Rector of the University of Aberdeen

The Lord Rector of the University of Aberdeen is the students' representative and chairman in the University Court of the University of Aberdeen. The position is rarely known by its full title and most often referred to simply as "Rector". The Rector is elected by students of the University and serves a three-year term. Although the position has existed since 1495, it was only officially made the students' representative in 1860.^[1]

The position exists in common throughout the ancient universities of Scotland with Rectorships in existence at the Universities of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and St Andrews. The position is given legal standing by virtue of the Universities (Scotland) Act 1889 and is the third office of precedence in the university (following the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor / Principal). Rectors also appoint a Rector's Assessor, who may carry out their functions when they are absent from the University.

The 1996 election was unusual in that one of the two candidates (who lost by approximately 100 votes) had recently completed studies at the University, highlighting the fact that there is no rule preventing a member of the student body from standing for the post and that the trend for celebrity candidates might distance the office from the issues of student life.^[2]

The current Rector is Maggie Chapman.^[3]

Rector's Assessor

Each Rector appoints a Rector's Assessor to the University Court. He or she maintains a permanent seat in the University Court during the period of their duty. The Rector's Assessor furthermore acts, with the support of the president of the Students' Association, as the Rector’s representative when the Rector cannot be present, additionally they sit on the Joint Planning, Finance & Estates Committee and Student Affairs Committee in an official permanent capacity. Further roles and responsibilities include being a 'focal point' for the student body to interact with the decision making levels of university governance, and coordinating the on-campus and online presence for the Rector.

In the 2007–08 academic year, James Michael Wilson (a then first-year student at the University) was Rector's Assessor for Robin Harper.^[4] Mr Wilson was the youngest Rector's Assessor ever to be appointed to the position at the University of Aberdeen or any of its predecessor Colleges.

2011 Election

Following complaints about the campaign, the first election of mid-2011 was deemed null and void, and it was decided that nominations would re-open in October. There were 6 candidates running this time, and on 10/11/11 it was announced that Dr Maitland Mackie would be taking over the position, having received the most votes.

2014 Election

Following Maitland Mackie's death in office, an election was held in November. There were two candidates, with Maggie Chapman winning with 67% of the vote. Chapman is a socialist, a feminist, and co-convenor of the Scottish Green Party. She pledged to focus on housing issues, defending free tuition, better services for students, to create a “strong academic community” and ensure the university has a “positive impact on society”.^[3][5]

List of Rectors

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

Rector of King's College, Aberdeen

• 1637–? : Arthur Johnston^[6]
• 1639–1644 : William Guild^[7]
• 1651–? : Andrew Cant^[8]
• 1677–1682 : John Menzies^[9]
• 1805–1814 : The 1st Baron Glenbervie^[10]
• 1827-1837 : The 8th Viscount of Arbuthnott^[11]
• 1838–? : Lord Francis Egerton,^[12][13] M.P.
• 1857–? : John Inglis (who became Lord Glencorse in 1858)^[14]

Rector of Marischal College, Aberdeen

• 1663–? : George Meldrum^[15]
• 1664-? : The Most Rev. Dr Arthur Rose^[16]
• 1770–? : Alexander Fordyce^[17]
• ?–1792 : Sir William Fordyce^[18]
• 1809–? : Sir William Grant, M.P. (until 1812), Master of the Rolls^[19]
• 1820-1822: The 4th Earl Fife
• 1823-1824: The 4th Earl Fife
• 1824–1825 : Joseph Hume, M.P.^[20]
• 1826–1827 : Sir James McGrigor^[21]
• 1831-1832: The 18th Earl of Erroll
• 1835–? : Dr John Abercrombie^[22]
• 1841–1843 : Sir James McGrigor,^[21] 1st Bt.
• 1843-1845: The 2nd Marquess of Breadalbane
• 1845–1848 : Archibald Alison, Sheriff of Lanarkshire
• 1848–1851 : Lord Robertson^[23]
• 1851–1853 : The 13th Earl of Eglinton^[24]
• 1853–1854 : The 7th Earl of Carlisle^[25]
• 1854–1855 : Colonel William Henry Sykes^[26]
• 1855–1858 : Austen Henry Layard, M.P.^[27]
• 1858-1859: The 5th Earl Stanhope

Rector of the University of Aberdeen

• 1860–1863 : Edward Francis Maitland (became Lord Barcaple in 1862)^[28]
• 1863–1866 : The 1st Earl Russell,^[29] Prime Minister 1865-1866
• 1866–1872 : M.E. Grant Duff, M.P., Under-Secretary of State for India 1868-1874
• 1872–1875 : Thomas Henry Huxley^[30]
• 1875–1878 : W.E. Forster, M.P.
• 1878–1881 : The 5th Earl of Rosebery
• 1881–? : Prof. Alexander Bain^[31][32]
• 188?–? : George Goschen, M.P.^[33]
• 1890–? Prof. Alexander Bain^[34]
• 1890–1899 : The 11th Marquess of Huntly^[35]
• 1899–? : The 1st Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal^[36]
• 1902–1905 : Charles Ritchie, M.P., ^[37][38] Chancellor of the Exchequer 1902-1903
• 1905–1908 : Sir Frederick Treves, 1st Bt.^[38]
• 1908–1914 : H.H. Asquith, M.P.,^[39] Prime Minister
• 1914–1918 : Winston Churchill, M.P.,^[40][41] First Lord of the Admiralty until May 1915. Thereafter, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster until Nov. 1915.
• 1918–1921 : The 1st Viscount Cowdray^[42]
• 1921–1924 : Sir Robert Horne, M.P.,^[43][44] Chancellor of the Exchequer 1921-1922.
• 1924–1927 : The 1st Viscount Cecil of Chelwood,^[45] Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
• 1927–1930 : The 1st Earl of Birkenhead, Secretary of State for India 1924-1928
• 1930–1933 : Prof. Sir Arthur Keith^[46]
• 1933–1936 : Walter Elliot, M.P.^[47]
• 1936–1942 : Admiral Sir Edward Evans^[48]
• 1942–1945 : Sir Stafford Cripps, M.P.,^[49] Lord Privy Seal in 1942 and Minister of Aircraft Production 1942-1945.
• 1945–1948 : Eric Linklater^[50]
• 1948–1951 : The 2nd Baron Tweedsmuir^[51]
• 1951–1954 : Jimmy Edwards^[52][53]
• 1954–1957 : Admiral of the Fleet Sir Rhoderick McGrigor^[54][55]
• 1957–1960 : John MacDonald Bannerman^[56]
• 1960–1963 : Peter Scott^[57]
• 1963–1966 : Brigadier Sir John Hunt^[58]
• 1966–1969 : Frank George Thomson^[59]
• 1969–1972 : Jo Grimond, M.P.^[60]
• 1972–1975 : Michael Barratt^[61]
• 1975–1978 : Iain Cuthbertson
• 1978–1981 : Sandy Gall^[62]
• 1981–1984 : Robert J. Perryment^[63]
• 1985–1988 : Cllr. Hamish Watt
• 1988–1990 : Willis Pickard^[64]
• 1991–1993 : Colin Bell^[65]
• 1993–1996 : Ian Hamilton^[66]
• 1996–1998 : Dr Allan Macartney, M.E.P. (died whilst in office)
• 1998–2004 : Clarissa Dickson Wright^[67][68]
• 2005–2008 : Robin Harper, M.S.P.^[69][70]
• 2008–2011 : Stephen Robertson^[71]
• 2012–2014 : Maitland Mackie (died in office)^[72]
• 2014–2017 : Maggie Chapman^[3]

See also

• Aberdeen University Students' Association

References

1. "Back for Seconds. Clarissa to be re-installed as Rector of the University of Aberdeen" (Press release). University of Aberdeen. 8 May 2002.
2. Gaudie (Aberdeen University student newspaper), May 1996
3. "Scottish Greens co-convener elected University of Aberdeen rector". STV News. 14 November 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
4. Court
5. "Maggie Chapman named as new University of Aberdeen rector". BBC News. 14 November 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
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64. Who's Who in Scotland, June 2006
65. "Dr Colin Bell". Scots Independent. Retrieved 2008-08-17.
66. The Herald, November 5, 1993; pg. 6
67. "Fat Lady beats rivals to take job of Rector" The Scotsman, November 27, 1998; pg. 2
68. "Clarissa Dickson Wright" Aberdeen Press and Journal, November 15, 2001; pg. 4
69. "New university rector vows to work hard for students" Aberdeen Press and Journal, May 14, 2005; pg. 8
70. "Media Release: New Rector". University of Aberdeen. May 12, 2005. Retrieved 2008-08-17.
71. "Media Release: Doric entertainer is new University Rector". University of Aberdeen. May 8, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-17.
72. http://www.abdn.ac.uk/news/6333/

External links

• Aberdeen University official information about the Rector