On Bowling Green State University’s (BGSU) bustling campus, students walk to and from classes, dining calls, student organization meetings and much more. A small part of the campus that goes unnoticed though, the history behind its building names and at points – a lack of diversity within those being honored as name bearers.
Each day, BGSU students go up the stairs of buildings, in and out through classrooms and some even reside here on campus grounds. But what do these buildings mean? To some they are just structures, to others they are significant symbols of the university’s history.
The process of naming buildings is long, complicated and is taken seriously by the university and board of trustees. The question still remains how the student body feels about these names, if they notice a lack of women honoring through said buildings or if they even care at all.
There are a few existing buildings named after women at BGSU, including the Bowen-Thompson Student Union, named after Ellen Bowen-Thompson, Prout Chapel, named after Alice Prout, McDonald Hall, named after Athleen McDonald, Eppler Complex, named after Gertrude Eppler and Batchelder, a building that is a part of Kreischer Hall, named after Ann Batchelder.
Bella Bolbach, a BGSU junior student studying early childhood education, said while she uses these building names regularly, she’s never thought about their origin.
In regard to the lack of women-named buildings here at BGSU, Bolbach said she doesn’t blame the university or think it’s being done on purpose.
“I don’t think that BGSU deliberately is leaving women out. My guess is the buildings were named a long time ago when women did not have an opportunity to be professors, presidents or major contributors to the university. History has always favored men’s successes and opportunities over women’s in general, so I think it’s just a reflection of that,” said Bolbach.
Even with building names as a possibility, Bolbach wondered if it would even be the best choice for the university to honor more diverse groups of people.
“With building names, how much appreciation would the successful women be getting if nobody knows why the buildings are being named what they are,” said Bolbach.
While she doesn’t blame the university, Bolbach said it is clear they could be doing more to honor the women of the school’s history.
“The university could definitely do a better job at recognizing the women doing impactful work for our education. I think building names could be a possibility.! But, there can only be so many buildings, so there are definitely limitations to that,” said Bolbach
The naming process of the buildings here at BGSU is not something the university takes lightly, and it’s a lengthy process done by the university’s board of trustees.
The process, when a new name is recommended, is outlined in BGSU’s website page titled “Development and Advancement Policies”, stating that “Primary consideration for naming or renaming facilities, properties and academic entities is given in recognition of a significant gift to the university. However, naming in recognition of other significant contributions to the welfare of the university may also be considered.”
Common reasons a building would be named after someone at BGSU are significant financial donors, honoring past leaders such as presidents or faculty, and to reflect on the history of BGSU.
For large donations, there are certain levels and very specific requirements the contribution must hit in order to be considered eligible to be considered by the board of trustees for name honoring.
As outlined on the BGSU website page titled “Development and Advancement Policies”, “Naming Requirements: Donor naming opportunities will be considered in recognition of a substantial gift to the university when the Vice President of University Advancement has first approved the formal initiation of the naming approval process and the following requirements have been met:
- The name meets the requirements as presented in the Name Approval Criteria and the gift meets the required funding level.
- The gift commitment is made in writing by the donor.
- The gift commitment is expressed in cash or a written pledge to be paid within five years of the naming of the facility or entity. The Vice President of University Advancement may consider pledges of longer duration upon consultation with the President.
- A portion of the gift may be an irrevocable deferred gift provided that the donor confirms in writing the irrevocability of the commitment.”
The process continues with the different levels of naming, listed on the same page of the BGSU website,
“Naming Levels: Facilities and Programs
- Entire Buildings (new construction)
Minimum of twenty percent of the total construction costs. - Portions of Buildings
The naming of individual rooms or other spaces will be determined on the basis of size, function, and prominence. The Vice President of University Advancement will recommend to the President for approval the naming gift minimums for interior and exterior spaces for all campus buildings/facilities. - Unnamed Existing Building
The Vice President of University Advancement will recommend to the President for approval the minimum naming level of entire unnamed existing buildings/facilities. The naming level will be on the basis of size, usage, location and condition, as well as comparability with other similar named buildings/facilities.”
As for Academic Entities such as college, schools, departments, center, institutes, and programs, the naming levels go based off of these following minimums: “Colleges and schools: $10 million, Departments: $5 million, Centers, Institutes and Programs: $1 million.”
To learn more about BGSU’s building history and how buildings are named, please follow the following links.
