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Board approves campus naming-opportunities list; Foundation outlines donor options and limits
Summary
The New College Board approved a list of naming opportunities presented by the New College Foundation, with trustees asking about temporary vs. permanent naming, whether gifts cover building costs, and how the Board of Governors rules constrain approvals. Final naming terms will require subsequent trustee approvals.
The board approved a campus naming-opportunities list from the New College Foundation on April 9, authorizing advancement staff to solicit donors under a standardized menu of options while reserving final approvals for the trustees and complying with Board of Governors rules.
Sydney Gruters, vice president of advancement and executive director of the New College Foundation, told trustees that naming a space is "a meaningful way for donors to demonstrate their commitment to New College," and said the list includes opportunities for classrooms, halls, common areas and new capital projects. Gruters said naming terms vary: some opportunities are temporary (term-limited) and others can be structured as permanent endowments; the foundation’s website lists additional academic giving options such as research and travel scholarships.
Trustees pressed on specifics: Trustee Spalding asked what "term" means and whether temporary naming would deter large donors seeking permanent recognition; Gruters and the president said permanent naming is possible but would return to the board for approval. General Counsel Bill Galvano (referenced by administration) reminded trustees that naming of university facilities is "highly regulated by the Board of Governors," and many naming decisions will require further trustee review.
Trustees also asked whether naming gifts would cover the cost of new facilities. Gruters said a naming gift might cover the majority of cost or be used as part of a matching campaign; the board would decide whether to proceed if a gift did not fully fund a project. The Freedom Institute — an initiative discussed earlier in the meeting — appears on the list; Gruters said naming could support faculty, buildings, scholarships, or programming depending on donor preference and trustee approval.
The board approved the list but clarified that each specific naming agreement will be negotiated and brought back for final approval in keeping with Board of Governors policy.
