(1) Naming university infrastructure, organisational units or positions after individuals or organisations gives Western Sydney University opportunity to honour or acknowledge those that have significantly contributed to the University. Such a contribution is usually made in two ways, either through outstanding professional service or through benefaction to the University. (2) This policy outlines the principles, procedures and guidelines to be followed for naming of University infrastructure, organisational units and positions, and applies to: (3) The policy does not apply to: (4) For the purposes of this policy the following definitions apply: (5) Naming rights for property, organisational units and academic positions may be approved by the Board of Trustees on the recommendation of the Vice-Chancellor and President, and the Board Executive Committee. (6) Academic Senate may approve scholarships and prizes, including naming rights of standard applications. Academic Senate may recommend approval of the naming rights to the Board of Trustees where the naming rights associated with a scholarship or prize is non-standard, or for any other reason. Academic Senate will report approved naming rights for scholarships or prizes to the next meeting of the Board of Trustees. (7) Note: A submission for naming rights is considered non-standard where the naming rights are not directly related to the donor. For example, a standard application is where the donor wishes to name a prize after themselves, a relative, their company or business name, or a reasonably appropriate associated name. (8) Naming rights for property, organisational units, academic positions and scholarships and prizes may be conferred on individuals or organisations for the following reasons or combination thereof: (9) The University may make available any of its property for naming as part of its own commemorative activities. (10) The name approved: (11) The length of time for which any naming rights apply will be decided by the University taking into account factors such as: (12) The University may reject any request or proposal for naming rights and may revoke naming rights at any time, subject to any conditions to the contrary. (13) No University employee should receive a private, personal benefit as part of or, in association with any naming rights proposal (refer to the Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest Policy). (14) Any individual or organisation may lodge a written proposal for naming rights to the Director, Office of Development. Proposals must include detailed relevant information about the name proposed, including where appropriate information about the person and their contribution to or association with the Western Sydney University, and any financial contribution. Proposers should refer the Section 5 - Guidelines when considering a proposal. (15) The Director, Office of Development will assess proposals for naming and will prepare and manage any submission regarding the naming proposal, including a recommendation on the life of the naming rights. The Director, Office of Development may reject a proposal which does not meet the requirements of this policy or is inconsistent with University policies , is frivolous. (16) The Office of Advancement and Alumnii will liaise with and manage the relationship with the proposer and/or benefactor on behalf of the University. (17) In assessing a proposal or preparing a submission, the Office of Advancement and Alumni will consult with key areas relevant to the proposal, including as follows: (18) Note: Where a naming proposal is of an historical nature the University Archivist should also be consulted. (19) Where a proposal includes an Indigenous Australian name or wording, appropriate University and community consultation must be undertaken. This may include seeking advice from the Indigenous Advisory Council, Badanami Centre for Indigenous Education, Indigenous Australian staff and students and/or other community consultation processes. (20) The proposal will include a recommendation regarding the length of time that the naming rights will be in place. Naming rights would usually be approved for the life of the property, organisational unit, academic position or scholarship/prize but they may be approved for any period of time depending on the nature of the item and the reason for naming. (21) Where the naming rights are honorary and relate to a former employee, the person must have finished their employment with the University and are not likely to be re-employed by the University at any time in the future. They may have an ongoing association with the University in the form of an emeritus professorship or adjunct appointment, but not be in receipt of any kind of remuneration. (22) Proposals for naming rights in honour of a living person will not be undertaken without their consent and in the case of a deceased person the Office of Advancement and Alumni will consult with relevant parties where it is appropriate and practicable to do so. (Refer to the Memorial Establishment Guidelines) (23) The Office of Advancement and Alumni will forward submissions to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic and Research via the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Engagement and International) for endorsement. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic and Research will forward the endorsed submission to either the Vice-Chancellor and President or Academic Senate, depending on the item to be named. (24) The Vice-Chancellor and President will either endorse or reject the submission. Endorsed submissions will be forwarded with a recommendation to the Board Executive Committee who will make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees; or reject the submission. (25) The Academic Senate will approve or reject submissions for the naming of standard scholarships and prizes. Where the submission is non-standard then it will make a recommendation to the Board Executive Committee, who will make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees. (26) The Board of Trustees will be advised of any approvals or rejections made by Academic Senate through the Chair, Academic Senate's report. (27) Proposals and submissions should remain confidential until finalised. (28) At the end of each reporting year all approved naming rights for the year will be recorded in the University's Annual Report. (29) The Office of Engagement & Partnerships, in conjunction with the Office of Advancement and Alumni will organise and manage the communication or publication of naming rights, as well as any celebration in association with the approval, such as an unveiling ceremony. (30) The Office of Engagement & Partnerships will maintain a register where the details of named properties, organisational units, scholarships and academic positions are retained. (31) Where naming rights are approved for property in accordance with this policy, a plaque or similar should be erected in the foyer or other prominent place providing information on the person/organisation the infrastructure was named after, and why. The location and wording of the plaque should be included in the naming submission. The Office of Engagement & Partnerships will liaise with the Office of Estate and Commercial in regard to the type of plaque. (32) Where naming rights are approved in accordance with this policy, that name should, where practicable, be used in conjunction with any functional names allocated, e.g. the Graham Swain Library, Building G1, Hawkesbury Campus rather than Library, Building G1, Hawkesbury Campus. (33) The University may honour a benefactor that has made a significant financial contribution to support the University by naming a property, organisational unit, scholarship/prize, or academic position after them. The Office of Advancement and Alumni maintains an indicative schedule with regard to these circumstances and should be contacted for guidance on this matter. (34) Where a naming rights proposal is made on the basis of benefaction to the University, it is important to note the distinction between donations and contributions that are made in return for something. Donations are made with no conditions attached. Donations of AUD$2.00 or more are tax deductable in the hands of the donor. However, if naming rights are a condition of a contribution then they should not be treated by the University as a donation. There may be GST consequences for the University and advice should be sought at the time. Benefactors should obtain their own advice about any taxation consequences for them. (35) To provide guidance when preparing a naming proposal, nominators/proposers should consider the following:Naming Policy
Section 1 - Purpose and Context
Top of PageSection 2 - Definitions
Top of PageSection 3 - Policy Statement
Section 4 - Procedures
Part A - Naming Proposals
Part B - Acknowledgement
Part C - Name Usage
Section 5 - Guidelines
Part D - Financial Contributions
Part E - Naming Guidelines
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