University of Georgia Naming Guidelines
This document will establish general policy guidance for naming facilities and portions of facilities at the University of Georgia. When questions or problems arise regarding any of the following guidelines, the UGA Gift Acceptance Committee (as appointed by the President and consisting of the Senior Vice President for External Affairs and others) shall be consulted. In the event of any disagreement within that committee, the President shall~be the final on-campus arbiter.
Establishing Names for Buildings, Facilities, and Streets
Authority to name buildings, facilities and streets rests with the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. The following policy shall apply to the naming of all physical facilities and streets on all campuses within the University of Georgia. (BOR Policy Section 912) The term "facility" is intended to include buildings of all types, as well as all sports facilities. It is also intended to include all outdoor areas that may not have physical walls but are nonetheless identifiable areas of campus landscape, such as quadrangles, gardens. lakes, recreation fields, etc.
In order to allow for the individual being honored to enjoy and take part in the honor when it is bestowed, facilities and streets may be named after a living individual if the person to be honored has provided outstanding service to the institution, to the nation, or to society, and has served with distinction. When naming is to honor a person for outstanding and distinguished service as a public servant, that person must have been disassociated 'from employment by the University System or from state or federal government for at least two years prior to the naming.
In the event that the individual being honored is no longer in life, the3standards listed above will still apply, however, the two year separation period requirement maybe waived.
"Outstanding service" as used under this policy is intended, to a certain extent, to be a flexible standard. It is the policy of the University of Georgia to judge each naming situation on its own merits after taking into account the facts that are relevant to the person being honored and the naming opportunity involved. The President of the University of Georgia shall endeavor to ensure that the proposed naming is consistent with the interests of the Institution and the University System and that the value of service warrants the action proposed.
Establishing Names for Portions of Facilities
In accordance with Board of Regents Policy 912, approval for naming portions of facilities, including interior spaces, rooms, etc., will be provided upon recommendation and approval by the University of Georgia Cabinet and the President of the University.
Criteria for naming portions of facilities will be similar to those for naming buildings, facilities, and streets with the exception of the status of the individual being honored relative to his or her current employment with the University System or state and federal Government.
Procedures for Naming Buildings, Facilities, and Streets
When it appears that a contribution to the University will result in a request to name a building, a facility or a street for a donor or other individual, the Central Development Office shall be notified. A profile of the donor(s), and those being honored if not the. donor (s), the area of interest with any proposed stipulations, and information about how the gift will be paid should be provided with the notification.
After review by the Central Development Office, the information will be forwarded to the Senior Vice President for External Affairs. The Senior Vice President for External Affairs will discuss the potential naming with appropriate University officials including the President and Cabinet. After internal approvals, the President will submit the proposed naming to the Chancellor of the Board of Regents or his designee, who will then submit the recommendations to the Board of Regents for their approval.
Once a naming is approved by the Cabinet and the Board of Regents, it is customary to have a ceremony or event announcing and celebrating such naming. Such recognition ceremonies or events are of institutional and Board of Regents interest and must be handled in an appropriate manner. Notice must be given to the Senior Vice President for External Affairs before any such recognition event is scheduled or planned to assure institution wide coordination. Any ceremony planned by the University for donors should include early notification to the Chancellor and members of the Board of Regents.
Procedures for Naming Portions of Facilities
Units proposing that a portion of a facility be named should notify first the Central Development office consistent with the guidelines for naming buildings, facilities, and streets. The proposal will then be forwarded to the Senior Vice President for External Affairs who will make a formal presentation at a meeting of the University Cabinet for approval by the Cabinet and the President.
Signage
Appropriate signage related to all naming actions shall be executed in accordance with the University's Master Plan and Board of Regents policies 908.03 and S 17.
Contribution Guidelines for Facilities or Portions of Facilities
In order for a facility or portion of a facility to be named based upon a contribution, the gift will comply with the following guidelines:
- The gift must be in irrevocable form to be paid over a period of no longer than five years based upon a signed pledge commitment.
- Unless the gift is necessary to fund the immediate construction of a facility to be named, the gift may be used to establish a program endowment restricted to a department or program of the donor's choosing.
- Generally, deferred gifts, including-, but not limited to, gifts such as life insurance, CRTs, CGAs, and bequests are not to be used for current naming opportunities. Discussion should be made with the interested donors discussing the possible naming opportunities that may be available when the gift is actually received (booking of a deferred gift does not give rise to a current naming opportunity).
- It is the general practice of the University of Georgia to not formally request a final naming approval from either the University Cabinet or the Board of Regents until such time as at least 50% of the total naming opportunity value has been received.
- The following gift amounts are suggested to establish a miming opportunity for facilities or portions of facilities:
| To name a: | Suggested Gift Amount: |
|---|---|
| Building | |
| New | At least one-third cost minimum but determined according to scale. |
| Existing | At least one-third of the private fund-raising Goal |
| Exterior Spaces, Courtyards | |
| New | At least one-third cost minimum but determined according to scale. |
| Existing | $250,000 minimum but determined according to scale. |
| Lecture Halls/Concert Halls/Auditoria | |
| New | At least one-third cost minimum but determined according to scale. |
| Existing | $100,000 minimum but determined according to scale. |
| Classrooms/Conference Rooms/ Seminar Rooms | $100,000 |