1.0   Purpose and Scope

This policy guides The University of Queensland (UQ or the University) in naming infrastructure, staff positions, scholarships and programs through the bestowal of an honour name in recognition of highly distinguished service or significant philanthropic contribution.

Individuals may also be recognised for distinguished service in accordance with the provisions of the Honorary Awards Policy.

Physical and non-physical assets for naming under this policy include, but are not limited to:

• Buildings and parts of buildings;

• Schools, institutes, centres and programs;

• Professorial chairs, lectureships, and fellowships;   

• Scholarships and prizes; and

• Public spaces, roads, gardens and major or minor features.

2.0   Principles and Key Requirements

UQ may name physical and non-physical assets in recognition of:

• highly distinguished service to UQ; or

• a significant philanthropic contribution to UQ.

2.1   Naming in recognition of service

2.1.1   Eligibility

To be eligible for an honour naming of a UQ asset in recognition of service to UQ, an individual must:

1. Have achieved distinction in service in one or more of the following:

   1. While serving the University in an academic capacity – demonstrated high scholarly distinction with a national or international reputation;

   2. While serving the University in an administrative capacity – demonstrated distinguished service that warrants recognition of exceptional contribution to UQ;

   3. Exceptional contribution to the advancement of UQ or an achievement of such unique distinction as to warrant recognition;

   4. Exceptional contribution to civil society or achieved such unique distinction as to warrant recognition;

       and

2. Satisfy one or more of the following criteria:

   1. Demonstrated the highest standards of personal integrity;

   2. Demonstrated honourable public service;

   3. Significant positive contributions to UQ, the State of Queensland, Australia and/or society;

   4. Be highly regarded in the UQ community.

It is intended that a name be bestowed only when a person has rendered highly distinguished service which would cause their name to be recognised by a later generation or that they are honoured in recognition of a significant philanthropic contribution to the University, or in rare circumstances through a combination of both.

2.1.2   Types of UQ assets available for naming in recognition of service

The types of physical and non-physical assets that may be named in recognition of highly distinguished service to UQ include, but are not limited to:

• Buildings and major parts of buildings;

• School, institutes, centres and programs;

• Professorial chairs, lectureships and fellowships;

• Scholarships and prizes;

• Roads (normally reserved to honour past Chancellors);

• Public spaces, gardens, and major features (including sporting facilities, fountains, sculptures and works of art);

• Cultural, library and scientific collections;

• Minor features including but not limited to benches, auditorium seating, trees and plants, pathways and natural or environmental features.

2.2   Naming in recognition of philanthropic contribution

Naming in recognition of philanthropic contribution may be offered where the contribution has had a major impact on the University.

UQ has Deductible Gift Recipient status under the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997. As a result, the University does not recognise a donor’s right to naming but it may offer naming as a way to demonstrate philanthropic leadership and encourage a culture of giving.

Philanthropic gifts that involve a naming request must be captured in a Gift Agreement and conform to the Philanthropy and Fundraising Policy.

Naming requests related to planned gifts (bequests) will not be considered unless irrevocable.

2.2.1   Eligibility and types of UQ assets available for philanthropic naming

The following eligibility criteria applies to the naming of a UQ physical and non-physical assets in recognition of a philanthropic contribution:

• Building or major part of a building – where a philanthropic contribution is more than 50% of the philanthropic goal of a new or refurbished building or facility (or in the absence of such a goal, a minimum of 33% of the total project cost).

• Room/space within a building – where a philanthropic contribution meets the criteria set out in the Naming Guidelines.

• Academic entity (School, Institutes, Centres and Programs) – where a philanthropic contribution is sufficient to provide an endowment that generates an annual distribution equivalent to 50% of the entity’s budget.

• Professorial Chairs, Lectureships and Fellowships – where a philanthropic contribution meets the minimum contribution level to establish/support an academic position as set out in the Naming Guidelines.

• Lecture series – where the philanthropic contribution meets the cost of a lecture or series of lectures.

• Scholarship or Prize – where a philanthropic contribution meets the minimum contribution level to establish a scholarship or prize as set out in the Naming Guidelines.

• Public spaces, gardens, and major features – where the philanthropic contribution meets the cost of a major feature which is beneficial to the University.

• Cultural, library and scientific collections – where the donated collection is of significant size and continuing scientific, historic, artistic or cultural value.

• Minor features including but not limited to benches, auditorium seating, trees and plants, pathways and natural or environmental features – where the philanthropic contribution meets the cost of a minor feature which is beneficial to the University.

2.3   Revoking and Repurposing Named Assets

UQ may revoke or repurpose a named physical or non-physical asset in the following circumstances (in accordance with the authorities set out in section 3 below):

• Where the person or entity for which the asset is named brings UQ into public disrepute, contempt, scandal or ridicule, or reflects unfavourably on UQ’s reputation; or
• Where a material change in the function of a physical asset is required to best utilise the asset and the repurposing of the asset is permitted under any conditions that were attached to the original approval for the naming in recognition of service or philanthropic contribution.

Where the naming of a physical or non-physical asset is revoked or repurposed, UQ will take all reasonable steps to communicate with the honouree or next of kin regarding the decision (as set out in the Naming Guidelines). Honourees also have a right to withdraw the use of a name should this be desired. 

3.0   Roles, Responsibilities and Accountabilities

3.1   Senate

Senate is responsible for approving significant honorary and philanthropic naming requests, including:

• buildings and parts of buildings;

• schools, institutes and centres;

• professorial chairs, lectureships and fellowships;

• scholarships and prizes in recognition of service; and

• public spaces, roads, gardens and major facilities.

3.2   Vice-Chancellor

The Vice-Chancellor:

• Makes recommendations to Senate for the awarding of honorary and philanthropic naming where Senate is the decision-maker.

• Approves honorary and philanthropic naming requests within the delegation from Senate.

3.3   Vice-Chancellor's Committee

The Vice-Chancellor’s Committee reviews and advises the Vice-Chancellor with regard to naming proposals.

3.4   Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Advancement)

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Advancement) is the first point of contact for all naming requests – honorary and philanthropic – and is responsible for reviewing, conducting reputational checks and progressing requests to VCC for consideration.

4.0   Monitoring, Review and Assurance

Compliance with the policy will be managed by the Office of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Advancement). The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Advancement) will also be responsible for the regular review of this policy and related documents.

5.0   Recording and Reporting

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Advancement) will ensure all decisions arising from the implementation of this policy are recorded in a central Naming Register.