The Board of Regents along with the VSU Foundation has approved the naming of the Atrium in the Student Union as the First American Drugs Association Atrium.
Jeff Sikes of the FAD has given the university a significant gift through the VSU Foundation.
The VSU Foundation is a fundraising association that balances all of the school’s gifts and donations from other associations.
“This is a very strict process,” said John Crawford, CEO of the VSU Foundation and the Vice President for University Advancement.
The naming process begins with donations from programs to the Foundation; some programs later receive a gift naming agreement.
Some donors give restricted gifts to certain departments, while others are unrestricted gifts.
The FAD has given an unrestricted amount, which means that the money can go to different departments, although they retain control on how the money is spent.
The money can go to equipment for computer labs or scholarly  activities.
The process takes about three to five years, and if the association does not honor the terms of the gift agreement, they do not receive a naming.
“This is also a new thing at this university, but is very common in universities across the country,” Crawford said. “Walkways, rooms, [and] scholarships are usually from the money that comes from the donations we receive.”
Jerry and Kay Jennet have also received a naming for a new academic facility. Jerry Jennet is a member of the VSU Foundation Board of Trustees, and Kay Jennet is a member of the Symphony Guild.
Their efforts in VSU’s programs, such as the Blazin’ Hot Night dinner and auction, and gifts to the university have been able to fund scholarships to students in the arts and athletics programs.
The Jennet Hall will be located across from the Education building and will be open for students by fall 2010.
The funds that the VSU Foundation receives, both publicly and privately, go through the new budget process so that all needs of the University are met and all funds are distributed according to the mission statement of the VSU Foundation.
The mission statement asserts that the school will improve education students by developing programs and services that will advance the region’s educational future.