Approvals Procedure For Service and Commemorative Naming

Final Approval Body: Senior Leadership Team

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

Date Initially Approved: February, 2015

Date of Last Revision: 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 service and commemorative Namings. 

Procedure

A proposed honouree must have rendered outstanding service, have earned a national or international reputation for excellence, or have achieved a unique distinction that warrants recognition. 

The University may also decide, pursuant to this procedure, to commemorate something (such as an event or milestone) or someone, with a Naming.

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.

Step 1 - Individuals contemplating a Naming to recognize outstanding service or in commemoration of something or someone should first consult with the Donor Relations unit in the Office of Advancement for information and expertise. Other recognition opportunities will be explored as part of this consultation - including potential fundraising campaigns and honorific Naming recognition through the use of strategically placed plaques, recognition events, or other means. 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鈥檚 family. The Donor Relations unit of the Office of Advancement will work with the proponent of the Naming to secure these letters of support. 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 (鈥淎dvisory Group鈥) to provide input into the Naming Proposal. The purpose of the Advisory Group is to create an opportunity for more input into the process, and 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 for review.
Responsible officer/unit - Office of Advancement

Step 3 - The University Secretariat will consult with the Principal鈥檚 Office to confirm if the Principal supports the Naming Proposal. If endorsed, 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 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鈥檚 University Gift Acceptance Policy
Queen鈥檚 University Naming Policy
Procedure for Approval of Naming Recognizing Philanthropic Donations of $10M or more
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 鈥 revisions deferred until 2022-23