Lowering the Flags to Half-Mast

Introduction

Lowering of a flag to half-mast is a universal symbol of mourning. This policy is intended to provide general direction and procedures to determine when the Canadian flag, along with the other outdoor flags, may be flown at half-mast at the University of Regina.

Policy

The flags may be flown at half-mast to mark the passing of any member of the University community or a prominent public figure, as listed below, on the day of their funeral or memorial service.  If no funeral or memorial service is held, then the flags may be lowered on a business day within ten days of the date upon which the University is notified of the individual’s death. In certain cases, at the discretion of the President, the flags may be lowered when the University is notified of a prominent public figure’s death until and including the date of the funeral or memorial service.

Members of the University Community

• Registered students
• Faculty and staff of the University or the federated colleges
• Faculty and staff who have retired from the University or one of the federated colleges
• Chancellor and past Chancellors
• Members and former members of the Board of Governors of the University or federated colleges
• Former Presidents and Vice-Presidents of the University or the federated colleges
• University of Regina Honorary Degree Recipients

Prominent Public Figures

• The Sovereign, or a member of the Royal Family related in the first degree to the Sovereign
• The Governor-General or former Governor-General of Canada
• Lieutenant-Governor or former Lieutenant-Governor of Saskatchewan
• Prime Minister of Canada or former Prime Minister of Canada
• Premier or former Premier of Saskatchewan
• Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan
• Members of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan
• Federal Cabinet Members and Members of Parliament who represent constituencies in Saskatchewan
• Mayor or former Mayor of Regina
• Members of Regina City Council

Other Circumstances

The flags may be flown at half-mast to mourn lives lost in tragic national and international events.  In such cases, a decision to lower the flags and the period during which they will remain at half-mast will generally mirror the practice of the Province of Saskatchewan.

Other individuals and events may be recognized by lowering the flags at the discretion of the President of the University.

Roles and Responsibilities

Employees and Students

• Any student, faculty or staff member of the University who becomes aware of the death of an individual deserving of recognition by the University under this policy should contact Human Resources as soon as possible.

Human Resources

• In the event of the death of a member of the University, Human Resources will notify Facilities Management of the date of the funeral or memorial service for the individual or other date(s) the flags are to be lowered.
• Human Resources will distribute information to the University community by e-mail to explain why the flag is at half-mast.

President's Office and University Communications and Marketing

• In the event of the death of a prominent public figure or member of the University, University Communications and Markting shall in conjunction with the President’s Office notify Facilities Management, indicating the date of the funeral or memorial service or other date(s) the flags are to be lowered.

• The President's Office (or designate in University Communications and Marketing) will distribute information to the University community by e-mail to explain why the flag is at half-mast.

Facilities Management

• Upon receiving notification from Human Resources or the President’s Office, Facilities Management will arrange to have the flags lowered and flown at half-mast in accordance with this policy.

President

• In the event of uncertainty or disagreement about any aspect of this policy, the President shall have final decision-making authority.

Consequences for Noncompliance

If this policy is not applied consistently and within a timely manner, the University’s relationship with the larger community may be damaged.

Processes