Approved by the Board of Trustees of Rockland Community College on April 13, 2011.
State Education Law – 6306:5
The Board of Trustees shall have the care, custody, control and management of the lands, grounds, buildings, facilities and equipment used for the purposes of such college and of all other property belonging to such college and used for carrying out its purposes, and it shall have power to protect, preserve and improve the same.
The Board of Trustees of Rockland Community College has the authority to name College facilities, space, or programs to honor individuals, who have rendered extraordinary se1vice, or who, by personal or professional achievements, significantly have enhanced the reputation of the College, or who have made significant financial contributions to the College and/or the College Foundation. The Board of Trustees submits recommendations to the county legislature for the naming of new facilities.
Naming opportunities often are integral to the fundraising process and an important part of donor recognition. The College and the College Foundation will work in consultation as appropriate.
Terms of Agreement
The naming of a College facility, space, or program neither implies or constitutes legal ownership of that facility, space, or program by the individual, corporation, organization, or group for whom it has been named. The naming. does not imply any obligation to the named individual or group beyond the maintenance of the commemorative identification of said facility, space, or program.
If donor names must be removed for remodeling, renovation, or to be rebuilt, recognition shall be replaced according to the original agreement. If the facility, space or program is
removed, discontinued, or purpose changed, and/or a new facility, space, or program built, the College reserves the right to add to, or alter, the naming opportunities of the new facility, space, or program. In such case, the original naming recognition will be commemorated suitably. The naming of College facilities, spaces, or programs for corporate benefactors, when authorized by the Board of Trustees, shall be for a period of not fewer than ten years.
Unless otherwise designated by the Board of Trustees resolution, there will be no established time limit for the name given to the facility.
The College reserves the right to remove any naming recognition because of the nonpayment of a gift or pledge, or if the donor fails to maintain the high standards of the College, or brings dishonor upon him or herself or the organization or company involved. Should this step become necessary, the President will note the reasons in the individual file, providing copies of external documentation, i.e., press coverage, where appropriate, and as inconspicuously as possible have the name removed.
Criteria for Selection of Honorees
Naming a facility, space, or program for an individual, organization or corporation is one of the highest honors the College can bestow. Honorees shall be of exemplary character, with unqualified reputations for honesty, personal integrity, and the highest standards of personal and professional ethics.
Extraordinary Service
Honorees employed by the College or in service in a volunteer capacity for a period of not fewer than twenty years shall have given extraordinary service to the College or the College Foundation in a teaching, service, administrative, or volunteer capacity with exceptional distinction such that their contributions are widely recognized by their peers. Honorees may not be current employees, individuals in active service to the College, or those holding elected office at the time of the naming, unless the circumstances are exceptional and approved by the Board of Trustees. There should be an appropriate relationship between the use of the facility or space, or the function of the program, and the person for whom it is named. Other individuals may be considered for naming opportunities if they have enhanced significantly the reputation of tl1e College through their personal or professional life.
Private Financial Support
Individuals, corporations, and organizations may be considered for naming recognition if they have made significant financial contributions to the College. A bequest or revocable planned gift from a donor who is alive normally will not be considered for a naming opportunity. Determination of what constitutes a significant financial contribution is made individually taking into consideration the total cost of the project, the availability of other funds, and the following guidelines:
- New facilities – 25% of new construction costs
- Renovated facilities – 75% of renovation costs
- Existing facilities – 75% of fair market value
- Portable items – 50% of the value of the collection
- Tribute markers, i.e., trees, gardens – 50% of the cost or value of the item
- Programs – determined on a case-by-case basis
Procedures
Review
Procedure for the designation and/ or authorization of a College facility, space, or program as a naming opportunity will be as follows:
- Individuals or groups interested in designating a facility, space, or program as a naming opportunity shall communicate that interest to the College President.
- The President will review the recommendation and, as appropriate, submit to the Foundation Trustees for consideration.
- The President will review and submit to the Board of Trustees for consideration all recommendations for the naming of facilities. The President shall include a description of the facility, space, or program to be named, the proposed gift opportunity, the merits of the individual or organization to be recognized, and the method of recognition.
- The Board o f Trustees approves all naming opportunities.
- Resolutions for the naming o f new facilities will then be sent to the Rules Committee of the County Legislature for consideration.
- The Legislature approves the name of all new college facilities.
Affixing Values
In order to establish a coherent and organized approach to the valuing of facilities, spaces, and programs, a committee consisting of the President, Executive Vice President, Executive Director of the College Foundation, Director of Plant Facilities, and other staff, as needed, will determine the value of the facility, space, or program. The College .Foundation will determine the actual cash value for each naming opportunity in accordance with sound principles and practices of fundraising and the guidelines required by this document.
Campaigns
In the event of a major fundraising effort or campaign, the College Foundation will develop a plan that lists naming criteria and funding amounts for campaign components to be approved by the College Board of Trustees.
Named Funds
Gifts establishing named funds, endowed or current expenditure, do not require special approval unless the fund is an endowed chair or the gift exceeds $1 million. The Board of Trustees approves naming opportunities for endowed chairs and gifts exceeding $1 million following the procedures for facilities, spaces, or programs.
Donor Recognition versus Property Naming
Donations received for equipping or furnishing a classroom, laboratory, or work space, which do not include the cost of building or renovating the space, can be given recognition through a plaque or alternate means within or adjacent to the space. This shall not constitute the “naming” of the space and does not fall under the jurisdiction of the naming process. When the equipment or furnishing becomes outdated, dysfunctional, or retired, the recognition will be withdrawn.