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The Staff Council administers several programs which help staff. 

Staff Council Professional Development Fund

All non-unionized UVM staff are eligible to apply for up to $500 to assist with a professional development opportunity such as a training, membership, or conference attendance. Application periods occur quarterly.  

Please note additional staff development fund awards available on campus below, under 'Other Awards.'

Staff Emergency Loan Fund

Update 1/4/2023: The Staff Emergency Loan Fund (SELF) provides interest free loans on anemergency basis to University of Vermont permanent full time or part time staff members whohave successfully completed their probationary period. SELF is supported through funds raisedby the Staff Council and individual contributions from members of the University of Vermontcommunity. SELF is overseen by the Staff Council through the Staff Council Office.

Community Service Award

The Staff Council Community Engagement Committee will recognize demonstrated volunteerism by UVM Staff with a $25 award (per staff member) made payable to the 501c3 group or organization located in the State of Vermont, or work directly benefits Vermont and its people connected to the staff member’s volunteer effort. UVM staff members are limited to one application per calendar year.

Community Service Award Application

Applications are to be submitted to the Staff Council Office. The Staff Council Community Engagement Committee will review and process award applications at their monthly meeting, following receipt of the application.  Please note that funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, until the funds are depleted.  Support for this Award Program is dependent upon availability of funds, and is not guaranteed. 

For additional information on any of these awards, please contact the Staff Council Office at Staff.Council@uvm.edu or 656-4493.

Other Awards

There are several awards and funds available to staff across campus. These include:

Our Common Ground

The Our Common Ground award is presented to University of Vermont staff members who have made extraordinary contributions and who have had a significant impact on our university, as demonstrated through the values expressed in Our Common Ground. The recipients each receive a prize of $1,000. 
Learn more: Our Common Ground

Athletic Department

Athletic Department Award of Excellence (presented annually)

These awards are presented to individuals or units in recognition of exceptional contribution and service to the Department of Athletics
The Gabe Rodriguez Award is presented to an individual in recognition of exceptional service, engagement and support to the Department of Athletics and greater UVM community.

Athletic Department Award (presented annually at the Rally Awards Ceremony in May)

This award is presented to a member of the faculty, staff (outside athletics) or community in recognition of loyal support and continuing devotion to the UVM athletic program.  Learn more: Athletic Award

College of Arts & Sciences

Dean's Staff Awards for Superior Performance in Administrative and Technical Support

Recognize outstanding effort and achievement by staff in the support of the mission of the College of Arts and Sciences. Since 2010, two awards have been given annually: one for superior administrative support and one for superior technical support. Each recipient will receive a personal cash award of $250 from the Dean's Office.
Learn more: CAS Staff Awards

Staff Development Fund Award

This awards up to $300 to full-time staff in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Learn more: CAS Development Fund Award (scroll down)

College of Agricultural Life Sciences

Excellence in Staff Support Award

Recipient receives a personal cash award of $1500 as well as an additional amount to enhance or replace equipment in their office.
Learn more: CALS staff award

College of Education and Social Services

CESS Staff Recognition Award

Each year the Dean's Office provides the CESS Staff Recognition Award to formally recognize and value the sustained and remarkable work of staff members in the College of Education and Social Services. Full-time or part-time staff members who have worked in CESS for 3 or more years are eligible.
Learn more: CESS Staff Recognition Award

College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences

Award for Excellence in Student Advising

The excellence in student advising award is given to a CEMS faculty member or staff member chosen by the student leadership council for their outstanding commitment to and success in student advising.  Faculty or staff are nominated by the students. The winners are announced at CEMS Commencement. 

Award for Innovation and Creativity

The staff award for innovation and creativity is given to a staff member who has been particularly creative or innovative in: developing more efficient processes, or new facilities, or improved advising, or other key components of CEMS.   Staff may be nominated by their colleagues, faculty, or department chairs and are selected by the Dean based on the recommendation of the Dean’s Office Senior Staff (who are not eligible).

The Dean’s Special Commendation Award

This is an award given to one or more faculty or staff.

Learn more: CEMS Annual Awards

College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Dean's Inclusive Excellence Award

Recognizes a student, faculty or staff member who has made a major contribution to create an environment of social justice, inclusion and equity at the Department and/or College and/or University and/or community levels.
Learn more: CNHS Awards

UVM Extension

UVM Extension has several awards that recognize staff; in most cases faculty are eligible as well:

  • An annual Diversity award that awards $500 toward programming in the next fiscal year
  • A community development award in honor of retired faculty member Ellen Rowe which awards $500 toward programming in the next fiscal year
  • Extension also recognizes employees with “years of service” awards for people who have been in Extension for a milestone numbers of years (5, 10, etc.)

Grossman School of Business

Dean's Staff Award

The annual winner is presented with a choice between a cash award of $1,500 or a cash award of $500 and professional development grant for $1,000.
Learn more: Grossman Dean's Staff Award (scroll to "Administrative")

Instrumentation and Technical Services (ITS)

ITS has several staff awards:

  • Milestone awards, given in increments of 5 years
  • Annual Customer Service award
  • Annual Community Service award
  • Annual "Living the Values" award
  • Annual Innovation award

Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources

Marcia Caldwell Award

Given to a faculty or staff member who exemplifies Marcia’s dedication to students.
Learn more: RSENR Awards

Did you know?

The Staff Emergency Loan Fund was originally funded by selling cookbooks, back in the early 1990s.

If you would like to donate to the Fund, simply send a check payable to UVM-Staff Emergency Loan Fund to:

UVM Foundation
Grasse Mount Bldg
411 Main Street
Burlington, VT 05405