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Gainesville College Naming Guidelines

  1. Purpose

    This policy is established in accordance with the University System of Georgia Policy for Naming Facilities and addresses the naming of facilities or parts thereof, streets, drives and landscapes in honor of friends, persons or organizations who have made significant contributions to the College and its heritage. This policy also covers the assignment of use-related (generic) names to facilities, because it is not intended that all buildings or major facilities be named for persons or organizations.

    The service of the person(s) or organization whose name is to be attached to a facility should be compatible with that facility or project function. An exception to this requirement can be made if the person's or organizations' service extended to the entire College, or the primary function of the building to be named is to serve the entire College.

    Facility names in existence at the time of this policy's adoption shall not be affected unless a name change is proposed.

  2. Authority

    Authority for naming of facilities (buildings, auditoriums, laboratories, classrooms, plazas, etc.) rests with the Gainesville College Executive Council, subject to policies established by the University System of Georgia, specifically Board of Regents Policies 908.03, 912, and 917.

  3. Procedures
    1. Facility Identification

      Buildings or wings of buildings may be named after individuals, a group of persons or organizations such as corporations, foundations and associations.

      Rooms or small clusters of rooms may be named after individuals, a group of persons or organizations such as corporations, foundations and associations.

      Buildings and other facilities shall be given a use-related (generic) name (e.g., Student Activities Building) if not named after individuals, a group of persons or organizations.

      Incorporation of a building's use in its name is encouraged where feasible (e.g., Hosch Library).

      Use of the honoree's surname (e.g., Hugh Mills Physical education Complex) is encouraged.

    2. Time Prerequisites

      For public servants, the person must have been disassociated from employment by or service to the University System of Georgia (USG) or from state or federal government employment for at least two years prior to the naming.

      For deceased persons, the two year fee may be waived.

    3. Naming Facilities

      Names in Honor of Individuals or Organizations Who Have Contributed Significant Service:

      Facilities may be named for any person, group of people or organization that has made extraordinary contributions to the advancement of Gainesville College. For example, former administrators, faculty, staff members, alumni, friends, families, corporations or foundations whose contributions to the institution have been especially significant could be candidates for such an honor.

      To be eligible for name consideration, nominees must meet or have met one or more of the following criteria:

      • The provision of outstanding academic/professional service to Gainesville College as a staff/faculty member, college officer, or regent, receiving at least statewide recognition for such.
      • The provision of significant teaching, research or other creative activity receiving general and widespread recognition.
      • The provision of outstand support or service to Gainesville College and/or the Gainesville College Foundation.

      Names in Honor of Individuals Who Are Financial Benefactors:

      Gainesville College facilities may be named for the donors of substantial funds for the same. A contribution to endow maintenance/operating costs should be considered part of the gift. Significant contributions to endow maintenance/operating costs of existing or separately funded facilities may qualify an individual or group as a financial benefactor.

      The naming of facilities will comply with College policies, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing:

      • Donations in Kind
      • Guidelines on the Acceptance of Donations
      • Memorandum of Agreement between the Foundation and Gainesville College
      • Soliciting of Donations and Administration of Bequests and Planned Giving Programs

      For consideration of naming facilities for individuals who have contributed financially to the College, the following is a guideline:

      Classrooms or Laboratories: $5,000 - $10,000
      Buildings: $500,000 - $1,000,000
      Outdoor Plazas: $25,000 - $50,000

      The minimum amount must have been received by a pledge or gifts before a recommendation by the College President to name is made to the Board of Regents. If a pledge of a deferred gift is made, then the donor will sign a statement that it is irrevocable.

      Use-related (Generic Names):

      Facilities not named in honor of a person(s) or organization shall be given use-related (generic) names that will assist people in identifying the general functions contained within.

    4. Recognition Ceremonies

      Should a recognition ceremony take place, the Board of Regents and the Chancellor will be notified as soon as possible.

    5. Name Removal:

      A named facility will retain that name as long as it exists with the exception noted in Board of Regent's Policy. However, if a name is designated for a facility associated with a specific activity and that activity is subsequently changed, the name may be applied to a similarly used facility if possible, and if not, to another facility. However, this does not assure that the name will remain beyond the useful life of the building.

      To lessen confusion, duplication of names should be avoided as a general rule. No facility should be named for a person whose surname has already been assigned to another facility.

  4. Approval Procedures

    The following procedures are established to ensure that the names proposed for Gainesville College facilities have been properly considered, reviewed and approved at the campus level.

    1. A name for a facility may be proposed by the department(s), college or other internal or external individual or organization, including the Gainesville College Foundation, which will use or has a special interest in that facility. Use-related (generic) facility names will normally be proposed by the Executive Council.
    2. Proposals shall include appropriate justification, and recommendation from the president in a letter to the Chancellor.
    3. Precautions shall be taken to protect the confidentiality of nominations until the President, Chancellor, and Board of Regents approve the name.
    4. It is the responsibility of the President to approve the naming of all new facilities, or name changes proposed for previously named facilities.
    5. Facilities names approved by the President shall be forwarded to the Chancellor for approval and transmittal to the Board of Regents for approval.
  5. Changes in the Policy

    This policy may be amended by the Executive Council as approved by the Chancellor and the Board of Regents.

    Periodically, this policy for naming of facilities will be reviewed to keep it in line with institutional guidelines and goals and consistent with the Institution's Master Plan.