Fayetteville Policies and Procedures  213.1 

Policy for Naming Opportunities

The following policy covers requirements for naming various entities of the University of Arkansas located in Fayetteville. Included in this policy are:

  • Minimum endowment requirements
  • Chairs
  • Faculty fellowships
  • Student fellowships, scholarships, awards and programs
  • Capital projects
  • Centers, institutes, programs, departments, schools, colleges and other units

This policy is subject to all other applicable policies of the University of Arkansas, including, but not limited to Board of Trustees Policy 720.1. Likewise, all appointments to named chairs and fellowships and all scholarships are subject to all other applicable policies of the University of Arkansas; all appointment letters and notification letters should include language to this effect.

  1. Minimum Endowment Requirements Chart

    Named Commitment Minimum Endowment Requirement

    Chancellor's endowed chair

    $5,000,000

    Provost’s endowed chair

    $4,000,000

    Dean’s chair

    $3,000,000

    Department leadership endowed chair

    $2,000,000

    Chair, University or Distinguished Professor

    $2,000,000

    Chair, full professor

    $1,500,000

    Chair, associate or assistant professor

    $1,000,000

    Faculty fellowship

    $500,000

    Teaching fellowship

    $250,000
    Scholarships, Undergraduate Fellowships, Graduate Fellowships and Awards
    Distinguished doctoral fellowship $400,000 or more
    Doctoral fellowships $200,000 or more
    Graduate fellowship $150,000
    Honors fellowship $400,000
    Chancellor's scholarship (fully endowed) $250,000
    Honors academy scholarship $100,000
    Scholarship (designated to a college, school or unit) $50,000
    Scholarship (not designated to a college, school or unit) $25,000
    Award $25,000
    Scholarship, for length of funds provided (non-endowed) $1,000 for a minimum of five years

    Capital projects

    Target of 50% of the total cost of funding needed for new construction or major renovation over a 5-year pledge term. 

    Program support

    To be determined and approved by Chancellor and Executive Committee

    Institutes/centers/departments

    $5,000,000

    Research endowments

    $50,000
  2. Deans' Endowed Chairs
    1. Purpose:
      To outline University of Arkansas policy on named deans' chairs.

    2. Designated Title:
      The designated title is (name of benefactor) Dean of (college/academic unit).

    3. Purpose of Appointment:
      To attract and recruit highly qualified individuals to the position of dean, supplement university support for outstanding faculty, and provide the holder with the resources to continue and further the scholar's contributions to teaching, research and public service. The support monies will be used for such purposes as salary supplementation, graduate assistant stipends, secretarial assistance, travel expenses and other purposes approved by the dean or chancellor. By supporting the establishment of a dean's chair, the benefactor directs attention to a continuing commitment to support scholarship within the University of Arkansas.

    4. Qualifications and Appointment:
      The holder shall be a full-time member of the University of Arkansas faculty with the academic rank of Distinguished Professor, University Professor, professor or librarian. The chancellor and the provost/executive vice chancellor for academic affairs will make the appointment and determine the term of the appointment, consistent with the conditions of the grant. A named dean's chair is intended to be occupied by a dean.

    5. Source of Funds:
      Funds for a named dean's chair are provided by private funds appropriate for this purpose. To establish such a position, an endowment of not less than $3,000,000 is required, and the amount appropriated for expenditure therefrom shall be used to maintain the dean's chair and for administrative expenses in managing the endowment and supporting the development efforts of the university.

    6. Early Activation:
      In certain cases, the agreement reached with a major donor regarding the support of a named dean's chair may specify that the University of Arkansas will not receive the endowment funding for several years. So that the donor may begin seeing the results of the gift at an earlier time, consideration will be given to the possibility of immediately activating the dean's chair. Proposals for the early establishment of a named dean's chair will be reviewed and approved by the provost/executive vice chancellor for academic affairs and the vice chancellor for university advancement of the University of Arkansas. The following general guidelines will apply:
      1. The agreement reached with the donor must be of an irrevocable nature—charitable remainder trust, charitable gift annuity, flexible endowment agreement or similar arrangement.
      2. The donor must commit through a multiyear pledge of five percent of the minimum required endowment per year until the endowment income becomes available. A term of at least five years is preferred.
      3. Activation of a dean’s chair through annual gifts will require that all parties be informed that funding of the dean’s chair will continue as long as resources are available.

  3. Department Leadership Endowed Chairs
    1. Purpose:
      To outline University of Arkansas policy on named department head chairs.

    2. Designated Title:
      The designated title is (name of benefactor) Department Leadership Endowed Chair of (unit).

    3. Purpose of Appointment:
      To attract and recruit highly qualified individuals to the position of department leader, supplement university support for outstanding faculty, and provide the holder with the resources to continue and further the scholar's contributions to teaching, research and public service. The support monies will be used for such purposes as salary supplementation, graduate assistant stipends, secretarial assistance, travel expenses and other purposes approved by the dean or chancellor. By supporting the establishment of a department leader’s chair, the benefactor directs attention to a continuing commitment to support scholarship within the University of Arkansas.

    4. Qualifications and Appointment:
      The holder shall be a full-time member of the University of Arkansas faculty with the academic rank of Distinguished Professor, University Professor, professor or librarian. The dean of the appropriate college or unit, subject to the approval of the chancellor and the provost/executive vice chancellor for academic affairs, will make the appointment and determine the term of the appointment, consistent with the conditions of the grant. Generally, a named department leader's chair is intended to be held by a department leader.

    5. Source of Funds:
      Funds for a named department leader's chair are provided by private funds appropriate for this purpose. To establish such a position, an endowment of not less than $2,000,000 is required, and the amount appropriated for expenditure therefrom shall be used to maintain the department leader's chair and for administrative expenses in managing the endowment and supporting the development efforts of the university.

    6. Early Activation:
      In certain cases, the agreement reached with a major donor regarding the support of a named department leader's chair may specify that the University of Arkansas will not receive the endowment funding for several years. So that the donor may begin seeing the results of the gift at an earlier time, consideration will be given to the possibility of immediately activating the chair.

      Proposals for the early establishment of named department leader’s chair will be reviewed and approved by the provost/executive vice chancellor for academic affairs and the vice chancellor for university advancement. The following general guidelines will apply:
      1. The agreement reached with the donor must be of an irrevocable nature—charitable remainder trust, charitable gift annuity, flexible endowment agreement or similar arrangement.
      2. The donor must commit through a multiyear pledge of five percent of the minimum required endowment per year until the endowment income becomes available. A term of at least five years is preferred.
      3. Activation of a department head's chair through annual gifts will require that all parties be informed that funding of the department head's chair will continue as long as resources are available.

  4. Chairs (University or Distinguished Professor)
    1. Purpose:
      To outline University of Arkansas policy on named chairs for University or Distinguished Professors.

    2. Designated Titles:
      The designated title is (name of benefactor) Chair in (field).

    3. Purpose of Appointment:
      To attract and recruit highly qualified individuals to the position of chair, supplement university support for outstanding faculty, and provide the holder with the resources to continue and further the scholar's contributions to teaching, research and public service. The support monies will be used for such purposes as salary supplementation, graduate assistant stipends, secretarial assistance, travel expenses and other purposes approved by the dean or chancellor. By supporting the establishment of a chair, the benefactor directs attention to a continuing commitment to support scholarship within the University of Arkansas.

    4. Qualifications and Appointment:
      The holder shall be a full-time member of the University of Arkansas faculty with the academic rank of Distinguished Professor or University Professor. The dean of the appropriate college or unit, subject to the approval of the chancellor and the provost/executive vice chancellor for academic affairs, will make the appointment and determine the term of the appointment, consistent with the conditions of the grant.

    5. Source of Funds:
      Funds will be provided by private funds appropriate for this purpose. The establishment of a named chair requires an endowment of not less than $2,000,000, and the amount appropriated for expenditure therefrom shall be used to maintain the chair and for administrative expenses in managing the endowment and supporting the development efforts of the university.

    6. Early Activation:
      In certain cases, the agreement reached with a major donor regarding the support of a named chair may specify that the university will not receive the endowment funding for several years. So that the donor may begin seeing the results of the gift at an earlier time, consideration will be given to the possibility of immediately activating the chair.

      Proposals for the early establishment of named chairs will be reviewed and approved by the provost/executive vice chancellor for academic affairs and the vice chancellor for university advancement of the university. The following general guidelines will apply:
      1. The agreement reached with the donor must be of an irrevocable nature—charitable remainder trust, charitable gift annuity, flexible endowment agreement or similar arrangement.
      2. The donor must commit through a multiyear pledge of five percent of the minimum required endowment per year until the endowment income becomes available. A term of at least five years is preferred.
      3. Activation of a named chair through annual gifts will require that all parties be informed that funding of the chair will continue as long as resources are available.

  5. Chairs (Full Professor)
    1. Purpose:
      To outline University of Arkansas policy on named chairs for full professors.

    2. Designated Titles:
      The designated title is (name of benefactor) Chair in (field).

    3. Purpose of Appointment:
      To attract and recruit highly qualified individuals to the position of chair, supplement university support for outstanding faculty, and provide the holder with the resources to continue and further the scholar's contributions to teaching, research and public service. The support monies will be used for such purposes as salary supplementation, graduate assistant stipends, secretarial assistance, travel expenses and other purposes approved by the dean or chancellor. By supporting the establishment of a chair, the benefactor directs attention to a continuing commitment to support scholarship within the University of Arkansas.

    4. Qualifications and Appointment:
      The holder shall be a full-time member of the University of Arkansas faculty with the academic rank of full professor. The dean of the appropriate college or unit, subject to the approval of the chancellor and the provost/executive vice chancellor for academic affairs, will make the appointment and determine the term of the appointment, consistent with the conditions of the grant.

    5. Source of Funds:
      Funds will be provided by private funds appropriate for this purpose. The establishment of a named chair requires an endowment of not less than $1,500,000, and the amount appropriated for expenditure therefrom shall be used to maintain the chair and for administrative expenses in managing the endowment and supporting the development efforts of the university.

    6. Early Activation:
      In certain cases, the agreement reached with a major donor regarding the support of a named chair may specify that the university will not receive the endowment funding for several years. So that the donor may begin seeing the results of the gift at an earlier time, consideration will be given to the possibility of immediately activating the chair.

      Proposals for the early establishment of named chairs will be reviewed and approved by the provost/executive vice chancellor for academic affairs and the vice chancellor for university advancement of the university. The following general guidelines will apply:
      1. The agreement reached with the donor must be of an irrevocable nature—charitable remainder trust, charitable gift annuity, flexible endowment agreement or similar arrangement.
      2. The donor must commit through a multiyear pledge of five percent of the minimum required endowment per year until the endowment income becomes available. A term of at least five years is preferred.
      3. Activation of a named chair through annual gifts will require that all parties be informed that funding of the chair will continue as long as resources are available.

  6. Chairs (Associate or Assistant Professor)
    1. Purpose:
      To outline University of Arkansas policy on named chairs for associate or assistant professors.

    2. Designated Titles:
      The designated title is (name of benefactor) Chair in (field).

    3. Purpose of Appointment:
      To attract and recruit highly qualified individuals to the position of chair, supplement university support for outstanding faculty, and provide the holder with the resources to continue and further the scholar's contributions to teaching, research and public service. The support monies will be used for such purposes as salary supplementation, graduate assistant stipends, secretarial assistance, travel expenses and other purposes approved by the dean or chancellor. By supporting the establishment of a chair, the benefactor directs attention to a continuing commitment to support scholarship within the University of Arkansas.

    4. Qualifications and Appointment:
      The holder shall be a full-time member of the University of Arkansas faculty with the academic rank of associate professor or assistant professor. The dean of the appropriate college or unit, subject to the approval of the chancellor and the provost/executive vice chancellor for academic affairs, will make the appointment and determine the term of the appointment, consistent with the conditions of the grant.

    5. Source of Funds:
      Funds will be provided by private funds appropriate for this purpose. The establishment of a named chair requires an endowment of not less than $1,000,000, and the amount appropriated for expenditure therefrom shall be used to maintain the chair and for administrative expenses in managing the endowment and supporting the development efforts of the university.

    6. Early Activation:
      In certain cases, the agreement reached with a major donor regarding the support of a named chair may specify that the university will not receive the endowment funding for several years. So that the donor may begin seeing the results of the gift at an earlier time, consideration will be given to the possibility of immediately activating the chair.

      Proposals for the early establishment of named chairs will be reviewed and approved by the provost/executive vice chancellor for academic affairs and the vice chancellor for university advancement of the university. The following general guidelines will apply:
      1. The agreement reached with the donor must be of an irrevocable nature—charitable remainder trust, charitable gift annuity, flexible endowment agreement or similar arrangement.
      2. The donor must commit through a multiyear pledge of five percent of the minimum required endowment per year until the endowment income becomes available. A term of at least five years is preferred.
      3. Activation of a named chair through annual gifts will require that all parties be informed that funding of the chair will continue as long as resources are available.

  7. Faculty Fellowships
    1. Purpose:
      To outline University of Arkansas policy on named faculty fellowships.

    2. Designated Titles:
      The designated title is (name of holder) Professor, Associate Professor or Assistant Professor of (name field); (name of holder) Librarian or Associate Librarian; and/or (name of benefactor) University Fellow.

    3. Purpose of Appointment:
      To provide supplementary funds to outstanding members of the University of Arkansas faculty to assist the holder in continuing and furthering the scholar's contributions in teaching, research and public service. The monies provided will be used for such support purposes as salary supplementation, graduate assistant stipends, secretarial help, travel expenses and other purposes approved by the dean or chancellor. The department concerned will continue to provide a suitable salary for the individual honored.

    4. Qualifications and Appointment:
      The holder shall be a full-time member of the University of Arkansas faculty with the academic rank of full professor, associate professor, assistant professor, librarian or associate librarian. The dean of the appropriate college or unit, subject to the approval of the chancellor and the provost/executive vice chancellor for academic affairs, will make the appointment and determine the term of the appointment, consistent with the conditions of the grant.

    5. Source of Funds:
      Funds will be provided by private funds appropriate for this purpose. To establish a named faculty fellowship, an endowment of not less than $500,000 is required, and the amount appropriated for expenditure therefrom shall be used to maintain the faculty fellowship and for administrative expenses in managing the endowment and supporting the development efforts of the university.

    6. Early Activation:
      In certain cases, the agreement reached with a major donor regarding the support of a faculty fellowship may specify that the university will not receive the endowment funding for several years. So that the donor may begin seeing the results of the gift at an earlier time, consideration will be given to the possibility of immediately activating the faculty fellowship.

      Proposals for the early establishment of faculty fellowships will be reviewed and approved by the provost/executive vice chancellor for academic affairs and the vice chancellor for university advancement of the University of Arkansas. The following general guidelines will apply:
      1. The agreement reached with the donor must be of an irrevocable nature—charitable remainder trust, charitable gift annuity, flexible endowment agreement or similar arrangement.
      2. The donor must commit through a multiyear pledge of five percent of the minimum required endowment per year until the endowment income becomes available. A term of at least five years is preferred.
      3. Activation of a faculty fellowship through annual gifts will require that all parties be informed that funding of the fellowship will continue as long as resources are available.

  8. Teaching Fellowships
    1. Purpose:
      To outline University of Arkansas policy on named teaching fellowships.

    2. Designated Titles:
      The designated title is (name of holder) of (name of field) Teaching Fellow.

    3. Purpose of Appointment:
      To provide supplementary funds to outstanding members of the University of Arkansas faculty to assist the holder in teaching-related purposes. The monies provided will be used for such support purposes as graduate assistant stipends, secretarial help, travel expenses and other purposes approved by the dean, director or chancellor. The department concerned will provide a suitable salary for the individual honored.

    4. Qualifications and Appointment:
      The holder shall be a full-time member of the University of Arkansas faculty with the academic rank of full professor, associate professor, assistant professor or assistant librarian who is making exceptional progress in establishing his/her teaching and scholarship. The dean or director of the appropriate college or unit, subject to the approval of the chancellor and the provost/executive vice chancellor for academic affairs, will make the appointment and determine the term of the appointment, consistent with the conditions of the grant. No teaching fellowship may be held by the same faculty member for more than six years.

    5. Source of Funds:
      Funds will be provided by private funds appropriate for this purpose. To establish a teaching fellowship, an endowment of not less than $250,000 is required, and the amount appropriated for expenditure therefrom shall be used to maintain the teaching fellowship and for administrative expenses in managing the endowment and supporting the development efforts of the university. 

    6. Early Activation:
      In certain cases, the agreement reached with a major donor regarding the support of an endowed teaching fellowship may specify that the university will not receive the endowment funding for several years. So that the donor may begin seeing the results of the gift at an earlier time, consideration will be given to the possibility of immediately activating the teaching fellowship.

      Proposals for the early establishment of endowed teaching fellowships will be reviewed and approved by the provost/executive vice chancellor for academic affairs and the vice chancellor for university advancement of the University of Arkansas. The following general guidelines will apply:
      1. The agreement reached with the donor must be of an irrevocable nature—charitable remainder trust, charitable gift annuity, flexible endowment agreement or similar arrangement.
      2. The donor must commit through a multiyear pledge of five percent of the minimum required endowment per year until the endowment income becomes available. A term of at least five years is preferred.
      3. Activation of a teaching fellowship through annual gifts will require that all parties be informed that funding of the fellowship will continue as long as resources are available.

  9. Graduate Fellowships, Undergraduate Fellowships, Scholarships, Awards and Programs
    1. Purpose:
      To set appropriate minimum amounts to establish endowments for supplemental graduate fellowships, undergraduate fellowships, scholarships, awards and programs.

    2. Definition of Terms:
      Graduate fellowship is a supplemental award of money to a graduate student, granted in recognition of academic distinction, often but, not necessarily, requiring that the recipient be in need of financial assistance. Undergraduate fellowship is an award of money to a student in recognition of extraordinary academic distinction. It does not necessarily require that the student be in need of financial assistance.

      Scholarship is an award of money to a student, often, but not always, granted in recognition of academic distinction. Need of financial assistance is not necessarily a requirement. Award is recognition for achievement of a single specific nature. It may be for grades, for activities, or for a combination of both grades and activities. An academic or administrative program or area may also be supported through a separate named fund.

    3. Procedure for Establishing:
      Persons or organizations contemplating the establishment of graduate fellowships, undergraduate fellowships, scholarships, awards or programs should discuss the procedures and requirements with the advancement staff to ensure minimum funding amounts can be obtained.

      Graduate fellowship, undergraduate fellowship, scholarship, award and program funds should have few or no limitations placed on them by donors. If possible, the funds should be flexible enough to provide aid where most needed and to be available in order that all students have an opportunity to be potential recipients. The university will not administer a student aid program that is contrary to the law, or restricted to an unreasonable geographical basis.

    4. Minimum Requirement for Funds:
      1. The funding level for a named distinguished doctoral fellowship shall require a minimum endowment of $400,000. This will provide supplemental support to a doctoral student and should be viewed as the minimum initial donation required.
      2. The funding level for a named doctoral fellowship shall require a minimum endowment of $200,000. This will provide supplemental support to a doctoral student and should be viewed as the minimum initial payment required.
      3. The funding level for a named graduate fellowship shall require a minimum endowment of $150,000. This will provide supplemental support to a graduate student, and should be viewed as the minimum initial donation required. To fully endow the total cost of graduate education, a much larger endowment is required.
      4. The funding level for a named honors fellowship shall require a minimum endowment of $400,000.
      5. The funding level for a named chancellor's scholarship shall require a minimum endowment of $250,000.
      6. The funding level for a named honors academy scholarship shall require a minimum endowment of $100,000.
      7. In order to establish a separate named scholarship fund in a collegiate/school unit in memory of a person, or to honor a person, organization or program, the initial donation for investment shall not be less than $50,000.
      8. An initial donation of $25,000 or more will be accepted to establish a named scholarship fund in the name of a person, organization or program, but the scholarship will not be designated in a specific program, unit, college or school.
      9. Initial donations of less than $15,000 are accepted for placing—without specific designation—in existing university scholarship funds.
      10. A separate named award in memory of a person or to honor a person may be established with an initial donation of $25,000 or more.
      11. An initial donation of $10,000 or more will be accepted to establish a separate named fund in support of an academic or administrative program or area.
      12. Any sum of $1,000 or more may be accepted to provide a scholarship in the name of an individual, organization or program on an annual basis for at least five years and may be continued for as long as the sponsor provides the funds.

  10. Capital Projects
      1. Purpose:
        To state University of Arkansas policy on naming university facilities.

      2. General:
        It is the policy of the University of Arkansas to name certain of its buildings, parts of buildings, roads and plazas in honor of friends, benefactors and persons who have made substantial contributions to the university or to education in general.

      3. Guidelines:
        The following guidelines apply:
        1. Ordinarily, university buildings, roads and plazas will not be named for persons who are actively involved in or related to university operations. This includes members of the faculty and staff, board of trustees, advisory boards, legislators and governmental officials. University buildings, roads and plazas may be named for persons who have retired from active employment with the university after a sufficient time has elapsed from the date of the individual's retirement. This date should be determined by the chancellor of the university in consultation with the chancellor's executive committee. 
        2. Building names should include a designation of their primary function: Student living and dining quarters are designated as "halls" or "commons." Buildings occupied by laboratories are designated as "laboratory." Buildings primarily occupied by offices and classrooms are to be designated "building." Special-use buildings may bear the name of that use separately or in combination with a person's name (e.g., Mullins Library).
        3. Sub-units of a building or area—including rooms and offices—may be named separately for an outstanding individual or benefactor who wishes to underwrite the cost of the sub-unit or portion thereof. In such cases, an appropriate plaque may be installed to acknowledge the contribution. In such cases where the actual naming of the sub-unit may not be appropriate (individual faculty or staff office), an appropriate plaque may be installed outside the office to acknowledge the contribution by the benefactor.
        4. A uniform system of external marking of buildings is to be used universitywide. These external markings should be approved by Facilities Management. In instances where buildings are named for benefactors or other individuals, a plaque or other appropriate recognition may be located in the lobby or other appropriate area of the building giving the full name and brief biography of the person or persons honored.
        5. It is the general university policy to name buildings for benefactors (or persons benefactors are seeking to honor) only with the required minimum gift commitment of 50 percent of the cost of the funding needed for new construction or major renovations. Such a gift commitment can be made payable over a five-year pledge term. The amount will vary with each individual situation, and this requirement should be viewed as a guideline.
        6. Gifts made through an irrevocable deferred gift technique including, but not limited to, a charitable remainder trust, pooled income fund, charitable gift annuity, deferred pledge agreement and flexible endowment agreement may be considered. They have special considerations as follows:
          1. Such gifts generally will not be accepted for the purpose of naming a new university building for which contributions from private sources are needed for construction costs. Ordinarily, such gifts may be accepted for the purpose of naming existing university buildings if there is no current need of funds for building renovations or expansion.

        7. It is the general policy of the university that roads, plazas, sub-units of buildings—including rooms and offices—and other appropriate areas named after benefactors will require the benefactor to contribute a predominant portion of the cost of the road, plaza or sub-unit. The amount required for such a naming will be determined by the vice chancellor for university advancement upon consultation with the chancellor of the university. Additionally, the chancellor and the executive committee may request additional input by the administrative sub-committee on naming university facilities.

      4. Policy Implementation:
        The chancellor of the university may request the administrative sub-committee on naming university facilities to advise and recommend to the chancellor of the university appropriate names for specific buildings, parts of buildings, roads and plazas at all university locations. When convened, this ad hoc sub-committee is composed of the following members:
        • Provost/executive vice chancellor for academic affairs, chair of the committee
        • Vice chancellor for university advancement, secretary of the committee
        • A dean or director of a collegiate unit, appointed by the chancellor to a two-year term
        • Chair of the university Faculty Senate
        • Vice chancellor for finance and administration

        Communications and activation of the sub-committee should be through the vice chancellor for university advancement, secretary of the committee. Recommendations for naming a facility assigned to a specific academic or administrative unit will normally originate from the dean or director of that particular unit. The vice chancellor for university advancement will work closely with the dean or director to ensure that recommendations reflect university policy. In the case of facilities not assigned to specific units, the vice chancellor for university advancement may generate the initial recommendations, based on available information.


        Sub-committee recommendations to the chancellor should conform to the objectives outlined above. The vice chancellor for university advancement in consultation with the vice chancellor for finance and administration will maintain a list of available buildings and spaces appropriate for naming, if accompanied by a gift, deferred gift or pledge commitment. This list should be reviewed annually by the vice chancellor for university advancement and other appropriate university officials.


    1. Authority to Name:
      The chancellor of the university has the authority to recommend or not recommend presented the naming opportunity to the president of the University of Arkansas System. The president has the authority to accept or reject the recommendation.

      At the president's discretion, the naming proposal may be taken to the Board of Trustees, in resolution form, for approval.

      In situations where parts of buildings and plazas may be funded by gifts from alumni and friends of the university, final negotiation with potential benefactors should not take place without first seeking the approval of the chancellor of the university. The chancellor, through the vice chancellor for university advancement, will charge the appropriate administrative officer to negotiate with potential benefactors.

      If a building name is not forthcoming at the time the building has been completed, and a name is needed for identification purposes, only a generic name should be used, thus reserving the prerogative to bring forward a name that meets the established criteria at a later date. Examples of such generic names are the Science-Engineering Building and the Physics Building.

  11. Centers, Institutes, Programs, Departments, Schools, Colleges and Other Units
    1. Purpose:
      To state University of Arkansas policy on naming centers, institutes, programs, departments, schools, colleges and other units.

    2. General:
      One of the most significant ways in which the university can pay tribute to individuals, organizations, corporations and others who have made a significant contribution to the campus is to name centers, institutes, programs, departments, schools, colleges and other units in honor of them. It is important that the university ensures that such recognition is given only to outstanding contributions and that the recognition balances the significance of the object being named with the contribution made.

    3. Guidelines:
      1. Centers, institutes, programs, departments, schools, colleges and other units may be named for any individual, but it is presumed that such individuals will have contributed in some significant way to the advancement of the University of Arkansas.
      2. Ordinarily, centers, institutes, programs, departments, schools, colleges and other units will not be named for persons who are actively involved in or related to university operations. This includes members of the faculty and staff, Board of Trustees, advisory boards, legislators and governmental officials. They may be named for persons who have retired from active employment with the university after a sufficient time has elapsed from the date of the individual's retirement.
      3. In appropriate circumstances, naming requests should foster the university's efforts to promote private support for its centers, institutes, programs, departments, schools, colleges and other units.
      4. Centers, institutes, programs, departments, schools, colleges and other units can be named for a donor who makes a significant contribution in support of its students, faculty, facilities or endowment. The amount required for such naming will be determined by the vice chancellor for university advancement upon consultation with the chancellor of the university.

      Normally, the naming of a center, institute, program, department, school, college or other unit will require a multi-million dollar contribution. In the case of centers, institutes and departments, a $5,000,000 minimum is required. Such a gift commitment must be payable over a five-year (or less) pledge term. The amount will vary with each individual situation, and this requirement should be viewed as a guideline.

      Gifts may also be made through an irrevocable deferred gift technique including, but not limited to, a charitable remainder trust, pooled income fund, charitable gift annuity, deferred pledge agreement or flexible endowment agreement. Ordinarily, an irrevocable deferred gift technique will be accompanied by a current gift.

      A donor’s lifetime giving to the University of Arkansas may be taken into consideration when considering a naming request.

    4. Policy Implementation:
      The chancellor of the university may request the administrative sub-committee on naming university facilities to advise and make recommend to the chancellor appropriate names for specific centers, institutes, programs, departments, schools, colleges and other units. When convened, this ad hoc sub-committee is composed of the following members:
      1. Provost/executive vice chancellor for academic affairs, chair of the committee
      2. Vice chancellor for university advancement, secretary of the committee
      3. A dean or director of a collegiate unit, appointed by the chancellor to a two-year term
      4. Chair of the university Faculty Senate
      5. Vice chancellor for finance and administration

      Communications and the activation of the sub-committee should be through the vice chancellor for university advancement, secretary of the committee. Recommendations for naming will normally originate from the dean or director of that particular unit. The vice chancellor for university advancement will work closely with the dean or director to ensure that recommendations reflect university policy. In the case of centers, institutes and programs not assigned to specific units, the vice chancellor for university advancement may generate the initial recommendations, based on available information.

      Sub-committee recommendations to the chancellor should conform to the objectives outlined above. The vice chancellor for university advancement in consultation with the vice chancellor for finance and administration will maintain a list of available buildings and spaces appropriate for naming if accompanied by a gift, deferred gift or pledge commitment. This list should be reviewed annually by the vice chancellor for university advancement and other appropriate university officials.

    5. Authority to Name:
      The chancellor of the university has the authority to recommend or not recommend the presented naming opportunity to the president of the University of Arkansas System. The president has the authority to accept or reject the recommendation. At the president’s discretion, the naming proposal may be taken to the Board of Trustees, in resolution form, for approval.

      Under no circumstances should final negotiations take place between an administrative officer of the university and a potential donor in naming a center, institute, program, department, school, college or unit without first seeking the approval of the chancellor of the university. The chancellor, through the vice chancellor for university advancement, will charge the appropriate administrative officer to negotiate with potential benefactors.

      If a name is not forthcoming at the time the center, institute, program, department, school, college or unit is established, and a name is needed for identification purposes, only a generic name should be used, thus reserving the prerogative to bring forward a name that meets the established criteria at a later date. Examples of generic names are the College of Engineering and the School of Architecture.

  12. Naming Opportunities/Unforeseen Circumstances:
    University naming opportunities, including but not limited to named endowment funds and facilities, shall only bear the name of individuals or entities that exemplify attributes of integrity, character and leadership consistent with the highest values of the university. Should those standards be violated, the university reserves the right to remove the donor's/honoree's name from the fund, facility or other university resource named for such individuals or entities. In addition, the donor's/honoree's name may be removed in the event that the donor's financial commitments to the university are not fulfilled. This policy shall be incorporated in, and made a part of, any gift agreement related to a naming opportunity.

Revised April 26, 2017
Revised March 13, 2015
Reformatted for Web May 15, 2014
Revised August 18, 2009
March 29, 2000