- Who can submit nominations?
-
Nominations may be written by a current co-worker, supervisor, or other member of the Rutgers community. All members of the Rutgers community are encouraged to participate and submit nominations on behalf of individuals or teams that meet the eligibility criteria. Nominations for those that were not selected for the award last year are eligible to submit a nomination again this year.
- Who is eligible to receive a Presidential Employee Excellence Recognition Award?
-
Each award category is aligned to one or more of the President’s value propositions and can accommodate individual and/or unit, departmental, interdepartmental, or campus team nominations. Additional eligibility criteria are outlined below.
- Only current full-time Rutgers faculty and staff are eligible for the Rutgers Gateway Award (Service to Employees), Rutgers University Spirit Award, and Rutgers Outstanding Service Award. Nominations for faculty and/or staff teams that include student participants or part-time faculty or staff participants will also be accepted.
- Only full-time Rutgers staff are eligible for the Pride of Rutgers Award. Nominations for staff teams that include student or part-time staff participants will also be accepted.
- Only full-time Rutgers faculty and staff (either current or retired within the last 12 months) that have served the community for at least 20 years are eligible for the Rutgers Lifetime Contribution Awards.
- Can I nominate an individual or team for multiple awards?
-
No. Nominations in more than one award category will be determined ineligible for other awards in the same calendar year.
- Can an individual or team receive more than one award?
-
Individuals or teams selected for more than one Presidential Employee Excellence Recognition Award will be determined ineligible for other awards in the same calendar year.
- Is there a maximum number of people who can be nominated as part of a team?
-
No. However, the nomination should demonstrate how all members of the team were active and contributed substantively to the nominated effort serving as the basis for the nomination. Teams of more than 10 must designate a team lead that will accept the award on behalf of the team.
- Is there a maximum number of people who can attend the ceremony as part of a team?
-
Due to venue capacity limitations, no more than 10 members of a team may attend. Teams larger than 10 are required to designate a team member that will accept the award on behalf of the team.
- Can students participate or be nominated?
-
Students may submit nominations on behalf of a faculty or staff member or a team. Nominations for faculty and/or staff teams that include student participants will be accepted.
- How do I submit a nomination?
-
Nominations will only be accepted via the online submission form on the Presidential Employee Excellence Recognition program website.
- Will the nominee(s) be notified that I submitted a nomination about their work performance/effort/project?
-
After the recipients are selected, all nominees will be notified that they were nominated for an award. Both the nominee(s) (selected to receive the award) and the nominator will be invited to the Presidential Employee Excellence Recognition Awards ceremony.
- When are nominations due?
-
All nominations are due by July 11, 2025. Submissions received after the deadline will not be processed.
- When will honorees be selected?
-
Honorees will be selected and notified on or about October 17, 2025.
- Who will select the honorees?
-
The Review Committee, comprised of full-time staff and faculty peers, will evaluate each nomination for suitability and eligibility. The committee will make recommendations to the President for final selection. The reviewers will consider the balance of the articulated outcomes and work effort made by the individual or team.
- How will honorees be notified?
-
Honorees will be notified in writing by the Office of the President on or about October 17, 2025. An email will be sent to the email address submitted with the nomination notifying the honoree of their nomination and selection for the applicable award with an invitation to the Presidential Employee Excellence Recognition Awards ceremony.
- Will my nomination be accepted if I do not provide any letter(s) of support?
-
Incomplete nominations will not be reviewed.
- Will the committee consider activities or projects that occurred over 12 months ago?
-
Excluding the Rutgers Lifetime Contribution Award, the nominated effort must be within the last 12-month period. However, exceptions will be made for projects or activities that spanned multiple years in the research and planning phases but were finalized and implemented within the last year.
- Will there be an event to celebrate honorees?
-
Yes, there will be an annual Presidential Employee Excellence Recognition Awards ceremony honoring those who are selected to receive an award. Invitations will be sent out on or about October 17, 2025.
- Who can attend the event?
-
Nominees selected to receive a Presidential Employee Excellence Recognition Award will be invited along with the individual who nominated them. Due to venue capacity limitations, team award recipients larger than 10 are required to designate a team lead that will accept the award on behalf of the team.
