fyi - Article Title

June 8, 2001
Volume 38, No. 17

• Of clowns and satellites: Staff Celebration Day

• Final budget determinations wait for word from state and Regents

• Worried about energy curtailment? Don't sweat it

• Faculty, staff get 'em while they're hot

• "Quote....Endquote"

• News Briefs

• UI SMART suggestion program seeks ideas for streamlining processes, saving money

• Staff Council presents June Longevity Award

• Staff Charter Committee selections made

• IOWA winners

• Bulletin Board

• Calendar

• Deaths

•
Offices and Awards

•
Ph.D. Thesis Defenses

• Pubs. and Creations

•
Correction

•
Office of the Provost tentative deadlines for 2000-2001

• Parking: Ring in the new, renew the old

• Staff tuition grant application for fall semester 2001

• Tuition assistance for employee development

TIAA Cref Unit Values

Staff Development Courses

The University of Iowa Homepage

UI SMART suggestion program seeks ideas for streamlining processes, saving money

University of Iowa staff and faculty now have an opportunity not only to help the University be more efficient but to gain $100 in the bargain. The WorkLife program, a unit in the University’s Human Resources office, recently announced an employee suggestion program designed to elicit ideas for saving money, reducing unnecessary work, streamlining processes, and coordinating or combining programs.

Called UI SMART, for Unique Ideas Save Money and Reward Thriftiness, the suggestion program includes an award program that would give $100 for each suggestion that is actually used. Suggestions should improve the efficiency of a department, program; or procedure improve services that support the University; eliminate unnecessary procedures or duplication of effort; or save time, money, or materials. The program will run through 2001.

"I am extremely proud of the work done at The University of Iowa by our faculty and staff," Pres. Mary Sue Coleman says. "One of the ways we have achieved a solid reputation at the University of Iowa has been through constantly searching for ways to improve. Through the UI SMART Suggestion Program, our faculty and staff can evaluate their work environment and suggest improvements that can save money, time, and materials. They are in the best position to know what can and should be changed and improved."

Faculty, staff, and student employees can submit their ideas electronically at the UI SMART Plan web site, www.uiowa.edu/~hrpersvc/worklife/index.html, or they can obtain suggestion forms from the departmental human resources representatives or directly from WorkLife, 121 USB.

UI SMART coordinator Pat Kenner will review all suggestions and have them evaluated to determine if the suggestion can be used and if it would be effective. When the suggested improvements have been put in place, Kenner will contact the staff or faculty member who made the suggestion and present them with their award.

At the end of the UI SMART program, President Coleman will recognize all suggestions received through this program, adopted, and implemented.

Article by Charles S. Drum

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