Naming of Building

University buildings, parts of buildings, and grounds may be named to honor one or more individuals. Buildings should be named after people who have achieved prominence in their fields of endeavor, or persons who have contributed significantly to their construction.

Nomination Deadline

At least 6 months before the naming is to take place. Later submission will be considered, but without any guarantee of timely decision.

August 22, 2008
September 12, 2008
November 14, 2008
January 16, 2009
February 13, 2009
March 13, 2009
April 17, 2009

Who is eligible?

A building should not be named for a person who is currently on the regular faculty or staff of the University, but may be named for a person still living who has retired or left the service of the University.

Selection Criteria

-For each proposed new construction or renovation of a University of Minnesota facility, the University of Minnesota Foundation will prepare guidelines to ensure consistency between contribution levels and opportunities to recognize donor generosity through the naming of a building, part of a building, or grounds.
-Guidelines for the naming of specific facilities or areas of the campus will be submitted by the University of Minnesota Foundation to Senate All-University Honors Committee for information and coordination prior to any public announcement or publication of the naming opportunities.
-For gifts exceeding $500,000 that qualify and are recommended for naming an entire building or major portion of a facility, proposals will be submitted to the Senate All-University Honors Committee with appropriate documentation for approval.
-For gifts under $500,000 proposals will be reviewed by the University Foundation, or by individual units of the University in cases where such gifts are made specifically to them, and need not be reviewed by the Senate All-University Honors Committee.

Selection Process

Recommendations approved by the Senate All-University Honors Committee will be submitted to the president, and then to the Board of Regents for final approval. Board of Regents policy requires that no disclosure is to be made to the nominee, or persons other than those writing supporting letters, until a decision is forthcoming.

Nomination Procedure

-Nomination Summary -- 50 words or less.
-Reasons for Nomination -- single page, 12-point type.
-Nominator -- must be an alumnus, a current member of the faculty or staff, or a member of the University Foundation.
-Letter from Nominator -- should focus, from personal knowledge, on the services of the nominee or the philanthropic activities that justify the nomination.
-Supporting Letters -- at least 2, not more than 4, focusing as above on the services or philanthropy of the nominee.
-Maximum Length of Dossier -- not more than 12 pages.
-Number of Copies -- 25 of each item; collated, stapled, and clipped (no binders or folders).

Submit nominations, including contact information, to

The honors committee of the appropriate unit that occupies the building, if one exists, and if not, to the Senate All-University Honors Committee, c/o Vickie Courtney, University Senate, 427 Morrill Hall, 100 Church St SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455. In the case of gifts exceeding $500,000, proposals should be cleared first with the University of Minnesota Foundation.

For additional information about this award go to: http://www1.umn.edu/usenate/alluhonors/bldg.html

Previous recipients of this award.