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Naming Opportunity Guidelines

Purpose of the Policy

The purpose of this policy is to provide standard guidelines for Truckee Meadows Community College in naming buildings, sites and common areas. Naming opportunities may be granted in recognition of distinction and in recognition of financial support for programs, faculty and student scholarships.

Criteria for Naming

  1. Naming in Recognition of Distinction
    From time to time, the College may want to honor the extraordinary, distinguished contributions of individuals to humanity, to the United States, to Nevada, to Washoe County or to the College. When a significant area or building is proposed to be named for an individual or entity associated with TMCC, it is recommended that a period of not less than three years shall lapse between the end of the individual’s service to the College and a naming proposal.
    If a building, room, significant area or program is to be named in recognition of outstanding service, the president shall determine whether the person or entity is worthy of the honor, whether the recommendation has the support of the occupants of the building or users of the area, as well as the support of the College community, before making a recommendation to the Board of Regents for approval.
  2. Naming in Recognition of Financial Support
    For naming in recognition of financial gifts, the donor will be expected to provide all or a substantial part of the cost of the program or project. “Substantial” is deemed to mean either a significant majority of the cost (51%) or a contribution which, while not being a significant majority, would not have been available from another source or was in some way integral to project completion or program initiation. A guide for naming may be based on cost of area per square foot with appropriate adjustments based on visibility of space to be named and other considerations. Donors may be individuals, families, organizations, foundations or corporations. In establishing objectives for a fundraising campaign, the department securing the funds, in consultation with the president and the TMCC Foundation, will establish a schedule of naming opportunities and the level of donation required for each. The Foundation will consult with departments to advise whether the gift levels are appropriate and consistent with others on campus.

General Provisions

TMCC General Image

  1. Names of facilities or areas should lend prestige to the College and to staff, students and the community. The credentials, character and reputation of each individual, organization or corporation for whom the naming of a building is being considered shall be carefully scrutinized and evaluated. Nominations submitted for consideration must be accompanied by supporting documentation.
  2. When a building or significant area has been named, the College will continue to use the name so long as the building or area remains in use and serves its original function. When the use has changed such that it must be demolished, substantially renovated or rebuilt, the College may retain the use of the name, name another comparable room or facility or discontinue the use of the name.
  3. It is the responsibility of individuals negotiating on behalf of the College to advise potential benefactors that their gift may be recognized by naming, subject to approvals and decisions consistent with this policy.
  4. No naming will be approved or (once approved) sustained that will call into serious question the public respect of the College.

Approvals

  1. All proposals for naming will be forwarded to the president who shall make a determination whether the proposed naming conforms to this policy, is otherwise appropriate, and is of sufficient merit.
  2. Upon presidential approval, the naming opportunity will be submitted to the Nevada System of Higher Education according to the NSHE Procedure Manual, chapter one.
  3. Commitments made prior to adoption of this policy shall be honored.

Naming Conventions

  1. A uniform system of signing should be adopted by location.
  2. Buildings and areas should have names that include their primary function:
    • Special use buildings or areas such as an auditorium, physical education center, health center, or such, may bear the functional name separately or in combination with the donor’s name, such as the "IGT Applied Technology Center".
  3. Plaques and signage should be tasteful, discrete and consistent with other campus signage.

Naming and title opportunities may be available for facilities, laboratories, program endowments and endowed scholarships. If you are interested in a naming opportunity, please contact the TMCC Foundation.