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Policy Information

Policy Title	Guidelines for Design and Installation of Plaques
Responsible Office	Office of the Vice President for Advancement
Policy Type	Facilities and Property
Policy Number	417
Last Revision Date	8/17/2023

An (memorial object) engraved plaque is a display which recognizes an individual, group or organization. The following guidelines and procedures have been developed to ensure a coordinated and cohesive approach to the placement of (memorial objects) plaques in or around University buildings and to provide consistency in the content, design, and placement in all the public spaces of the University. These guidelines apply to the design and installation of all plaques to be displayed in public areas of the University. It does not pertain to memorial objects accompanying benefactor or honorific naming of facilities, spaces or buildings.

For purposes of this policy there are two categories of memorial objects, Benefactor and Honorific. Benefactor refers to a donor paying for it. Honorific is something that is done by the request of a department or division that does not have any donor sponsoring it.

Criteria

Memorial Objects should represent and protect the integrity of ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ and serve as recognition for those who have made significant contributions in service to ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ or other extraordinary circumstances. The following criteria are to be used in determining the appropriateness of installing a memorial object in a public space:

1. Recognition of distinguished members of the University community whose outstanding service warrants remembrance.
2. Recognition of a historically significant event of importance to the University community.
3. Honor an individual, a group of individuals, an organization, or a geographic area that has a definable and significant connection with ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ's history, academic programs, research projects, public services, or development priorities.

All plaques not meeting the criteria or following the procedure will be removed.

Procedure

1. A written request providing the following information must be submitted to the appropriate Dean and/or Vice President as early as possible prior to proposed installation. The request should include the following:
   • Person or event to be recognized
   • Plaque justification
   • Proposed wording for plaque. Note: The number of characters that will appear on a plaque is limited. Unless special approval is obtained, plaques are limited to: "In honor of...," or "In memory of..."
   • Proposed location and placement of plaque
   • Proposed installation date
   • Notification of a planned plaque unveiling event/reception (if appropriate) 
2. Following concurrence of the Dean and/or Vice President, the request will be forwarded to the Campus Appearance Committee for review.
3. If endorsed, the Campus Appearance Committee will submit the request to the President's Senior Staff for final approval.

Placement, Style, Content, and Installation of Plaques

1. Each plaque shall exhibit consistency within the designated building and reflect the architectural integrity of the building. In order to insure consistency and conformity, the Vice President for Advancement or their designee, in consultation with a representative from Facilities Management, a representative from the appropriate division(s), and the architect when appropriate, shall establish guidelines for each building which shall specify size, fonts, materials, and design for each plaque requested. Honorific or memorial plaques will be purchased by the requesting department or unit.
2. Installation of donor recognition plaques will only occur after at least half of the pledged commitments are paid except under very special circumstances and with prior approval from the president. The Division of Advancement will pay for the design and installation of plaques recognizing philanthropic contributions.
3. Honorific or memorial plaques will be purchased by the vice president's area supporting the plaque recommendation.
4. Benefactor plaques shall not be offered or installed without obtaining prior approval in accordance with the procedures outlined above.

*Note: A framed, non-permanent recognition parchment, funded by the dean or unit director, may be installed in non-public spaces.

Honorific Plaques or Spaces, Etc. Without Associated Gifts

1. Honorific naming plaques or spaces are reviewed within the context of campus-wide recognition and fundraising plans for University spaces and facilities.
2. Generally, proposals for honorific namings without associated gifts will not be considered for spaces or facilities that have been previously identified as gift-naming opportunities in fundraising plans.
3. All honorific naming requests are sent to the Campus Appearance Committee for review and approval.
4. Criteria for honorific plaques. A proposed honoree shall have achieved distinction in one or more of the following ways:
   1. While serving the University in an academic capacity, the individual has demonstrated high scholarly distinction and has earned a national or international reputation in the individual's field(s) or specialization.
   2. While serving the University in an important administrative capacity, the individual has rendered distinguished service that warrants recognition of the individual's exceptional contributions to the benefit of the University.
   3. Although not having served the University as an academician or administrator, the individual has contributed in truly exceptional ways to the benefit of the institution or has achieved unique distinction that warrants recognition.

Waiting Period

1. Submission of proposals for an honorific plaque, without associated gifts, in honor of an individual who has served the University as an academician or administrator or has served the community, state or nation in an elected or appointed position are subject to the following waiting periods:
   1. Two years after retirement or other separation from the University or from elected or appointed office.
   2. Two years after the person's death, regardless of whether the person had retired or otherwise separated from the University.

Procedure

1. A written request providing the following information must be submitted to the appropriate dean and/or vice president as early as possible prior to proposed installation. The request should include the following:
   1. Person or event to be recognized
   2. Plaque justification
   3. Proposed wording for plaque. Note: The number of characters that will appear on a plaque is limited. Unless special approval is obtained, plaques are limited to: "Gift of...," "In honor of...," or "In memory of..."
   4. Proposed location and placement of plaque
   5. Proposed installation date
   6. Notification of a planned plaque unveiling event/reception (if appropriate)
2. Following concurrence of the dean and/or vice president, all honorific, non-gift associated requests request will be forwarded to the Campus Appearance Committee.
3. The Campus Appearance Committee will submit recommendations to the president's senior staff for final approval.

Note: These guidelines and policies apply to all future plaque requests and does not affect existing plaques.