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Policy

This policy specifically addresses naming opportunities that involve financial contributions from alumni, friends, corporations and foundations that are substantial in amount and may reflect on UWRF in perpetuity. The policy has been developed to support the interests of private donors who wish to make an impact on the university by providing significant contributions to name buildings, programs, funds and positions at UW-River Falls.

All requests involving a private donation to name buildings, programs, funds or positions will be the primary responsibility of the Executive Direction of University Advancement. Faculty or staff who becomes aware of an individual with an interest of this nature must contact the Executive Direction prior to any formal discussions.

This policy is intended to complement the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Policy 19-14 Naming or Dedication of University Facilities.

Authority

The UW-River Falls Chancellor issues this policy in accordance with the Administrative Policy process.
The VCAF is responsible for the administration of this policy. Request an exception to this policy by writing to administrative-policy@uwrf.edu.

Sanctions and Appeals Process

Failure to adhere to the provisions of this policy may result in appropriate disciplinary action as provided under existing procedures applicable to students, faculty, and staff, and/or civil or criminal prosecution.

Procedure

• All requests involving a private donation to name buildings, programs, funds or positions will be the primary responsibility of the Executive Director of University Advancement. Faculty or staff who become aware of an individual with an interest of this nature must contact the Executive Director prior to any formal discussions.
  
• Naming requests involving contributions of less than $50,000 and/or scholarship naming requests will continue to be established in consultation with the related department or college at the discretion of development staff within the Office of University Advancement.
  
• Naming requests involving contributions of $50,000 or greater will be developed in consultation with the related department or college, submitted in writing for review by the UW-River Falls Naming Committee and subject to final approval by the Chancellor. The Naming Committee will consist of the Executive Director of University Advancement, the Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance, the Provost/Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and other individuals as designated by the Chancellor.
  
• Per University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents Policy 19-14, naming requests that involve entire buildings must be brought to the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents for formal approval. Requests are to be presented to the Physical Planning and Funding Committee and the full Board of Regents for discussion in closed session prior to approval. Public announcement of the request by the university shall not be made until the request has been approved by the board.
  
• Per University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents Policy 19-14, if a naming requests involves a living individual who has been formally associated with the University of Wisconsin System, or has held a paid public office, a waiting period if required unless a situation is presented where a contribution stipulates the naming. Normally at least five years must have elapsed from the time a person who has been formally associated with the University of Wisconsin System, or has held a paid public office, has terminated that association, or left the paid public office.
  
• Per University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents Policy 19-14, the chancellor is authorized to name facilities when the naming involves less than an entire building, such as rooms, wings or exterior amenities. This authorization is subject to the same limitations regarding waiting periods as those pertaining to entire buildings.
  
• The Chancellor, in consultation with the UW-River Falls Naming Committee, is authorized to approve the removal of a name when the naming involves less than an entire building. Name removal may be considered under the following circumstances:
• • The area named is demolished or is no longer to be used for the university’s benefit.
  • The function of the facilities changes to the extent that the purpose for the naming is no longer relevant.
  • A person, organization, foundation or corporation’s activities reflect negatively on UWRF’s public image, or are in material conflict with UWRF’s mission and/or policies.
  • Other special circumstances that may arise.
    If the name removal is for an entire building, the request must be brought to the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents for formal approval.
    
• Physical naming recognition of a building, space or structure will not be completed until the full amount of the contribution, including any pledged portion of the gift has been received and receipted by the UW-River Falls Foundation. An exception may be granted by the Chancellor.
  
• Pledges for naming opportunities must be completed within four years from the initial pledge date. For pledges that do not reach the required funding level within the stated four-year period, the donor or the representative will be consulted to determine the most appropriate course of action, which may include a pledge extension or the transfer of the donated funds to a previously established fund within the Foundation.
  
• Contributions involving naming requests must be irrevocable and meet the minimum present day dollar values requirements established.
  
• Naming requests will not be recognized through a planned or deferred gift until the contribution has been received and processed.
  
• Naming privileges designated for a building or space exists for the useful life of the structure.
  
• Naming privileges for designated programs, positions or funds exist, as with the endowment, into perpetuity.
  
• Limited term naming opportunities may arise from time to time.

Minimum Contribution Requirements 

• The following chart provides guidelines in determining appropriate gift levels required to support subsequent naming recognition of spaces, programs, funds or positions. While the chart is fairly extensive in scope, is it not exhaustive. The opportunity to name spaces, programs, funds or positions not listed below will also receive thoughtful consideration.

Naming Opportunities Defined

• New Building, Building Additions and Renovations, New Classrooms or Laboratories: Gift level is not reflective of the total cost of a building, but rather represents a significant commitment to completion of the structure. May include academic or administrative buildings.
• Athletic and Recreational Facilities and Spaces: Provides support for buildings and spaces that support athletic and/or recreational program space. May include but not limited to new or existing fields and/or athletic or recreational complexes.
• Campus Beautification: Typically includes improvements and enhancements to exterior campus spaces. The contribution must cover the entire cost of the walkway, artwork, garden, fountain or other form of beautification. If significant ongoing costs will be incurred to maintain the structure or space, an endowment sufficient to cover associated costs may also be required.
• College, Department: Provides support for annual operations of the college or department as well as may support new initiatives of the college or department at the discretion of the college dean or department chair.
• Center/Program: Provides support for the annual operations of a new or existing center or program on campus.
• Classroom, Laboratory, Meeting Room, Academic Study Area: Provides support for equipment and furnishings needed to maintain these spaces over time.
• Chair: May be restricted to a specific field of study within an academic department. The purpose of the endowment may be to recruit new faculty or to support an existing position. The endowment will be used to supplement salary and provide program support within the designated department. The University is responsible for the selection of the position.
• Professor/Director: May be restricted to specific fields of study or student service or program areas of campus. The purpose of the endowment may be to recruit a new faculty or staff position or to support an existing position. The endowment will be used to supplement salary and provide program support within the designated department. The University is responsible for the selection of the position.
• Visiting Professor: May be restricted to specific fields of study within an academic department. Provides support to supplement salary and expenses incurred in hosting the professor.
• Faculty Development Fund: May be restricted to specific fields of study within an academic department. May provide enhancements for a faculty member/s teaching, including the integration of technology into the curriculum, professional development or research activities.
• Faculty/Staff Recognition Award: Provides support to recognize outstanding service and achievement on the UWRF campus. The award may be designated to a particular program, department or college for which the recognition is to be directed.
• Lecture/Concert Series: Provides support to pay for honoraria, publicity and the expenses of the visiting lecturers to present a lecture on campus. The series may be designated to a particular program, department or area of emphasis.
• Visiting Scholar: May be restricted to specific fields of study within an academic department. Provides support to supplement salary and expenses incurred in hosting the scholar.
• Guest Speaker: Provides support for speaker fees, publicity and other related expenses incurred in hosting the speaker. The guest speaker may be designated to a particular program, department or area of emphasis.
• International Study Scholarship: May be used to support either a student/s participating in university approved study abroad programs or could also provide support to an international student/s studying on the UWRF campus.
• Graduate, Undergraduate Student Scholarship: Supports a well-deserving student attending UWRF. The donor would have the opportunity to determine selection criteria that would be used in selecting a suitable recipient for the scholarship including such indicators as financial need, program of study, class rank and/or academic achievement.
• Annual Named Scholarship: Provides annual, non-endowed named scholarships. A five-year commitment is required to fund this type of scholarship. Selection criteria will depend upon the donor’s preferences and guidelines established by University of Wisconsin-River Falls Foundation.
• Graduate, Undergraduate Internship/Assistantship: Supports a well-deserving student attending UWRF. The donor would have the opportunity to determine a field of study in which the internship would occur.
• Library Support Fund: Supports expenses for either current or new library acquisitions or initiatives.
• Artwork Acquisition: Supports new works of art being brought to the UWRF campus. The donor would have some opportunity to make determinations regarding the location and form of the artwork.

University Responsibilities

University Advancement
Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance

Department/Unit Responsibilities

Foundation personnel in consultation with the University Controller will determine if any new questionable sources of revenue should appropriately be deposited into the Foundation.

Related Documents

University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents, Policy 19-14 Naming or Dedication of University Facilities, http://www.wisconsin.edu/bor/policies/rpd/rpd19-14.htm

Contact

Please direct questions about this policy to administrative-policy@uwrf.edu.