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September 29, 2009


MEMORANDUM

To:               Members of the UW Community
From:           Provost’s Advisory Committee on Staff Compensation          
Date:            August 26, 2009
Subject:        Staff Excellence Fund

In response to concerns expressed by the UW community, the Provost’s Advisory Committee on Staff Compensation (PACSC) discontinued the Special Recognition Award Program for University Support Staff on January 9, 2008. The money set aside for the program ($250,000 per year) has been renamed the “Staff Excellence Fund.”

The committee would like to thank staff members and managers for their ideas, suggestions and feedback on new directions for the fund. Over the past year, the committee carefully considered all of the submissions received in light of the basic principles developed to guide use of the fund:

  1. The program should enhance the working environment for all staff, either individually or as a group.
  2. The program should promote excellence through cooperation, collaboration and innovation, resulting in effective client service to students, staff, faculty, alumni and the university.
  3. The mechanism for distribution of the fund must be transparent and fair.
  4. The equity of the program will be measured by access (i.e., some staff members may choose not to use the program, but all should have the opportunity to use it if they desire).

The committee is now pleased to present the plan for the Staff Excellence Fund. The following allocations will be implemented for a two-year trial period (except service recognition, which requires a five-year cycle to determine effectiveness).

High-Quality Speakers. The fund will sponsor high-calibre speakers coordinated by the Office of Organizational & Human Development on topics relating to staff training and development, both within and independent of the annual staff conference. Estimated cost: $50,000/year.

Service Recognition. The university will centrally recognize USG staff for their service at 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40 and 45 year milestones with a $100 gift redeemable on campus and a celebratory event, beginning November 2009. This recognition is independent of 25- and 35-year club celebrations. Estimated cost: $50,000/year.

Staff Career Advisor. This new position operating out of Career Services will enhance resources available to foster staff career development at UW. Services may include individual advising, customized workshops and online resources for self-service. Estimated cost: $85,000/year.

Special Initiatives Fund. Remaining funds each year will be used to support projects that promote excellence through cooperation, collaboration and innovation, enhance staff morale, such as departmental or university-wide events, beautification projects, volunteer or community service initiatives, projects that enhance staff wellness, cultural, athletic or recreational events and outings, or any other undertaking that would enrich the working environment for staff. Projects will be solicited from staff members and selected by Staff Excellence Fund subcommittee of PACSC whose members are nominated by the Staff Association. Estimated cost: $65,000/year.

Accumulated funds. Over the past year, the Staff Excellence Fund accumulated a balance of approximately $250,000. This amount will be used to make a one-time capital contribution on behalf of USG staff to enhance child care facilities on campus.