Administration Policies

VI-4.00(A)

UMB Policy on the Naming of Facilities, Programs, Interior and Exterior Spaces, and Funds

Administration   |   Approved March 9, 2022

Responsible VP/AVP

James L. Hughes, MBA

Purpose

This Policy defines the conditions under which the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) may choose to honor persons or entities by naming UMB facilities and programs, or parts thereof, as well as funds established by UMB and held by UMB in its affiliated foundation, University of Maryland Baltimore Foundation (UMBF), or in endowment accounts maintained by the University System of Maryland. This policy is adopted to implement the University System of Maryland (USM) Policy on the Naming of Facilities and Programs, USM Policy VI-4.00. 

Policy Statement

UMB encourages opportunities for philanthropy through the naming of facilities and programs, or parts thereof, as well as establishment of named funds in UMBF or the USM endowment. UMB also encourages naming to honor scholars and other distinguished individuals who are preeminent in their field of endeavor and/or have contributed meaningfully to UMB or a school or mission of UMB. 

 

Any such naming must comply with USM VI-4.00 Policy on the Naming of Facilities and Programs (the USM Naming Policy) and the guidelines in this Policy. No commitment regarding naming shall be made to a donor or a non-donor honoree prior to approval in accordance with these guidelines by UMB and by the USM Board of Regents if required by the USM Naming Policy. In accordance with the USM Naming Policy, no naming shall be permitted for any entity or individual whose public image, products, or services may conflict with the purpose and mission of UMB or USM. 

 

A. Facilities and Programs

Naming

The naming of facilities and programs must be approved by the USM Board of Regents. Facilities and programs are defined by the USM Naming Policy and include:

• Facilities: planned and existing buildings of all types, major new additions to existing buildings, as well as institutional grounds and athletic facilities, all major outdoor areas including streets, entrances, gates, and landscape features.

• Programs: colleges, schools, departments, centers, institutes, and programs, including those that are online or virtual.

 

Any such naming must undergo a high level of consideration and due diligence to ensure that the name comports with the purpose and mission of UMB.

 

Naming requests must be made to the Chancellor in compliance with the USM Naming Policy. The UMB President has sole responsibility for final UMB approval and submission of naming requests to the Chancellor. Prior to submission to the UMB President for consideration, a naming request must be approved by the appropriate Dean or Vice President and the Vice President of Philanthropy.

 

The following items should be included in a Memorandum of Understanding for a naming request as applicable:

• If the donor is planning to pay via a multiyear pledge, a mutually agreed percentage or part of the total pledge must be received before naming or related signage is implemented.

• The period of time the donor or donor honoree will have the designated name on the building, facility, program, or part thereof.

• Agreement that UMB will work with the donor to determine a mutually agreeable appearance, cost, and location of any signage in accordance with UMB style guides.

• Agreement that if the donor requests a name change, by mutual agreement of UMB, UMBF, and the donor, and approval by the Board of Regents, the name of the facility, program or fund may be changed to the new name. The donor is responsible for all costs associated with changing signage, donor walls and/or tributes, reprinting publications, and other related expenses to reflect the new name.

 

Renaming or Removal of a Name

The Board of Regents has sole authority for removing a name of a facility or program. A request for removal must be submitted by the UMB President, following procedures outlined in Appendix A of the USM Naming Policy and in this Policy.

 

B. Interior Spaces and Minor Landscaping
 

Naming

UMB has the authority to approve the naming of interior spaces (laboratories, classrooms, lecture halls, etc.), and minor landscape features (windows, benches, or sidewalk bricks). Each School/Unit must establish a procedure to ensure proper consideration of naming opportunities, including a thorough consideration of the namesake’s background and assurance that any controversies, if they exist, have been examined and judged to be immaterial to the naming.

 

These naming opportunities must be approved by the appropriate Dean or Vice President and the UMB President. Each School/Unit must maintain a record of approvals.

 

In order to comply with USM requirements, each School/Unit must submit an annual inventory of all named interior spaces and minor landscape features to the Office of the Vice President of Philanthropy.

 

Renaming or Removal of a Name

UMB reserves the right to modify and remove named interior spaces and minor landscape features. Each School/Unit must establish a procedure to ensure proper consideration and approval of removal of names or renaming, addressing the considerations described in Appendix A of the USM Policy. Any renaming or removal of a name must be approved by the appropriate Dean or Vice President and the UMB President.

 

If a previously approved name violates the standards or values of UMB and/or its units, compromises the public trust or reputation of UMB or any of its units, or is contrary to applicable federal, state, and local law, UMB may change or remove the name. Consent of a donor and UMBF is not required to remove or change a name for a reason described in this section.

 

C. Scholarships, Fellowships, Deans, Chairs, and Professors
 

Naming

Donor designated named funds, including funds for scholarships, fellowships, deans, chairs, and professors established at UMBF or the USM endowment, must be approved by the appropriate Dean or UMB Vice President, the UMBF President, and the UMB President in a Memorandum of Understanding or Memorandum of Agreement.

 

Renaming or Removal of a Name

A donor-designated named fund will retain the name for its useful life as determined solely by the UMBF Board of Trustees and UMB, or the Board of Regents and UMB in the case of a named fund in the USM endowment.

 

UMB reserves the right to modify and remove names of funds for scholarships, fellowships, deans, chairs, and professors, if the previously approved name violates the standards or values of UMB and its constituent units, compromises the public trust or reputation of UMB, or is contrary to applicable federal, state, and local law. Any renaming or removal of a name must be approved by the appropriate Dean or Vice President and the UMB President. Consent of a donor and UMBF is not required to remove or change a name for a reason described in this section. 

Scope and Exceptions

This Policy is applicable to the naming (for individuals, corporations, or foundations) of facilities and programs at UMB, or parts thereof, as well as establishment of named funds in UMBF or the USM endowment. This Policy applies to all UMB schools and all academic and service programs of UMB and any of its units.

Fill out my online form.