Rector of the University of Glasgow

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The position of Lord Rector of the University of Glasgow is elected every three years by the students at the University of Glasgow. Seldom referred to as Lord Rector, they are more commonly known just as the Rector. The position's place in the university was enshrined by statute in the Universities (Scotland) Act 1889 which provided for the election of a Rector at all of the universities in existence at the time in Scotland. To this day only the four ancient universities (Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and St Andrews) elect a Lord Rector, while Dundee elects a similar form of Rector.

The role of the Rector is to work on behalf of the students and raise issues that concern them. The Rector is also entitled to chair the University Court, the governing body of the university. In the past the position was largely seen as honorific, but in recent years, expectations have grown that the Rector play an active role in the university. Indeed, Ross Kemp resigned after the SRC voted to request his resignation, such was the extent of student dissatisfaction with his performance.

Until 1977, for Rectorial election purposes, the University was divided into four 'nations' based on the students' birthplace, originally called Clidisdaliae, Thevidaliae, Albaniae and Rosay, and later as Glottiana, Loudoniana, Transforthana and Rothseiana. Three of the 'nations' consisted of defined areas in Scotland, with Loudoniana consisting of students from all other places.[1]

It is not always the case though that students vote for a working rector in modern times; Winnie Mandela was elected largely on the understanding that she would be unable to undertake the position's responsibilities, and the current Rector, Mordechai Vanunu, has thus far been unable to undertake his responsibilities as he is not allowed to leave Israel. That said, many of the students involved in the campaign to elect him have since called for his release to allow him to undertake activities relating to the role.

Another interesting feature of Vanunu's election is that he was elected in the second scheduled election for Rector in 2004. Original elections were held in February, 2004, but no nominations for the post were forthcoming. The University Senate then set another date for December when he was successfully elected by the students of Glasgow.

Contents

[edit] List of Rectors

[edit] References

  1. ^ Historical perspective for Glasgow

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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