Repurposing and Renaming Named Spaces (S-21)

Standard: S-21
Responsible Executive: Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Responsible Office: University Development Office
Date Issued: November 2, 2020
Date Last Revised: N/A

Table of Contents

Contacts
Individuals and Entities Affected
Statement of Standard
Responsibilities
Definitions (defined terms are capitalized throughout the document)
Related Documents, Forms and Tools
History and Updates
Appendix

Contacts

Clarification of Standard

Vice President for University Advancement and Alumni Engagement
765-496-2144 | purdueforlife@prf.org

Campus Specific Questions

Fort Wayne: Vice Chancellor for Development
260-481-6962 | giving@pfw.edu

Northwest: Vice Chancellor for Advancement
219-989-2323 | advance@pnw.edu

West Lafayette: Vice President for Development
765-496-2144 | purdueforlife@prf.org 

Individuals and Entities Affected

PRF and Purdue for Life Foundation:

• Chairman of the Board of PRF
• President and other members of PRF leadership
• President and CEO of Purdue for Life Foundation
• University Development Office
• Donors

The University:

• President
• Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
• Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
• Vice President for University Advancement and Alumni Engagement (also serves as President and CEO of Purdue for Life Foundation)
• Chancellors, Vice Chancellors and Vice Provosts
• Vice Presidents, Deans, Directors, Department Heads and Center Directors
• Regional Campus advancement personnel
• Physical Facilities and Planning
• Business offices

Statement of Standard

The Bylaws of the Board of Trustees and the University’s policy on Charitable Donations to the University (II.B.2), recognize the possibility of naming buildings and spaces for particular persons in the case of Gifts or conspicuous service to the University. In general, the decision to name a Facility, space within or around a Facility, or other areas located on campus comes with the understanding that the name is to have some permanence. That is, once the decision is made, it is expected that the designated name will not change except under special circumstances. Those special circumstances may include, without limitation, a situation where:

1. the named space has reached the end of its useful life;
2. the named space has ceased (or, under current plans, will cease) to be used for the purpose that was in effect at the time of the Gift or the honorary naming;
3. a naming-related Gift remains unpaid beyond the agreed-upon duration of the contribution payment period;
4. the naming term agreed upon with the donor has expired;
5. the donor requests that their name be removed;
6. in the case of a corporate donor, an acquisition or other corporate change results in a change in the donor’s name; or
7. the Board or other appropriate decision-making authority makes a good faith determination that, based on a significant change in circumstances, continued use of the name would have a material adverse impact on the University’s good name, integrity or reputation.

In the event a space is renamed as a result of a special circumstance of the type listed in paragraphs A through F above, appropriate recognition of earlier donors/honorees may be included in or adjacent to the replacement or redeveloped space, if deemed appropriate by the Gift Acceptance Committee or Chancellor, as the case may be. In a situation of the type described in paragraph B above, the University will consult with the donor (or their successor in interest), if possible, on the continued use of the name on the repurposed Facility or space.    

This guidance applies to both indoor and outdoor spaces. Any proposed name change must be formally submitted pursuant to, and approval must be granted in writing by the responsible person(s) outlined in, the policy on Charitable Donations to the University (II.B.2) and applicable provisions of the Bylaws of the Board of Trustees. 

The Board of Trustees reserves the right, for any reason it deems appropriate (and subject to the provisions of any donor agreement where applicable), to remove a name from a space that has been the subject of a Gift-related naming. Should this occur, the Board of Trustees may, in its discretion, name an area within the Facility or seek other appropriate naming opportunities for the donor.   

Responsibilities

Refer to the Responsibilities section of policy II.B.2 for the responsibilities and associated approval authority related to this standard.

Definitions

All defined terms are capitalized throughout the document. Refer to the central Policy Glossary for additional defined terms.

Gift
See the policy on Charitable Donations to the University (II.B.2).

Facility
See the policy on Charitable Donations to the University (II.B.2).

Related Documents, Forms and Tools

This standard is issued in support of the policy on Charitable Donations to the University (II.B.2), as amended or superseded.

History and Updates

November 2, 2020: This is the first standard to address this situation.

Appendix

There are no appendices to this standard.