Macon State College Naming Guidelines

Policy Regarding the Naming of Buildings and Facilities

Introduction

Macon State College and the Macon State College Foundation seek private funds to enhance the College’s ability to meet the higher education needs of the Central Georgia region and to achieve a level of excellence that would otherwise not be possible through state funding levels and student tuition. To that end, the College seeks to provide appropriate recognition to donors for their generosity.

Although such recognition may take many forms, this policy establishes guidelines for the naming of facilities, streets, and identifiable areas of campus landscape (i.e. quadrangles, gardens, lakes, recreation and athletic facilities) and interior spaces (i.e. rooms, foyers, labs.)

In keeping with the Board of Regents Policy, prior approval to name a facility, street, or an identifiable area of campus landscape will be secured from the BOR. The Board of Regents delegates to the President of Macon State College the authority to establish criteria for all other naming opportunities including interior spaces, programs, and support funds.

All fundraising initiatives of the College associated with the naming of buildings or facilities will be approved by the President and governed by the policies of the Board of Regents. The President may appoint an institutional advisory committee which may include representation from the Macon State College Foundation.

General Guidelines

Placing the name of an individual, family or corporation on a building, room, center, institute, professorship, or scholarship at a college or university is a time-honored tradition among institutions of higher education and is one of the highest distinctions to be bestowed. Generally, the naming of facilities and academic programs recognizes an individual’s high scholarly distinction, devotion, distinguished service, or a generous gift.

All naming opportunities are negotiable, and the Foundation recognizes that notwithstanding this policy, the College retains its discretion to make exceptions or alter criteria or conditions as appropriate to the circumstances. While each naming opportunity must be considered individually, the following general principles will be applied:

The merits of naming any facility, street, identifiable areas of campus landscape or interior space will be determined by carefully weighing the individual’s high scholarship, devotion, or distinguished service and should be able to stand the test of time.
All naming requests should confirm that the honoree or donor meets the highest moral and ethical standards.
Naming a facility, street, identifiable areas of campus landscape, or interior space is associated with a significant gift.

Monetary Donation Guidelines

The President of Macon State College is responsible for ensuring that a proposed naming associated with a monetary gift(s) is consistent with the interests of the institution and the University System of Georgia. Generally, the following schedule will be used to determine the gift required for a naming commitment.

Campus Building	$1,500, 000
Major Identifiable Area of Campus Landscape	1,000, 000
Campus Street	500,000
Lecture Hall, Auditorium, Performance Hall	500,000
Recreation Facility, Lab	250,000
Classroom, Conference Room, Lobby, etc.	250,000

Any and all combinations of gifts, pledges, and irrevocable deferred gift arrangements are acceptable for naming commitments.

Prior to making a recommendation to the Board of Regents, the President will confirm the donor’s pledge of an appropriate gift to be made within a specified time.

Naming for a Living or Deceased Person Guidelines

The honoree must have provided truly outstanding service to the institution, nation, or society in general. For living public servants, the person must have been disassociated from employment by or service to the USG or from state or federal government office or employment for at least two years prior to the naming. If the person is deceased, the two-year waiting period may be waived upon the person’s death. In situations where no financial gift is being provided, at least five years should pass.

Signage

All signage related to the naming opportunity must be consistent with Macon State’s Master Plan and will adhere to Board of Regents Policies 908.03 and 917.

De-Naming/Name Removal

In the event financial commitments are not kept or the honoree fails to maintain the high standards upon which the original naming honor was based, the College reserves the right to remove the name from the facility.

Generally, the naming will extend only through the useful life of the building. However, in some situations, the College may elect to transfer the name to a replacement structure.

Review

These naming guidelines will be reviewed at least every three years.

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