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POLICY AND PROCEDURE FOR
NAMING OPPORTUNITIES
AT
MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this policy is to develop university-wide guidelines for gift naming opportunities at Mississippi State University.

POLICY/PROCEDURE:

General:

Significant gifts benefiting Mississippi State University will provide opportunities for donors to designate the name of a University program, facility, unit, scholarship, or other item in honor of the donor or another person. In order for Mississippi State University to properly administer funds, each gift must be accompanied by a gift agreement that has been approved by representatives of the donor, the MSU Foundation, MSU Bulldog Club or Bulldog Foundation if the gift is handled by one of those entities, and the college, school, department, or program that is to benefit from the gift.

The amounts listed are minimums. Gift amounts must be approved by the Vice President for Development and Alumni and the appropriate vice president and/or dean/director prior to discussion with any donor. Any exceptions to these guidelines must be approved by the President of the university.

The university has established procedures for naming certain items covered by this policy for reasons other than private giving. This occurs when some individual merits recognition due to his/her academic, research, or service contributions. The Naming of Facilities Committee handles requests of this type and makes recommendations to the Executive Council.

Buildings

Notes:

1. Naming opportunities involving buildings must be approved by the president of the university and the Board of Trustees of the Institutes of Higher Learning based upon the recommendations of:

·         The Vice President for Development and Alumni,

·         The provost or other appropriate vice president and/or dean/director

2. A proposal to name a building should be approved formally by the president before the proposal is delivered to a prospective donor.

3. Generally speaking, the value of a gift that affords a donor the opportunity to name a new building should be at least 50% of private fundraising goal. An appropriate value should be established at the time renovation plans are considered to add a donor’s name to an existing named building. In all cases, a minimum contribution of $1,000,000 is required to name a building.

Other Physical Facilities

Minimum Amounts:

Notes:

1. Naming opportunities within a building should be defined by the unit head and approved by the Vice President for Development and Alumni.

2. Naming opportunities such as benches, foundations, works of art, plantings, or other structures will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Approval must be granted by the president of Mississippi State University based on the recommendation of the appropriate committee. Funding amounts will be based on location, structure, and function. Gift funds must cover the entire cost of structure or installation, and if significant ongoing costs will be incurred, an endowment sufficient to cover these costs may also be required.

Academic or other Major University Units – Minimum Endowment

Note:

1. Any private gift associated with the naming of any of the above units should be of a level that will transform the very nature of the unit involved, enabling that unit to reach a level of excellence that would have been extremely difficult using state or university funds alone. The gift should be in the form of an endowment, and income from the endowment should be used to provide a margin of excellence for the unit involved, and should not replace state funds previously made available to that unit.

Endowed Faculty Positions – Minimum Endowment

Notes:

1. Some colleges or schools may require higher amounts to fund these endowed faculty positions; however, these will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

2. The endowed chair designation will be linked to a select faculty position filled by a truly outstanding scholar and teacher, as judged by rigorous, nationally accepted standards.

3. A faculty position designated as a named professorship will be occupied by an exceptionally gifted and promising scholar. Named professorships typically are held by faculty members whose accomplishments indicate potential for national and international leadership and distinction in their field, and whose current efforts are focused on honing teaching skills and/or establishing a superior record of research or other scholarly activity.

Lectureships and Lecture Series – Minimum Endowment

Notes:

1. The designation of a distinguished lectureship is reserved for a select position to be filled by a top scholar who becomes a part of the Mississippi State University community for a specified period, but who typically does not accept a permanent position on the faculty. Special compensation packages usually are required to support distinguished lectureships, whose holders typically are in the forefront of their academic discipline.

2. A presidential lecture series will bring to Mississippi State University a variety of outstanding individuals of broad experience and expertise whose presentations will have University-wide and interdisciplinary appeal. Earnings from the endowed fund will provide for honoraria, travel expenses, and other costs associated with presenting such speakers.

3. Approval for a distinguished lectureship and presidential lecture series must be granted by the president of Mississippi State University based on recommendations of:

·         The Vice President for Development and Alumni,

·         The provost, and

·         The appropriate vice president and/or dean.

4. A visiting lecture series will bring to Mississippi State University, for short stays, a variety of individuals with experience and expertise relevant to the special interests of a particular college or school. Earnings from the endowed fund will provide for honoraria, travel expenses, and other costs associated with presenting such speakers.

Fellowships and Scholarships – Minimum Endowment

Notes:

1. Fellowships are a form of educational assistance typically reserved for graduate students. The awards will provide full or partial support that will enable capable and deserving students to complete their educational experience at Mississippi State University. Specific criteria for eligibility may be established in consultation with the donor.

2. Scholarships aid talented undergraduate students. Specific criteria for eligibility may be established in consultation with the donor.

Other Naming Opportunities – Minimum Endowments

Notes:

1. An endowed fund for excellence may be established in support of a college, school, department, academic discipline, or other university program of interest to the donor. Earnings from such funds may be used to enhance the selected program in a variety of ways, including support for research, faculty development, and travel, or for other educational enrichment activities.

2. Earnings from such funds designated for teaching, service, research, and staff awards will be used to recognize outstanding performances in the areas of classrooms, service, and research by faculty, professional, or support staff members in the specified college, school, or division. Recipients typically will be chosen by the college, school, or unit.

3. Other endowments supporting faculty development, classroom enhancements, etc. may be established in support of the needs of the selected college, school, or division.

REVIEW:

The Vice President for Development and Alumni is responsible for review of the OP as needed with recommendations for revision to be presented to the President.

OP 41.02
Revised 11/28/2005

For information about this policy, contact the responsible/reviewing department hyperlinked above.