In 2020 we commenced the official process of renaming the RW Wilcocks Building. During the past few months, a number of developments have taken place and we would like to provide the Stellenbosch University (SU) community with an update on the process.

At its meeting of 29 October 2019, the Rectorate approved that an institutional and inclusive process for the renaming of the RW Wilcocks Building be conducted by the Registrar and the Senior Director: Social Impact and Transformation. This led to the temporary appointment of a researcher/report writer who was tasked to conduct interviews with various stakeholders and draft a report on the findings. The aim of this exercise was to synthesise some of the views that have been expressed over the last few years for which many anecdotes exist, but that have for the most part not been captured formally; and to inform a broad and inclusive process for the renaming of the RW Wilcocks Building.

At its meeting on 2 June 2020, the Rectorate took cognisance of the report “Synthesis of some perspectives on the change of name of the RW Wilcocks Building” and approved the process for the renaming. This included the call for nominations, the “Guidelines for nominations and voting” and the nomination form. The Rectorate also approved the removal of the RW Wilcocks name, as marking the start of the renaming process. As such the name was removed from the building in August 2020.

The call for nominations went out to all staff and students, and members of the community (as represented in the structures with membership on Stellenbosch University’s Institutional Forum) and was open from 27 July to 26 August 2020. In total, 17 nominations were received.

On 27 October 2020 the Naming Committee, which had been expanded for the purpose of the renaming of the RW Wilcocks Building, agreed on the process to be followed in deciding on a shortlist to present to the Rectorate.

The Committee consisted of the following representatives:

• Registrar (Chair)

• Chief Director: Finance

• Senior Director: Corporate Communication and Marketing

• Senior Director: Development and Alumni Relations

• Senior Director: Social Impact and Transformation

• Director: Development Planning and Design, Facilities

• Representative of the Legal Services

• Representative of the History Department (housed in the building)

• Representative of the Global Education Centre (housed in the building)

• Representative of the Psychology Department (housed in the building)

• Two student leaders – one from the 2019 SRC and one from the 2020 SRC

• Community representative serving on the Institutional Forum

​The Naming Committee met on 30 October 2020 to deliberate on the nominations and vote on the shortlist. All motivations were made available to the Committee members prior to the meeting. Each nomination was discussed and voted on and a refined shortlist was compiled. The renaming process, however, could not progress until after the middle of the first term of 2021 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted on the timelines.​

The shortlist of proposals for the new name of the RW Wilcocks Building, as compiled by the Naming Committee, was presented to the Rectorate on 1 June 2021. The Rectorate’s recommendation will serve before the Executive Committee of Council (EC(C)) at its next meeting which is scheduled for 6 August 2021. In terms of the current Policy for the Naming of Buildings, Venues and Facilities, the EC(C) makes the final decision on the renaming of buildings.

The new name will be announced after the EC(C) has made its decision.

We are also happy to share with the University community that the draft Visual Redress Policy that will, once approved, also regulate and activate naming and renaming processes, is set to be tabled at Council’s next meeting in September, after having served before the various approval structures.

Staff and students are welcome to contact the office of the Registrar ([email protected]) or that of the Senior Director: Social Impact and Transformation ([email protected]) regarding any inquiries about the process for the naming/renaming of buildings, venues or facilities.​