Campus Beautification
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- What is the Campus Beautification Program?
- What does a gift to Campus Beautification do?
- How large might a gift be?
- Who selects the type of tree or area planting and its placement?
- Plaques
- When can a tree or bench be placed?
- How much lead time is required?
- Who maintains the area and for how long?
- Who to contact?
What is the Campus Beautification Program?
The Campus Beautification Program offers a meaningful way for individuals, classes, groups, or departments to contribute to the enhancement of Cornell University's campus landscape. Gifts to this program support the creation and maintenance of trees and benches, providing lasting recognition of donors' generosity.
What does a gift to Campus Beautification do?
A gift to the Campus Beautification Program establishes an endowment fund dedicated to enhancing the Cornell landscape beyond routine maintenance. This fund supports the planting of trees and installation of benches, enriching the campus environment for future generations.
Gifts of any size are welcome. Donations of $5,000 or more may be recognized with the planting of a tree on campus. Donations of $25,000 or more may support the installation of a bench, designed to complement its setting. If additional landscaping is requested for a bench area, an extra $5,000 will be added to the cost. Initial project costs are covered by the Campus Beautification gift. Any remaining funds are transferred to the Campus Beautification Endowment Fund to support ongoing enhancements.
Who selects the type of tree or area planting and its placement?
Cornell’s Sr. Landscape Architect David Cutter and Susan Doney will collaborate with the donor to identify a location and tree type that aligns with the donor’s preferences, within the context of the Cornell University landscape plan, site conditions, and the availability of suitable nursery stock.
In certain cases, a plaque may be placed on a bench or near a tree. This decision is made on a case-by-case basis and may require approval from the Cornell University Committee on Memorials and Named Facilities.
When can a tree or bench be placed?
Most tree species have an optimal time of year for planting. Early spring is typically the best time to transplant trees. Standard practice for bench installation is from late spring through late fall.
How much lead time is required?
A minimum of three months is needed between the time when full payment of a gift is recorded at the University and the placement of the tree or bench. To ensure spring planting or bench installation, planning should begin by January; for fall planting or installation, planning should commence by June.
Who maintains the area and for how long?
Cornell University assumes full responsibility for maintaining donor recognition areas, including trees and benches, as integral components of the overall campus landscape.
If a donor recognition tree dies unexpectedly despite proper care, it will be replaced in-kind within a 25-year period from the date of the original planting. Similarly, benches are maintained for a 25-year period; if a bench reaches the end of its useful life within this timeframe, it will be replaced in-kind.
Every effort is made to situate donor recognition trees and benches in locations that are not anticipated to be affected by future development. However, the University cannot guarantee that construction projects will not necessitate the relocation or removal of these items. In such cases, benches are temporarily removed and stored off-site for protection and subsequently returned to their original or a comparable location. Trees displaced due to construction will be replaced in-kind following the completion of the project.
At the conclusion of the 25-year period, or if the Campus Beautification Committee determines that a tree or bench has exceeded its expected lifespan, the University will not replace the item. Donors will be notified if their recognition item is not replaced under these circumstances.
Interested in making a Campus Beautification gift. Start here.
Note the Campus Beautification Program is devoted to central campus improvements. Cornell Botanic Gardens manages similar programs for its areas surrounding central campus. Cornell Botanic Gardens Gifts in Tribute.
For questions:
Susan Doney
Associate Director, Office of Donor Relations
Alumni Affairs and Development
607-254-6511, e: susan.doney@cornell.edu
Note: The Campus Beautification Program is devoted to central campus improvements. Cornell Botanic Gardens manages separate programs for its areas surrounding central campus.