Policy on the Naming of Facilities and Programmatic Units

 

Effective: May 30, 2000
Approved By: President Likins
Contact: President's Office

 

INTRODUCTION

 

The naming of a facility or programmatic unit contributes to the University's sense of its own heritage and is a significant event in the history of the institution. Such namings demand due consideration and consultation. Arizona Board of Regents Policy 1-117, and related guidelines provide the basic and controlling regulations involved in the naming of facilities (defined below) or programmatic units (departments, schools, institutions, centers, or colleges) for individuals or organizations. This document amplifies Regents' policy by stipulating the detailed policies and procedures to be observed at The University of Arizona.

 

Regents' policy 1-117 states that the University Presidents shall have the authority to approve the naming of university facilities and programmatic units for individuals and organizations. Facilities shall include, but not be limited to, buildings, structures, thoroughfares, areas, classrooms, offices, or other spaces within facilities. The policy further indicates that the University Presidents shall exercise their discretion in providing advance notice, as they deem appropriate, to the Board and the Executive Director of the names of the individuals and organizations who are considered for naming opportunities, and that appropriate Board recognition shall be provided to all naming recipients.

 

The University Presidents continue to have authority for naming of any facility by department, center, school, college or functional name. Programmatic unit name changes other than those honoring individuals or organizations shall be accomplished in accordance with the requirements of ABOR Policy 2-301.

 

CRITERIA

 

In naming facilities or programmatic units, due attention must be give to the point that the adoption of names of individuals, families or organizations prominent in the history of the University will contribute to the campus heritage. The guidelines of the Arizona Board of Regents (attached) shall be followed, as well as the following additional criteria.

 

1. Names of living or deceased individuals may be considered.

2. A name proposed for a new facility so as to recognize a gift to the University may be considered when the gift represents a substantial component of the projects' total cost. For fund raising purposes, a reasonable objective is 50 percent of the private gift component involved in the project.

3. A name proposed for an existing but presently untitled facility so as to recognize a gift to the University may be considered when the gift represents a significant proportion of the value of the facility. For fund raising purposes, a reasonable objective is 50 percent of the appraised value of the facility.

4. A name proposed for all or part of a facility that is to be renovated will normally require that the gift cover the full cost of the renovation.

5. A name proposed for a programmatic unit so as to recognize a gift to the University may be considered when the gift is similar to donations received for comparable naming at peer institutions or at the University of Arizona.

6. If a naming is contemplated as part of a fund raising drive or a contractual agreement, the Naming Advisory Committee must be apprised of this fact in advance. The committee is expected to exercise discretion and to respect confidentiality in such cases.

PROCEDURES

 

1. All proposals for the naming of facilities or for the naming of programmatic units for individuals or organizations shall be submitted to the President in writing. They shall contain evidence showing that these criteria are satisfied (including the Regent's Guidelines) as well as indicating the results of consultation with occupants of the facility or members of the unit regarding the proposed naming.

2. The President shall forward all proposals to the attention of the Naming Advisory Committee which is to consist of the Vice Chair of the Faculty (Committee Chair), President of the UA Foundation, President of the Arizona Alumni Association, Vice-President for University Advancement, President of the Associated Students (ASUA), President of the Graduate and Professional Student Council (GPSC), Provost of the University, President of the Staff Advisory Council (SAC), Chair of the Appointed Personnel Organization Council (APOC), a Representative from the Dean's Council (elected by the Deans), and a Representative from the Faculty Senate (appointed by the Chair of the Faculty).

3. The committee shall give timely consideration to all proposals, weighing them on their individual merits and consulting with others outside its membership when appropriate and necessary.

4. Based on the merits of the case and the available information, the committee shall provide the President with its recommendations on each proposal. Given the significance of a naming for the University and for the wider community, ideally there should be substantial agreement within the committee. In the event that substantial agreement cannot be attained, the President should be informed of this fact.

5. The President shall take the committee's recommendation into account in deciding whether to proceed with the naming.

6. Naming of academic programmatic units shall also require approval of the Faculty Senate. Functional naming of units will not be considered by the Senate until a recommendation from the appropriate Senate Committee has been submitted. Naming of a unit for an individual or organization shall be considered in executive session, and prior committee recommendations are not required.

TERM OF A NAMING

 

Once approved by the President, the name given to a facility or programmatic unit shall continue in use for the life of the facility or unit unless the President shall seek the advice of the Naming Advisory Committee before any decision is made.

 

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ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS - Guidelines for Assigning the Names of Individuals, Families or Organizations to Campus Facilities or Programmatic Units (i.e., Departments, Schools, Institutes, Centers, or Colleges)

 

1. When naming a facility or programmatic unit for a person, family, or organization where there is no gift, the proposed honoree shall have achieved distinction in one or more of the following ways:
   a. serving the university in an academic or administrative capacity with high distinction, or
   b. by contributing in other exceptional ways to the welfare and reputation of the university, to education, or to the community in general.

2. When naming a facility or programmatic unit for a person, family, or organization where there is a gift to the university, consideration shall be given to the following factors:
   a. the significance of the gift to the likely realization or success of a facility project or programmatic unit, based on individual university guidelines and policies,
   b. the urgency or need for the project or program, or continuing support for the program,
   c. the standing of the individual, family, or entity in the community or profession,
   d. the nature and duration of the relationship of the proposed honoree to the university.

3. Prior to approving the naming of a facility or programmatic unit for a person, family or organization, the president shall have a reasonable assurance that:
   a. the proposed name will bring additional honor and distinction to the university,
   b. the recognition implied by the naming is appropriate for the behavior exhibited by the individual, family, or organization, and
   c. any philanthropic commitments connected with the naming can be realized.

Under ordinary circumstances, serving Regents, elected officials, and university employees are not eligible for a naming. The Board may make exceptions to this rule if other unusually meritorious reasons justify the naming.