ATHENS, Ohio -- University Human Resources recently won the 2002 College and University Professional Association For Human Resources' (CUPA-HR) National Systems and Computer Technology (SCT) Award.

"We were very surprised because we were competing against schools like Harvard, Cornell and Ohio State," said Jim Kemper, assistant vice-president for human resources.

The SCT Award recognizes universities that demonstrate technological innovation that advances the human resource profession. The award will be presented at the CUPA-HR National Conference and Expo in Toronto on Sept. 29.

"The compensation program, from which the award stems from, is a very well designed and well thought out program," Kemper said. "The compensation plan, coupled with the new human resource payroll was a new initiative and the Web site was used effectively to communicate the ongoing program.

"The plan took two years to implement. This was a collaborative effort and takes more than one person or department to implement. It is a university award."

CUPA-HR, founded 50 years ago, serves more than 6,500 human resource administrators at almost 1,700 colleges and universities. CUPA-HR provides many professional development opportunities such as workshops and seminars and access to resources on their Web site, www.cupahr.org.

Ohio University's Human Resource Department provides services to nearly 4,100 employees on the Athens and regional campuses. Some of these services include records maintenance; recruitment and selection; orientation and training; employee counseling and communications; and labor relations activities.