Exceptional Merit (Staff and Faculty)

Exceptional Merit for Staff

The purpose is to award full-time employees for exceptional performance. Exceptional performance is defined as those work-related actions, duties or tasks performed by the employee consistently above what is normally expected or required in the performance of job duties. The determination of Exceptional Merit will result in a percentage increase in the annual base salary of the employee except for those at the top of the pay range (instead the awards may be in the form of professional development funding or other special recognition as determined by the President). Exceptional Merit awards are contingent upon available funding.

Eligibility
Full time for six (6) months or more by December 31st of the review period (January 1 – December 31). Employees who were reclassified or promoted and/or received a salary enhancement during the applicable period (March 1 – August 31) which resulted in a pay increase are not eligible.

Procedures
Application is turned in during the month of February for activities that occurred during the review period

Categories
To support consideration and documentation are:

1. Achievements/Activities that had a measurable impact on your department, division, or the University in such areas as efficiency, customer service or cost savings.
2. Achievements/Activities related to Personal and/or Professional development (completion of a degree or certification)
3. Campus or community services activities that are not part of your regular job that contributed to the achievement of UTB’s mission or enhance the image of the University in the community.
4. Standards that were achieved or exceeded as a result of the Staff Review and Development process

Submitting Application
Submit 6 copies of your application and supporting documentation

Review
Applications will be reviewed by a peer committee and the appropriate Vice President who then makes a recommendation to the President. Applicants are notified by the President’s office.

Exceptional Merit for Faculty

There is a two-tiered system for the evaluation of faculty merit. The merit system evaluates and rewards faculty for achievement in the performance of their responsibilities and workload based upon established faculty evaluation procedures. The determination of meritorious service may result in an increase in the annual salary base of faculty. Faculty holding only an administrative appointment is not eligible for the faculty merit process. Department Chairs are eligible for the merit process. All other non-tenure track faculty (i.e., part-time, adjunct, teaching assistants, term contract holders, etc) are not eligible for the faculty merit process.

Merit
Evaluation for a faculty merit salary increase will take place as part of the annual professional planning/evaluation process each spring and shall involve the faculty member, the Chair, and the Dean. Merit evaluation is tied to the performance of faculty responsibilities and workload as defined by University policies.

Exceptional Merit

1. Evaluation for an exceptional merit increase is initiated by the individual faculty member. It is based upon performance at an exemplary level in at least one area of responsibility, according to the criteria for exceptional performance established by the relevant department, and on meritorious performance in the other area (s) in which exemplary performance was achieved and is documented by a portfolio developed by the individual faculty member. Only accomplishments since the last successful personnel action may be included in the portfolio.
2. Evaluation will be made in competition with other faculty and recommendations will normally be made by department and College/School committees, chairs and administrators.
3. Faculty, including chairs, who are themselves applying for exceptional merit shall not participate in evaluation of exceptional merit applications either at the department or the College/School level.
4. Applications for exceptional merit shall not be made simultaneously with applications for tenure and/or promotion.
5. Applications for exceptional merit may be made simultaneously with applications for post-tenure review.

Related Links:

Director and Staff Reviews and Merit