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OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT	1111 Franklin Street Oakland, California 94607-5200 Phone: (510) 987-9074 Fax: (510) 987-9086 http://www.ucop.edu

November 4, 2002

CHANCELLORS
LABORATORY DIRECTORS

Dear Colleagues:

I am writing to share with you decisions recently made about the University's Service Award and Retirement Gift Program. As you know, the program has played a valuable role in acknowledging employees who have attained important milestones in their University careers. The award program has also enabled the University to present tangible expressions of appreciation and gratitude to employees for their years of dedicated service.

For many decades, the Office of the President has centrally administered and provided funding for this program. As part of the recent budget review process and due to severe budgetary restrictions, we have decided that it is no longer possible for the Office of the President to support the Universitywide program, and will transfer that responsibility to the campuses and Laboratories. This transfer will provide the opportunity for each campus and Laboratory to develop a Service Award and Retirement Gift Program that reflects the local employee relations philosophy, and to select vendors and awards accordingly. Each location will have the flexibility to tailor its awards to meet specific needs and to express its own unique culture. Some of you have already begun this process and are presenting alternative gifts that you feel are more reflective of your environment.

The program's transfer will be effective on January 1, 2003. In the interim period, the Office of the President will continue to fund the program and to coordinate local implementation issues. Director Judy McConnell and her staff in the Human Resources Policy and Employee Relations unit in the Office of the President will work with your staffs to ensure a smooth transition. They will contact you in the near future to begin the process.

Sincerely,

Richard C. Atkinson
President

cc: Members, President's Cabinet
Associate Vice President Boyette
Special Assistant Gardner
Principal Officers of The Regents