Policies and procedures
DATE: June 2005, revised December 2007.
REFERENCE AUTHORITY: Executive Director International and
Development
Director Marketing and Development
RELATED POLICIES and REFERENCE DOCUMENTS:
UniSA Council Policy C-3.1: Naming and Naming Rights
UniSA Council Policy A-17.7: Prizes and Awards
UniSA Council Policy A-16.3: Scholarships
UniSA Code of Ethical Conduct
UniSA Council Policy: Art Collection Policy C-25.0
Foundation Committee of Council, Investment Policy
AVCC Code of Practice for Australian University Philanthropy
University development activity has a long history and an increasingly important future. Universities have always sought support in various forms of the communities within which they operate. This support is becoming more important as formal government funding for Australian universities declines, and as the role of universities as leaders of the intellectual, economic and social development of their communities increases.
The University of South Australia is a young university but one with a distinguished past. Its alumni date back to the earliest days of the South Australian colony and the continued engagement of the University with its graduates is critical to the creation of a distinguished and evolving higher education culture. Similarly, engagement and collaboration with relevant professional associations and industry and private sector bodies is a critical element of the mission of the University of South Australia. As these collaborations and engagements increase and move beyond state and national borders, it is important that the framework within which they operate is clear and widely understood within the institution.
The objective of this code of practice is to provide guidance to University staff and potential donors and partners as to the conduct of development activities within UniSA. In particular, this code is intended to assist understanding of the Foundation Committee and the primacy of its role, and the rights and obligations of donors and University staff involved in development activities.
2.1. Development refers to the broad
discipline of relationship marketing and management that involves the
University and its alumni, community and industry supporters in
philanthropic activity for the purpose of advancing the standing,
resources and performance of the University.
2.2. Gift refers to an in kind or financial
contribution that is provided without the expectation of personal or
commercial benefit. Research grants or contracts are not considered
gifts although stewardship of the relationship with an external partner
to a contract might be considered within the framework of development
activities.
2.3. Naming rights refers to the naming of
structures, facilities or academic positions in honour of an individual
or organisation, or in recognition of financial contribution and
support.
2.4. Note: references to 'divisions' shall be
taken to include Research Institutes.
The following principles set the framework for development activities within UniSA.
1. The focus of development activity is on furthering the mission of the University and its contribution to the community.
Development activity is undertaken to support the mission of the University and its ongoing activities.
2. The Foundation Committee is the oversight committee of the University for philanthropic activity.
Gifts and funds raised for the University should be administered through the University Foundation Committee.
3. The rights of the donor will be respected wherever possible, particularly encompassing such issues as the use of funds, confidentiality criteria and promotion of any relationship with the University.
The wishes of the donor should be clearly understood and documented.
4. Development activities will involve a balance of benefit between the donor and the University.
5. All University development activity will comply with relevant legislation, such as privacy and trade practices laws, as well as relevant codes and guidelines applicable to the communities within which it operates.
AVCC Philanthropy Code of Practice, Privacy law etc will be respected and implemented and professional advice will be sought where necessary.
6. The University will support the administration of development activities and no portion of gifts made or funds raised will be used for administrative purposes unless specifically negotiated.
The University levy, for example, does not apply to gifts and the University supports ongoing development activity from its recurrent budget.
7. The University will regularly report on development activity and communicate on an ongoing basis with its donors and supporters.
Development activities should be transparent: the Foundation Committee provides regular reports to the Council, and the benefits derived from gifts should be routinely communicated to donors.
8. The University reserves the right to decline any gift.
The University is an Australian public institution with an established mission and values and ethical codes, for example, in regard to its research activity. Gifts and development activities should be congruent with this culture.
9. Development activities are pursued for the benefit of the University and individual staff members are representatives of the University.
Although activities might benefit one particular area of the University, staff involved in development activities should recognise potential opportunities for other areas and be conscious of the impact of one initiative on the progress of another.
4.1. The chair of the Foundation Committee has responsibility for the oversight of the Foundation Committee and the funds under its management.
4.2. The Executive Director International and Development, as the senior development executive of the University, has responsibility for the management of development programs within the University.
4.3. The Director Marketing and Development, through the work of the Alumni and Development Office within the Marketing and Development Unit (MDU) , has operational responsibility for University development activity. The Alumni and Development Office's role is to coordinate fundraising campaigns, provide recognition and stewardship of donors, administer gifts and support the operation of the Foundation Committee, and manage the alumni relations program.
5.1. The Marketing and Development Unit establishes development plans, targets and objectives as part of its regular planning processes and in light of corporate plan priorities.
5.2. The Foundation Committee monitors trust and gift arrangements, financial performance, the distribution of funds raised, and establishes appropriate legal, financial and administrative structures to support development activity.
6.1.1. Gifts may be made to the University by individuals, corporations, foundations or other legal entities and may be given unconditionally or for a particular purpose.
6.1.2. A gift can vary in terms of cash, securities or real estate and the tax and financial implications need to be considered in each case by the University and donor.
6.1.3. Donors are responsible for the examination of any tax or other legal implication for their own affairs from the provision of a gift to the University and are responsible for the engagement of external professional services.
6.1.4. Any gift that requires additional University funding or commitment needs appropriate prior approval before being accepted.
6.2.1. Works of art can be gifted to the University Art Collection through the University Art Museum. The Art Museum is an approved public collecting institution participating in the Federal Government's Cultural Gifts program, which provides tax deductions for donors.
6.2.2. Art works accepted by the Art Museum for the University Art Collection are to be consistent with the University's acquisition policy guidelines.
6.3.1. University Council policy C-3.1 outlines the principles governing naming rights opportunities in the University.
6.3.2. University buildings, outdoor facilities, collections and academic positions are examples of the opportunities for naming for fixed periods.
6.3.3. Naming opportunities are usually provided in order to honour an individual or organisation for service to the University and its mission, or to acknowledge the financial support of a donor or sponsor.
6.3.4. The level of sponsor contribution will guide and determine the duration of the naming opportunity.
6.3.5. Naming rights for academic positions should involve detailed agreements on matters such as ownership of intellectual property and reporting requirements.
6.3.6. Naming opportunities are approved by the University Council on the recommendation of the Vice Chancellor.
6.4.1. Gifts made the University through a Will may include the whole or portion of an estate, a specified sum of money, real estate, stocks and shares, works of art or any other assets.
6.4.2. Bequests are valued at the time they are realised but the Development Office maintains information on known prospective bequest intentions.
6.4.3. The Development Office is responsible for the administration of all bequest intentions for the University and the promotion of relevant information to prospective bequestors.
6.5.1. University Council policy A-16.3 outlines the rules and responsibilities governing University scholarships. University Council Policy A-17.7 outlines the rules and regulations for dealing with prizes and awards in the University.
6.5.2. Named scholarships are established where a donor makes a significant contribution over a given period in support of academic study.
6.5.3. Prizes and awards are presented to acknowledge academic achievement at one point in time and are usually of lesser financial value than scholarships.
6.5.4. Students should be advised to examine the implications of receipt of any scholarship or prize for their own taxation purposes.
6.5.5. Selection processes for the awarding of scholarships and prizes are an academic matter but it is possible for donors to participate in the process in most cases.
6.5.6. Scholarships, prizes and awards are approved by the Academic Board of the University, and University wide scholarships are managed by the Student and Academic Services Unit or Research Services as appropriate. Divisions are responsible for the administration of scholarships and prizes falling within their area of academic responsibility.
6.5.7. The Alumni and Development Office should be contacted prior to any contact to prospective industry partners, corporations or individuals for scholarship or prize support in order to minimise the likelihood of multiple approaches being made.
7.1. The Foundation Committee is a subcommittee of the University Council.
7.2. The Foundation Committee has responsibility for oversight of University philanthropy policies and management and administration of funds received.
7.3. The Foundation Committee reports regularly to the Council of the University via its formal annual statement and by other means through its Chair.
7.4. The Foundation Committee approves and monitors an investment policy for funds under management; monitors investment performance; ensures appropriate safeguards are in place for investments and ensures appropriate systems are in place so that donor funds are invested and disbursed in accordance with their express wishes.
8.1. Staff involved in philanthropic activities represent the University and should avoid actual or apparent conflicts of interest.
8.2. Staff must make every effort to provide prospective donors with as much accurate, balanced and fair information and advice as is required, and encourage donors to pursue external professional advice where appropriate.
8.3. Staff should provide clear information to donors and supporters about the ongoing administration of any gift and changes in staff contact or other matters.
8.4. Staff should make appropriate endeavours to explore the background and standing of prospective donors and supporters, and any prior or ongoing contact by the University with prospective donors and supporters, before making an approach.
9.1. The Alumni and Development Office in the Marketing and Development Unit maintains donor and alumni records on behalf of the University.
9.2. The maintenance of these records must conform with relevant privacy legislation and statements outlining the protocols governing their access must be available for donors on request.
10.1. The AVCC code for Australian University philanthropy, and other codes established by Philanthropy Australia outline the rights of donors. The University of South Australia complies with those codes, and the principles outlined in this code. In particular, donors should be:
10.1.1. informed of the University's mission, the manner in which the gift is to be used and the capacity of the University to effectively use the gift
10.1.2. provided with relevant information about the University, the role, activity and performance of the University, and the use and progress of their gift
10.1.3. informed of the identity of the University's key personnel involved in managing the gift, and whether those seeking gifts are University staff or agents, and that such staff will maintain the highest professional standards
10.1.4. assured that no agreement, trust or contract will be at the expense of the donor's best interests and motivations
10.1.5. assured that their personal details, and details about their gift, will be treated confidentially and will not be shared with others outside the organisation without their explicit permission
10.1.6. recognised and acknowledged appropriately for their donation
