Renaming of Unisa buildings

Process undertaken

1

Introduction

 The naming or renaming of any university facility or property must resonate with and demonstrate commitment to the university’s vision, mission and values. The names should, as far as possible, promote the university’s vision: Towards the African university shaping futures in the service of humanity. The naming or renaming of a university facility or property should attempt to redress the imbalances of the past and dismantle the legacy of apartheid and colonisation; in the process it should restore and support Africanisation.

2

Call for proposals/ nominations

 All new or existing names of Unisa facilities and properties must be aligned with the founding values of the South African Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and the vision and mission of the university. There must be a synchronous relationship between the purpose or location of a facility or property and the person, place, event, activity, fauna or flora after which it is named. The naming or renaming of a university facility or property should also serve as acknowledgement of the exceptional contribution by certain outstanding individuals to the university’s development and advancement. Two electronic calls to submit proposals were issued in June and September 2018 to stakeholders of the university (employees, students, alumni) and stakeholder structures of the university (Council, Senate, Management Committee, Convocation, Institutional Forum, representative employee organisations, Students’ Representative Council, Women’s Forum, Unisa Black Forum) to submit proposed names for the naming and renaming of Unisa facilities and properties. The format of the nomination process was open and nominees could nominate any Unisa facility; no pre-determined list was provided. A total of 263 successful submissions were received. A consolidated report was compiled from the two calls for nominations for consideration by the Naming and Renaming Committee.

3

Naming and Renaming Committee

 The Naming and Renaming Committee was constituted as required by the Policy on Naming and Renaming of Unisa Facilities and Properties. The mandate of this committee is to facilitate the nomination process and make recommendations on naming and renaming to Mancom.

4

Strategic intent

 The Naming and Renaming Committee was constituted as required by the Policy on Naming and Renaming of Unisa Facilities and Properties. The mandate of this committee is to facilitate the nomination process and make recommendations on naming and renaming to Mancom.

5

Budget/financial impact

 The naming process has financial implications in terms of the branding of the renamed buildings, signage and possible launch events.

6

HR Impact

 None

7

Policy
implication

 The request for approval is aligned with the Naming and Renaming of Unisa Buildings and Other Properties Policy of 2018.

8

Sustainability impact

 The naming of the buildings will enhance the university as a brand.

9

Legal
implications

 There is a legal obligation to obtain permission to use the name and clarify that the name will not be used for any financial gain by the university.

10

Risk
implications

 If permission to use the names is not granted.

11

Approval
process and dates
  • Five proposed names were approved by the Naming and Renaming Committee at its meetings held on 18 October 2018, 25 October 2018 and 29 October 2018, and recommended that the names be submitted to Mancom for approval.
  • Four proposed names were approved by Mancom on 30 October 2018, and recommended to the Brand and Communication Committee of Council (BCCoC) for approval. The proposed name for the Cas van Vuuren Building was not approved and referred back to the Naming and Renaming Committee for resubmission.
  • Four proposed names were approved by BCCoC on 1 November 2018 and recommended to Council for approval.
  • Four proposed names were approved by Exco of Council on 10 December 2018.

Last modified: 2019/08/15