One of University Staff Council's projects this past year has been to ensure that information about the SWT Staff Performance Award (Bonus) Program is communicated clearly to all employees. President's Cabinet (PC) identified eight types of activities for which employees may receive a performance award, and this information was communicated to all staff employees by memo from Mr. Bill Nance last spring. PC also allowed divisions to establish their own process of selection and additional criteria. 

Staff Council asked PC to provide details of their divisional criteria and selection processes in writing to all staff in their divisions and to the Staff Council. The information received from each Vice President and the overall SWT criteria are posted on the Staff Council website at www.txstate.edu/staffcouncil/performance.htm. Under the SWT criteria, bonuses may be awarded to staff at the end of the fiscal year or as a "just-in-time" award at any time during the year. Staff may receive a bonus for performance occurring during fiscal year 2000 if they achieve any one or more of the following:

1. The activity directly affected achievement of strategic plan goals and/or objectives.

2. The activity/idea improved a process or a system, achieved customer satisfaction or saved money, etc.

3. The employee(s) took on additional responsibilities on a temporary basis with no corresponding increase in compensation.

4. The employee(s) applied their SWT training and job related skills to a pro bono service to the greater community at large.

5. The employee(s) received recognition from a professional organization for service.

6. An employee completed professional growth, certification or licensure.

7. The activity incorporated or utilized Quality principles.

8.An employee may receive an award without achieving one of the above seven criteria provided the activity represented an effort which was significantly 'above and beyond' the normal job expectations.

No division reported additional criteria for the FY 2000 Performance Awards; however, Student Affairs does allow individual departments to have additional criteria if they are announced to departmental staff in advance. No information about departmental criteria was received from Student Affairs.

The selection process for each division is described below.

Academic Affairs: Funds are distributed to the associate vice presidents and deans based on salary distribution within the division. Each associate vice president and dean forwards his or her recommendations, along with the award justification, to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. These recommendations are reviewed and then sent to the Budget Office for processing. Just-in-time bonus awards are handled in the same manner.

Finance & Support Services: Funds are distributed to each Business Services Council (BSC) member based on salary distribution within the division. Each BSC manager forwards his or her recommendations to the Budget Office through Vice President Nance. Mr. Nance has never adjusted or rejected a recommendation. Just-in-time bonus awards are awarded by the BSC manager and submitted directly to the Budget Office.

Information Technology: Funds are allocated to directors based on salary distribution, with adjustments made to ensure that each department has available a minimum of two full $1,999 awards. Each director makes his or her own recommendations, and Vice President Wyatt reviews and approves the recommendations.

President/Special Assistant to the President: Directors recommend nominees to the Bonus Selection Committee, which reviews nominees and makes recommendations to the Special Assistant to the President for recipients and award amounts.

Student Affairs: The award pay pool is allocated to each department based on the percentage of divisional salary of each department. Directors make recommendations to Vice President Studer. Awards must be at least $500 and must be allocated in increments of $250.

University Advancement: Written recommendations are submitted through supervisors to Vice President Hill.