Medical College of Georgia Naming Guidelines

2.2.03 Naming of Institutional Facilities

Policy Statement

The Medical College of Georgia (MCG) welcomes the opportunity to honor those who have rendered distinguished service or support to the university. The conferring of a naming honor should advance the reputation of MCG as well as increase the awareness, understanding and public support for the university and its programs. Facilities and interior spaces may be named for individuals or entities whose accomplishments or generosity advance and/or increase the capacity of MCG to meet its teaching, research and clinical service missions. To insure the appropriateness of the honor, MCG will utilize the following guidelines to make decisions on the merits of each situation with regard to naming facilities and interior spaces.

Reason For Policy

The Board of Regents (BOR) considers the naming of a University System of Georgia (USG) facility or street in honor or memory of a living or deceased individual, corporation, foundation, or organization to be one of the highest distinctions it can bestow. Board of Regents Policy 912 “Names of Facilities or Streets” vests the prerogative and privilege of naming USG institution facilities and streets with Board of Regents for all property owned or leased by the USG including facilities constructed by affiliated organizations of the institutions. The term “facility” includes buildings of all types, as well as athletic facilities and outdoor areas of the campus landscape.
The Board of Regents grants administrative authority to the institution presidents to name all interior facility and/or building spaces and requires each institution to develop appropriate naming guidelines.

Entities Affected By This Policy

All Medical College of Georgia schools, administrative units, and affiliated organizations are covered by this policy.

Who Should Read This Policy

MCG Administrative Personnel
Deans, Directors, Department Heads, Program Chiefs
Those considering requesting for an MCG facility to be named in honor of a living or deceased individual, corporation, foundation, or organization, etc.

Contacts

VP Administration
706-721-1018
mash@mcg.edu

Website Address For This Policy

http://www.mcg.edu/Policies/2203.html

Overview

The President will appoint a Facilities Naming Advisory Committee to review and recommend nominations for naming opportunities. The membership of the committee will include the Provost, the VP for Administration, the VP for External and Governmental Affairs, the VP for University Advancement and the Chair of the Academic Council. The Facility Naming Advisory Committee will be chaired by the VP for Administration.

All requests for philanthropic or honorary facility naming shall be submitted to the President in writing. The request shall contain justification compliant with the criteria and objectives outlined in the Board of Regents and MCG policies. The committee will review and research each submitted facility naming nomination on its individual merits. The Facility Naming Advisory Committee as a part of deliberative review and research process may consult with others outside its membership when appropriate and necessary. The Committee will make a recommendation to the President. Depending on BOR policy, the President may need BOR approval.

Policy Process/Procedures:

Naming Criteria:

MCG will consider the following two general categories of naming opportunities.

Philanthropic Naming

A naming honor may recognize a substantial financial contribution consistent with the interests and institutional missions of MCG. A facility naming conferred in recognition of a philanthropic pledge will be judged on its own merit; is contingent on fulfillment of that pledge and will be approved on that condition.

Substantial capital project or renovation contributions made through irrevocable deferred gift vehicles including but not limited to a charitable remainder trust, pooled income fund, charitable gift annuity, deferred pledge agreement and flexible endowment agreement may be considered.

A substantial gift is defined as:

One half of the private funds necessary for the project;
One half of the estimated costs of new construction and 75% of renovation costs

Honorary Naming

A facility naming shall honor or memorialize an individual who has achieved exceptional distinction in higher education and/or other areas of public service or who have served MCG in an academic capacity and has earned a national or international reputation for preeminent achievements in teaching, research or clinical or social service while employed by MCG or associated with municipal, state or federal government. The credentials, character, and reputation of each individual shall be appropriately reviewed as part of the nomination process.

The University System policy 912 on Naming of Facilities and Streets requires a two year waiting period for consideration of those eligible persons formerly employed by the USG, state, or federal government service. This requirement may be waived in the instance where the individual to be honored or memorialized has passed away.

Special Considerations:

A request to rename, add a second name or remove a name from a facility shall conform to the following principles:

Any request to rename, add or remove a name from an MCG facility should include documentation pertaining to the original approval and subsequent name change proposal.
When a named facility has reached the end of its useful life and will be replaced or substantially renovated the replaced or renovated facility may be renamed in recognition of a new donor or honoree. Appropriate recognition of earlier donors or honorees shall be included in or adjacent to new, renovated or redeveloped facilities.
When a facility is requested to be renamed, add a second name or remove a name from a facility, MCG representatives will make all reasonable efforts to inform in advance the original donor or honoree and or their immediate family.

In instances where facilities are named for benefactors or other individuals, a recognition plaque may be located in the lobby or other area of the facility. All MCG exterior facilities and interior space plaques to recognize individual or corporate philanthropy and or significant individual donor achievements must conform to USG and campus guidelines in size, design, location, materials and content.

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