The objectives of this policy are to outline a framework that provides for:

(a) Naming, and renaming, of University property, entities, academic positions, academic programs, and student or staff awards (see section 7 Definitions):

(i) in recognition of a person, group, or an organisation; and

(ii) other permanent naming of University property.

(b) the affixing of memorials to University property in recognition of a person, group, or an organisation.

(c) the affixing of signage to University property to detail the history of a person / people, who are the subject of controversy recognised by the University, after whom the University property is/was named.

2.1 This policy applies to proposers and approvers of:

(a) any naming of, or the affixing of a memorial or signage to, University property,

(b) any naming of entities, academic positions, academic programs, and student or staff awards;

where the proposal and approval support the objective of this policy.

2.2 This policy does not apply to proposers and approvers of:

(a) the naming of University property where the name is based on location or function; or

(b) the temporary affixation of a memorial or signage to University property for a duration that is the same or shorter than the duration of a memorial service or event.

This policy is made under the University of Melbourne Act 2009 (Vic) and the Council Regulation.

4.1. Naming, or the affixing of memorials or signage, under this policy must:

(a) align with the objects, values, strategies and policies of the University and community expectations;

(b) be sensitive to the history and character of the University;

(c) respect and endeavour to reflect the diversity of the University community;

(d) not harm the University’s reputation, or other interests, including the University’s commitment to maintaining high standards of integrity, academic freedom and freedom of speech;

(e) not benefit, directly or by association, any current employee;

(f) be commensurate with the contribution made by any person or organisation recognised by the name; and

(g) where the naming ,or affixing of a memorial, is associated with a philanthropic gift, donation or sponsorship, not occur until a level of benefaction has been agreed in writing between the University and the donor, or sponsor.

4.2. Care will be taken to ensure that there is appropriate diversity in the pool of individuals honoured via naming. In this regard, approvers must carefully consider the impacts of any naming proposal in the context of existing named University property, entities, academic positions, academic programs, and student or staff awards.

Criteria for recognition

4.3. Subject to the terms of any relevant lease, University property may be named for the life of the property or a fixed period not exceeding 20 years:

(a) to recognise a person who has made a distinguished contribution to the University, to community, or to society, or whose international reputation has brought credit to the University.

(b) to recognise a donor (a person or organisation) who has made a significant philanthropic gift to the University, upon a request made in accordance with this policy;

(c) to recognise an Indigenous Elder or respected person or the traditional owners of the land upon which the University property is built; or

(d) to recognise the land of the traditional owners upon which the University property is located.

4.4. University property may be named for a fixed period not exceeding 20 years to recognise a sponsor (a person or organisation) that has agreed to significantly sponsor the University.

4.5. An academic or non-academic entity or, subject to consultation with the Academic Board, an academic program, may be named to recognise a person or organisation that has provided financial or in-kind support to the University.

4.6. A memorial may be fixed to University property provided:

(a) the memorial recognises a person or organisation, who has made a distinguished contribution to the University, or whose reputation has brought credit to the University; or

(b) the memorial recognises a donor (a person or organisation) who has made a significant gift to the University.

4.7. A new or existing academic position, a staff award or a student award may be named to recognise a person or organisation that has supported the University through distinguished effort or substantial financial contribution.

4.8. Naming recognition under this policy must abide by the relevant gift threshold levels set under the Gift Policy (MPF1348).

Prohibitions

4.9. Proposed names must not include:

(a) a person’s titles or post-nominals; and

(b) the name of a corporate entity, where there is an identifiable individual or family name that could be used.

4.10. Proposed names or memorials must not be in recognition of a current employee.

4.11. Unless required by law, proposed names or memorials associated with a philanthropic gift must not include logos, branding, other images or legal entity identifiers.

4.12. Nothing in this policy restricts a proposed name that is associated with sponsorship from including logos, branding, other images or legal entity identifiers.

4.13. A proposed name of a non-academic entity should avoid nomenclature reserved for specific academic entities (for example “institute” or “research centre”) as described in University Regulations.

4.14. Approval of a name, or the affixing of a memorial, under this policy does not:

(a) confer on any person, group or organisation any special privileges or any control or responsibility for the associated University property, entity or academic position, academic programs, and student or staff awards;

(b) allow any person, group or organisation to seek material benefit from the association of the name or the memorial with the University; and

(c) where University property is involved, transfer to any replacement University property.

Renaming or removal of a memorial

4.15. Where there is strong evidence that retention of a name, or a memorial, is inconsistent with the principles of Section 4.1:

(a) the University property, entity, academic position, academic program, student or staff award may be renamed;

(b) a memorial may be removed; and / or

(c) where University property is involved, signage may be affixed to detail the history of a person / people , who are the subject of controversy recognised by the University,  after whom the University property is/was named.

4.16. Council may approve protocols to guide the University’s response to renaming or removing memorials and any decision made under Section 4.15.

4.17. Memorials may also be removed where continued affixation to University property is not practicable or the condition of the memorial is poor.

5.1. Schedule 1 lists the approvers, under this policy, of:

(a) names for, and renaming of, University property, entities, academic positions, academic programs, and student or staff awards;

(b) the affixing, or removal, of memorials and signage to University property.

5.2. Regardless of the approver listed in Schedule 1, a proposal for naming/renaming University property or a proposal for affixing/removing a memorial or signage to/from University property must be submitted to Council for approval where the proposal involves significant strategic considerations or reputational risk.

5.3. Prior to submission, proposers of names or the affixing of a memorial must:

(a) take reasonable steps to obtain consent from the person (or their next of kin or other appropriate contact), group or organisation, prior to approval of a name or the affixing of a memorial under this policy; and

(b) for proposals involving a philanthropic gift or sponsorship or recognition of a person or organisation, discuss the proposal with the Vice-President (Advancement).

5.4. One or more University staff members may submit a proposal for naming, renaming, or affixing a memorial to, University property provided it is supported by a member of the University Executive Committee.

5.5. Prior to submission, proposals involving prominent University property, the proposer must ensure that the Vice-Chancellor has been consulted in relation to the proposal.

5.6. Proposals involving University property must be submitted in accordance with the process approved and published by the University Secretary.

5.7. Prior to approval, the affixing of the memorial to the University property must be recommended by the Chief Operating Officer, who must consider, with appropriate consultation, whether that the proposed memorial:

(a) is consistent with the University’s master plan and design standards; and

(b) meets legal and policy requirements related to the University property involved, including, but not limited to, planning, building, heritage, occupational health and safety requirements;

(c) where appropriate, meets the threshold for recognition of a donor or donors; and

(d) where appropriate, meets the criteria required for artistic collection by the University.

5.8. Subject to Section 5.7, the Chief Operating Officer may:

(a) decline the proposal and report the outcome to the proposer; or

(b) recommend the proposal, and forward it accompanied by a report on the matters under section 5.7 to the University Secretary for further consideration by the relevant approver listed in Schedule 1.

5.9. The University Secretary must:

(a) maintain a naming register and a memorial register containing details of approvals involving University property under this policy; and

(b) advise the Vice-President (Advancement) upon the approval of name or memorial under this policy. 

5.10. Where University property is not involved, the approvers of names must establish a process for naming proposals.

Academic entities include, but are not limited to, faculties, departments, schools, research centres and institutes.

Academic positions include, but are not limited to, endowed and fixed-term academic chairs, lectureships, fellowships and research positions at all levels.

Consent includes but is not limited to consent provided by a Will.

Donor(s) means an individual, group of individuals or organisation(s) that makes a gift or pledge to the University.

Faculty includes a graduate school established as a faculty.

Gift is defined in the Gift Policy (MPF1348).

Legal entity identifiers include but are not limited to Proprietary Limited, Limited, Pty Ltd, Pty, Ltd, NL.

Less Prominent University Property means building spaces that are identified internally such as laboratories, classrooms, libraries (inside buildings) seminar or meeting rooms or other facilities that are determined by the Vice-Chancellor to be less prominent.

Memorial means an object, structure, or plaque that commemorates a person, group, organisation or an event. A memorial may include public art where the work commemorates a person, group, organisation or an event.

Person may be read as persons.

Prominent University Property means all buildings; large sports facilities or playing fields; areas and other major externally identifiable features within the University’s public domain such as wings of buildings, arts facilities, large auditoria, building forecourts, plazas, lecture theatres regularly used by the public, concert halls, atria, campuses, other prominent outdoor spaces, thoroughfares bridges, stairs, terraces, courtyards, lawns, gardens and trees.

Replacement University property includes but is not limited to University property replacing a demolished property or decommissioned facility, or a major reconstruction that substantially changes the appearance or function of the property.

Renaming includes withdrawal, variation, revocation of a name.

Sponsorship means a contribution in money or kind with expectation of material benefit to the sponsor, such as naming rights, promotion and public recognition.

Student award means any payment or benefit made on the basis of academic merit and any other criteria and includes scholarships, bursaries, prizes, exhibitions and studentships.

Traditional owners means the Aboriginal people who have ongoing traditional and cultural connections to country

University property includes but is not limited to:

• precincts;
• campuses;
• buildings or discrete parts of buildings that are identified externally;
• building spaces that are identified internally such as lecture theatres, laboratories, libraries, classrooms and meeting rooms;
• externally identifiable features within the University’s public domain that may be defined by areas, locations, focal points, building forecourts, plazas, courtyards, lawns, gardens, trees, playing fields, walkways, streets, bridges, stairs and terraces; and,
• other sites or features that maybe recommended for naming by Council.

Council

University Secretary

This policy is to be reviewed by 18 October 2023.