Policy on Naming of Buildings & Grounds

Policy Category	Issuing Authority	Responsibility	Publication Date	Next Review Date
Facilities	President’s Office	Advancement	05/12/2025	05/12/2028

Policy Statement/Background:

Naming opportunities are valuable university assets and generally considered only when there is a significant philanthropic commitment. This process is one of negotiation and partnership between the university and the donor.

New York State Education Law § 356 (3)(f) grants the Stony Brook Council the authority to name buildings and grounds (subject to the general management, supervision, control and approval of, and in accordance with rules established by the SUNY Board of Trustees).

Scope

This policy applies to all naming opportunities for Stony Brook University owned buildings and grounds. This policy does not address the process that leads to the changing of the name of buildings and grounds (see renaming of buildings, grounds, spaces and structures).

Policy:

Stony Brook University provides for the opportunity to name its buildings and grounds as a way to honor and memorialize substantial and sustained contributions to Stony Brook University and society at large. Rare exceptions are allowed, at the discretion of the president, to honor individuals and entities for exceptional contributions without a substantial monetary contribution.

Proposals to name all buildings (including portions thereof) and grounds must be submitted to the President’s Office.

The President’s Office will review all proposals in conjunction with University Advancement – regardless of whether there’s a philanthropic component. Recommendations should follow the Naming Proposal Procedure detailed in this policy (see Section A) and reviewed using several criteria (see Section B).

All proposed names should be held in confidence throughout all stages of the review and approval process. Once a proposal has been reviewed and approved by the University President, the following steps will be taken:

The Stony Brook Council (SBC) will review approved recommendations to name buildings and grounds. The SBC will vote on whether to pass a resolution in favor of the naming.
Once the SBC passes a resolution in favor of the naming, the following requirements must be met:
- Gifts $1,000,000 or more: SBC’s recommendation shall be forwarded to the SUNY Chancellor and the SUNY Board of Trustees for review and approval.
- Gifts $999,999 and below: no further action is required unless a naming opportunity is inconsistent with this policy. In these instances, the SBC’s recommendation shall be forwarded to the SUNY Chancellor (or designee) for review and approval.

Where a naming is based on a gift, the University Advancement Office is responsible for submitting supportive materials to the Office of the President. The President’s Office is responsible for sending all SBC approved resolutions and supporting materials to SUNY.

Naming recognition does not grant “ownership” or decision-making authority to the honoree over buildings and grounds; the University maintains its full control and authority for all aspects of named buildings and grounds (e.g. utilization, facility design, etc.).

While buildings and grounds may be named in perpetuity or for a stated term, the university reserves the right to remove a name (as legally permissible). If at some future time the building is replaced or grounds modified, the name may or may not be carried on the replacement at the university’s sole discretion (as legally permissible). If the name is not used on the replacement, some form of recognition may be incorporated into the new building or grounds space, as appropriate.

A. Naming Proposal Procedure

Proposals to name buildings and grounds must be submitted via email to the President’s Office (President@stonybrook.edu). At a minimum, the following information should be included:

Proposed name;
Background information that details the honoree’s legacy/life;
Statement to support why buildings or grounds should be named after an honoree (rationale and evidence must demonstrate consistency with the university’s mission and values);
Indicate which buildings and grounds should be considered for naming;
Who is making the recommendation to name buildings and grounds; &
Specify whether there is an endowed gift.

B. Naming Criteria

The following items will guide the decision-making process:

Since naming buildings and grounds forges a link in the public mind between the university and the designated name, the university must exercise discretion and perform appropriate due diligence, based upon all the facts and circumstances associated with a proposed naming opportunity. Naming opportunities should be afforded to individuals and entities that have earned and maintained a positive public and private image and reputation.
Proposed name must be consistent with Stony Brook University’s mission and values, and should advance the reputation of the university.
Proposed name should honor an individual (living or deceased), a group of individuals, or an organization that has a definable and significant connection to either Stony Brook University or society at large. Proposed name must be determined by weighing the needs of the university and the appropriate campus entity, and must not conflict with or diminish any existing naming.
Proposed name should not confuse the public about the location or function of the designated building or grounds, but rather enhance a visitor's ability to identify, locate, and use it.
Buildings and grounds are generally not named for individuals currently employed by the University or the State of New York, unless a donor other than the honoree provides a sufficient gift in honor of that individual.
Buildings should be named in recognition of an endowed gift. The minimum amount for a particular building is determined on a case by case basis, dependent on the size and purpose of the building. Only under very special circumstances should a naming occur that is not linked to a substantial monetary contribution.
Each naming opportunity should be reviewed carefully for compliance with applicable law, including law related to prohibited gifts and ethical principles, especially where there is some direct or indirect business or other continuing relationship between the donor and the University, SUNY, its officers, or employees.

Definitions:

Buildings: structures that have a roof and walls. They are used as a place for people to live, provide patient care, work, and conduct University activities.

Contact:

Additional information about this policy is available here:

President’s Office
310 Administration Building
Stony Brook, NY 11794
(631) 632-6265

University Advancement
330 Administration Building
Stony Brook, NY 11794
(631) 632-6300