Handbook of Operating Procedures > Series 600 University Advancement > 6.4.1 Naming of Buildings and Facilities

6.4.1 Naming of Buildings and Facilities

A. Purpose

This document describes the Board policy on the naming of buildings and other facilities, such as laboratories, classrooms, seminar rooms, auditoria, concert halls, and clinics of The University of Texas at Tyler. (See The University of Texas System Board of Regents' Rules and Regulations, Rule 80307.)

B. Procedures

The naming of buildings and facilities, such as laboratories, classrooms, seminar rooms, auditoria, concert halls, and clinics of The University of Texas at Tyler, whether for an individual or with a functional or historical designation, is the prerogative and responsibility of the Board of Regents and can be initiated by the Board when circumstances warrant. When recommendations for naming of buildings or other facilities originated at other than the level of the Board, such recommendations shall be forwarded to the Board of Regents with recommendations of the Chancellor, the Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, and the President of The University of Texas at Tyler, accompanied by reasons for the recommendation, and campus consultations where appropriate.

C. Purposes for Naming of Buildings or Facilities

Buildings and other facilities may be named to memorialize or otherwise recognize substantial gifts and significant donors, individuals designated by donors, or individuals who have made exemplary of meritorious contributions to the U.T. System, The University of Texas at Tyler, or society. Such designation may be for a single gift, multiple gifts over time, or for a combination of gifts and other contributions and may take into consideration the ability of the gift to stimulate gifts from other donors. No action, formal or informal, shall be taken to implement a recommendation for the naming of a building or other facilities until final approval is obtained from the Board of Regents. No commitment, director or implied, shall be made to any party regarding the name of a building or other facility prior to the receipt of approval by the Board of Regents of a private development plan which incorporates the naming of facilities as recognition of significant and substantial gifts, or of a singular recommendation for an individual building or other facility.

1. Naming for Donor.  For a significant and substantial private gift, The University of Texas will recommend to the Board of Regents that a building or a specific portion of a facility be named after a donor.
2. Naming in Honor of Individual. The naming of buildings and other facilities in honor of campus administrative officials, faculty, or staff or elected or appointed public officials shall normally occur only after the campus employment or public service has concluded.
3. Naming Based on Fund Development Campaign. When the naming of buildings or other facilities is contemplated as part of a special private-fund development campaign, that campaign, the buildings to be named, and the associated private-fund contributions to be sought shall have prior approval of the Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, the Chancellor, and Board as required in Part One, Chapter, II, Section 2, Subdivision, 2.44 of the Regents’ Rules and Regulations. Recommendations by the Chancellor, Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, and President regarding the naming of each building or facility included in a fund development campaign shall be submitted to the Board of Regents for approval as set forth in Section B., Procedures.

D. Reporting

The Chancellor will arrange for the Board of Regents to be briefed periodically by the President and U.T. System administrative officials via the annual budget process or other appropriate forum regarding buildings to be named and the private-fund contributions to be sought. Unexpected naming opportunities not covered in such briefings should be reviewed with the Board via regular Board of Regents’ briefings. No commitment regarding the naming of a building or facility is to be made prior to the briefings and approvals required by this section.

E. Review

Regents’ review and approval are required for naming buildings/colleges and schools. U.T. Tyler will follow the process outlined in University of Texas System Memorandum of May 15, 1998.