The length of service of more than 500 WSU employees will be celebrated at a public reception including light hors d’oeuvres at 3:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5, in the CUB ballroom.
The first of planned annual receptions, this year’s also will recognize those staff members who may have been overlooked in the past. Those who feel they have been overlooked and would like to receive recognition at this reception are asked to contact Human Resource Services at 335-4521.
The reception kicks off a new Employee Recognition Program, initiated by WSU President V. Lane Rawlins and coordinated by a committee headed by Steve DeSoer, WSU Human Resource Services director.
“The program reflects Rawlins’ vision of the university,” DeSoer said. “It’s his recognition of the vital ways in which staff members contribute to the quality of WSU.”
Staff members reaching 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50-year employment milestones for the university in the past year will be honored. Each will receive a certificate of service, a lapel pin and an award selected by the employee.
Faculty and staff members reaching the 25-year service milestone also will be honored next spring at the 73-year annual Quarter Century Club recognition breakfast. Honorees receive a framed and matted club certificate, a recognition pin and an award.
New to the recognitions program is the Crimson Spirit Award, which will be awarded monthly to a WSU employee performing in an exemplary manner and making outstanding contributions in support of WSU’s strategic goals. Award winners will be recognized for quality service, exceptional creativity in problem solving, noteworthy effort, and demonstration of trust and respect in a difficult situation, or other superior efforts.
An employee can be nominated for the Crimson Spirit Award by any WSU community member. Nomination forms will be available online and in various WSU offices and departments in spring 2006. Details of the program will be announced later.
Set to start in fall 2006 is a supporting mini-grant program. Through it, WSU colleges and departments may seek funding for staff development or recognition programs that advance the mission and strategic plan of WSU.
Grants might fund seminars, speakers or training and provide seed funds for innovative ideas and other programs. DeSoer said the program parameters are intentionally vague to encourage applicants. “It’s amazing what people can come up with when you open the door,” he said.
Program proposals will be evaluated by the Human Resource Services director and a committee of members from the previous year’s grant recipients. They will be assessed on support of WSU’s mission, brand and strategic plan; feasibility; desired impact; partnerships with other units; and eligibility requirements.
Two different brochures about the WSU Employee Recognition Program, one for staff members and the other to guide managers in how to implement and continue recognition efforts, will be available from Human Resource Services, 335-4521. More information can be found at employee-recognition.wsu.edu.
