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Home » Codes & Policies » Naming Policies

Georgia Southern University Naming Guidelines

(revised September 12, 2005)

(In accordance with Board of Regents Policy 912)

Georgia Southern University considers the naming of one of its facilities, streets, or landmark campus areas to be one of the highest distinctions that can be bestowed to honor an individual, corporation, foundation, or organization. Such an honor should be strictly reserved for those individuals or groups who have given outstanding service and/or contributions to the University. The naming of a facility, street, or campus area is not only a high honor, but it is also a conspicuous honor, and as such, should reflect the high standards and ideals of the University. Careful consideration should be given in determining that the honoree's actions will have a decades-long positive effect on the University's public reputation. The task of naming should not be taken lightly. Rather, the utmost discretion should be used in ensuring that those upon whom such an honor is bestowed are truly worthy.

In accordance with Board of Regents Policy 912, the following guidelines have been established in determining the appropriate naming procedures for Georgia Southern University.

1. Definition of "Facility"

   The term "facility" includes buildings of all types on all property owned or leased by Georgia Southern University, including all athletic facilities and those constructed by affiliated organizations. It also includes all outdoor areas that may not have physical walls, but are nonetheless identifiable areas of campus landscape, i.e., quadrangles, gardens, lakes, recreation fields, streets, etc.

   The term "facility" does not include interior spaces such as rooms, hallways, etc., within buildings and sports facilities. Refer to Section IV for additional details.

2. Definition of "Outstanding Service"

   "Outstanding service," to a certain extent, is a flexible standard. Each naming situation must be judged on its own merits after taking into account the facts that are relevant to the person being honored and his or her service to Georgia Southern University. The President of the University shall endeavor to ensure that the proposed naming is consistent with the interests of Georgia Southern and the University System of Georgia, and that the value of service warrants the action proposed.

3. Naming Guidelines
   1. To honor living persons:

      In order to allow for the individual being honored to enjoy and take part in the honor when it is bestowed, Board of Regents policy allows facilities to be named after a living individual if the person to be honored meets all criteria.

      The individual must have provided truly outstanding service to Georgia Southern University, the nation, or to society in general.

      For public servants, the person must have been disassociated from employment by or service to the University System of Georgia, or from state or federal government employment, for a minimum of two years prior to the naming.

   2. To honor deceased persons:

      The individual must have provided truly outstanding service to Georgia Southern University, the nation, or to society in general.

      For public servants, the two-year waiting period may be waived upon the person's death.

   3. To recognize monetary contributions:

      Private support is critical to the quality of facilities available to the University's students. In support of academic and athletic fund-raising efforts, it is appropriate that the generosity of the donor be honored or memorialized with a named facility. Prospective donors are offered a broad array of opportunities to create a legacy at Georgia Southern University. The naming of buildings will remain for the useful life of the building.

      A list of commemorative giving opportunities has been developed, along with the financial commitment required for each of these naming opportunities. The Vice President for University Advancement should be consulted for guidance in determining recognition of monetary contributions.

      The President of Georgia Southern University shall be responsible for ensuring that proposed namings associated with monetary gifts are consistent with the interests of Georgia Southern and the University System of Georgia. Deferred gifts which are the basis for naming should be irrevocable.

   4. Name removal:

      Removal of a name from a facility may become necessary in circumstances such as failure to pay in full a financial commitment, failure to maintain the high standards of Georgia Southern or the University System of Georgia on which the original naming honor was based, or for other appropriate reasons. This determination will be made by the President of Georgia Southern University.

   5. Signage practices and standards:

      Signage standards should comply with Board of Regents Policy Sections 908.03 and 917. Additionally, to insure consistency with Georgia Southern University's Master Plan, proposed sign designs and information to be included on the sign should first receive approval by the Campus Master Planning Committee and forwarded to the President for final approval.

4. Naming of Interior Spaces
   1. The term "facility" does not include interior spaces such as rooms, hallways, etc., within buildings and sports facilities.
   2. The Board of Regents grants administrative authority to each University System of Georgia President to name interior facility spaces such as rooms, hallways, commons areas, etc.
   3. The Board of Regents will be notified by the President of Georgia Southern University, for informational purposes only, on any such interior space naming.
5. Approval Guidelines
   1. The establishment of naming opportunities and the accompanying financial commitments are to be recommended to the Vice President for University Advancement. The Vice President will forward the recommendations to the President's Cabinet for approval.
   2. Proposed namings of facilities will be recommended to the Vice President for University Advancement. The Vice President's office will conduct discreet, thorough research to ensure that the proposed honoree's service/contributions to Georgia Southern University are worthy of such recognition.
   3. The Vice President for University Advancement will forward proposed honorees to the President's Cabinet for approval.
   4. Upon approval by the President's Cabinet, all proposed namings of facilities at Georgia Southern University should be submitted to the Secretary to the Board of Regents. The Secretary will then coordinate with the Board of Regents Real Estate & Facilities Office to present the items to the Board of Regents for approval at the appropriate meeting.
   5. These guidelines shall be periodically reviewed.