1. Policy Statement
1.1. This university policy describes the authorities and processes for naming or renaming Buildings, Major Academic Units, Major Public Places, and Other University Spaces.
2. Reason for Policy
2.1. The university desires to have a thoughtful process in considering and making decisions on naming or renaming university Buildings, Major Academic Units, Major Public Places, and Other University Spaces. In its naming policy and process, the university strives to honor the mission and history of the university, the state of Oregon, and regions in which the university operates.
3. Scope & Audience
3.1. This policy applies any time a request is made to name or rename university Buildings, Major Academic Units, Major Public Places, and Other University Spaces.
4. Definitions
4.1. Buildings: Any building owned or operated by the university that serves or will serve the university’s teaching, research, outreach and engagement mission; operations and activities; housing; or athletics operations and activities.
4.2. Major Academic Units: Colleges, schools, departments, centers, institutes, and any other academic units as determined by the President.
4.3. Major Public Places: Any university campus, structure, street, landmark, or publicly promoted or utilized space (e.g., gallery, auditorium, atrium, theater, intercollegiate athletics or sports venue, or indoor or outdoor plaza).
4.4. Other University Spaces: Any space or facility owned or controlled by university that does not meet the definition of Buildings or Major Public Places.
4.5. University Community: For the purposes of this policy, the University Community are university units and colleges, and university leadership (President, Provost, Vice President-level, Vice Provost-level, and Deans).
4.5.1. For the avoidance of doubt, University Community does not include the Oregon State University Foundation.
5. Responsibilities & Procedures
5.1. Naming Authority
5.1.1. The authority to name, rename or remove the name from a Building, Major Public Place, Major Academic Unit, or Other University Space resides with the President.
5.1.2. A name may not be bestowed on or removed from a Building or Major Public Place without the prior written approval of the President.
5.1.3. A name may not be bestowed on or removed from a Major Academic Unit without the prior written approval of the President, and only after consultation with the officers of the OSU Board of Trustees (“Board”).
a. The Board officers may refer the President to consult with members of the Executive and Audit Committee of the Board for further discussion.
b. No action may be taken on the naming of a Major Academic Unit until the consultation with the Board officers has occurred.
5.1.4. For purposes of clarity, although the ultimate authority to name, rename or remove the name of Other University Spaces resides with the President, prior written approval of the President is not required to bestow a name on Other University Spaces when done in compliance with Section 5.2 or Section 5.4, as applicable.
5.1.5. The president will not name or rename a Building, Major Public Place, Major Academic Unit, or Other University Space without evidence that the name has been vetted by the university.
5.2. Naming Proposals from the University Community
5.2.1. Proposals from the University Community to name a Building, Major Public Place, Major Academic Unit, or Other University Space must be submitted, along with a recommendation and justification for the proposed naming, to the Vice President for University Relations and Marketing.
5.2.2. The recommendation and justification must be in writing, not to exceed one page, and, if the proposed name is for an individual or group, include information on how the proposed individual or group has directly served to advance the values and mission of the university.
5.2.3. The recommendation and justification may be accompanied by supporting information, including information about the individual or group for which the Building, Major Public Place, or Major Academic Unit, or Other University Space is to be named, such as:
a. Letters of support from unit leaders or other employees, students, or alumni, as appropriate.
b. Endorsement by the relevant Dean who oversees the Major Academic Unit intended for naming, as appropriate.
c. Any other information relevant to the potential implementation of the request.
5.2.4. The Vice President for University Relations and Marketing will make decisions on the naming of Other University Spaces and share such decisions with the President, and forward all other proposals to the Architectural Naming Committee in a timely manner.
5.2.5. Proposals must be submitted at least 60 days before the decision is required.
5.3. Architectural Naming Committee
5.3.1. The Architectural Naming Committee (“Committee”) is responsible for considering naming proposals from the University Community for Buildings, Major Public Places, and Major Academic Units, and to advise on whether to approve all such proposals. The Committee may make its own proposals to name Buildings, Major Public Places, Major Academic Units, or Other University Spaces in a format of their choosing.
a. The Committee is chaired by the Vice President for University Relations and Marketing and consists of the Vice President for Finance and Administration or their designee, Director of Government Relations, president of the OSU Foundation, Vice Provost of Student Affairs, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, Chancellor and Dean of OSU-Cascades, Faculty Senate President, Vice President of Associated Students of Oregon State University, president of the Associated Students of Cascades Campus, and other faculty, staff and student members appointed by the President.
5.3.2. In reviewing and making proposals, the Committee will consider whether the proposed name complements the university and its campuses or facilities and confirm that it aligns with the university’s mission and values.
5.3.3. The Vice President for University Relations and Marketing will share the recommendation of the committee with the Provost for review and consultation. The Vice President for University Relations and Marketing will then share the recommendations of the committee and the Provost with the President, pursuant to Section 5.1 of this University Policy.
5.4. Naming Pursuant to Donor Gift Agreements
5.4.1. The Oregon State University Foundation (OSUF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization recognized by the university’s Board. Private gifts in support of Buildings, Major Academic Units, and Major Public Places are solicited jointly by the university and OSUF, and offer an opportunity for appropriate recognition of donors.
5.4.2. All gift agreements that contain a naming opportunity for Buildings, Major Academic Units, and Major Public Places must be approved and executed by the President.
5.4.3. The university and OSUF will agree on a separate procedures document that addresses the process for university approval of the naming of Buildings, Major Academic Units, and Major Public Places pursuant to donor gift agreements. The procedures document may be amended from time to time but must at all times be consistent with this University Policy.
5.4.4. The naming of Other University Spaces will be managed by OSUF in accordance with its standard operating procedures. A list of named Other University Spaces will be provided to university by OSUF as requested by the Vice President for University Relations and Marketing or their designee.
5.5. Renaming
5.5.1. From time to time, the name of a Building, Major Academic Unit, Major Public Place, or Other University Spaces may be changed. Name changes or renamings may occur if the university deems that the use or purpose of the building or property has changed; if, in the consideration of the President, significant private gifts to support the university offer an opportunity for appropriate recognition of donors; or if the university determines that confusion exists between names of buildings, streets, structures, building areas, landmarks, or other property within the university.
5.6. Removal of a Name
5.6.1. The university reserves the right to remove the name of a Building, Major Academic Unit, Major Public Place, or Other University Space if:
a. The President determines that removal of the name is in the interest of the university and consistent with the university’s mission and values, or
b. The donor does not perform obligations specified in the gift agreement.
6. Related Policies, Procedures, or Information
6.1. OSU Building and Place Names.
History
Adopted: Oregon State University adopted University Policy 04-015 Architectural and Academic Unit Naming in October 2017. University Policy 04-015 Architectural and Academic Unit Naming was reviewed and received housekeeping amendments on November 30, 2022, May 11, 2023, March 13, 2025, November 10, 2025, and January 15, 2026.
Next scheduled review date: November 2030.
Contacts
University Relations and Marketing
541-737-4875
https://communications.oregonstate.edu