Distinguished Achievement Awards

DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

The University of Texas at El Paso

Guidelines

I.Introduction

The University of Texas at El Paso annually presents awards to faculty and staff in recognition of outstanding achievement in the areas of teaching, research, and service. This document describes

the awards, their purpose, and nomination and selection procedures.

The following awards are presented annually at the Spring Honors Convocation:

Distinguished Achievement Award for Teaching Excellence(1 Award at $3000).
Distinguished Achievement Award for Research (1 Award at $3000).
Distinguished Achievement Award for Service to Students by a Faculty Member

(1 Award at $1000).

Distinguished Achievement Award for Service to Students by a Member of the

Classified Staff (1 Award at $1000).

Distinguished Achievement Award for Service to the University by a Member of the Professional Staff (1 Award at $1000).

II.Nomination Procedure

Call for Nominations: The President’s Office shall be responsible for soliciting writtennominations from the University community, including alumni. The call for nominations will be widely distributed in a variety of media outlets both on and off campus. Announcements will also be made in a variety of university councils, senates, etc. Students are especially encouraged to submit nominations.

The initial nomination will be via a simple one-page form with an attached vita or résumé.

The initial nomination may be hand-carried or mailed to:

Distinguished Achievement Awards

President’s Office

The University of Texas at El Paso

El Paso, Texas79968

III.Selection Procedures

The simplified nomination procedure is designed to generate a broad pool of candidates for the awards. The pool of nominees for each award will be reviewed and narrowed to arrive at three or four finalists in each category. Once the finalists are selected, they will be notified of their status and requested to provide,by the designated deadline,appropriate documentation to support their candidacy.

The final selections will be based on the initial nominations and additional information provided by candidates for the awards. Candidates’ departments will also be notified of their nomination.

Outstanding individuals may be candidates for multiple Distinguished Achievement Awards.

In an effort to recognize as many qualified individuals as possible, two additional guidelines have been introduced:

Recipients of Distinguished Achievement Awards will not be considered for another award in the same category.
Recipients may be considered for awards in other categoriesfive years after receipt of a previous Distinguished Achievement Award. A listing of Distinguished Achievement Award recipients in each category is available at under the Honors Convocation link.

Awards will not necessarily be made in all categories each year. If it is determined that there

is an insufficient number of qualified candidates in the pool of nominees, no award will be made.

To review the pool of candidates, and to ensure a wide variety of views and perspectives are considered in the selection process, the Distinguished Achievement Awards selection process

will be administered as follows:

Distinguished Achievement Award for Teaching Excellence:

Purpose:To recognize senior faculty members for their distinguished careers in teaching at

the undergraduate level. This teaching award is given to individuals who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment and dedication to teaching excellence.

Award:One award at $3000, an engraved watch, and framed certificate.

Eligibility:All tenured faculty who have completed, upon nomination, at least seven years of

full-time service at UTEP.

Each Dean will recommend one faculty member from his/her college/school for this award.Nominations from faculty, staff, students and alumni will be forwarded to the appropriate Dean for consideration.

Procedure: The Associate Provost for Academic Affairs will review the recommendations from the Deans and request that those selected as finalists prepare more complete dossiers to support their nominations. The Office of the Provost will present a final recommendation to the President’s Office.

Distinguished Achievement Award for Research:

Purpose:To encourage, recognize and reward faculty research and creative efforts, which are outstanding and are recognized locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally,

with a special focus on work done while at UTEP.

Award:One award at $3000, an engraved watch, and framed certificate. Recipient will have the option to take all or a portion of the award in the form of a grant to beused to enhance research. The winner will be invited to give a public lecture in the academic year following the receipt of this award.

Eligibility:All tenured faculty who have completed, upon nomination, at least seven years of

full-time service at UTEP.

Procedure: The Vice President for Research and Sponsored Programs will review the recommendations from the Deans and request that those selected as finalists prepare more complete dossiers to support their nominations. The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs will present a final recommendation to the President’s Office.

Distinguished Achievement Awards for Service to the University/Students:

Purpose:To encourage, recognize, and reward faculty and professional and classified staff who have evidenced special dedication to, interest in, and enthusiasm for the institution, and who have made an outstanding contribution to UTEP. This award may also be made to an individual whose commitment to students demonstrably and significantly transcends the requirements of his/her job, who has been exceptionally helpful to students, and who has served as a positive role model for them.

Awards:Three awards at $1000 each, an engraved watch, and framed certificate.

Distinguished Achievement Award for Service to Students by a Faculty Member
Distinguished Achievement Award for Service to Students by a Member of the Classified Staff
Distinguished Achievement Award for Service to the University by a Member of the Professional Staff

Eligibility:All full or part-time faculty, professional staff, and classified staff who have completed, upon nomination, at least seven years of service at UTEP. Nominations may be submitted by students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

Procedure: A Service Award Committee to include three Service Award winners (faculty, professional/classified staff), one professional/classified staff member (recommended by the Staff Council), one faculty member (recommended by the Faculty Senate), and two students (recommended by the Student Government Association) will determine the number of finalists for the award and notify those selected to prepare more complete dossiers to support their nomination.

The committee will determine additional information that may be required, and submit its final recommendation to the President’s Office. The Office of University Relations will provide assistance to the Committee in the selection process.

Distinguished Achievement Awards Guidelines

Spring Honors Convocation, April 17, 2011

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THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO

Distinguished Achievement Awards

_____Distinguished Achievement Award for Teaching Excellence:

To recognize senior faculty members for their distinguished career in teaching at the undergraduate level. One award at $3000. Eligibility: All tenured or tenure-track faculty who currently teach at the undergraduate leveland have completed, upon nomination, at least seven years of service at UTEP.

_____Distinguished Achievement Award for Research:

To recognize and reward faculty research and creative work while at UTEP. One award at $3000. Eligibility: All tenured faculty who have completed, upon nomination, at least seven years of service at UTEP.

_____Distinguished Achievement Awards for Service to the University/Students:

To recognize and award faculty, professional and classified staff who have made an outstanding contribution to the university and/or to the students we serve. Three awards at $1000 each. Eligibility: All full-time and part-time faculty, professional staff, and classified staff who upon nomination, have completed at least seven years of service at UTEP.

Who may nominate: Students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

(Please type or print clearly)

NOMINEE: ______POSITION/TITLE:______

DEPARTMENT: ______

STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR NOMINATION (use additional pages as needed):

______

Please attach an ABBREVIATED copy of the nominee’s vita/résumé.

NOMINATOR: ______Date:______

Address: ______

City, State, Zip:______

E-Mail:______

Office Phone:______Mobile Phone:______

Please return this form to the Office of the President, AdministrationBuilding,Suite 500

byMonday, February 14,2011.

Distinguished Achievement Awards Guidelines

Spring Honors Convocation, April 17, 2011

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