Philanthropic and Honorific Naming Governing and Institutional Operating Policy
Responsible officer: Vice-Chancellor
Designated officer: Executive Officer, Foundation
Approving authority: Council
Approval: C08/34, 17 June 2008
Last amended: N/A
Effective starting date: 18 June 2008
Any policies replaced by this policy:
Policy number: G14.
Related Policies:
Due date for next review: 18 June 2013
Part A: Preliminary
1. Purpose of policy
This policy sets out the University's guidelines for granting the honour of naming. The University welcomes the opportunity to name buildings, rooms, endowed chairs, and other initiatives to honour the distinguished contributions of individuals to Australia, to Queensland, to the Sunshine Coast, and to the University.
2. Application of policy
This policy applies to the naming of:
- buildings or substantial parts of buildings (wings, rooms, laboratories etc) or other facilities and locations on campus (sporting ovals, pathways etc)
- special research, teaching or service facilities
- endowed programs of research, teaching, service or recreation
- chairs, professorships, visiting lectureships, special lecture series, awards for excellence in teaching, research, or performance of other academic responsibilities
- library collections of books or other materials
- collections of works of art
- awards for extracurricular achievement
- such other things as the University may from time to time see fit to name in order to perpetuate the name of a distinguished person or a benefactor.
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3. Definitions
In this policy the following definitions apply:
Benefaction means a philanthropic donation made to the University by an individual or organisation (corporation, foundation, trust).
Benefactor means the person or organisation who makes a philanthropic donation to the University.
Consultation process means the provision of opportunity to contribute ideas and suggestions
Council means the governing body of the University of the Sunshine Coast
Designated Officer means the incumbent of a position having operational responsibility (under a responsible officer, refer to definition below) for the implementation, monitoring, and initiation of review of a policy
Effective Starting Date means the date from which a policy is to be implemented
Governance means the processes by which the University is directed, controlled and held to account
Monitoring means systematic overview of implementation and effectiveness (of a policy or procedure)
Organisational unit means a faculty or a management or support service or administrative area or subsection of which that is specifically identified for allocation of funding within the University budget
Policy means a statement of principles or position that is intended to guide or direct decision-making and operations in a sphere of University activity and it may also specify requirements that need to be met
Procedures means detailed methods and actions for putting a policy into practice
Responsible Officer means the incumbent of a position accountable for implementation of a policy and for compliance with that policy
Review means an investigation into the extent of implementation, effectiveness, and currency of a policy and, where appropriate, its associated procedures
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Part B: Policy
4. Naming provisions and principles
4.1 Notwithstanding any other provision of this policy, no naming will be approved or (once approved) continued that would call into serious question the reputation of the University.
4.2 No naming will be approved that would imply the University's endorsement of a partisan political or ideological position or of a commercial product.
4.3 Naming will be confined to discrete and functional entities.
5. Naming in recognition of distinction (Honorific naming)
5.1 From time to time, the University may approve a naming to honour the extraordinary distinguished contributions of its past members and others to humanity, to Australia, to Queensland, to the Sunshine Coast, or to the University. Only in exceptional circumstances will naming be approved for current members of the University community, University Council, or holders of political office in Australia.
5.2 These namings require the approval of the University Council.
6. Naming in recognition of benefactions (Philanthropic naming)
6.1 Recognition by naming presupposes that the benefactor, or other contributors wishing to honour a benefactor, will provide at least a substantial part of the cost of the entity.
(a) Where the benefaction does not meet the full cost of the initiative, the naming is subject to completion of satisfactory funding arrangements, and the naming will take place only after that is achieved. If the University is unable to proceed, the potential benefactors will be entitled to redirect or withdraw their contributions.
6.2 The naming of buildings or substantial parts of buildings, endowed programs of research, teaching, service or recreation, and endowed chairs and professorships require the approval of the University Council.
6.3 The Vice-Chancellor may approve the names of other things such as visiting lectureships, special lecture series, individual rooms and similar interior spaces, and walkways.
6.4 In naming for corporations, the use of logos and corporate colours is prohibited in campus signage.
7. Revocation of namings
7.1 The revoking of a naming must be approved by the University Council.
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