Financial Position Standards
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College by the Cup: Grounds of Being
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“For decades, UChicago’s student-run coffee shops have given community members space to congregate (and caffeinate) on their own terms….We give pretty lenient sway to staff to play whatever music they want… Every once in a while you might hear some Gregorian chants.” — William Rhee, Parents Media Editor
The Storied Past of Harper Memorial Library | ΒΙΒΛΙΟΘΗΚΕΣ
Urban Development of the University of Chicago | Facilities Services
We re-open TOMORROW for the start of the Winter Quarter, and will resume our normal business hours of M-F, 7:45 AM-4 PM. Come through to warm up with some @ColectivoCoffee coffee and tea! pic.twitter.com/1bMDKdeQDF
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Naming & Signs
ANSI Z535.2-2023: Environmental and Facility Safety Signs
Consistency with Institutional Branding
- Signage must align with the educational institution’s brand identity, including logos, colors, and typography (e.g., Helvetica font is often specified, as seen in some university standards).
- Corporate logos are typically prohibited on primary exterior signage to maintain institutional focus.
Compliance with Local Zoning and Building Codes
- Signs must adhere to municipal zoning regulations, which dictate size, height, placement, and illumination (e.g., NYC Building Code Appendix H or similar local codes).
- Permits may be required, and signage must not obstruct traffic visibility or pedestrian pathways.
ADA Accessibility Requirements
- Exterior signs identifying permanent spaces (e.g., entrances or exits) must meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, including visual character requirements (legible fonts, sufficient contrast).
- Tactile signs with Braille are required at specific locations like exit stairways or discharge points, per the U.S. Access Board guidelines, though not all exterior signs need to be tactile.
Wayfinding and Identification Functionality
- Signs should clearly identify buildings, provide directional guidance, and include essential information (e.g., building names, departments, or campus districts).
- Placement is typically near main entrances, limited to one per building unless otherwise justified.
Material and Durability Standards
- Materials must be weather-resistant and durable (e.g., extruded or cast aluminum with finishes like natural or dark bronze, avoiding plastic in some cases).
- Maintenance considerations ensure longevity and legibility over time.
Size and Placement Restrictions
- Size is often regulated (e.g., no larger than necessary for legibility, with some institutions capping temporary signs at 32 square feet).
- Placement avoids upper building portions unless in urban settings or campus peripheries, ensuring aesthetic harmony.
Approval and Review Processes
- Exterior signage often requires review by a campus design or sign committee (e.g., a university’s Design Review Board).
- For partnerships or donor-funded buildings, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) may govern signage rights and standards.
Safety and Visibility Standards
- Signs must not create hazards (e.g., minimum clearance of 7.5 feet above walkways, no sharp edges).
- Illumination, if allowed, must comply with safety codes and enhance visibility without causing glare or distraction.
Temporary Signage Regulations
- Temporary signs (e.g., banners or construction signs) have time limits (e.g., 30-90 days per year) and must be approved, with size and frequency restrictions. The National Electrical Code Article 590 covers temporary wiring for festoon illumination and defines “temporary” as 90 days.
National Institutes of Health: Moral grandstanding in public discourse
Somewhat Related:
University of Michigan Naming Policy Guideline
Michigan State University: Building and Facilities Naming
University of Buffalo Naming Guidelines
University of Vienna: Analyzing wayfinding processes in the outdoor environment
Donor Control & Influence
“The Architect’s Dream” 1840 Thomas Cole
In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, charitable donations to U.S. colleges and universities amounted to $58 billion. This figure represents a slight decline of 2.5% from the previous year’s record of $59.5 billion, but it remains the second-highest level of donations in history (CASE) (Inside Higher Ed). This figure includes money donated for new building projects and other capital expenses.
Some benefactors contribute to the lifecycle upkeep of buildings they help fund. These contributions often come in the form of endowed funds specifically designated for the maintenance, repair, and renovation of facilities. Such endowments are crucial as they provide a continuous source of funding to ensure that buildings remain functional and in good condition over time.
CASE Global Reporting Standards
Charitable giving to colleges and universities in the U.S. is governed by a range of standards and best practices designed to ensure transparency, accountability, and effectiveness. These standards help donors, institutions, and the public understand and manage the complexities of philanthropic contributions. Key standards include:
- Donor Intent and Restrictions:
- Documentation: Donor intent should be clearly documented in gift agreements or endowment contracts to ensure funds are used as intended.
- Restrictions: Restrictions on the use of funds must be explicitly stated and agreed upon by both the donor and the institution. These can include specific programs, scholarships, research, or infrastructure projects.
- Transparency and Reporting:
- Annual Reports: Institutions should provide detailed annual reports on how donated funds are being utilized, including breakdowns of expenditures and outcomes.
- Stewardship Reports: For major gifts or endowments, institutions often provide personalized stewardship reports to donors, detailing the impact of their contributions.
- Governance and Oversight:
- Board Oversight: Boards of trustees or equivalent governing bodies should oversee fundraising practices and the management of donated funds.
- Audit and Compliance: Regular audits and compliance checks should be conducted to ensure adherence to donor restrictions and institutional policies.
- Ethical Fundraising Practices:
- Professional Standards: Fundraisers and development officers should adhere to ethical standards set by professional organizations such as the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).
- Confidentiality and Respect: Institutions must respect donor confidentiality and handle all interactions with integrity and respect.
- Tax and Legal Considerations:
- IRS Regulations: Donations must comply with Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations to qualify for tax deductions. This includes proper documentation of gifts and adherence to rules regarding charitable contributions.
- 501(c)(3) Status: Colleges and universities must maintain their 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, which requires adherence to various federal and state laws governing charitable organizations.
- Gift Acceptance Policies:
- Policy Framework: Institutions should have clear gift acceptance policies outlining the types of gifts they can accept, including cash, securities, real estate, and in-kind contributions.
- Review and Approval: Complex or potentially problematic gifts should be reviewed by a gift acceptance committee or similar body to assess risks and alignment with institutional priorities.
- Endowment Management:
- Spending Policies: Endowments should have spending policies that balance the need for current income with the preservation of principal to ensure long-term sustainability.
- Investment Strategies: Institutions should adopt prudent investment strategies for their endowments, often guided by the principles of the Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act (UPMIFA).
- Recognition and Acknowledgment:
- Donor Recognition: Institutions should have systems in place to appropriately recognize and thank donors, which can include naming opportunities, public acknowledgments, and donor recognition societies.
- Acknowledgment Letters: Prompt and accurate acknowledgment letters should be sent to donors, including the necessary information for tax purposes.
By adhering to these standards, colleges and universities can effectively manage charitable contributions, ensuring that donor intent is honored, funds are used appropriately, and the institution maintains trust and credibility with its supporters and the broader public.
“Ten Books on Architecture” 30-20 B.C | Vitruvius
No single charitable organization claims hegemony over all others in the realm of charitable giving to U.S. universities but there are a others in the domain.
- Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP):
- Role: AFP is a professional association that supports fundraisers through education, training, and advocacy. It serves a wide range of nonprofit sectors, including higher education.
- Ethical Standards: AFP’s Code of Ethical Standards and Donor Bill of Rights are widely recognized and adopted by fundraising professionals in higher education.
- National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO):
- Role: NACUBO represents chief business and financial officers through advocacy, professional development, and research.
- Financial Management: It provides guidance on the financial management of gifts, endowments, and other resources critical to higher education institutions.
- Council on Foundations:
- Role: This membership organization supports grantmaking foundations in the U.S., including those that fund higher education.
- Philanthropic Guidance: It offers legal resources, best practices, and networking opportunities for foundations that support colleges and universities.
- Charity Navigator and Guidestar (Candid):
- Role: These organizations evaluate and rate nonprofits, including higher education institutions, based on their financial health, accountability, and transparency.
- Public Accountability: By providing ratings and financial data, they help donors make informed decisions about their contributions to colleges and universities.
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS):
- Role: As the federal tax authority, the IRS oversees the tax-exempt status of educational institutions and enforces compliance with laws governing charitable contributions.
- Regulations: The IRS provides guidelines and requirements for tax-deductible donations, ensuring legal compliance in charitable giving.
Abiit sed non oblita | Rebecca Luker
Rebecca graduated from the University of Montevallo in 1984 and enjoyed a lengthy and distinguished career as a virtuoso actress, concert soloist and recording artist.
To honor her memory following her passing in 2020 the University has named the stage of the Center for the Arts in her honor.
“All the Things You Are” 1939 | Jerome Kern
print(“American Standard”)https://t.co/b5Ggh4RKvIhttps://t.co/cRIFjNxrFL pic.twitter.com/8oVxHovFR6— Standards Michigan (@StandardsMich) December 31, 2023
Recognizing signs and doors for Indoor Wayfinding for Blind and Visually Impaired Persons
Abstract: Indoor signage plays an essential component to find destination for blind and visually impaired people. In this paper, we propose an indoor signage and doors detection system in order to help blind and partially sighted persons accessing unfamiliar indoor environments. Our indoor signage and doors recognizer is builded based on deep learning algorithms. We developed an indoor signage detection system especially used for detecting four types of signage: exit, wc, disabled exit and confidence zone. Experiment results demonstrates the effectiveness and the high precision of the proposed recognition system. We obtained 99.8% as a recognition rate.
Is this not precious? I ❤️ 🐶’s pic.twitter.com/tCRblzdAIO
— Riley Nuttall (@nuttallriley1) January 11, 2024
Unified English Braille
A big misconception about blindness is that a blind person only sees pitch black.
In reality, blindness is a spectrum. This is a series of examples of how differently visually impaired people see.
[📹 Blind on the Move]pic.twitter.com/EcljDkNDfN
— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) June 30, 2024
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Easter Bread (Bosca) & Cowboy Coffee
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The “Tulsa Sound”
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Bill Janovitz’s Biography (2023):
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The book Leon Russell: The Master of Space and Time’s Journey Through Rock & Roll History by Bill Janovitz is described as the “first holistic study” of Russell’s career. While primarily a biography, it offers a comprehensive analysis of Russell’s musical contributions, including his role as a session musician with the Wrecking Crew, his work on Joe Cocker’s Mad Dogs & Englishmen, and his influence on artists like Elton John and Willie Nelson. The book examines Russell’s songwriting, piano style, and genre-blending innovations, such as his gospel-infused rock and contributions to the Tulsa Sound. Although not a peer-reviewed academic study, its depth and critical reception (e.g., praise from Rolling Stone and The New York Post) suggest it serves as a significant scholarly resource for understanding Russell’s music.
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Musicological Context in Broader Studies:
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Russell’s work is often referenced in studies of American popular music, particularly in discussions of the 1960s and 1970s rock scenes, the Wrecking Crew, and the Tulsa Sound. For example, his piano playing and arrangements for artists like Phil Spector, the Beach Boys, and Frank Sinatra are noted in works about the Los Angeles studio scene. Scholarly books on session musicians or the Wrecking Crew, such as Kent Hartman’s The Wrecking Crew (2012), likely include references to Russell’s contributions, though not as the primary focus.
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His influence on the Tulsa Sound, a blend of rock, country, and blues, is mentioned in studies of regional American music. Academic works on Oklahoma’s musical heritage, such as those exploring J.J. Cale or the Gap Band, may contextualize Russell’s role in shaping this sound. However, specific journal articles or dissertations centered on the Tulsa Sound and Russell’s contributions are not widely documented in the provided sources or general academic databases.
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Songwriting and Standards:
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Russell’s songs, such as “A Song for You,” “This Masquerade,” and “Delta Lady,” are recognized as standards in academic discussions of American songwriting. These songs have been covered by numerous artists (e.g., Ray Charles, George Benson, The Carpenters) and are noted in studies of the Great American Songbook. Scholarly analyses of these songs often focus on their lyrical depth, harmonic structure, and cross-genre appeal, though such analyses are typically part of broader studies on popular music rather than Russell-specific research.
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Cultural and Social Context:
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Russell’s career intersects with cultural studies, particularly in discussions of race and audience reception. His collaboration with his then-wife, Mary McCreary, a Black singer, and the racist backlash they faced (e.g., nooses thrown on stage) are noted in Janovitz’s book and could be a point of analysis in cultural studies or sociology of music. This aspect of his career might be explored in academic work on race in rock music, though no specific studies are cited.
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His struggles with mental health (e.g., bipolar depression, paranoia, or possible Asperger’s syndrome) and their impact on his performance and career trajectory are also discussed in Janovitz’s biography, potentially relevant to studies in music psychology or disability studies.
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Technological Innovations:
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Russell’s influence on music technology, such as inspiring the “shuffle” timing in the Linn9000 drum machine, is noted in discussions of music production. Academic studies on the evolution of drum machines or recording technology might reference this contribution, though likely as a minor point.
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Lack of Dedicated Studies: Despite Russell’s extensive career and influence, there are no widely recognized peer-reviewed journal articles or dissertations specifically analyzing his music, based on the provided sources and general knowledge of music scholarship. This may be due to Russell’s underappreciated status, as noted by sources describing him as a “neglected genius”.
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Focus on Broader Themes: Most academic references to Russell appear in broader contexts (e.g., Wrecking Crew, Tulsa Sound, or rock history) rather than as the primary subject. His eclectic style, spanning rock, country, gospel, and blues, may make it challenging to categorize him for focused musicological study.
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Search Academic Databases: Use JSTOR, Music Index, or RILM Abstracts of Music Literature to search for articles or book chapters mentioning Leon Russell. Keywords like “Leon Russell,” “Tulsa Sound,” or “Wrecking Crew” may yield relevant results.
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Explore Related Fields: Look into studies on American rock, session musicians, or the Great American Songbook, where Russell’s work is likely referenced.
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Consult Janovitz’s Book: Obtain Leon Russell: The Master of Space and Time’s Journey Through Rock & Roll History for the most detailed analysis of his music and career. It includes citations and a bibliography that may point to additional scholarly sources.
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Regional Music Studies: Investigate Oklahoma-based music archives or university libraries (e.g., University of Tulsa) for theses or local studies on the Tulsa Sound.
Ask Grok to search deeper
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Definition of Tulsa Sound: The Tulsa Sound is characterized by a laid-back, rootsy groove combining rock ‘n’ roll, country swing, blues shuffle, and gospel influences. It emerged in the 1950s and 1960s, with Tulsa as a hub for musicians who shaped this eclectic style.
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Russell’s Contributions:
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Early Career in Tulsa: Born in Lawton, Oklahoma, Russell grew up in Tulsa and began playing piano in local clubs as a teenager. He was part of the vibrant Tulsa music scene, performing with figures like J.J. Cale, David Gates (later of Bread), and others who influenced the Tulsa Sound.
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Musical Style: Russell’s piano-driven, gospel-infused rock, as heard in albums like Leon Russell (1970) and Carney (1972), embodied the Tulsa Sound’s blend of genres. Songs like “A Song for You” and “Delta Lady” showcase the soulful, rootsy aesthetic associated with the style.
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Collaborations and Influence: Russell’s work with other Tulsa musicians, such as J.J. Cale, helped define the sound. His production and session work, including for artists like Bob Dylan and Joe Cocker, brought the Tulsa Sound’s relaxed, organic feel to a broader audience.
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Tulsa as a Hub: Russell’s establishment of Shelter Records in Tulsa (with Denny Cordell) and his studio, The Church Studio, made the city a recording destination, attracting artists like Tom Petty and Willie Nelson. This solidified Tulsa’s role in the sound’s legacy.
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Connection to J.J. Cale: J.J. Cale is often cited as the quintessential Tulsa Sound artist, with his understated, “shuffle” style. Russell’s more flamboyant, gospel-rock approach complemented Cale’s work, and their shared Tulsa roots linked them to the same musical lineage.
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Scholarly and Cultural Recognition: Sources like Bill Janovitz’s biography (Leon Russell: The Master of Space and Time’s Journey Through Rock & Roll History, 2023) highlight Russell’s role in the Tulsa Sound, noting his influence on its development and its spread through his national and international success.
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Legacy: Russell’s contributions to the Tulsa Sound are evident in his influence on later artists like Eric Clapton (who covered Cale’s songs) and the Red Dirt movement, which built on the Tulsa Sound’s rootsy foundation.
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