Rector of The University of Dundee - History

History

The position of Rector in the ancient universities of Scotland dates back centuries and is one of the oldest offices in academic governance in Scotland. To this day, it only exists in the ancient universities of Scotland and at Dundee, which inherited some of the traditions and governance structure from the University of St Andrews.

The modern Rectorship evolved and was given legal status under the Universities (Scotland) Act 1889. Prior to 1967, the University of Dundee was an integral college of the University of St Andrews and styled as Queen's College Dundee or University College Dundee. The Rector of the University represented students at all the constituent colleges of St Andrews, including Queens College, Dundee. Therefore before its independence, the Rector of the University of St Andrews was Rector and the appropriate official for covering what was to become the University of Dundee.

On gaining independent university status in 1967, the position of Rector of the University of Dundee was created under Article 5 of the university's Royal Charter which states:

"There shall be a Rector of the University who shall be elected by the matriculated students of the University in such manner and for such period as may be prescribed by the Statutes."

Since 1967, there have been twelve Rectors of the University of Dundee, three of which have served two consecutive terms. Notable is the legend of unconfirmed certainty that a hamster was once nominated for the post. Its acceptance of the nomination was allegedly made with an ink-paw print, which was not permitted by the University on the grounds that true consent could not be assured and duress may have been involved. This legend may be based on the confirmed story of a goat named Mervyn who was nominated for the position in 1971, but rejected by the returning officer. Due to a dispute over the validity of the 1971 election result, an unofficial second poll was organised by the Students' Association, and Mervyn was permitted to stand in this. Although Mervyn did not win he beat Paul Foot for third place.