In August 2021, the Standing Strong Task Force's (Mash Koh Wee Kah Pooh Win) final report included 22 recommendations that are guiding the university through changes across campus. Included was a recommendation that the university develop a policy and accompanying procedures, similar to the existing Benefactor Naming Policy, to provide guidelines and clarify responsibilities for decision-making related to commemorative naming on campus. TMU's new Naming Policy has now been finalized and is available to the community.
Retiring the existing Benefactor Naming Policy
Through the consultation process, it became clear that, while there are differences between benefactor naming and commemorative naming, there is a great deal of overlap in the process and in how these names appear on campus. For this reason, a single naming policy was proposed which addresses both philanthropic and commemorative naming.
In April 2023, the draft policy was shared with the TMU community for feedback and, last week, the TMU Board of Governors approved the retirement of the former Benefactor Naming Policy. The new policy now in effect upholds the principles of commemoration as outlined in the SSTF Report and Recommendations, defines and distinguishes between commemorative naming and benefactor naming, and provides transparency for naming-related decision-making processes. It also establishes a Naming Review Committee that is responsible for determining any required consultation process for commemorative naming proposals, and for reviewing and making recommendations to decision-makers on proposed namings.
The Naming Policy working group thanks all those who participated in the shaping of the policy through the direct or community consultation stages.
