Keep your name, James Cook University warned by minister

An Australian university has faced a backlash after its governing body began mapping out how it might respond to hypothetical pressure to change its name.

Queensland education minister John-Paul Langbroek has told James Cook University (JCU) to “stick to its knitting” and prioritise education over “historical revisionism”.

“We don’t support James Cook University changing its name,” Langbroek told Sky News. “James Cook is a revered Englishman and explorer. Australians and Queenslanders are tired of this historical revisiting of issues that have helped to make us the country and the state that we are.”

JCU said it was simply undertaking preparatory work “as part of responsible and effective governance”. In a statement, the university said questions about history, identity and place arose “periodically” in relation to institutional names.

It said the governing council had established a committee “to develop high-level principles and process guidance” in case it “were ever to consider such a matter”. The committee’s work will “ensure clarity and rigour in decision-making” and “does not involve examining alternatives, recommending any change or undertaking consultation”.

“It does not arise from any complaint, campaign or proposal,” the statement adds. “The university is not currently reviewing, proposing or pursuing a change to its name.” It said future consideration of a name change would require a “separate and explicit council decision” and “appropriate engagement” with staff, students, alumni and “members of the communities we serve, including the government of the day”.

Langbroek suggested that any such move could backfire on the governing body, noting that the government “has a role” in appointing council members. His government would also need to approve any name change, as JCU – like most public universities in Australia – operates under state legislation.

University name change proposals are fraught in Australasia, as elsewhere. In New South Wales, Charles Sturt University considered shortening its name to avoid confusion with other institutions’ acronyms, but dropped the idea after an opposing petition attracted thousands of signatures.

In New Zealand, Victoria University of Wellington’s attempt to discard “Victoria” from its title – partly to avoid confusion with overseas counterparts – garnered bitter opposition and ultimately a veto from then education minister Chris Hipkins.

Sometimes, resistance to institutional name changes comes from rival institutions intent on safeguarding their brands. In England, moves to retitle the universities of Bolton and Central Lancashire were formally opposed by neighbours but ultimately approved by the higher education regulator.

More often, resistance comes from within. A 2014 proposal to remove the middle name of King’s College London – ostensibly because of public perceptions that the celebrated university was merely a college – was quickly abandoned following a backlash from staff, students and alumni.

Rebranding demands also come from within, often over historical links. Staff and students have demanded a new name for La Trobe University, which is named after a controversial 19th-century administrator. Nearby Deakin University, named after Australia’s second prime minister, recently batted off a name change proposal and instead committed to “truth-telling”.

James Cook’s 1770 mapping of the continent’s east coast led to the establishment of a British colony in Sydney 18 years later – an event observed as “Invasion Day” by Indigenous Australians. JCU marked its 50th anniversary in 2020 by giving Indigenous names to five of its campuses.

john.ross@timeshighereducation.com