The Vickie R. Courtney Award for Outstanding Service to University Senate Governance 

The Outstanding Service to University Senate Governance Recognition was renamed in 2021 in honor of Vickie R. Courtney, long-time director of the University Senate Office, for her leadership, her commitment to collaboration, and her enduring contributions to shared governance. This recognition was created in 2014 to acknowledge faculty, academic professional and administrative (P&A) staff, and civil service staff systemwide who have made a significant impact on University Senate governance. In 2021, the award was expanded to include degree-seeking undergraduate, graduate, and professional students who demonstrate a similar impact and commitment. Award recipients will receive a one-time $1,000 stipend and an engraved plaque.

Selection Process

The selection committee, appointed by the director of the University Senate Office, shall have the final authority to grant the award. The selection committee may select up to one individual from each group (faculty, P&A, civil service, and student) for this recognition annually.

The membership of the selection committee will be composed of the following:

  • Clerk of the University Senate, chair
  • One faculty representative
  • One P&A representative
  • One civil service representative
  • One student representative

Nominee

Faculty and Staff
Must be a current member of the faculty or staff who has served as one or more of the following: 

  • Member – University Senate governance committee or subcommittee
  • Chair, vice chair, or chair-elect  – University Senate governance committee or subcommittee
  • Senator – University, Faculty, P&A, or Civil Service Senate
  • Alternate – P&A Senate
  • Officers (vice chair, parliamentarian, past clerk*) – University Senate 

*The current clerk of the University Senate is not eligible as they serve as the chair of the selection committee.

Students
Must be a current degree-seeking undergraduate, graduate, or professional student in good academic standing, who has served in one or more of the following roles: 

  • Member - University Senate governance committee or subcommittee
  • Chair or vice chair - University Senate governance committee or subcommittee
  • Senator - Student Senate and University Senate
  • Ranking student senator

To view a list of University Senate governance committees, subcommittees, and senates, visit the University Senate Governance website.

Nominator

Must be a current faculty, staff, or student. Self nominations are not permitted.

Nomination Dossier

The three documents described below must be submitted as a single PDF in the following order:

  1. Letter from Nominator
  2. Letter of Support
  3. Record of Service

Letter from Nominator: Should focus on personal knowledge of the nominee's contribution/impact on University Senate governance and demonstrate how the nominee has inspired others to serve in University Senate governance.

Letter of Support: Should focus on personal knowledge of the nominee, as described above. 

Record of Service: Contact the University Senate Office ([email protected]) to obtain the University Senate governance service record of the nominee. 

  • Note: Service on non-University Senate governance committees or senates will not be considered when evaluating nominations for this award.

Nomination Submission

Nominations must be submitted as a single PDF with the email subject line “Nomination Submission for the 2024 Vickie R. Courtney Award.”

Submit nominations to the Vickie R. Courtney Award Selection Committee c/o Erin Heath, director, University Senate Office, at [email protected].

Additional Information

Persons writing letters of nomination should know that such letters will be legally available to the nominee upon request, even to an unsuccessful candidate who becomes aware of the nomination. Nominators should make sure that writers of supporting letters are aware that their letters will also be available upon request.

Recipients of the Vickie R. Courtney Award for Outstanding Service to University Senate Governance will be recognized at the last University Senate meeting of the academic year on April 25, 2024. The one-time $1,000 stipend received as part of this award is considered taxable income.

If you have any questions about the nominating process, contact the University Senate Office at [email protected].