REQUEST FOR SUGGESTED NAMES THAT MIGHT BE GIVEN TO NEW BUILDINGS ON CAMPUS
At the end of last year the university’s Naming Committee set up a working group with the task of compiling a list of possible names that might be given to new buildings (mainly residences) on campus. Over the past few years there have been cases where the naming of such buildings has become protracted, as in some instances a name proposed by members of a particular residence has been questioned at higher levels of authority. This has led to delays and frustration.
In an effort to expedite the naming process it is now proposed that a list of acceptable names be compiled. Names from this list can then be chosen and given to new buildings (or possibly even to renamed buildings).
In the meantime members of the university community are invited to put forward suggested names for consideration by the working group. In submitting suggestions please bear in mind the underlying principles of the university’s naming policy:
• Naming processes must be in accordance with the university’s vision and mission in support of human rights and the rejection of all forms of unfair discrimination, and are compatible with the values of human dignity, non-racialism and non-sexism.
• Names should if possible promote the redress of past imbalances, as well as a celebration of the cultural identity and geographical location of the university in Africa, South Africa, and the Eastern Cape.
• Names of living persons should generally be avoided.
• Especially desirable are names that are likely to inspire the occupants, users or members of a particular entity to be named.
• Names likely to cause offence or sow division are to be avoided.
• Suggestions need not be restricted to names of people. For instance, the names of indigenous flora or local geographical landmarks can be considered.
Please submit your suggestions, together with a short motivation, by Friday 11 March, to any member of the working group:
– Steve Fourie (s.fourie@ru.ac.za); Larissa Klazinga (l.klazinga@ru.ac.za); Nomusa Makhubu (n.makhubu@ru.ac.za); Paul Maylam (p.maylam@ru.ac.za); Rod Walker (r.b.walker@ru.ac.za) .
