1.1 This policy sets forth the criteria and procedures for naming North Carolina State University facilities and academic programs.
1.2 The term "facilities" includes buildings, rooms, interior spaces, streets, courts, athletic fields, open spaces, forests, and all other areas owned, operated or controlled by North Carolina State University.
1.3 The term "program" includes colleges, departments, institutes, centers, and other units associated with university functions.
2.1 North Carolina State University will name facilities and programs as follows:
2.1.1. To recognize individuals who have attained achievements of extraordinary and lasting distinction. Generally, these will be individuals who have had direct, substantial, and active association with the University. For individuals who have not had such an association with the University, selection may be based on the individual’s record of scholarship, creativity, leadership, humanitarian service or public service.
2.1.2. To recognize an organization, such as the Watauga Club, with historical and exceptional ties to the University; an event or date significant in the University’s history; a place with significant meaning for or ties to the University; or a program, activity, function, or symbol pertinent to the life of the University.
2.1.3. To recognize benefactors who have made substantial financial contributions to the University. The term “benefactors” includes individuals, corporations and other organizations. For contributions toward new construction or significant renovation of an existing building, "substantial financial contribution" shall mean a minimum of one half of the total project cost or a number agreed upon by the Chancellor and the Board of Trustees. Buildings constructed with state or university funds may be named for an amount agreed upon by the Chancellor and the Board of Trustees. The naming of any building with outstanding financing debt shall be reviewed by the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Business for University tax implications.
2.2 Contributions to name a program shall be in accordance with the following minimum contributions or an amount agreed upon by the Chancellor and the Board of Trustees:
2.2.1 College: an endowment of 25 million dollars, at least three-quarters of which must be unrestricted to ensure flexibility for the overall enhancement of the college.
2.2.2 Academic Department: an endowment of 10 million dollars, at least three quarters of which must be unrestricted to ensure flexibility for the overall enhancement of the academic department.
2.2.3 Institutes, Programs and Centers: an endowment of 1 million dollars, at least three quarters of which must be unrestricted to ensure flexibility for the overall enhancement of the institute, program or center.
2.3 Recommendations arising from a college or departmental unit to honor an individual by recommending the naming an existing facility or definable portion of a existing facility after the individual must be accompanied by a plan for fundraising approved by the Vice Chancellor for University Advancement and the Chancellor, unless an exception is made by the Chancellor. The fundraising goal associated with the facility or portion of the facility should be commensurate with the nature of the space to be named.
2.4 Facilities will not be named for members of the University faculty or staff, members of the Board of Trustees, members of the Board of Governors, the Governor, elected officials, or state employees concerned with the functions, oversight or control of the University, so long as the relationship exists, except in the case of a naming pursuant to section 2.1.3.
2.5 Selection of facility names should take into account the University's Master Plan that identifies components - e.g., streets, buildings, and open spaces - and organizes these components into a hierarchy. Each facility should be considered in relation to the component of which it is an element and its place in the overall hierarchy. Recommendations of the college/school, department or division that occupies the facility being considered for naming will be considered. Normally, the name should be that of an individual who gained distinction in the areas or areas related to usage of the facility. Exceptions may occur in cases of persons of unusual eminence or singular contributions to the University as a whole.
2.6 "Character areas" such as campus neighborhoods and open areas should be designated by names linking persons, events, places, or activities with appropriate references to location and activities to be conducted on the site or land form.
2.7 A named facility will retain that name for the useful life of the facility or until there is a change in the designated use or activity of the facility unless (a) a facility is named for a term of years or (b) an exception is made by the Board of Trustees based upon the recommendation of the Chancellor. Replacement or substantial renovation of the facility shall be considered the end of the useful life of the facility.
2.7.1 Any proposal to rename a facility or to add a second name in recognition of a gift shall be reviewed by the General Counsel of the University.
2.7.2 When a facility is proposed for renaming, University representatives will make all reasonable efforts to inform in advance the original donors or honorees and their immediate family members.
2.8 An agreement to name a facility for a benefactor pursuant to 2.1.3 must be in writing and signed by the benefactor and the University. The agreement shall include provisions addressing the following:
2.8.1 That the name of the facility exists only for the useful life of the facility or a term of years approved by the Board of Trustees, as applicable, unless an exception has been approved pursuant to 2.7, above. Replacement or substantial renovation of the facility shall be considered the end of the useful life of the facility.
2.8.2 That the name of the facility may be changed if a benefactor ceases payment on a pledged donation for naming the facility, after a pro rata period of time that reflects the number of pledge payments made, given the estimated useful life of the building or the term of years covered by the naming agreement, as applicable.
2.8.3 The types of signage, including logos and images if applicable, that will be used by the university in connection with the naming. Signage must be consistent with University guidelines on signage.
2.8.4 In the case of corporate donors, the circumstances under which the name of the facility, and related signage may be changed in the event that a corporate name change occurs as a result of corporate action, such as a merger.
2.9 If at any time following approval of a naming, circumstances change substantially so that the continued use of that name may compromise the public trust, the Vice Chancellor for University Advancement shall consult with the General Counsel and the Chancellor regarding future action.
