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’s 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 (“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 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’s 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’s University Gift Acceptance Policy
Queen’s 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 – revisions deferred until 2022-23