Naming Rights
Naming Rights Policy of The University of Western Australia for Academic Positions, Facilities and Landscape Features(Senate Resolution 154/02) This policy incorporates guidelines and approval procedures for naming of academic positions, facilities, and landscape features at The University of Western Australia. It should be read in conjunction with the Guidelines for the receipt of funding from corporations where conflicts of interest may arise (ref: www.acs.uwa.edu.au/research/policy/gp/ti.html) This policy does not cover naming of scholarships, prizes, lecture series etc, which remain the responsibility of the administering Faculty or committee/board. 1.0 General1.1 The University of Western Australia may recognise a person or an organisation who has supported the University through distinguished service or outstanding contribution by naming academic positions, facilities, landscape features etc, in their honour. 1.1 Naming opportunities encompassed by this policy include the following entities:
1.2 When recognition is on account of a financial donation or endowment, the entity may be named directly after the benefactor, or it may retain, or be given a functional title after which the benefactor may be recorded as the sponsor. 1.3 Procedures Proposals for naming should be submitted to the Office of Development. The Office will consult with the Office of Facilities Management (Planning and Design) in the case of facilities and features, and the appropriate Faculty in the case of new academic positions, before seeking endorsement from the Vice-Chancellor. If endorsed by the Vice-Chancellor, the proposal will be forwarded to the Senate Development Committee, which will make a recommendation to Senate. Faculties are required to make a case to the Academic Council/Senate for the establishment or refilling of all professorships. In cases where a faculty is proposing a named professorship, the proposal should be incorporated in the case for the position. The various elements of the proposal will then be channelled to the Senate through the appropriate committees. 2.0 Guidelines for Naming2.1 Academic Positions The establishment of a new Professorship is the principal means the University has of reinvigorating an established academic area and of developing a new one. Given the cost of establishing a new Professorship, and operating it over a minimum five year period it is likely that most developments of this kind will be externally funded through a major grant which yields the necessary recurrent income. There have in the past been cases made for Professorships to be named after distinguished professors. When this happens the University faces a real problem of measuring levels of distinction in a field where by definition (if the process is credible) all of its appointees should be distinguished in their own field. Selection of one ahead of another for perpetual recognition in this way raises the genuine difficulty of invidious comparisons in a domestic context. Naming rights for Professorships must therefore normally be restricted to those companies or individuals who contribute the funding from which the recurrent costs of filling the Professorship are derived. Normally it is not appropriate for Professorships to be named after distinguished professors of the University unless they have contributed directly and significantly to the cost of establishing the Professorship. In exceptional circumstances, such as where a fund-raising campaign for the Professorship depends directly on the naming of the Professorship after a distinguished person, then the Vice-Chancellor may recommend such naming be approved. 2.2 Buildings All buildings on the University Campus must have an official name which is registered by the Office of Facilities Management, and used for mapping and signposting. An important component of the name wherever possible should be a descriptor of the primary function of the building (eg. The Maths Building, The Anthropology Museum). Buildings must also be given a reference number for ease of identification eg. on a map in case of emergency. 2.2.1 Naming buildings for individuals A proposal for naming a building (or significant and identifiable section of a building) in honour of a person will normally be considered when that person: • is a major benefactor who makes a direct and major contribution to the capital cost of constructing the building (normally 100% of cost but *less may be considered in exceptional circumstances); or • has given extraordinarily distinguished service to the University that merits recognition in the University’s history (on special recommendation by the Vice-Chancellor to, and subsequent approval by Senate) 2.2.2 Naming buildings for organisations • normally provides 100% of the capital cost of the building but *less may be considered in exceptional circumstances *major contributions less than 100% of cost would normally be negotiated and directed towards an identifiable part or feature of the building 2.3 Lecture Theatres, Laboratories, Walks, Gardens and Other Facilities 3.0 Further Guidelines3.1 Facilities will not normally be named to honour persons who have no formal connection with the University unless they are major benefactors. 3.2 Names of Faculty and staff to be bestowed on UWA facilities and landscape features will not normally be considered until after that member’s formal relationship with the University has concluded. 3.3 Unless Senate determines otherwise, an individual's or organisation's name may be used only once in naming a University position or facility. 3.4 Negotiations for the naming rights for a particular facility may be initiated by the Vice-Chancellor, by Faculties, or through the Office of Development with a benefactor or other interested parties. 3.5 Commemorative plaques may be used to recognise endowments in appropriate locations. The style of such plaques will be consistent with normal University policy at the time. 3.6 When a proposal involves the use of the name of a deceased person, Senate’s approval is contingent on the agreement of that person’s next of kin. 3.7 Where a major building project is to be undertaken a tailored naming policy may be proposed for the building, or parts of the building and its environs. Such a policy will require the endorsement of the Vice-Chancellor and the Senate Development Committee, which will refer the matter to Senate for its decision. 3.8 In the event that the flow of funds agreed to constitute an endowment ceases before the agreed time, the Vice-Chancellor may recommend to Senate that the use of the benefactor’s name be discontinued. 3.9 Tenure of Naming Rights As a general rule all named facilities are reviewed every 10 years but this will not affect an agreement except in the following circumstances. On occasion a named building or landscape feature may have to be demolished. If this occurs, the University would apply naming rights to another or subsequent appropriate building for the remaining agreed period but only after consultation with the original donor. Generally, naming rights may be granted for a minimum of five years, as anything less may generate confusion. Naming in perpetuity may only be considered when a gift of a capital fund will generate sufficient funds in perpetuity. 3.10 A clause shall be inserted in all naming rights contracts to allow the University to withdraw from such an agreement if the name of an individual or organisation, which has been bestowed upon a facility, comes into disrepute in the University or in the general community. In such an instance the Vice-Chancellor would recommend to Senate that the use of the name be discontinued, and the relevant contractual clause invoked.
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