skill level to perform currently assigned work responsibilities. Keeps informed of current
developments. Understands work procedures, University policies and procedures and how
currently assigned position relates to others and to the unit, AHC and University goals.
Initiative and Independence of Action
Volunteers for special assignments. Willingly helps and assists others. Anticipates needs and
takes appropriate steps to meet those needs. Accepts responsibility and performs responsibilities
with limited supervision. Willingly accepts direction and is open to new ideas. Demonstrates
willingness to learn and grow professionally. Demonstrates independent thinking and a desire to
seek additional challenges.
Planning, Problem Solving and Decision-Making
Plans and organizes work effectively. Utilizes time well to perform quality work effectively and
efficiently. Understands and utilizes available resources and job/professional knowledge to
develop and evaluate alternatives, resolve work-related problems, make appropriate decisions
and judgments. Foresees problem areas and seeks solutions to problems.
Supervision (if applicable)
Directs work activities to fully utilize employees’ skills and available resources to meet unit,
AHC and University goals. Assesses employees’ skills, assigns work accordingly, trains as
necessary, and provides opportunities to learn new skills. Provides honest and timely
performance feedback. Gives credit where credit is due. Establishes an atmosphere for open
discussions by showing respect for others’ ideas. Knows and applies University HR policies and
procedures consistently.
2011 Staff Merit Award Nomination Packet
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NOMINATION FORM
University of Minnesota School of Nursing
Outstanding Service Award
Civil Service and Bargaining Unit Employees
Date:
PERSON MAKING NOMINATION
Name:
Position:
Email:
Phone:
NOMINEE
Name:
Position:
% Appt:
EmplID:
Email:
Phone:
Directions
Attach a one-page letter of nomination describing why this person should be considered for an
Outstanding Service Award during the past 12 months from the date of nomination. Successful
nominations will excel in all of the performance criteria described on page 3, “AHC Performance
Criteria”. In addition, the nominee needs to have provided exceptional ongoing service or has
gone well beyond the norm on certain projects or assignments. Highlight specific results and
achievements.
Two additional letters of support (from different constituencies) are required from a supervisor,
faculty member, student, vendor, U of M affiliate, or administrator to submit this nomination.
Letters of support are limited to one page in length. No more than two letters of support will be
accepted by the Awards Committee.
All letters should be addressed to the School of Nursing Awards, Development, and Public
Service Committee. Once completed, send your nomination packet to Kitty Cheesebrow in
6-145 WDH by Friday, April 1, 2011.
Checklist
1. Completed Nomination Form
2. One-page letter of nomination
3. Two one-page letters of support
2011 Staff Merit Award Nomination Packet
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