13.5 Naming of University Assets

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This online version is for convenience; the official version of this policy is housed in the University Secretariat. In case of discrepancy between the online version and the official version held by the Secretariat, the official version shall prevail.

Naming of University Assets

Approving Authority: Board of Governors

Original Approval Date: January 27, 2005

Date of Most Recent Review/Revision: February 13, 2025

Office of Accountability: Vice-President: Advancement & External Relations

Administrative Responsibility: Office of Stewardship and Donor Relations

1.00 Purpose

1.01 The purpose of this policy is to set out the principles that guide the naming of University Assets.

1.02 It is a long-standing tradition at universities to name University Assets after individuals or organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the institution and its mission, or to the broader local, national, or international community. These associations with members of the community, and ceremonies held to mark such recognition, represent significant events in an institution’s history, and strengthen the ties between the university and community at large.

2.00 Definitions

2.01 University Assets: Tangible and Intangible Assets of the University, existing or proposed.

2.02 Intangible Assets: all University Assets that are not physical in nature, including but not limited to:

a. Academic units (e.g. faculties, departments, schools, institutes, and centres);

b. Academic programs;

c. Lectureships, chairships, professorships, fellowships;

d. Scholarships, bursaries and other funds to support or recognize University students;

e. Administrative posts (deanships, chairs, directorships, etc.);

f. Events both academic (e.g. lectures, symposia, conferences, etc.) and non-academic (e.g. athletic and other extracurricular events);

g. Student services and other services;

h. Prizes and other awards to recognize outstanding achievements by members of the University community.

2.03 Tangible Assets: University Assets that have a physical form, including:

a. Buildings, and parts thereof (e.g. wings, floors, lecture and seminar rooms, laboratories, reading rooms, atria, and foyers);

b. Land, including outdoor spaces, gardens, fields, roads, walkways;

c. Collections of books, archives, art and other documentary and/or cultural materials;

d. Fixtures and/or equipment;

e. Memorials, medallions or plaques.

2.04 Gift: means any voluntary transfer of real or personal property, including in kind property, from individuals, organizations, or other sources (“donor”) to the university. A gift is made without expectation of return or benefit to the donor or any individual or organization designated by the donor as a result of acceptance of the gift.

2.05 Philanthropic Naming: means any naming of a University Asset in recognition of receipt of a gift.

2.06 Honorific Naming: means any naming of a University Asset in recognition of a distinguished individual and not conditional on receipt of a gift. Honorific naming recognition is not applicable for organizations.

3.00 Jurisdiction/Scope

3.01 This policy applies to the Philanthropic and Honorific Naming of all University Assets, in accordance with established processes and procedures.

4.00 Policy

4.01 General

4.01.01 Each proposed naming under this policy should advance the reputation, mission, and priorities of the University in accordance with its values, guiding principles, governing documents and the law. In particular, the naming of University Assets shall:

a. enhance Laurier’s stated goal of being a community-facing university by embedding the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion through its naming policy and procedures.

b. align with Laurier’s commitment to Indigenization and fostering a community that honors Indigenous knowledge and practices at Laurier. It also reflects Laurier’s belief that educational institutions have a duty to address the legacy of harm caused by colonial policies and practices.

4.01.02 In addition to adhering to the procedures set out under this Policy, the naming of University Assets shall follow these guidelines:

a. Individuals or organizations after which University Assets are proposed to be named must be of such a reputation and standing that an association with that individual or organization would not reasonably compromise the University’s reputation, mission, priorities, values, guiding principles, autonomy, integrity, or legal compliance.

b. Naming of academic units or programs shall not impede the University from altering its academic and research priorities and shall conform to all University policies and guidelines governing the establishment of such entities.

c. Decisions under this policy shall be independent of appointment, admission, curriculum, and other academic and business decisions.

d. Decisions under this policy are strictly confidential until the University makes a public announcement.

4.01.03 The Office of Advancement shall be responsible for maintaining an accurate inventory of named University Assets as described in this policy’s procedures.

4.02 Renaming and Retiring Names of University Assets

4.02.01 A naming term will normally be for the useful life of a University Asset. No commitment to a naming shall extend beyond the life or existence of the University Asset named. If a University Asset must be replaced, sold or substantially altered in its form, nature or use, the University reserves the right to retain the use of the name, name another comparable asset, or discontinue the use of the name.

4.02.02 Without limiting the generality of section 4.02.01, if a named University Asset is supported by an endowment and the endowment income is no longer sufficient to support the asset, the University is not obliged to support the asset out of if its funds and may replace, alter, dispose of or discontinue the asset and invoke section 4.02.01 above.

4.02.03 Where a naming is for a limited period of time, the University reserves the right to rename the University Asset on the expiration of that time, or to ask the donor for renewed support.

4.02.04 Namings of University Assets made for a corporation can be changed upon amalgamation, buy out, merger or other corporate name change at the cost of the corporate entity (which shall include costs for signage and administrative costs for the University to execute on the change), and provided that the new naming will be in accordance with this policy in all aspects.

4.02.05 Where the name of an academic program or unit is modified due to a change in direction in the University’s academic or research priorities, a change of the asset nomenclature for the named University Asset can occur without amendment to a gift or sponsorship agreement so long as the recognition name remains the same.

4.02.06 Any renaming of a University Asset shall adhere to the principles of naming as outlined in this policy and its associated procedures.

4.02.07 In the event that the University is renaming or retiring the name of a University Asset as per this policy, the University will make a reasonable attempt to notify the name sakes and/or family members possible and where appropriate.

4.03 Revocation of the Naming of University Assets

4.03.01 The University reserves the right to revoke a naming decision if it constitutes a significant and continuing impairment to the University’s reputation or if the agreed-upon philanthropic contributions are significantly reduced.

4.03.02 The authority to revoke a naming decision rests with the Board of Governors.