Policy 10 – Naming Opportunities

This policy governs the naming of faculties, departments, schools, chairs, professorships, academic programs and facilities at University of Waterloo with interpretation to include fields, roads and open spaces, buildings or parts thereof. This policy also governs naming associated with limited term naming agreements, sponsorship, changing or discontinuing a named physical spaces, academic program, units or position.

Naming Policy

1. Namings may be approved to recognize current expendable gifts, endowed gifts, sponsorship investments and gifts-in-kind. Funding may extend over an agreed length of time, and such namings may be in perpetuity or time limited. Namings proposed in recognition of planned gifts (bequests) will be considered when the cash or cash-equivalent gift is realized.
2. Namings may be approved in the name of a donor, a third party at the request of the donor, or to honour an individual or organization for distinguished service to associated disciplines/fields, to the University of Waterloo, the Province of Ontario or to Canada.
3. Namings should enhance the profile and image of the university. No naming will be approved or (once approved) continued that will call into serious question the public respect of the university.
4. Normally, naming in honour of a member of the University of Waterloo community will not occur while that person is a regular employee or member of a formal university committee (e.g., Board of Governors, Senate).
5. Namings will be independent of all appointment, admission, curriculum decisions and research direction.
6. Decisions to name will include consultation with appropriate individuals and groups within the University of Waterloo community.
7. Ultimate authority to accept, decline, discontinue or transfer a naming at the University of Waterloo rests with the Board of Governors unless delegated by them to another body or office.
8. The Office of Advancement will create, maintain and coordinate a university-wide inventory of approved naming opportunities and a matrix of naming levels that fall within the authority of the President [Appendix A].  
9. Naming opportunities are offered at the discretion of The Office of Advancement and are subject to approval by the President.

APPENDIX A
Matrix of Categories & Ranges

Naming opportunities up to $5,000,000, are within the authority of the President and the Vice-President, Academic & Provost for approval, unless associated with a building or academic area.  Note: the $5 million maximum mirrors Procedure 1 which sets out a $5 million cap on agreements executed by the Vice-President, Academic & Provost and by the President.