View source for Rector of the University of St Andrews

{{Criticism section|date=October 2024}}
{{EngvarB|date=November 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{Infobox official post
| post                     = Rector
| body                     = the University of St Andrews
| image                    =
| imagesize                = 230px
| alt                      = Leyla Hussein, Previous Rector
| incumbent                = Stella Maris
| incumbentsince           = 2023
| member_of                = University Court
| reports_to               = 
| residence                = 
| seat                     = 
| appointer                = Elected by all the matriculated students of the University
| termlength               = 3 years
| constituting_instrument  = [[Universities (Scotland) Act 1858]]
| formation                = 1858 (in modern form)
| first                    = [[Anstruther baronets|Sir Ralph Anstruther]], 4th [[Baronet|Bt.]]
| website                  = {{URL|st-andrews.ac.uk/about/governance/key-officials/rector/}}
}}

The '''Lord Rector of the University of St Andrews''' is an elected position, usually also the president of the [[Governance of the University of St Andrews|University Court]] of the [[University of St Andrews]]; the University Court is the supreme governing body of the university.

==Overview==
The Rector is elected every three years by the [[matriculation|matriculated students]] of the university.<ref name="rector">{{Cite web|url=https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/about/governance/key-officials/rector/|title=Rector {{!}} University of St Andrews|website=www.st-andrews.ac.uk|publisher=University of St Andrews|access-date=30 April 2017}}</ref><ref name="scottish_rector">{{Cite web|url=https://www.abdn.ac.uk/documents/scottish-university-rector.pdf|title=The Scottish University Rector – Introduction to the role of University Rector in Scotland|year=2007|website=abdn.ac.uk|publisher=Scottish Rectors' Group|access-date=30 April 2017}}</ref> The current office of [[Rector (academia)|Rector]], sometimes termed Lord Rector, was instituted by the [[Universities (Scotland) Act 1858]], passed by the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]]. The Universities (Scotland) Acts regulate the governance of the [[ancient universities of Scotland]], and require the election of a Rector for the universities of [[Rector of the University of Aberdeen|Aberdeen]], [[Rector of the University of Edinburgh|Edinburgh]], [[Rector of the University of Glasgow|Glasgow]], and St Andrews.<ref name="act_1858">{{Cite legislation UK|type=act|year=1858|chapter=83|act=Universities (Scotland) Act 1858}}</ref> The newer [[University of Dundee]] also elects a Rector due to its historical ties to St Andrews, whereas other modern universities do not.<ref name="scottish_rector" />

Since 1970 the Rector has appointed a student as Rector's Assessor, who is a full voting member of the University Court, and also serves as a member of the [[students' representative council]]. As of September 2023 the position of Rector's Assessor has been vacant.<ref name="assessor">{{Cite web|title=Rector's Assessor|url=https://www.yourunion.net/representation/officers/rectors-assessor/|access-date=30 April 2017|work=yourunion.net|publisher=University of St Andrews Students' Association}}</ref><ref name="ordinance121">{{cite web|title=The Acts, Ordinances and Resolutions Affecting the University of St Andrews|url=https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/assets/university/about/governance/documents/ordinances-resolutions/acts-ordinances-resolutions-university-court.pdf|website=st-andrews.ac.uk|publisher=University of St Andrews|access-date=21 April 2017|page=83|date=February 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421194735/https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/assets/university/about/governance/documents/ordinances-resolutions/acts-ordinances-resolutions-university-court.pdf|archive-date=21 April 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

==Term of Rector Stella Maris==
In December 2023, the university hired [[King's Counsel]] Morag Ross (or Morag Ross KC) to conduct an independent investigation<ref name=":2" /> into the role and actions of Rector Stella Maris after she sent a campus-wide email<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Rector's Email |url=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mKB8zFU3gAmUgYnFK5TgJsJBV4Ax3TaKE22mJQ7TTIc/edit?tab=t.0 |access-date=}}</ref> on 21 November 2023 to 10,000 students.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.st-andrews.ac.uk/archive/statement-from-the-court-of-the-university-of-st-andrews-university-court-discharges-rector|title=Statement from the Court of the University of St Andrews – University Court Discharges Rector &#124; University of St Andrews news|website=news.st-andrews.ac.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=August 2024 |title=Statement from the Court of the University of St Andrews – Investigator appointed |url=https://news.st-andrews.ac.uk/archive/statement-from-the-court-of-the-university-of-st-andrews-investigator-appointed |website=University of St Andrews}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=St Andrews University rector dismissed after 'Gaza genocide' comments |url=https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/st-andrews-university-rector-dismissed-after-gaza-genocide-comments-eztic1py |website=[[The Jewish Chronicle]]}}</ref> In the email, she condemned both the [[October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel|Hamas-led October 7 massacres]] and the actions of Israel, who she accused of "genocidal attacks" and "imposing apartheid" on Palestinians.<ref name=bbc-20231125>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-67529665 |title=St Andrews University rector urged to apologise over Israel 'genocide' claim |work=BBC News |date=25 November 2023 |access-date=3 August 2024}}</ref><ref name=standrews-20231215>{{cite web |url=https://news.st-andrews.ac.uk/archive/statement-from-the-court-of-the-university-of-st-andrews|title=Statement from the Court of the University of St Andrews |website=University of St Andrews |date=15 December 2023 |access-date=3 August 2024}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> She also condemned both [[antisemitism]] and [[islamophobia]], and concluded by writing: "my words are not intended to justify violence or dismiss the pain of any community . . . while I acknowledge that some may not agree with my perspective, it is imperative to state unequivocally that peace is my guiding philosophy."<ref name=":3" /> Since her statement, the [[International Court of Justice]] have [[Gaza genocide|declared a "plausible genocide" in Gaza]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-05 |title=The ICJ’s Findings on Plausible Genocide in Gaza and its Implications for the International Criminal Court |url=https://opiniojuris.org/2024/04/05/the-icjs-findings-on-plausible-genocide-in-gaza-and-its-implications-for-the-international-criminal-court/ |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=Opinio Juris |language=en-US}}</ref> with human rights organizations like [[Amnesty International]] concluding there is [[Gaza genocide|"sufficient evidence of genocide"]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-05 |title=Amnesty International concludes Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/12/amnesty-international-concludes-israel-is-committing-genocide-against-palestinians-in-gaza/ |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=Amnesty International |language=en}}</ref> 

The email, alongside the ensuing heated exchange between Maris and opposing users on her official [[Instagram]], drew mixed reactions from members of the community.<ref>{{cite news|website=[[Jewish News]]|url=https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/st-andrews-universitys-genocide-row-rector-suggests-she-is-three-fold-victim|title=St Andrews University's genocide row rector suggests she is threefold victim|date=August 2024}}</ref> On 26 November 2023, the University's Jewish Society (JSoc) released a statement voicing concern over the content of Maris' email and calling on her to resign. They claimed that "her words were harmful divisive, and not based in fact", and that the email was "significantly different" from the draft which had been shared with the JSoc. They also expressed concern that the email had cited materials from the "[[The Electronic Intifada|Electronic Intifada]]", a publication which has been accused of [[antisemitism]].<ref>{{cite web|website=[[Instagram]]|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/C0HA5pRsSvk|title=Statement from the University of St Andrews Jewish Society regarding the Rector's recent email}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Morag Ross KC's independent investigation report |url=https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/assets/university/about/documents/governance/court/independent-investigation-29-July-2024.pdf |page=22}}</ref> On the other hand, an opposing open letter, which St Andrews Amnesty International Society estimated to have received 1,106 signatures from students, thanked Maris for her "courageous stance", asserting that her "call for a cease-fire, [condemnation of] the death of all civilians, and advocacy for the Palestinian people have not only demonstrated [her] commitment to peace but have also inspired a sense of pride in the St Andrews community."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Oborne |first=Edith |date=2025-03-20 |title=“It is not true”: Rector Stella Maris accuses the University of St Andrews of misrepresentation |url=https://www.thesaint.scot/post/it-is-not-true-rector-stella-maris-accuses-the-university-of-st-andrews-of-misrepresentation |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=The Saint |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Open Letter For Rector Maris |url=https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfPWf170ZJyjS_Algdg3deQ18QGM4EZ60BXa29qmkuwA1uAzQ/viewform}}</ref> A later open letter released in May 2024 from the University College Union called on the University to [[Divestment|divest]] from institutions “complicit in [[Gaza genocide|Israel’s genocide in Gaza]]” and received 1,072 signatures from staff and students.<ref name=":0" />

The university leadership voiced concern over the possibility that her email would "bring division and hatred [and reinforce a] narrative that drives violent antisemitism [[antisemitism#Geographical distribution|around the world]]", and "might encourage the expression of antisemitism by others". Morag Ross KC's independent investigation concluded<ref name=":2">{{cite web|website=University of St Andrews|url=https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/assets/university/about/documents/governance/court/independent-investigation-29-July-2024.pdf|title=Morag Ross KC's independent investigation report}}</ref> that there was "no such intention" but rather "a conceivable outcome", and that Maris had shown "poor judgement". The report also accused Maris of causing"reputational damage" to the University, and ignoring advice from University authorities before sending her email, when the University's Vice Principal (Governance) warned her that her email's draft was "virulently anti-Israel" in tone.<ref>{{Cite web| title=Independent investigation report - Summary | url=https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/assets/university/about/documents/governance/court/independent-investigation-29-July-2024.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240801111900/https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/assets/university/about/documents/governance/court/independent-investigation-29-July-2024.pdf | archive-date=2024-08-01}}</ref> Nonetheless, the report ulttimately concluded that it was unclear there was "a breach of the relevant obligations", and that "dismissal would be a disproportionate response."<ref name=":2" />

On 1 August 2024, the University Court announced that "after extensive efforts over a protracted period to seek a [[mediation|resolution]] with her proved unsuccessful", it had "no choice" but to dismiss Maris from the court and consequently as a trustee of the university, albeit while allowing her to retain the title of Rector for the remainder of her tenure. They alleged that she had refused to accept the findings of the independent investigation, and had refused the university's efforts, over three months, to hold a useful dialogue with her, and to take part in outside [[mediation]] so that differences could be resolved. Maris denied the accusation that she had refused to accept the findings of the investigation, accusing the University of "bias" and "misrepresentation", as well as "lack of respect" for the role of rector.<ref name="Instagram">{{cite web |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18421481074069877/}}</ref><ref name="guardian-20240801">{{cite news |last=Siddique |first=Haroon |date=1 August 2024 |title=St Andrews rector dismissed from governing body over Israel genocide accusation |url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/article/2024/aug/01/st-andrews-university-rector-dismissed-governing-body-israel-genocide-accusation |access-date=3 August 2024 |newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref><ref name="standrews-20240801" /> On 13 August 2024, she appealed the decision to the Chancellor of the University, with the support of the European Legal Support Centre.<ref name="guardian-20240801" /><ref name="standrews-20240801">{{cite web |url=https://news.st-andrews.ac.uk/archive/statement-from-the-court-of-the-university-of-st-andrews-university-court-discharges-rector/ |title=Statement from the Court of the University of St Andrews – University Court Discharges Rector |website=University of St Andrews |date=1 August 2024 |access-date=3 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Defend Free Speech Against Genocide at our Campuses - Support Rector Stella Maris {{!}} European Legal Support Center (Powered by Donorbox) |url=https://donorbox.org/stellamaris#info |access-date=2025-05-02 |website=donorbox.org |language=en}}</ref> Maris also received pro-bono services from a [[London]]-based PR firm, specialised in legal sector communications and building and protecting reputations, to assist her public statements.<ref>{{cite news|website=Jewish News|url=https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/st-andrews-university-dismiss-rector-stella-maris-morag-ross|title=St Andrews University had 'no choice' but to dismiss rector from key roles}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | title=Byfield - Reputation Counsel - Legal PR | url=https://byfieldconsultancy.com/ | access-date=2025-02-17 | website=byfieldconsultancy.com}}</ref>

An open letter issued in August 2024 by various St Andrews societies, including Amnesty International, the Muslim Student’s Association, Middle East and North Africa Society, BAME Students Network and the Socialist Worker Student Society, professed support for Maris as well as concern over "a specific, unnamed donor withdrawing funding as a result of Stella’s statement", which they alleged was "a key motivating factor for the University’s investigation and decision".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Statement of solidarity |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/C-LM0Woo5Vg/?igsh=ZWlteDc2emVyMnd1 |website=Instagram}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Oborne |first=Simon Ezra-Jackson and Edith |date=2025-04-03 |title=University Withholds Name of Donor Mentioned in Stella Maris Report |url=https://www.thesaint.scot/post/university-withholds-name-of-donor-mentioned-in-stella-maris-report |access-date=2025-05-02 |website=The Saint |language=en}}</ref> KC Ross's report listed the University leadership's concern over a specific donor, with the name of the group redacted.<ref name=":2" /> The [[Wolfson Foundation]], a charity known for supporting pro-Israeli causes, has since been named as the donor.<ref>{{cite news |title=Israel-linked donor threatened to pull St Andrews grant in Gaza row |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/25170565.israel-linked-donor-threatened-pull-st-andrews-grant-gaza-row/ |work=The National |publisher=National World |date=2025-02-18 |access-date=2025-06-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=St Andrews University donor nearly pulled £2m over rector row |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/5246684/st-andrews-rector-wolfson-foundation-donation/ |work=The Courier |publisher=DC Thomson |date=2025-05-15 |access-date=2025-06-28}}</ref> Maris also received support from many outside of the University, including over 500 academics from universities across 17 countries, the [[BRISMES]] Committee on Academic Freedom, the [[University and College Union|University College Union]] (UCU), and [[Ghassan Abu-Sittah|Prof Ghassan Abu-Sittah]], the rector of the University of Glasgow and a surgeon who provided testimony on Israel’s war in Gaza after operating during the conflict.<ref name=":1" /><ref name="guardian-20240801" /> An open letter signed by over sixty "prominent human rights advocates, academics, writers, artists, filmmakers and Israeli dissidents" condemned her dismissal and called for her to be reinstated.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reinstate Stella Maris |url=https://www.paih.org/reinstate-stella-maris |access-date=2025-05-02 |website=Positive Action in Housing |language=en}}</ref>

On 29 April 2025, the University Chancellor Menzies Campbell ruled in Maris' favour in her appeal against dismissal as president of the university court. As a result, Maris will be fully reinstated as Rector until her term runs out in October 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-01 |title=St Andrews rector wins appeal over Gaza 'genocide' claim |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy0z1elj1zo |access-date=2025-05-02 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Oborne |first=Edith |date=2025-05-02 |title=Stella Maris Fully Reinstated as Rector After Winning Appeal |url=https://www.thesaint.scot/post/stella-maris-fully-reinstated-as-rector-after-winning-appeal |access-date=2025-05-02 |website=The Saint |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2025-05-01 |title=St Andrews rector wins appeal after dismissal over Gaza comments |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/25131959.st-andrews-rector-wins-appeal-gaza-dismissal/ |access-date=2025-05-02 |website=The National |language=en}}</ref> The impartiality of the University investigation has been called into question. Principal Mapstone met with a number of British government ministers during the process, including MP [[Robert Halfon]] and [[John Mann, Baron Mann]], causing members of the St Andrews community to raise concern over the influence of "outside voices".<ref>{{cite news |title=UK government intervened in Gaza genocide row at St Andrews University |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/25187498.uk-government-intervened-gaza-genocide-row-st-andrews-university/ |work=The National |publisher=Newsquest |date=2025-02-18 |access-date=2025-06-29}}</ref> University Vice Principal and governance chief Alastair Merrill communicated directly with KC Ross before her report was published, including over private lunches, leading MSP [[Mark Ruskell]] to say the investigation was “stacked against” Rector Maris.<ref>{{cite news |title=St Andrews University boss' lunch offer to judge investigating rector |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/politics/scottish-politics/5243541/st-andrews-university-alastair-merrill-lady-ross-kc-judge-rector/ |work=The Courier |publisher=DC Thomson |date=2025-06-26 |access-date=2025-06-29 }}</ref> University representatives rejected that there was any undue influence.<ref>{{cite news |title=How University of St Andrews chief secretly shaped rector probe |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/politics/scottish-politics/5247035/university-st-andrews-rector-emails-investigation/ |work=The Courier |publisher=DC Thomson |date=2025-06-27 |access-date=2025-06-29}}</ref>

==List of rectors==
{| class="wikitable"
|+Rectors of the University of St Andrews<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yourunion.net/voice/rectorelection/previousrectors/|title=Previous rectors|publisher=yourunion.net|access-date=23 July 2017}}</ref> 
!'''#'''
!Name 
!Years served
|-
|'''1'''
|[[Anstruther baronets|Sir Ralph Anstruther, 4th Bt.]]
|1859–1862
|-
|'''2'''
|[[Sir William Stirling-Maxwell, 9th Baronet|William Stirling-Maxwell, MP]]
|1862–1865
|-
|'''3'''
|[[John Stuart Mill]]
|1865–1868
|-
|'''4'''
|[[James Anthony Froude|J.A. Froude]]
|1868–1871
|-
|'''5'''
|[[Charles Neaves, Lord Neaves]]
|1872–1874
|-
|'''6'''
|Dr. [[Arthur Penrhyn Stanley]]
|1874–1877
|-
|'''7'''
|[[Roundell Palmer, 1st Earl of Selborne]]
|1877–1880
|-
|'''8'''
|[[Sir Theodore Martin]]
|1880–1883
|-
|'''9'''
|[[Donald Mackay, 11th Lord Reay]]
|1884–1886
|-
|'''10'''
|[[Arthur Balfour|A.J. Balfour]]
|1886–1889
|-
|'''11'''
|[[Frederick Hamilton-Temple-Blackwood, 1st Marquess of Dufferin and Ava]]
|1889–1892
|-
|'''12'''
|[[Lord Patrick Crichton-Stuart|Lord Patrick Crichton-Stuart, The 3rd Marquess of Bute]]
|1892–1898
|-
|'''13'''
|[[James Stuart (scientist)|James Stuart, MP]]
|1898–1901
|-
|'''14'''
|[[Andrew Carnegie]]
|1901–1907
|-
|'''15'''
|[[John Lubbock, 1st Baron Avebury]]
|1907–1910
|-
|'''16'''
|[[Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery]]
|1910–1913
|-
|'''17'''
|[[John Hamilton-Gordon, 1st Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair]]
|1913–1916
|-
|'''18'''
|[[Field marshal|Field Marshal]] [[Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig]]
|1916–1919
|-
|'''19'''
|[[Sir James Matthew Barrie|Sir James M. Barrie]]
|1919–1922
|-
|'''20'''
|[[Rudyard Kipling]]
|1922–1925
|-
|'''21'''
|[[Fridtjof Nansen]]
|1925–1928
|-
|'''22'''
|[[Wilfred Grenfell|Sir Wilfred Grenfell]]
|1928–1931
|-
|'''23'''
|[[Field marshal|Field Marshal]] [[Jan Smuts]]
|1931–1934
|-
|'''24'''
|[[Guglielmo Marconi|Guglielmo Marconi, 1st Marquess of Marconi]]
|1934–1937
|-
|'''25'''
|[[Robert MacGregor Mitchell|Lord MacGregor Mitchell]]
|1937–1938 
|-
|'''26'''
|[[David Munro (physician)|Sir David Munro]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zEZAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uIgMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6227%2C119883|title=Rectorial Installation at St Andrews|date=1 April 1939|work=The Glasgow Herald|access-date=6 September 2017|page=15}}</ref>
|1938–1946 
|-
|'''27'''
|[[George Cunningham (governor)|Sir George Cunningham]]
|1946–1949
|-
|'''28'''
|[[David Cecil, 6th Marquess of Exeter]]
|1949–1952
|-
|'''29'''
|[[David Lindsay, 28th Earl of Crawford]]
|1952–1955
|-
|'''30'''
|[[David Maxwell Fyfe, 1st Earl of Kilmuir]]
|1955–1958
|-
|'''31'''
|[[Robert Boothby, Baron Boothby]]
|1958–1961
|-
|'''32'''
|[[C. P. Snow]]
|1961–1964
|-
|'''33'''
|Sir [[John Rothenstein]]
|1964–1967
|-
|'''34'''
|[[Learie Constantine|Sir Learie Nicholas Constantine (Baron Constantine from 1969)]]
|1967–1970
|-
|'''35'''
|[[John Cleese]]
|1970–1973
|-
|'''36'''
|[[Alan Coren]]
|1973–1976
|-
|'''37'''
|[[Frank Muir]]
|1976–1979
|-
|'''38'''
|[[Tim Brooke-Taylor]]
|1979–1982
|-
|'''39'''
|[[Katharine Whitehorn]]
|1982–1985
|-
|'''40'''
|[[Stanley Adams (whistleblower)|Stanley Adams]]
|1985–1988
|-
|'''41'''
|[[Nicholas Parsons]]
|1988–1991
|-
|'''42'''
|[[Nicky Campbell]]
|1991–1993
|-
|'''43'''
|[[Donald Findlay]]
|1993–1999
|-
|'''44'''
|[[Andrew Neil]]
|1999–2002
|-
|'''45'''
|Sir [[Clement Freud]]
|2002–2005
|-
|'''46'''
|[[Simon Pepper]]
|2005–2008
|-
|'''47'''
|[[Kevin Dunion]]
|2008–2011
|-
|'''48'''
|[[Alistair Moffat]]
|2011–2014
|-
|'''49'''
|[[Catherine Stihler]]
|2014–2017
|-
|'''50'''
|[[Srđa Popović (activist)|Srđa Popović]]
|2017–2020
|-
| '''51'''
|[[Leyla Hussein]]
|2020–2023
|-
|'''52'''
|Stella Maris
|2023–Present
|}

==See also==
* [[Ancient university governance in Scotland]]
* [[Governance of the University of St Andrews]]
* [[Chancellor of the University of St Andrews]]
* [[Principal of the University of St Andrews]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/about/governance/key-officials/rector/ The Rector of the University of St Andrews]

{{University of St Andrews}}
{{Rectors of the University of St Andrews|state=expanded}}
{{University officials of the Ancient Universities of Scotland}}

[[Category:Rectors of the University of St Andrews|*]]
[[Category:Lists of rectors of Scottish universities|St Andrews, Rector of University]]