VSU launches I Caught You Caring

Members of the Valdosta State University community and visitors to the campus now can reward employees who provide quality service by utilizing the I Caught You Caring program.

?This program recognizes employees who transcend the norm by creating positive experiences for the people they serve,? said VSU President Ronald M. Zaccari. ?I am very pleased with its design and believe it will strengthen the vision we have embraced in regards to improving our daily interaction with students, faculty, staff, and members of the community.?

I Caught You Caring cards, which are used to denote the act being rewarded, are strategically located throughout the campus. The completed card is sent via campus mail to VSU's Training and Development office, where processing includes noting feedback on the employee's personnel file. The card is then sent to the person's supervisor, who formally acknowledges the employee. In addition, first time recipients receive a lapel pin.

?We really want to stress that every employee is eligible for recognition?that includes administrators, faculty, staff and student workers,? says Josie Stone, a member of the I Caught You Caring implementation committee. ?Anyone can fill out a card. It's a way of saying thank you.?

The program stems from the Partners for Campus Excellence initiative, which was created to lead the journey of redefining VSU's campus culture and promoting service excellence.

?Our livelihood depends on making a positive connection with every parent, student and even fellow employees,? says Training and Development Director Becky Murphy. ?We want to encourage and reward employees who go out of their way to make that personal connection with the people they are here to help.?

Murphy praised members of the VSU community who assisted with the implementation of the program. She cited the University Bookstore for donating the display units and the Bookstore's Bethanie Bass for the design of the lapel pins; Bernadette Gunder of University Relations for the logo design and PR concept and materials; and Sharon Butcher, Josie Stone and Carolyn Wilson for their work as representatives of the Council on Staff Affairs (COSA) implementation committee.

Contact the Office of Training and Development at 229-259-5105 for additional information about I Caught You Caring or Partners for Campus Excellence.