UR Stars Program
UR Stars because…
We see how you shine
Every star is unique and valued
We’re the makers of a bright future together
UR Stars overview video
Our platform for faculty and staff
UR Stars is a fun, easy way to:
- Show gratitude to everyone who exemplifies our Meliora and ICARE values
- Recognize and thank faculty and staff who promote belonging, equity, and diversity
- Celebrate the big and small moments when you and your team shine
- Advance the spirit of our Boundless Possibility strategic plan
UR Stars training videos
Get started: Watch a brief walkthrough of the UR Stars platform, which includes how to login, using the social wall, following your colleagues, and much more.
Nominating UR Stars: Follow a step-by-step guide on how to nominate a UR Star.
Sending eCards: Learn how to send an eCard to a faculty or staff member to recognize their milestones, including new hires, career advancements, professional development, and much more.
Using the Mobile App: Learn how to download the UR Stars mobile app, set up your login credentials, and navigate the platform from your phone or mobile device.
Recognition in action: You make us ever better
Employee recognition is a crucial aspect of creating a positive and productive work environment.
UR Stars best practices
Recognizing and appreciating employees for their impact not only enhances job satisfaction but also drives overall success. When it comes to recognition, there are several best practices that you can follow to ensure its effectiveness.
- Be genuine: Recognition should always come from a place of genuine appreciation. Sincerity is key.
- Be specific and timely: When recognizing someone, be specific about what they did and why it matters. Provide feedback and recognition in a timely manner, so individuals can fully appreciate and associate the recognition with their actions.
- Make recognition meaningful and personal: Tailor recognition to each individual’s preferences and motivations. Understand what makes each person feel appreciated and valued, and customize recognition accordingly.
- Connect recognition to our values: Not only is it important to show appreciation to the individual for living our Meliora and ICARE values, but can reinforce behaviors that align with our values for other colleagues as well.
- Make recognition a habit: Don’t just wait for a big achievement to recognize someone. Celebrate small wins and improvement, too.
Learn about more best practices, search “urstars” in MyPath.
Frequently asked questions
Until now, there hasn’t been a University-wide recognition system. UR Stars will give us a new, institution-wide, best-in-class recognition platform designed to reinforce our culture of appreciation and collectively celebrate achievements together across the University strengthening our shared values as “One University.” UR Stars is an easy way for all faculty and staff to show appreciation for the work of others including actions that uphold our Meliora and ICARE ideals; inspire excellence; foster an inclusive culture; and advance the spirit of our Boundless Possibility strategic plan.
You can recognize any faculty or staff member employed at the University, organization-wide.
There are several ways to access the platform:
- Via your browser at urstars.rochester.edu/
- Mobile App
- At the Medical Center – Via the Intranet, ICARE Corner page (URMC)
If you are having difficulty logging into the platform, please contact univithelp@rochester.edu or call 275-2000.
Yes. There are several quick and easy-to-use resources to assist you:
- Short how-to videos
- Hands-on learning opportunities (include while relevant (June 4–7)
- Office hours (include while relevant June 10–21)
Additionally, each department has been assigned a UR Stars Recognition Champion who is available to help you engage in recognition, including navigating the UR Stars platform and identifying opportunities to recognize everyone who helps us reach our full potential. If you don’t know who your champion is, please contact your manager or email URStars@rochester.edu.
A UR Star is formal recognition of efforts and achievements that uphold our Meliora and ICARE ideals; inspire excellence; foster an inclusive culture; and advance the spirit of our Boundless Possibilities strategic plan. For a UR Star, there is a short approval process that requests managers’ review. Everyday Celebration eCards are intended to be informal, fun, in-the-moment recognition of milestones that include (but are not limited to) new hire activities, birthdays, career advancements, and professional development. For everyday Celebration eCards, there is no nomination/approval process.
Any University of Rochester staff or faculty member employed by the University of Rochester can use the platform to recognize any other staff or faculty member (individually or as a group). UR Stars does not include staff at our affiliate organizations.
If you don’t know who your champion is, please contact your manager or email URStars@rochester.edu.
UR Stars is replacing the ICARE Stars program. URMC has a vibrant recognition culture thanks to the success of the ICARE Stars program, and UR Stars will continue to enrich our program even further with new and enhanced features.
The UR Stars recognition platform improves the ICARE program in several ways, including the use of a modern, easy-to-use system with enhanced functionality and a mobile app for instant “anytime/anywhere” recognition for the entire University. Most importantly, it is modeled on recognizing and celebrating faculty and staff who demonstrate both our Meliora and ICARE values.
No, the platform is only available to University of Rochester employees and does not extend to our affiliate organizations at this time.
Not at this time. Patients and families will continue to be able to thank and formally recognize caregivers and others who positively impact their lives in meaningful ways via written or verbal communication, which will be entered into the UR Stars system.
Not sure who the UR Champion for your department is?
Contact your supervisor, HRBP, or email urstars@rochester.edu.