Approval of Naming Recognizing Philanthropic Donations of $10 Million or More

Final Approval Body: Senior Leadership Team

Senior Administrative Position with Responsibility: Vice-Principal (Advancement)

Date Approve: May, 2022

Definitions

All capitalized terms in this procedure have the same meaning ascribed to them by the Naming Policy

Purpose of Procedure

This procedure outlines the steps required to secure approval for a Naming in recognition of Philanthropic Donations of $10 million or more.

Procedure

It is the responsibility of individuals discussing Philanthropic Donations with potential Donors on behalf of the University to advise potential Donors that Philanthropic Donations do not automatically include Naming recognition. 

No person or unit may give a Name to a University Asset (see Section 3. Scope of the Naming Policy  for definition) unless the Naming has been approved by the Board of Trustees or its delegate(s) in accordance with the Naming Policy and this procedure. 

If a Naming recognizing a Philanthropic Donation expires after a limited-term, the University can give that Donor - if still living - the first opportunity to make an additional Philanthropic Donation to renew the Naming for another limited-term. The University Asset will only be available for another Naming if the original Naming is not renewed and the Board of Trustees or its delegate(s) supports a new Naming for that University Asset. 

Step 1 - Individuals contemplating a Naming to recognize Philanthropic Donations should first consult with the Donor Relations unit in the Office of Advancement for information and expertise. If it is decided that a proposal for Naming will proceed, the proponent of this Naming must submit a written explanation of and rationale for the proposed Naming, as well as an explanation of how the Naming would contribute to advancing University objectives (Naming Proposal) to the Donor Relations unit in the Office of Advancement.
Responsible officer/unit - Proponent

Step 2 - A Naming Proposal must be supported in writing by the individual with responsibility for the University Asset being Named. For instance, in the case of assets managed by University administration, this individual may be a VP, Dean or Director, and in the case of University Assets managed by students, this individual may be the leader of a student governance body. For any Naming, the University shall also seek, where possible, written support for the Naming from the intended honouree or, if deceased, members of the intended honouree’s family. Written support for the Naming from the intended honouree – which can be a Gift Agreement if the honouree is the Donor of the Philanthropic Donation the Naming recognizes - or, if deceased, their family must be included in the Naming Proposal. The Donor Relations unit of the Office of Advancement will work with the proponent of the Naming to secure these letters of support for the Naming Proposal. When the Naming Proposal and letters of support are completed, the Office of Advancement will present them to the next scheduled meeting of a constituencies advisory group (“Advisory Group”) to provide input into the Naming Proposal. The purpose of the Advisory Group is to create an opportunity for more input into the Naming process; the Advisory Group it will include representatives from the following constituencies: faculty, staff, students, alumni and retirees. The Office of Advancement will forward the Naming Proposal, letters of support, and input from the Advisory Group to the University Secretariat.
Responsible officer/unit - Office of Advancement

Step 3 - The University Secretariat will submit the Naming Proposal, letters of support, and Advisory Group input to the External Relations and Development Committee of the Board of Trustees (ERD) for consideration. 
Responsible officer/unit - University Secretariat

Step 4 - The ERD will consider the Naming Proposal for recommendation to the Board of Trustees for approval. The ERD will decide whether it will or will not endorse the Naming Proposal. The decision will be recorded in the minutes of the ERD meeting. If endorsed, the ERD will recommend the Naming Proposal to the Board of Trustees for final approval.
Responsible officer/unit - External Relations and Development Committee

Step 5 - The Board of Trustees will consider Naming Proposals recommended by the ERD. The decision of the Board of Trustees shall be recorded in the minutes of the Board of Trustees meeting at which the ERD recommendation was considered and shall be the official record of decision on the Naming Proposal.
Responsible officer/unit - Board of Trustees
 

Related Policies, Procedures, Guidelines

Queen’s University Gift Acceptance Policy
Queen’s University Naming Policy
Procedure for Approval of Service and Commemorative Naming
Procedure for Approval of Naming Recognizing Philanthropic Donations of 1M but less than $10M
Procedure for Approval of Naming Recognizing Philanthropic Donations of less than $1M
Procedure to Revoke a Naming
Procedure for Academic Namings – revisions deferred until 2022-23