Nebraska recorded a strong opening in the chase for the Chancellor’s Cup as seven teams scored double-digit employee participation percentages.

The friendly competition is part of the university’s participation in the Lincoln-area Combined Campaign for Health and Human Services. The university is a longtime participant in the community fundraiser and campus leaders have challenged faculty and staff to expand annual giving to the four-week campaign.

To encourage participation by faculty and staff, weekly individual prizes are being awarded and the Chancellor’s Cup will be presented to the campus division that records the greatest percentage of employee participation. Percentages include faculty and staff who submit pledge forms — even those who opt not to donate.

The campaign runs from Oct. 29 to Nov. 30.

Katie Black | University Communication

Week 1 results in the campuswide race for the Chancellor's Cup. Results show the percentage of faculty/staff who have completed United Way Combined Campaign forms — even those individuals who opt not to give.

In the first week, the top five campus teams are: Alumni/Chancellor at 30.4 percent; Research, 17.4 percent; Law, 16.7 percent; Academic Affairs, 15.4 percent; and University Libraries, 13.2 percent.

Others campus teams breaking the double-digit threshold are Information Technology Services at 10.9 percent and Arts and Sciences at 10.4 percent. Overall participation by all 20 university teams is 7.5 percent.

A complete list of the team standings and details on how to participate are available on the university’s Combined Campaign website.

The winning unit will keep the Chancellor’s Cup until next year’s fundraiser. In the event of a tie, the winner will be decided by the unit that reached the percentage the fastest.

Individual prize winners, selected randomly from all faculty and staff who submitted pledge forms, and their awards are: Richard Horner, telecommunications systems specialist with Information Technology Services, “Atlas of Nebraska” coffee table book; Jill Flagel, a coordinator for faculty/disability services with Institutional Equity and Compliance, two tickets to a Lied Performance; Veronica Riepe, director of Student Involvement, chancellor’s tickets for two to a Husker volleyball match; and Brian Schlichting, assistant director of universitywide benefits with Central Administration, lunch for four at the training table in Memorial Stadium.

All faculty and staff who participate by completing United Way campaign forms — including those who opt not to donate — will also be entered into weekly drawings. Four winners will be selected each week of the campaign.

Video: United Way donations make real life impacts

Chancellor Ronnie Green, a co-chair for the campus drive, is helping lead the charge to increase donations from the university. During a campaign pre-launch at Nebraska Innovation Campus on Oct. 24, Green committed to giving more than he has previously and pledged to shave his head if the university’s donation total exceeds $350,000.

Combined Campaign administrators and leaders of supported organizations are excited about the university’s focus on increasing participation and the potential for additional overall support.

“I always talk about how even the smallest donation can make a huge impact,” said Bill Michener, executive director of Lighthouse, an after-school program that benefits from the campaign. “So, when I’m talking about the University of Nebraska — one of the largest employers in the state — can you imagine what can be done with the power of the Huskers?

“I’m hoping that the university steps up, because they can make a profound impact on this community and on the lives of our young people.”

Learn more about the Combined Campaign.