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NOTE: This policy replaces AP-01-105 effective November 2, 1998 and AP-01-402 effective September 27, 2010.

Policy

To establish local policy and procedures for requests to name a building, facility, rooms, floors, other sections of buildings or grounds after a person or entity. The Board of Regents has approved Policy 19-14 NAMING OR DEDICATING OF UNIVERSITY FACILITIES (included below) that deals with this subject, and it is important that individuals or groups who want to forward a name for consideration be aware of campus and Board of Regents policies and procedures.

This policy also addresses naming of non-capital projects.

Authority

The UW-River Falls Chancellor issues this policy in accordance with the Administrative Policy process.
The ACBF 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

The naming of University facilities, areas within buildings or other university structures is done to honor a person or entity that has had a significant impact on the history, tradition and success of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.  Naming connotes great respect and appreciation by the university for the contributions made by the honoree to advance the institution.  Since the naming is intended to be a lasting tribute, great care should be taken to ensure that the honor is commensurate with the actions of the honoree.

Two tracks exist for the naming of a facility or space depending on whether the naming is honorary or the result of a financial gift.  The following procedure is intended to complement the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents Policy 19-14.

1. Per University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Policy 19-14, if the naming is for an entire building, this request must be brought to the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents for formal approval.  These requests are to be brought to the appropriate Board of Regents Committee and then to the full Board of Regents for discussion in closed session at least one month before requesting formal Regent action.
2. The Chancellor is authorized to name facilities when the naming involves less than an entire building, such as rooms, wings, or exterior amenities, or if the naming involves a university structure or grounds area.  Examples of facilities that may be named include: sections of buildings, laboratories, classrooms, foyers, exterior areas, works of art, lounges, libraries, meeting rooms, theatres, offices, galleries, and dining areas.
3. Customarily persons may be recognized only after their death.  However, if the naming request is for a living individual or an existing entity, the Chancellor will appoint a person (or persons) to review the qualifications of the proposed honoree to ensure that the individual or entity being honored has conducted him/her/itself in a manner that reflects the values of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. The person(s) should have appropriate knowledge of and/or connections to the individual or entity being recommended so as to make an informed recommendation regarding the appropriateness of the honor.
4. The Chancellor 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:
5. • If the area named is demolished or is no longer to be used for the university's benefit.
   • If the function of the facility changes to the extent that the purpose for the naming no longer is relevant.
   • If the living individual or entity is involved in activities that conflict with the University's values or that bring dishonor or embarrassment to the University.
   • If other special circumstances arise.

If the name removal is for an entire building, this request must be brought to the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents for formal approval.

Procedure for Naming Facilities and Spaces in Honor of a Person or Entity

1. The naming process for facilities and spaces to honor a person or entity where a financial gift is not involved must be initiated in writing to the Office of the Chancellor by a university academic or administrative department.  The naming recommendation should include documentation to support the rationale for the naming request.  If the Chancellor, or designee, deems that the proposed name merits consideration, s/he shall forward the request to an appropriate shared governance board. As a rule, the Faculty Senate shall consider the naming for all GPR facilities, and the Student Senate for Program Revenue facilities. There may be times in which confidentiality of the person's name is important, and discussion shall be posted under "closed" or "executive" session (per State Statutes section 19.85 (1) (e)).  The appropriate shared governance group may provide a recommendation and rationale in the form of a resolution that is submitted to the Chancellor.
2. When naming involves Program Revenue facilities that are less than the entire building, the Chancellor, or designee, may choose to forward the recommendation to the Facilities and Fee Committee or any of its sub-committees rather than the Student Senate. It shall be the goal to obtain input from the students who best represent the proposed building and/or facility being named.

Procedure for Naming Facilities and Spaces as the Result of a Financial Gift

1. The Executive Director of University Advancement is charged with developing and maintaining the list of available naming opportunities and the associated necessary financial contribution.
2. Where the naming honor is the result of a financial gift, it is expected that the private financial contribution be of sufficient magnitude to assist with the construction, renovation and/or ongoing maintenance of the area named.  In the case of a new facility or space, the gift level is expected to represent at least 35% of the cost of the building or space based on a gross square foot calculation. In the case of naming an existing building, the gift level is expected to represent at least 35% of the replacement cost of the building.  In the case of expanding or renovating an existing area, the gift amount is expected to represent at least 51% of the construction costs.
3. Naming requests involving contributions will be developed by University Advancement in consultation with the related unit, college or department.  The request shall be submitted in writing for review to 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 (chair), the Assistant Chancellor for Business and Finance, the Provost/Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, the Chair of the Faculty Senate, or designee, and other individuals as designated by the Chancellor.
4. As a rule, the funding commitment must be formally pledged in writing before the naming is considered by the Naming Committee.  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.  Where extraordinary circumstances exist, the Chancellor is authorized to make exceptions regarding the exact amount of private support required for naming.
5. All requests involving a private donation to name building 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.
6. 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 their 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.
7. Contributions involving naming requests must be irrevocable and meet the minimum present day dollar value requirements established.
8. Naming requests will not be recognized through a planned or deferred gift until the contribution has been received and processed.
9. Naming designated for a building or space exists for the useful life of the structure, typically 30 years.
10. Limited term naming opportunities will be considered on a case by case basis.   
11. Exceptions to the minimum contribution requirements will be considered by the Naming Committee on a case by case basis.

Naming Opportunities Defined

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Center/Program: Provides support for the annual operations of a new or existing center or program on campus.
6. Classroom, Laboratory, Meeting Room, Academic Study Area: Provides support for equipment and furnishings needed to maintain these spaces over time.
7. 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 Chancellor, or designee, is responsible for the selection of the position.
8. 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 Chancellor, or designee, is responsible for the selection of the position.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. International Study Scholarship: May be used to support tuition for students participating in university approved study abroad programs or could also provide support to an international student/s studying on the UWRF campus. 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.
16. 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.
17. Annual Named Scholarship: Provides annual, non-endowed named scholarships. Selection criteria will depend upon the donor's preferences and guidelines established by University of Wisconsin-River Falls Foundation.
18. 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.  The fund will also be responsible for paying mandatory and appropriate federal and state taxes and benefits.
19. Library Support Fund: Supports expenses for either current or new library acquisitions or initiatives.
20. 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

Executive Director of University Advancement
Assistant Chancellor for Business and Finance

Related Documents

University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents
Policy 19-14 NAMING OR DEDICATING OF UNIVERSITY FACILITIES
(Formerly 96-1)

That, upon the recommendation of the President of the University of Wisconsin System, Resolution 7166 (March 8, 1996), be rescinded and the following amended policy be adopted:

It is the preference of the Board to commemorate the contributions of individuals to academic excellence through the naming or dedication of scholarships, programs, professorships, and other similar actions.  However, the Board recognizes that from time to time there may be a desire to name or dedicate some facilities or portions of the university's buildings or grounds after a person.  

The Board must approve each request to name an entire building after an individual or individuals.  Such 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.

If the request 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 is required unless a situation is presented where a gift 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.

The Chancellor of each institution 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.

History:  Res. 7166 adopted 3/8/96, rescinds 90-1, Res. 5415 adopted 2/90 which rescinded 74-1, 80-1 and Res. 5205, 4/7/89; amended by Res. 9154, 3/06.

Contact

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