Section IV - College Relations & Development

IV E

Naming Policy

To state the College's naming policy

Introduction

The Trustees and President of Randolph Community College (hereinafter referred to as “the College”), as well as the Directors of the RCC Foundation, seek private funds to enhance the College’s ability to meet the higher education needs of its community, particularly toward a level of excellence that would otherwise not be possible given state/local funding levels and restraints on student tuition and fees. To that end, the College seeks to provide appropriate recognition to donors for their generosity. Although such recognition may take many forms, this policy seeks to establish guidelines for donor recognition through the naming of facilities and programs.

Purpose

This policy serves as a guideline for the Randolph Community College Trustees, the President, the Directors of the RCC Foundation (hereinafter referred to as “the Foundation”), and other staff, volunteers, and outside advisors who assist in the solicitation of gifts. It is established to assure an appropriate reflection of the history of the College as well as consistency, fairness, fitting recognition and good value in exchange for the honor or privilege of name association with a program, fund, or physical aspect of the College. This policy is intended only as a guide and allows for flexibility on a case-by-case basis.

Naming Tributes

Donors to be honored with naming opportunities may be individuals, families, organizations, foundations or corporations.

Two circumstances generally give rise to a naming tribute:

  1. Naming in Recognition of Distinguished Service may honor a gift of time or talent that has had a significant positive impact on the College over an extended period of years. Such honor will typically be recommended no less than three years following the end of the individual’s service to the College. The President of the College, or a committee appointed by the President, is charged with determining whether the person proposed is worthy of the honor, as well as the degree of internal and external support for the proposed naming, prior to submitting to the Board of Trustees for approval.
  2. A gift to the Foundation of an amount appropriate to the facility, program or fund being named. The President has the authority to establish/adjust sponsorship amounts as he or she sees fit.
  3. In special circumstances where the President deems it important to inform/ consult with the Board of Trustees, discussion of the matter with the Chair will be sufficient. It is up to the discretion of the Chair whether or not to take the matter to the full Board.
Endowments for Programs and Scholarships

Endowed funds established for a variety of purposes may also bear the donor’s or designee’s name. These funds are generally coordinated by the Foundation in accordance with its Investment and Gift Acceptance policies.

Physical Property

Sponsorship of physical property on campus through monetary gifts may occur:

  1. To pay for all or part of a new campus facility or improvement;
  2. In conjunction with fundraising efforts on the part of the College or the Foundation.
Giving levels for the naming of physical property are be established by the President. Some general guidelines include:
  1. New construction, buildings or improvements may be named for a donor who has made a substantial monetary gift toward the cost of the project.
  2. For existing buildings and facilities, dollar amounts may be established for a selected number of naming opportunities based on institutional priorities set by the President and the College Board of Trustees.
  3. Giving levels may be established with either fixed or minimum dollar amounts for sponsorship of other physical property on campus. Such property may include but is not limited to pavers, benches, planters, fountains, gardens, equipment, meeting rooms, lounges, theaters, artwork, recreational facilities, and outdoor plazas.
  4. The President of the College has the authority to establish/adjust sponsorship amounts as he or she considers reasonable.
  5. In special circumstances where the President deems it important to inform/ consult with the Board of Trustees, discussion of the matter with the Chair will be sufficient. It is up to the discretion of the Chair whether or not to take the matter to the full Board.
Permanency of Names

Where a building or part thereof has been named, a facility receives a designation that shall last the useful lifetime of the facility, unless otherwise stipulated at the time of gift acceptance.

Provisions

  1. Should a named facility be destroyed due to forces of nature or changed due to substantial renovation or construction, the College Board of Trustees reserves the right to reevaluate continued recognition of the individual whose name is associated with the building or facility. The individual, family, organization, foundation or corporation involved in the initial naming may, at the sole discretion of the President, be offered an opportunity to retain the naming before any other naming gifts are considered.
  2. When a name is to be removed from an existing facility, approval shall be sought through the
    same procedures as are required for naming a facility.
  3. Any legal impropriety or other act which brings dishonor to the college on the part of the donor or a corporate donor who is no longer in existence shall make the gift and naming subject to reconsideration by the College.
Rights and Responsibilities

The College President, in consultation with other appropriate parties including at the President’s discretion the donor, Foundation or others shall make decisions related to naming, memorial and tribute gifts, including but not limited to the following:

  1. Public announcements: the right to determine content, timing, location and frequency of any announcements associated with the gift.
  2. Physical markers: the right to approve the color, design, and size of any physical marker that provides information about the designee or donor and/or the nature of the gift or honor.
  3. Care and maintenance: the right and responsibility to determine and carry out the exact nature of any ongoing care and maintenance of any memorial or tribute gifts or their physical markers.
General Provisions
  1. Naming recognition should enhance the reputation and prestige of the College and the donor.
  2. The College President, upon advice and consent from the College Board, may require that a background check be performed on a donor (living or deceased) or designee based upon particular facts and circumstances. If a background check is determined to be necessary, the donor (donor’s executor) or designee shall be required to sign an authorization allowing the background check.
  3. The College President and/or College Board reserves the right to withdraw the privilege of name association with Randolph Community College should future particular acts and circumstances warrant.
  4. It is the responsibility of individuals negotiating on behalf of the College to advise potential benefactors that their gift may be recognized by naming, subject to approvals and decisions being consistent with this policy.
  5. Commitments made prior to adoption of this policy shall be honored.
Final Authority

The final authority for any naming, memorial or tribute decision rests with the President acting under the delegated authority of the College Board of Trustees. The guidelines set forth in this policy statement are not to be deemed all-inclusive. The College President and/or the College Board of Trustees reserve the right to consider any and all factors regarding the privilege of name association with the program, fund, or physical aspect of Randolph Community college as particular acts and circumstances warrant.

 

Adopted: 07/28/2005

Revised: 09/20/2012