Valdosta State University Naming Guidelines
Establishing Names for Buildings, Facilities, and Streets
Authority to name buildings, facilities, lawns, streets and other areas on Valdosta State University's campus rests with the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. The following policy applies to the naming of all physical areas on all of Valdosta State University's campuses. The term "facility" is intended to include buildings of all types, sports facilities, streets, plazas, gardens and other physical areas of the campuses. (See BOR Policy Section 912-NAMES OF FACILITIES OR STREETS.)
In order for the individual being honored by a naming to enjoy and take part in the honor when it is bestowed, facilities 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 employment for at least two years prior to the naming.
In the event that the individual being honored is no longer living, the standards listed above will still apply, however, the two year waiting period may be waived.
"Outstanding service" as used in this policy is intended to be a flexible standard. It is the policy of Valdosta State University to judge each naming situation on its own merits after taking into consideration the facts that are relevant to the person being honored and the naming opportunity involved. The President of Valdosta State University will endeavor to insure that the proposed naming is consistent with the interests of the institution and the University System and that the value of the service warrants the action proposed.
The naming of a building, facility, street or other physical area of the campus will endure only for the useful life of the entity and not in perpetuity. As a practical matter, campus facilities and spaces must change as the University's needs change. If a building or area is demolished, destroyed, developed or substantially remodeled, a named room or area may no longer exist. The campus Advisory Committee may determine if the transfer of a name to a new area is appropriate.
Procedures for Naming Buildings, Facilities, and Streets
When it appears that a contribution (gift) to benefit Valdosta State University will result in a naming request for a donor or other individual, the University's Development Office must be notified along with a profile of the donor or individual being honored, the area of interest with any proposed stipulations, and information about how the contribution (gift) will be paid. The gift or a signed pledge for the gift must have been received by the institution before the naming is completed. Any deferred or estate gifts must be irrevocable and defined in writing.
After review by the Development Office, the information will be forwarded to the Vice President for University Advancement. The Vice President will discuss the potential naming with the University's advisory committee, members of which will be appointed by the President. After internal approvals, the President will submit the recommendation to the Board of Regents. The President of Valdosta State University has the final authority to approve these recommendations at the local level before the request is sent to the Board of Regents.
It is customary to have a ceremony or event celebrating the naming of a campus entity or faculty position. Such events should be handled in accordance with appropriate protocol for the University and the Board of Regents. In order to assure institution wide coordination, such events must be planned through the Office of Special Events of Valdosta State University. The Board of Regents and the Chancellor should have sufficient prior notice of such an event so that they may attend.
Procedures for naming colleges, schools, departments, programs and centers at Valdosta State University will be the same as those outlined above.
Signage for Named Buildings, Facilities, Streets, etc.
Signs for named places will be in keeping with guidelines for signage in the University's Master Plan and in compliance with Board of Regents policies outlined in Section 908.03-CAMPUS GROUNDS AND FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT and Section 917-BUILDING PLAQUES.
Contribution Guidelines for Buildings, Facilities, Streets, Colleges, Schools, etc.
When the naming of a building or other entity at Valdosta State University is based on a monetary contribution the following guidelines must apply:
- The minimum gift amount for naming a building at Valdosta State University will be 30% of the cost to construct or of the estimated value for existing buildings.
- The gift must be irrevocable and paid over a period of no longer than five years and outlined in writing in a commitment signed by the donor.
- Unless the gift is necessary to fund the immediate construction of the facility to be named, the gift may be used to establish a program endowment restricted to a department or program selected by the donor.
- If a department is to be named, a restricted program endowment supporting that department may be necessary.
- Generally, deferred gifts such as bequests, charitable gift annuities, charitable trusts, and life insurance policies are not appropriate for current naming opportunities. However, those opportunities may be available when the gift is actually received by the institution. These options should be discussed with the donors.
- It is the general policy of Valdosta State University to reserve the formal naming request to the Board of Regents until at least 50% of the gift has been received.
Removal of Names from Buildings, Facilities and Streets, etc.
From time to time, situations may occur which would warrant the removal of a name from a building or other place on the campuses of Valdosta State University. Because the naming authority lies with the Board of Regents, so does the authority and responsibility to remove a name when appropriate. Circumstances may dictate that the parameters under which a name was bestowed on a physical place on the University campuses have changed to the extent that consideration must be given to removing the name. These circumstances may include, but not be limited to, the failure to fulfill the financial commitment in the initial agreement, or personal aspects involving the individual or corporation for whom the entity is named.
Understandably, these cases are very sensitive; therefore, it is the policy of Valdosta State University to judge each situation individually and on its own merits. No decision will be made without taking into account all of the facts that are relevant to the decision. The President of Valdosta State University will endeavor to ensure that the removal of the name is consistent with the interests of Valdosta State University and the University System of Georgia.
Procedures for the Removal of Names from Buildings, Facilities, and Streets, etc.
When it becomes apparent that there may be a reason to consider the removal of a name from a facility at Valdosta State University, the Vice President for University Advancement should be notified along with the original naming history and all salient circumstances surrounding the removal recommendation.
The Vice President for University Advancement will discuss the removal of the name with the campus Advisory Committee and the President of the University. Following internal approvals, the President will submit the proposal for removal of the name from a building, facility, or street to the Chancellor of the Board of Regents for their approval.
The removal of a name from a room or other portion of a facility may be approved by the President and the Advisory Committee.
Removal of Names from Colleges, Schools, Departments, Programs, Centers, etc.
The above stated parameters and procedures will apply for the removal of a name from an intangible entity at Valdosta State University. Final approval for the removal of a name from a College or School lies with the Chancellor and the Board of Regents.
The President and Advisory Committee at Valdosta State University will approve the removal of a name from a department, program, center or other namings not otherwise addressed in this policy.
Named Faculty positions
To establish a named faculty position, a formal written agreement outlining the objectives of the accompanying endowment fund must be executed by the donor, the University and the Foundation that will manage the fund. The endowment principal of the fund must be sufficient to meet the objectives outlined in the agreement.
Minimum gift amounts for such positions will be in compliance with the Board of Regents guidelines for regional universities as stated in Section 803.0402-ESTABLISHMENT OF SPECIAL FACULTY POSITIONS of the Policy Manual.
As with other naming opportunities, the Board of Regents has the final authority to establish a named faculty position. The requests will be made to the Board by the President of Valdosta State University.
No named faculty position will be established or announced, nor will any initial appointment be made to such position, without prior approval of the Board of Regents.
Periodic Review of Naming Policy
The President of Valdosta State University and the campus advisory committee for naming should review this policy on a regular and recurring schedule in order to assure that it continues to be in compliance with the campus Master Plan and the policies of the Board of Regents.