In February 2021, Principal and Vice-Chancellor Patrick Deane struck a working group tasked with developing a principles-based naming policy, with procedures, to address various forms of naming at Queen’s University, including philanthropic, service, commemorative, and Indigenous namings. Principal Deane indicated that the policy should provide an overarching framework and identify the core principles to which related policies and/or procedures must adhere, as well as address concepts of naming, renaming, and de-naming.

The Naming Policy Working Group, chaired by Vice-Principal (Advancement) Karen Bertrand and consisting of representatives from various Queen’s stakeholder groups, has met several times since it was established. As of June 2021, the Working Group has developed a revised draft Naming Policy that has been informed by detailed review of existing policies and procedures on the topic, including environmental scans of similar policy documents at Canadian and American institutions. All work has been done in the context of Queen’s commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation.

The draft policy is now being presented to the Queen’s community for feedback. This first phase of consultation will conclude on June 30 and will be followed by a review of all feedback, consideration of additional changes to the draft policy, and a second consultation in the early fall of 2021.

Find the draft policy on the University Secretariat and Legal Counsel website, where you can also provide feedback by filling out a survey. If you wish to provide additional feedback, please send your comments to policies@queensu.ca.