Naming of College Facilities

Administrative Procedure 6.101

Purpose: Elgin Community College recognizes and values the contributions of its stakeholders, including donors, institutional members, and community members. To honor significant and enduring contributions made to the College, recommendations may be submitted for the naming of interior and exterior spaces, programs, centers, and/or objects. 

The ECC President shall review all naming recommendations brought by the ECC Foundation and, if in agreement, may forward them to the Board of Trustees for consideration. Pursuant to General Board Policy, which notes “To name, in perpetuity, or such term as the Board approves, any room, space, or area of Elgin Community College,” more information can be found in the related Board of Trustees Policies – Governance Process. 

Guidelines for Naming Campus Facilities or Areas 

Names selected for campus facilities shall be meaningful to and reflective of the constituencies served by the College.

General Provisions: 

  1. Named facilities or areas must lend prestige to the College, its staff, students, and the broader community.
  2. Nominations must include adequate supporting documentation.
  3. Once named, facilities will retain their designation if they remain in use for their original function.
  4. Names shall not be approved or retained if they bring disrepute or diminish public respect for the College.
  5. Donors shall not receive a substantial return benefit other than the use or acknowledgement of the name or logo of such donor’s trade or business.
  6. All prior commitments made before the adoption of this policy may be honored. 

Nominees and Naming Authority: Nominees may include individuals, corporations, or organizations that have made a significant contribution financially or otherwise to the College. 

Naming Criteria Based on Service and Recognition: When a naming proposal is made for an individual affiliated with the College, at least one year must elapse following the end of the individual’s service before consideration. The ECC President shall review such proposals and make recommendations to the Board of Trustees. 

Naming Patterns and Functional Naming 

  • To identify the primary functional use of the facility or space.
  • Functional names shall follow a consistent and identifiable pattern.
  • Naming may also recognize exceptional distinction, financial contribution, or both.
  • If a facility’s function changes, it may be renamed to reflect its new purpose.
  • In the absence of a donor or functional designation, names may be assigned using an alphabetical designation. 

Authority and Approval: The Board of Trustees holds exclusive authority to approve the naming of all facilities, parts of facilities, or property in recognition of service or contribution to the College. The Board shall also approve naming schedules and required donation thresholds during any capital campaign. The ECC President, in consultation with the College Foundation and subject to Board approval, may authorize alternative funding plans in the College’s best interest. 

Consideration of naming opportunities will include 

  1. Cost of construction, renovation, or purchase.
  2. Operational costs.
  3. Useful life of the facility or program; or
  4. Marketability to potential donors.

Gift Agreements and Donor Understanding: A formal gift agreement must be executed among the College, the College Foundation, and the donor before any naming. Donors shall not control the design, construction, furnishings, promotions, or any other element of the named space or program. A formal record of all naming agreements and any modifications thereto shall be maintained in perpetuity by the institution for purposes of legal compliance, historical integrity, and institutional transparency.

Unfulfilled or Incomplete Pledges: If the minimum funding requirement outlined in the Donor Agreement is not met within the specified timeframe, and the agreement does not authorize alternative uses, the ECC President may, in accordance with the terms of the agreement, either terminate the account and expend the available funds or transfer the funds to an appropriate endowment. In such cases, the associated naming opportunity may be revoked or forfeited.

Restrictions and Alignment with Mission 

  • No name shall suggest the College's endorsement of a political ideology, commercial product, or other position contrary to the College’s mission to improve people’s lives through learning.
  • All names must align with the mission and core values of the College. 
  • Donations must comply with applicable IRS guidelines for charitable contributions. 

Renovation, Relocation, or Removal of Named Spaces: The College reserves the right to alter the use of named facilities in response to institutional needs. The College and the ECC Foundation shall notify affected donors before the renovation, relocation, or removal of a named space to ensure transparency and respect. Should renovation, relocation, or removal of any named space on campus be necessary, care will be taken to work with the ECC Foundation to notify affected donors before the start of construction or demolition. 

Duration and Renaming: The duration of the corporation or foundation naming rights shall be explicitly defined within the executed Donor Agreement. Unless otherwise specified therein, such naming shall remain in effect for the useful life of the facility or program to which it pertains. The institution reserves the right to modify existing names, including hyphenation or other alterations, when deemed appropriate and in accordance with applicable policies. Reasonable efforts shall be made to notify and consult with the original honorees or their legal representatives or immediate families before any such modification. A secondary name may be appended in recognition of subsequent significant contributions, subject to institutional policy and a review of the original Donor Agreement to ensure consistency with its terms. 

Signage and Recognition: When an entire facility is named, the honoree’s name may appear on college signage and on maps as appropriate in accordance with ECC’s established signage standards. Signage shall comply with all relevant college signage policies. 

Criteria for Name Removal: If renaming is proposed due to concerns regarding the existing name, the procedures followed should be undertaken judiciously, with great care and thoughtful discernment. Any consideration should involve the President and the Board of Trustees as a final action is considered, and the ultimate determination is made. 

The College reserves the right to remove a name if the named individual or entity engages in actions that: 

  • Significantly violate legal or ethical standards.
  • Contradict the mission or values of the College; or
  • Cause reputational harm to the institution.

Name removal will be carefully considered by the President and the Board of Trustees before a final decision is rendered.

The Board of Trustees reserves the right to make exceptions to this policy as deemed necessary.

This policy was last reviewed on 09/10/2025.

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