South Georgia College Naming Guidelines
The naming of buildings, facilities, and grounds of institutions for individuals or groups who have made significant contributions to the institution and the community is an honored tradition of higher education. South Georgia College maintains that because such namings are a significant event in the history of the institution and contribute to the College's sense of its own heritage, due consideration and consultation must be exercised in this endeavor. Board of Regents Policy 912 — "Names of Facilities or Streets" provides the basic and controlling regulations involved in naming of facilities. This document amplifies Regents' policy by stipulating the detailed policies and procedures to be observed at South Georgia College.
The Board of Regents (BOR) considers the naming of a University System of Georgia (USG) facility or street in honor or memory of a living or deceased individual, corporation, foundation, or organization to be one of the highest distinctions it can bestow. Board of Regents Policy 912 "Names of Facilities or Streets" vests the prerogative and privilege of naming USG institution facilities and streets with the Board of Regents for all property owned or leased by the USG including facilities constructed by affiliated organizations of the institutions. The term "facility" includes buildings of all types, as well as athletic facilities, and outdoor areas of the campus landscape. The Board of Regents grants administrative authority to the institution presidents to name all interior facility and/or building spaces.
Overview
The President will appoint a Facilities Naming Advisory Committee to review and recommend nominations for naming opportunities. The Committee will be appointed only when 100 percent of the necessary monetary gift has been received by the College. All requests for facility naming shall be submitted to the President in writing. The request shall contain justification compliant with the criteria and objectives outlined in the Board of Regents and South Georgia College policies. The committee will review and research each submitted facility naming nomination on its individual merits. The Committee will make a recommendation to the President. Depending on BOR policy, the President may need BOR approval.
Policy Process/Procedures:
Naming Criteria:
South Georgia College will consider the following two general categories of naming opportunities. The Committee may evaluate these categories separately or in combination during the nomination process.
Monetary Donations:
A naming honor may recognize a substantial financial contribution consistent with the interests and institutional missions of South Georgia College. A substantial gift is normally defined as:
- One half of the private funds necessary for the project;
- One half of the estimated costs of new construction and 75% of renovation costs
Honorary Naming:
A facility naming shall honor or memorialize an individual who has achieved exceptional distinction in higher education and/or other areas of public service or who have served South Georgia College in an academic capacity and has earned a national or international reputation for preeminent achievements in teaching or social service while employed by South Georgia College or associated with municipal, state or federal government. The credentials, character, and reputation of each individual shall be appropriately reviewed as part of the nomination process.
The University System Policy 912 on Naming of Facilities and Streets requires a two year waiting period for consideration of those eligible persons formerly employed by the USG, state, or federal government service. This requirement may be waived in the instance where the individual to be honored or memorialized has passed away.
Special Considerations:
A request to rename, add a second name or remove a name from a facility shall conform to the following principles:
- Any request to rename, add or remove a name from a South Georgia College facility should include documentation pertaining to the original approval and subsequent name change proposal.
- When a named facility has reached the end of its useful life and will be replaced or substantially renovated the replaced or renovated facility may be renamed in recognition of a new donor or honoree. Appropriate recognition of earlier donors or honorees shall be included in or adjacent to new, renovated or redeveloped facilities.
- When a facility is requested to be renamed, add a second name or remove a name from a facility, South Georgia College representatives will make all reasonable efforts to inform in advance the original donor or honoree and or their immediate family.
In instances where facilities are named for individuals, a recognition plaque may be located in the lobby or other area of the facility. All South Georgia College exterior facilities and interior space plaques to recognize individual or corporate gifts and/or significant individual achievements must conform to campus guidelines in size, design, location, materials and content.
The Chancellor and the Board of Regents will be notified no less than six weeks in advance of any scheduled recognition ceremonies.