Main Navigation

Home » Compliance & Operations » Naming Policies

Southern Polytechnic State University Naming Guidelines

The SPSU Advisory Committee on Institutional Naming (as appointed by the President and consisting of the Chief Advancement Officer and others) shall be consulted regarding any of the following guidelines. This committee will recommend to the president prospective institutional naming opportunities. In the event any disagreement within that committee, the President shall be the final on-campus arbiter.

Honorary Naming

A facility naming shall honor or memorialize an individual 1) who has achieved exceptional distinction in higher education and/or other areas of public service or 2) who have served Southern Polytechnic State University in an academic capacity and has earned a national or international reputation for preeminent achievements in teaching, research or social service while employed by Southern Polytechnic State University. The honoree must have been disassociated from employment by the University System or from state or federal government employment for at least two years before any recommendation can be considered. This provision is waived if the person is deceased.

The credentials, character, and reputation of each individual shall be appropriately reviewed as part of the nomination process.

Philanthropic Naming

A naming honor may recognize a substantial financial contribution consistent with the interests and institutional mission of Southern Polytechnic State University. A facility being named in recognition of a philanthropic pledge will be judged on its own merit; the naming is contingent on fulfillment of that pledge and will be approved on that condition.

Significant gifts to the Southern Polytechnic State University Foundation, Inc. provide an ideal opportunity to link a donor with the traditions and future of SPSU through either the establishment of a named endowment fund or support of capital needs. SPSU offers several kinds of named gift opportunities, with minimum amounts described below:

Capital Construction — New Facilities 25% of estimated cost
Naming of Existing Building $1,000,000 and above
Support for Facilities Renovations 25% or more of estimated cost
Auditorium and Areas within Buildings $100,000 and above
Classrooms $25,000 and above
Outdoor areas $10,000 and above

Guidelines for Naming Opportunities

In order for a building, facility, program, center, or space to be named based upon a contribution, the gift will comply with the following guidelines:

  1. It is the general practice of the Southern Polytechnic State University Foundation, Inc. to seek naming opportunity gifts that are in an irrevocable form to be paid over a period of no longer than five years based upon a signed pledge commitment. Gifts to substantial capital projects or renovations ($1,000,000 and above), however, 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.
  2. It is the general practice of the Southern Polytechnic State University Foundation not to formally request a final naming approval from the Board of Regents until such time as at least 50% of the total naming opportunity value has been received.
  3. All gifts given as a naming opportunity for the construction, enhancement, or renovation of facility, structure or space on campus must be used for that particular facility, structure, or space. Any excess funds will be placed in the SPSU Foundation's general fund or unrestricted endowment for use across the entire university.
  4. All gifts given as a naming opportunity for a facility, structure, or space that is already constructed or needs no enhancement or renovation will be placed in the SPSU Foundation's general fund or unrestricted endowment for use across the entire university.
  5. The president, in consultation with the Foundation Executive Committee and other appropriate entities, has the authority to name interior spaces within buildings and sports facilities for individuals, corporations, foundations, or organizations, in accordance with University and Board of Regents policies.
  6. All signage practices and standards associated with institutional naming opportunities will conform to the guidelines in Section 908.03 and Section 917 of the Board of Regents' Policies as well as the university's Master Plan.
  7. Naming a building, facility, or space must be consistent with the university's guidelines for associated financial commitments, outlined in the philanthropic naming section, and requires a recommendation by the SPSU Advisory Committee on Institutional Naming and the SPSU president and approval by the Board of Regents.

Renaming of or Removing a Name from a facility or space

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

  1. Any request to rename, add or remove a name from a SPSU facility should include documentation pertaining to the original approval and subsequent name change proposal.
  2. 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.
  3. When a facility is requested to be renamed, add a second name or remove a name from a facility, SPSU representatives will make all reasonable efforts to inform in advance the original donor or honoree and/or their immediate family.
  4. A name may be removed from a facility or space if 1) a donor has not fulfilled their philanthropic pledge within the time designated in the donor pledge document or a reasonable period of time or 2) SPSU determined that the actions or deeds of the individual or corporation are not in keeping with the mission or standards of the university.

These guidelines will be reviewed by the SPSU Advisory Committee on Institutional Naming every five years. Any changes or revisions will be sent to the Board of Regents for approval.