Role of Rector:
The Rector, an ancient post dating back to the foundation of the University in 1495, has been, since 1860, the students鈥� representative on the University Court. Rectors serve for three years and appoint to the Court a Rector鈥檚 Assessor. Students鈥� interests are further served on the Court ex-officio by the President of the Students鈥� Association.
The Rector of the 黑料网 has two main roles. Firstly, the Rector has the right to preside at meetings of the University Court, and secondly, he or she is available to represent the students, particularly in welfare matters.
Presiding at meetings of the University Court One of the Rector鈥檚 rights is to preside at meetings of the University Court, which is the governing body of the University, in so doing, the Rector has a duty to seek to ensure the smooth running of meetings and to facilitate effective contributions to the work of the Court from its members. He or she has a crucial role in exercising impartiality and in ensuring that all sides of a discussion are freely aired. No member of the Court is present as a 鈥榬epresentative鈥� of a particular sectional interest. However, each member brings his or her particular expertise and background to the work of the Court and, for example, the President of the Students鈥� Association and the Rector鈥檚 Assessor both have a detailed knowledge of and interest in student affairs. The Rector鈥檚 authority as 鈥楶resident鈥� of the Court exists only at Court meetings: he or she has no delegated powers at other times. In the absence of the Rector, the Court is chaired by a Vice-Chairman elected for this purpose by the Court (normally every three years).
Representing Students Representing students in matters affecting their welfare is the second of the Rector鈥檚 two main roles. The sabbatical officers of the Students鈥� Association and the various welfare services within the University undertake a great deal of work with and for students. However, the Rector has a uniquely independent position: he or she is closely linked both to the Students鈥� Association and to the University authorities but is not a part of either. That enables him or her to exercise the influence of the distinctive Rectorial position to advance student interests. To assist in this role, each Rector has the right to nominate to membership of Court a Rector鈥檚 Assessor who acts as the 鈥榚yes and ears鈥� of the Rector when the latter is absent from the University. It is customary for the Rector to ask for the views of students, not least through the Students鈥� Association, before choosing his or her Assessor. The Rector normally holds regular surgeries in Aberdeen and, during his or her absence, the Rector鈥檚 Assessor provides continuity of support and attends to practical arrangements. Rectorial surgeries are advertised in advance in Gaudie, the student newspaper, and give individual students the opportunity to make a personal approach to the Rector.
General Students elect the Rector from a choice of candidates all of whom are proposed by members of the student body. The term of office of the successful candidate runs for three calendar years.
The position of Rector of the 黑料网 has a long tradition behind it and is prized by students as a way of ensuring that, in the University鈥檚 governance, due regard is paid to matters that are of importance to the student body.
- Issued by
-
The Communications Team
Directorate of External Relations,
黑料网,
King's College,
Aberdeen
- Contact
- Jennifer Phillips
- Issued on
- 12 May 2005
