Naming and naming rights

POLICY NO: C-3.1

DATE OF APPROVAL: 24 June 1991

AMENDMENTS: 1 January 1995; September 1998 Revised (SMG)

REFERENCE AUTHORITY: Executive Director of Finance & Resources; Director: Advancement Services

CROSS REFERENCES:

This policy governs the procedures for the naming for a fixed period or indefinitely of: 

  • structures 
  • outdoor facilities 
  • collections 
  • academic programs 
  • units 
  • posts 

in order to 

  • honour a person or organisation for outstanding service to the University or for outstanding service consistent with the University's mission
  • acknowledge publicly the financial support to the University by a sponsor.

1. Naming opportunities

  • Structures 
    A building will normally be known by its function where this is evident, but may also be given a chosen name. Where a building is multipurpose, the functional name will normally be that of its predominate activity. Dedicated areas within the building may be named as a wing or annexe. 
    Entire buildings may be given a chosen name. Parts of buildings which may be named are wings, floors, hall, galleries, rooms and laboratories. This would require the installation of commemorative plaques. 
  • Outdoor facilities 
    Gardens, parks, quadrangles, courtyards, squares, ovals or playing fields, roads and walkways. 
    The preferred nomenclature for roads used for vehicular traffic is 'Drive' and the preferred nomenclature for walkways is 'Ways'. 
  • Collections 
    Libraries or parts of libraries and other collections of significant size and continuing scientific, historic, artistic or cultural value. 
  • Academic programs 
    Lecture series, individual lectures, prizes and scholarships. 
  • Units 
    e.g. Academic Units, Centres. 
  • Posts 
    Chairs and other academic or administrative positions.

2. Honouring individuals

Naming honours persons with a record of distinguished service to the University or for outstanding service consistent with the University's mission. 

a. A proposal should be submitted to the Vice Chancellor who will seek appropriate advice before approving any proposal or making recommendations to Council on any major naming decision. 
b.
The University may consider honouring persons who have given such distinguished service to the University that their names should be recognised by a later generation. Normally, such naming should only be considered after that person's formal Academic Support with the University has ended. 
c.
Normally, a structure or facility will not be named to honour a person who has had no connection with the University. 
d.
A plaque may be placed on a building, room or facility to acknowledge a named person. The design, wording and location of the plaque requires the approval of the Vice Chancellor or nominee.

3. Sponsorship and donations

Naming may be in honour of sponsors or donors, who may be individuals, groups of individuals, or corporations. 

a. All negotiations for naming rights will be conducted in the first instance by the Vice Chancellor or nominee. The Vice Chancellor will seek appropriate advice, approve proposals or make a recommendation to Council on any major naming decisions. 
b.
A senior officer of the University will maintain a list for naming opportunities. 
c.
The nature of the sponsorship may assist in the determination of the naming opportunity available to a particular sponsor. Normally, meeting more than half of the capital cost of a building or more than half of the cost of smaller facilities may warrant consideration of granting naming rights to the sponsor. Ongoing use of the sponsor's name would normally require the sponsor to cover maintenance costs, calculated at 1.5% per annum of replacement costs. 
d.
A position may be named in honour of a sponsor who has contributed all or a substantial part of the full costs relating to its establishment, and will maintain it or substantially maintain it for at least five years. Full recurrent costs is normally defined as being the cost of a salary and a quantum of operating costs. The option of funding a position in perpetuity is negotiable and would require sufficient funds to cover salaries and a quantum of operating costs. 
e.
If the cost of a lecture or series of lectures is met by a sponsor, consideration will be given to naming the lecture or series after the sponsor or other specified person. 
f.
A plaque may be placed on a building, room, or facility to acknowledge a sponsor. The design, wording and location of the plaque requires the approval of the Vice Chancellor or nominee. Naming rights carry no power of direction to the University on matters of appointment of persons, academic policy or any other University processes.

4. General

a. The name used should normally be the surname or, in the case of a corporate entity, the shortest possible name. 
b.
Where the name of a corporate entity is used the period of naming will be limited to the life of the corporate entity. 
c.
In the event of demolition or destruction of a structure the manner of any name attaching to it or parts of it or to any replacement structure will either be determined consistent with any legally binding obligation or will be the subject of negotiation. 
d.
The style of naming of structures and facilities should be consistent with any University corporate style as approved by the Vice Chancellor or nominee. 
e.
  Council may cancel a name for whatever reason it deems appropriate.

Guidelines for the acceptance by the University of South Australia of third-party sponsorship and advertising.