Awards recognize service excellence projects

The Division of University Services presented its 1998 Service Excellence Awards on May 25 at a ceremony in the Center for Tomorrow, recognizing University Services employees who have undertaken initiatives that advance the division's mission to provide high-quality service in an effective, efficient and environmentally responsible manner that will enable the university to meet its teaching, research and public-service missions.

Two categories of projects were recognized: large-scale and limited-scale. Teams were nominated for completing projects or activities that improve the quality of service of one or more units by improving efficiency or productivity, saving time or money, reducing bureaucracy, meeting specific customer needs and improving staff morale, cooperation and understanding.

Special consideration was given to projects that resulted from a benchmarking process, used cross-functional teams, demonstrated a creative use of technology, improved the culture or climate of a unit as a whole or made a significant impact on the university's customers.

The Cybraries Project and Project SOAR tied for first place among large-scale projects. The Cybraries Project won recognition for the creation of new areas for computing, study, research and learning on the second and third floors of Lockwood Library, the first floor of the Undergraduate Library and the third floor of the Science and Engineering Library. The project involved renovating and wiring physical facilities, ordering and installing workstations and open ports, installing network services and planning for and providing instructional and technical-support services.

Participants included staff from the University Libraries, Computing and Information Technology, the Graduate School of Education, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Office of the Provost, the Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Technology, University Facilities, Undergraduate Education, the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Procurement Services, University Services/Information Technology, the Office of the Senior Vice President for University Services, Millard Fillmore College, the School of Architecture and Planning, and the Office of the Vice President for Health Affairs.

Project SOAR-Student Online Access to Records-won recognition for the time- and cost-saving Web-based system that allows students to access their academic records, including grades, GPA information, schedules, UB Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) reports, etc., from anywhere in the world using a standard Web browser.

Participants included staff from Computing and Information Technology, Undergraduate Education and Student Finances and Records.

The WBFO Transmitter Upgrade and the UB Calendar of Events tied for second-place honors among large-scale projects. The WBFO Transmitter Upgrade included the installation of a new transmitter and antenna that allowed UB's national public radio station to more than double its broadcast power and extend service to a new population of about 100,000 people in Erie, Niagara and Genesee counties and Southern Ontario.

Participants included staff from WBFO, University Facilities, the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Procurement Services.

The Online UB Calendar of Events Project produced UB's first comprehensive, university-wide events calendar. The instantly searchable calendar, accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week to all members of the UB community, provides instant information that can be identified by week, day or month. Information is entered by more than 240 users from across the university on a Web-based submission form.

Participants included staff from the Office of Publications, the Office of News Services and Computing and Information Technology

The Facilities Planning and Design Information System tied for first place in limited-scale projects with the Online Time Sheets Project. The Web-based Facilities Planning and Design Information System, which makes possible mass distribution of building and project information, was designed to serve customers more efficiently.

Participants included staff from the Office of the Provost and University Facilities.

The Online Time Sheets Project computerized a manual process, saving time and effort. Monthly and bi-weekly time sheets for full-time professional and classified-service employees of University Facilities now are completed online.

Participants included staff from University Facilities.

Two new System Contracts for Janitorial Supplies and Plumbing Supplies tied for second place in limited-scale projects with Expedited Mail Delivery. The new system contracts provide a primary, one-stop vendor for all University Facilities' needs for plumbing and janitorial supplies at a competitive price, with delivery within 48 hours. The systems eliminate paperwork and processing time.

Participants included staff from University Facilities and Procurement Services.

The Expedited Mail Delivery Project developed a coordinated plan for fast transport and delivery of university federal mailings to the U. S. Postal Service.

Participants included staff from Print and Mail Services and Campus Mail