(1) The purpose of this Policy is to document a consistent approach to displaying the University suite of flags on campus flag poles, and flags and banners in public spaces on ACU campuses, and where appropriate at University events, in line with our mission, character, identity, and in compliance with Statute 13 - Freedom of Speech, Intellectual Freedom and Academic Freedom. (2) This Policy outlines the procedures to be followed at all ACU campuses to ensure the consistent display of the Australian National Flag, Australian Aboriginal flag, Torres Strait Islander flag, State or Territory flags, the ACU flag and other flags approved by ACU on flag poles on all campus grounds. No flags other than these are to be flown on the campus flag poles. (3) This Policy also confirms when and where other flags (including the Vatican flag) and banners and the like can be displayed. (4) The Flags and Banners Policy builds on the important role that visual images play in enhancing our brand and associations. These physical symbols not only reflect our national focus and Mission, but also our core values. These include recognition of the traditional owners of the lands upon which the University is situated across Australia, and promotion of our Catholic identity. (5) As a Catholic, public university, ACU retains all rights related to the use of the University's own property and spaces in the presentation of visual images in those spaces, consistent with the mission and values of the University, and in compliance Statute 13 - Freedom of Speech, Intellectual Freedom and Academic Freedom. (6) This Policy applies to all ACU campuses. (7) Each of ACU’s campuses are to fly the flags listed in the Flags Policy: Appendix 1. (8) The North Sydney Campus will have the flag set flown at both Tenison Woods House and the Vice-Chancellery. The Melbourne Campus will have the flag set flown outside The Daniel Mannix Building and the Mary Glowrey Building. (9) The University flies the Vatican flag only at the Vice Chancellery (Rockleigh Grange) on the North Sydney Campus in recognition that the building was the official residence of the Papal Nuncio between 1920 and 1970, visited by Catholic figures of historical and global significance, including St Paul VI. (10) Subject to Statute 13 - Freedom of Speech, Intellectual Freedom and Academic Freedom, ACU supports the display of banners and flags of ACU registered Clubs and Societies and endorsed Staff groups within campus spaces (not including campus flag poles) during signature days or weeks and Orientation or Open Days. These flags or banners are permitted to be displayed for a minimum of 24 hours and a maximum of seven days in pre-identified locations on the campus. (11) Properties and Facilities Directorate responsibilities include: (12) Staff and student responsibilities include: (13) All flags flown on ACU campuses will adhere to the protocols outlined in the Australian National Flag Protocols: (14) The Australian National Flag takes precedence over all national flags when it is flown in Australia or an Australian territory. (15) After the Australian National Flag, the order of precedence of flags is: (16) The Australian National Flag should be flown in a position superior to any other flag or ensign and should not be smaller than any other flag or ensign. (17) The Chief Operating Officer is responsible for determining and communicating when flags should be flown at half-mast, based on the following principles that accord with the half-masting protocol for the Australian National Flag. Flags are flown at half-mast as a sign of mourning. (18) The half-mast position will depend on the size of the flag and the length of the flagpole. The flag must be lowered to a position recognisably half-mast to avoid the appearance of a flag which has accidentally fallen away from the top of the flagpole. An acceptable position would be when the top of the flag is a third of the distance down from the top of the flagpole. (19) Flags in any locality can be flown at half-mast on the death of a local citizen or on the day, or part of the day, of their funeral. (20) When lowering the flag from a half-mast position it should be briefly raised to the peak and then lowered ceremoniously. (21) The flag should never be flown at half-mast at night even if it is illuminated. (22) When flying the Australian National Flag with other flags, all flags in the set should be flown at half-mast. The Australian National Flag should be raised first and lowered last. (23) Subject to Statute 13 - Freedom of Speech, Intellectual Freedom and Academic Freedom, the process for ACU Approved Staff and Student Organizations to inform the University of intention to fly a flag, flags or banners is as follows: (24) Requests that may be outside of this process will be reviewed by the Director, Properties and Facilities, as necessary. (25) This Policy will be reviewed every five years in conjunction with key University stakeholders and will consider ongoing feedback and community comments. (26) For further assistance in the operation of this Policy contact the Director, Properties and Facilities.Flags and Banners Policy
Section 1 - Background
Section 2 - Purpose
Section 3 - Policy Statement and Principles
Section 4 - Policy Scope
Section 5 - Roles and responsibilities
Top of PageSection 6 - Flag flying protocol
Top of PageSection 7 - Order of Precedence
Section 8 - Flying Flags at Half-mast
Section 9 - Displays by Student or Staff Organisations
Section 10 - Review
Section 11 - Further Assistance
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