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Fort Valley State University Naming Guidelines

The mission of Fort Valley State University (FVSU) is to provide quality educational programs, encourage excellence in research, and disseminate useful information and technologies to the communities it serves. Support, in addition to that provided by the State, is often required to effectively pursue this mission. In an effort to foster continuous private donations, the following guidelines have been developed to provide a means for recognizing and honoring individuals, corporations, foundations, organization, and other entities making significant financial contributions to Fort Valley State University, and/or meriting naming recognition due to outstanding service.

These guidelines implement the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia Policy 912 - "Names of Facilities or Streets", and apply to facilities or streets on all property owned or leased by FVSU including athletic facilities, and facilities constructed by affiliated organizations of the institution. Policy 912 provides that all proposed namings will be submitted to the Chancellor, or his designee, who shall then submit the recommendations to the Board of Regents for approval. The Board of Regents must approve the proposed name of a facility or street, whether to honor an individual, corporation, foundation or organization or to memorialize a deceased individual. 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.

These guidelines also apply to non-facility assets of the institution including interior spaces such as rooms, laboratories, auditoriums, hallways, etc., within buildings and sports facilities; and articles including statutes, works of art, and fountains. Per Policy 912 - "Names of Facilities or Streets", the naming of interior spaces is the prerogative of the President, and does not require Board approval.

FVSU will not give assurances to donors that the naming will remain beyond the useful life of the facility. In the event the University demolishes a named facility, it is recognized that this creates a new opportunity for naming the replacement facility, including naming involving a new donor and a new honoree.

An FVSU Naming Advisory Committee, which currently is comprised of the President's administrative council, will make naming recommendations to the President based on the guidelines herein and consistent with Board of Regents Policy 912. This committee will also periodically review the FVSU Guidelines for Naming Facilities, and may serve as the investigative and advisory committee referred to in Section D. — De-Naming and Name Removal. The President is the final arbiter of all naming disputes within the University.

  1. Individuals

    The act of naming an FVSU facility or street is the conferral of not only a high honor, but also a conspicuous honor. It publicly exhibits the judgment and standards of FVSU and the University System of Georgia, and signifies lasting approval of the actions of the honoree.

    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 living person for outstanding and distinguished service as a public servant, that person must have been disassociated from employment by or service to FVSU, an FVSU affiliated organization, the University System or from state or federal government employment for at least two years prior to the naming. For deceased persons, the two-year waiting period may be waived upon the person's death.

    Individuals, living or deceased, for whom facilities or streets are named:

    1. may or may not (a) have any connections with Fort Valley State University, (b) have had connections with academia, or (c) be American citizens; and
    2. must be viewed as having integrity, as being morally and ethically sound or as having a good reputation generally.
  2. Corporations, Foundation, Organizations, and Similar Entities

    Corporations, foundation, and similar entities for which facilities or articles are named:

    1. must be of good reputation generally, and
    2. must not have been engaged in, or have among major pursuits, any activities which conflict with the mission, philosophy, and guiding principles of Fort Valley State University, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, the State of Georgia, or the United States of America.
  3. Financial Commitments Corresponding to Naming Opportunities

    Academic Departments
    College of Agriculture, Home Economics and Allied Programs, $2 Million
    College of Arts, Sciences, and Education, $2 Million
    College of Graduate Studies and Extended Education, $2 Million
    Academic Chairs
    Endowed Chair in Agriculture, $1 Million
    Endowed Chair in Business, $1 Million
    Endowed Chair in Education, $1 Million
    Endowed Chair in the Sciences, $1 Million
    Instructional Areas
    Naming of a Lecture Hall, $50,000
    Naming of a Science Laboratory, $50,000
    Naming of a Computer Laboratory, $50,000
    Naming of an Instructional Classroom, $25,000
    Scholarships
    First Level, $100,000
    Second Level, $75,000
    Third Level, $50,000
    Fourth Level, $25,000
    Fifth Level, $10,000
    Buildings
    Health and Physical Education Building, $2 Million
    Computer Technology and Mathematics Building, $1 Million
    Veterinary Science Building, $1 Million
    Technology Transfer Center, $500,000
    Dining Hall "Food Service Center," $500,000
    Dairy Goat Research Center, $500,000
    Family Living Center "Family and Consumer Sciences," $500,000
    Demonstration Pavilion "Life on the Farm," $300,000
    Small Animal Research Center, $250,000
    Restored (1913) Mansion for Visiting Scholars and Reception Center, $250,000
  4. De-Naming and Name Removal

    The President shall have the authority to de-name any named facility, street or interior space whenever deemed necessary in circumstance including:

    1. failure to follow through on a financial commitment,
    2. failure to maintain high standards of FVSU or the University System of Georgia which the original naming honor was based on,
    3. other appropriate reasons including expiration of naming term per the gift contribution.

    At the President's discretion, a committee may be formed to investigate the circumstances surrounding a failure to follow through on a financial commitment or other reason for consideration of de-naming, and to recommend whether de-naming be pursued.

  5. Pledges and Deferred Gifts

    Deferred gifts would include:

    1. Bequest in the donor's will, specifying a specific dollar amount or a percentage portion or residual of the donor's estate.
    2. Naming the Foundation as owner and beneficiary of a life insurance policy, offering the donor a tax deduction.
    3. Various types of trusts, which provide income, tax deductions, and other advantages to a donor while making substantial gifts to the University.

    Pledges will be treated as deferred gifts. Both pledges and deferred gifts are irrevocable. One hundred-percent of pledges and deferred gifts must be received before the President recommends a naming to the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.

  6. Signage Practices and Standards

    The requisite signage manifesting the naming will consistent with the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia Policy, Sections 908.03 and 917 - "Names of Facilities or Streets", and will be consistent with the Campus Master Plan in effect.