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Home » Codes & Policies » Naming Policies

Georgia Southwestern State University Naming Guidelines

Policy:

As a means to recognize those persons or groups that have provided significant service or financial support to Georgia Southwestern State University, the University may name buildings, other university properties (such as centers or plazas), or interior spaces in honor of a person, family, group, or organization according the following procedures. In all cases, the provisions and requirements of Board of Regents Policy 912: Names of Facilities or Streets will apply to the naming of properties at Georgia Southwestern State University and will take precedence over the following policy.

1. Criteria
   1. 1.1. A building, property, or interior space may be named for a person, group, or organization if one or more of the following criteria are met.
      1. 1.1.a: Substantial and significant contribution to the mission of the University regarding service, teaching, scholarship.
      2. 1.1.b: Significant financial, monetary, or in-kind contributions to the 1) construction or remodeling of a building or property; or 2) the creation of an academic program; or 3) any other University activity.
      3. 1.1.c: A "significant financial contribution" is defined as a proportion of the expense of the property that equals at least 60%, which must be in the possession of the University or the GSW Foundation prior to the submission of the request for naming the property. The proportion of the cost as a qualifying criterion will be considered in conjunction with the absolute amount donated. If any portion of a financial contribution is a deferred gift, the contribution must be irrevocable.
   2. 1.2. No restrictions exist with regard to who is eligible other than the person cannot be a current GSW employee and must be disassociated from state or federal government prior to being considered for naming.
2. Nomination Process
   1. 2.1. Pursuant to the minimum criteria proved in section 3.1, any person affiliated with the University may make a recommendation of a person or group's name to be assigned to a University building, property, or interior space. A "person affiliated" with the University is meant to be construed broadly to include any employee, faculty, staff, student, supporter, or friend of the University.
   2. 2.2. The nomination shall be presented in the form of a typed letter that details the reasons why the person merits being honored. The nomination proposal shall be sent to the Vice president of University Relations or Chief Advancement Officer (CAO), who shall conduct a preliminary review judging its form, content, and quality.
3. Review Process
   1. 3.1: If the CAO deems that the proposal contains sufficient and credible information, the CAO may form and convene a committee.
   2. 3.2: The CAO shall create an ad-hoc committee by choosing one person from the following categories: Student government, Faculty Senate, Alumni, Administration, and the School or Department that resides in the building or property under consideration. The CAO has the discretion to choose any other person who the CAO believes has an interest in the decision.
   3. 3.3: The CAO shall serve as chair of the committee.
   4. 3.4 The committee shall review the nomination and make a recommendation and forward it and any supporting evidence to the President.
4. Decision Authority
   1. 4.1 The President shall consider the recommendation of the committee and make a judgment as to whether to assign the nominee's name to the building, property or interior space.
   2. 4.2 If the facility to be named is a building or property, the President will make a recommendation to the Board of Regents who will have the final authority in naming buildings or properties.
   3. 4.3 There are no assurances to donors that the naming of a property will remain beyond the useful life of the building.
5. Building Nomenclature and Signage
   1. 5.1 The President and CAO, or their designees, shall be responsible for creating the specific name of the building, designing and affixing plaques or signage, and arranging and conducting a ceremony that is deemed appropriate.
   2. 5.2 Signage practices and standards must comply with Board Policy Sections 908.03 and 917. Any signage must be consistent with the Georgia Southwestern Facilities Master Plan.
6. Periodic Review
   1. 6.1 This policy will be periodically reviewed and revised as necessary.