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Home » Compliance & Operations » Naming Policies

Columbus State University Naming Guidelines

Naming Guidelines

Introduction:

Columbus State University (CSU) considers the naming of a facility, academic unit, endowed faculty chair, street or identifiable area of campus landscape in honor of a living or deceased individual, corporation, foundation, or organization to be one of the highest distinctions that it can bestow. In light of the importance and magnitude of this honor and in compliance with the guidelines and regulations of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (Board Policy 912), CSU has established the following guidelines relative to the "Naming of Facilities or Streets." This Policy applies to facilities or streets on all property owned or leased by CSU, including athletic facilities and facilities constructed by affiliated organizations of the institution.

Naming Guidelines:

CSU has adopted these "Naming Guidelines" to reflect the institution's and the University System of Georgia's interests, and which appropriately recognize the outstanding service and/or generosity of the honoree. In compliance with Board of Regents Policy 912, all proposed namings of facilities or streets will be submitted to the Board of Regents for approval at the appropriate meeting.

• For living persons:
  • Person must have provided outstanding service to Columbus State University, the community, the state or the nation or 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 at least two years prior to the naming.
• For deceased persons:
  • Same basic standard as for living persons, except the two-year waiting period may be waived upon the person's death.
• For monetary donations:
  • CSU has a list of current Naming Opportunities which includes a monetary amount for each naming opportunity based on the varying levels of the naming opportunities. The Naming Opportunity list is reviewed and revised periodically.
  • The President of CSU is responsible for ensuring that proposed namings associated with monetary gifts are consistent with the interests of the institution and the University System of Georgia.
  • While it is the institution's preference that all deferred gifts should be irrevocable and all pledges should be at least partly in hand before naming is recommended, CSU recognizes this is not always practical in the world of private giving.
• De-Naming/Name Removal:
  • A facility or street may be de-named in circumstances such as failure to follow through on a financial commitment, failure to maintain the high standards of the institution or of the University System of Georgia on which the original naming honor was based, or for other appropriate reasons.
  • Approved names for facilities will not remain in effect beyond the useful life of the building. Should a named building be demolished, there will be another opportunity for naming.

The President of CSU has administrative authority to name interior facility spaces such as rooms, hallways, common areas, and endowed scholarship funds.

All gifts to CSU are considered gifts for the general benefit of the university unless the donor has specified a program or other specific use for the funds. In case of naming opportunities, the gift comes to the university for the priorities the university deems appropriate, and the university will offer the donor, subject to approval of the Board of Regents, an opportunity to name a particular facility, academic unit, endowed faculty chair, street or identifiable area of campus landscape. There is not necessarily a direct link between the naming of a facility, academic unit, street, or area of campus landscape and the use of funds. From time to time, university leadership may choose to allocate a portion of such funds, but such allocation is neither required nor should it be expected. In the case of endowed faculty chairs or scholarships which bear the donor's name, the funds are used to establish an endowment to accomplish the desires of the donor.

The Board of Regents and the Chancellor will be notified of plans for any recognition ceremony associated with a naming opportunity.

Signage practices and standards for named gifts will comply with Board of Regents Policies 908.3 and 017, and will be consistent with the Institution's Master Plan.

The President of CSU has appointed a committee to recommend, monitor and periodically review these guidelines. This committee is also responsible for reviewing and updating the university's list of naming opportunities, including the level of funding required for each. Furthermore the committee is charged with recommending persons to be recognized/honored with a naming opportunity. Membership of the committee consists of the Vice President for University Advancement (serves as Chair), the Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Executive Director of the CSU Foundation, and the Director of Major Gifts.

Last Revised September 20, 2005