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Honorary Naming of College Facilities and Programs Policy

This policy was posted for public comment from January 21 – February 5, 2025

Comments

Policy Statement

  • In the policy section, consider adding language that naming may be conducted for a person‘s “contribution to society.” Definitions
  • Section 3.B defines Facility. Within that definition, it discusses “open space, or other feature.” Some years back, the college planted a tree at the retirement of VP for Finance and Administration Jeff West. There is a plaque next to the tree with West’s name. Do we need procedures for tree naming in this policy? Likewise, do we need procedures for brick sidewalks with persons’ names? Procedures
  • Throughout the policy, there seems to be in some sections a reference to “facilities” only. This should be broadened to include programs and features. For example, section 4.B.2, 4.D.2.f have this problem. Other sections have this problem also.
  • Section 4.B.2 addresses the president or institutional advancement’s authority to approve named gifts of less than $1 million. It would be helpful to create a link in this section, or in some other policy section, of amount of a gift expected from a donor to have a building, conference room, classroom named after a person who has provided a financial donation.
  • Section 4.E.3-Duration of Naming Action
    • Consider rewording this section to include reason to terminating naming to include “institutional necessity.” Given the potential passage of HB 265 (moving 10% of academic affairs funding), certain programs may be discontinued due to this legislation. Furthermore, if the college must “right size”, its facilities and perhaps close the West Valley Campus, a named conference room may have to be discontinued. Consequently, adding in an “institutional necessity” clause may address this.
  • Section 4.H-Revocation of Naming Action
    • Given the language in section 4.H.3 addressing “damage to the college’s reputation”, do we need to have section 4.H.2 addressing “convicted of a felony?”

Responses

In the policy section, consider adding language that naming may be conducted for a person’s “contribution to society.”

This policy focuses on naming opportunities for college facilities and programs. The emphasis will remain on contributions focusing on Institutional service or gift.

Definitions (3.B)

The definition of Facility discusses “open space, or other feature.” The college planted a tree at the retirement of VP for Finance and Administration Jeff West. There is a plaque next to the tree with West’s name. Do we need procedures for tree naming in this policy? Do we need procedures for brick sidewalks with people’s names?

Trees, bricks, and sidewalks would fit within the reference to “other feature.”

Procedures (section 4)

Some sections (for example, sections 4.B.2 and 4.D.2.f) reference “facilities” only. This should be broadened to include programs and features. Other sections have this problem also.

The definition section describes what is included in facilities and programs. In response to this comment, the following revisions were made to the policy for clarification:

  • The first sentence of the policy statement has been revised to state, “Salt Lake Community College recognizes the importance of naming opportunities for its facilities and programs.”
  • 4.B.2.a now states, “(The president has discretion to:) give a portion of a college facility or a program an honorary name.”
  • 4.D.2.f now states, “If the gift is $1 million or greater, or the name is for a college facility, school, division, program, or building, the president will submit the proposal to the board of trustees for approval.”
4.B.2 addresses the authority to approve named gifts of less than $1 million. It would be helpful to create a link in this section, or in another section, of the amount of a gift expected from a donor to have a building, conference room, or classroom named after a person who has provided a financial donation.

That is going to be dependent on the size of the building or space and is not something we want to define in a policy statement, nor is that the purpose of the policy statement.

4.E.3: Consider rewording this section to include the reason for terminating naming to include “institutional necessity.” If HB 265 is passed, certain programs may be discontinued due to legislation. If the college must “right size” its facilities, a named conference room, for example, may have to be discontinued. Adding in an “institutional necessity” clause may address this.

Removal or replacement could be for any reason, including institutional necessity. It is not necessary to add an “institutional necessity” clause.

4.H: Given section 4.H.3 addresses “damage to the college’s reputation,” is section 4.H.2 addressing “convicted of a felony” necessary?

Yes. It is helpful to have this be an explicit cause for removing a name.