contents

Name that building

---

It has until now been the University's practice to name its academic and social buildings after their principal usage, normally, in the case of 'single occupancy' academic buildings the name of the occupying School. However, the creation of the new Schools of Mathematical Sciences (SMS) and of Chemistry, Physics and Environmental Sciences (CPES) from the Schools of MAPS and MOLS, and the return of the AFRC Building to University use, mean that three of the University's main academic building complexes now bear the names of organisations which no longer exist, leading to confusion for those arriving new to the campus (and for some of those already here). In addition, the University's policy on space redistribution means that buildings are increasingly liable to have changes of main occupant or several units occupying substantial areas of space within them.

The Estates Committee, which is responsible on behalf of the University Council for the naming of buildings on the campus, has approved a policy and guidelines intended to enable visitors and others to locate easily buildings and units occupying them, while avoiding as far as possible unnecessary changes of building names. The guidelines include the use of locally-derived names for new buildings, or any existing buildings whose current name becomes inappropriate. Categories of name suggested, some of which are already in use on campus, include Sussex rivers (e.g. Cuckmere, Arun), forests (Ashdown House), hills (e.g. Caburn, Firle) or 'worthies' (Mantell Building). The Committee also agreed that, where a building has a neutral name, the names of units occupying it should be displayed outside the building and be made clear on campus maps.

In this context, the Committee is seeking new names for the following buildings:

• Chemistry and Molecular Sciences (MOLS), Stages I, II and III
• Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MAPS), Stage I and II
• AFRC (which, following refurbishment, will house part of CPES plus seminar rooms)
• Refectory (a title which, it is felt no longer reflects the range of uses of the building)
• New student residences at King's Road, Brighton

The heads of units occupying the individual buildings are being consulted, but the Committee would also welcome comments or suggests from members of the University community in general. These should be addressed to the Secretary to the Estates Committee, Morag Stalker (Estates Building, email M.J.P.Stalker@sussex.ac.uk), from whom copies of the paper setting out the full policy and guidelines may be obtained. Formal proposals for new names will be considered by the Estates Committee on 26 February, so suggestions should be received by the end of January.

Once names have been agreed a process of re-signing will commence and campus maps displayed on site will be updated and redesigned.

contents

Friday January 10th 1997