Rector of the University of Dundee facts for kids

Mark Beaumont, a former rector

The rector of the University of Dundee is like a special representative for the students at the University of Dundee. Students who are officially enrolled at the university get to choose their rector.

From 1967, when the university became independent from the University of St. Andrews, until 2010, the rector was always a full member of the University Court. This Court is the main group that runs the university. The rector could also choose someone else, called an assessor, to be a full member of the Court too.

After some changes in 2010, the rector now decides if they want to be a full member of the University Court themselves or if they want their assessor to have the full voting rights. If the rector doesn't take full membership, they can still see all the Court's papers and go to meetings, but they can't vote.

The current rector is Keith Harris. He used to be a student at the university and was chosen in 2021. He took over from Jim Spence, who was elected in 2019.

Besides their official duties, the rector's main job is to speak up for the students who elected them. Students choose a new rector every three years. The rector is officially welcomed in a special ceremony soon after they are elected. This ceremony is usually led by the university's Chancellor or Vice-Chancellor.

History of the Rector's Role

The job of a rector in Scotland's very old universities goes back many centuries. It's one of the oldest leadership roles in Scottish universities. Today, this role exists only in these ancient universities and at the University of Dundee. Dundee kept some of these old traditions from the University of St Andrews, which it used to be part of.

The modern rector role became official with a law called the Universities (Scotland) Act 1889. Before 1967, the University of Dundee was a college of the University of St Andrews. It was known as Queen's College, Dundee, or University College, Dundee. The rector of the University of St Andrews represented students from all its colleges, including the one that became the University of Dundee. So, before Dundee became independent, the St Andrews rector was also the rector for Dundee's students.

When the University of Dundee became an independent university in 1967, it created its own Rector position. This was set out in its Royal Charter, which is like its founding document. It says:

"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, the University of Dundee has had thirteen rectors. Three of them served two terms in a row. There's a fun story, though it's not fully confirmed, that a hamster was once nominated for the job! Its "acceptance" was supposedly a paw print, but the university didn't allow it. They said they couldn't be sure the hamster truly agreed. This story might come from a real event in 1971 when a goat named Mervyn was nominated. Mervyn wasn't allowed to stand in the official election. However, students organized their own unofficial vote, and Mervyn was allowed to run. He didn't win, but he did beat a journalist named Paul Foot for third place!

What the Rector Does Today

As mentioned, the rector position is common in Scotland's ancient universities of Scotland. Rectors exist at the Universities of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and St Andrews. Together, these rectors form a group called the Scottish Rectors Group.

Rectors can also choose a "rector's assessor." This assessor can do the rector's job if the rector is away from the university. Sometimes, like when Lorraine Kelly or Tony Slattery were rectors, their assessors did most of the work. Lorraine Kelly was known for helping with many fundraising and charity events for the university.

How Rectors Are Chosen and Welcomed

To become a rector, a candidate needs fifty signatures from students to be nominated. Before the election, the Students' Association usually holds a debate called the "Hecklings." Here, all the candidates get to explain why they should be chosen. Candidates also often visit the university campus on election day to ask for last-minute support, helped by a team of students. A university official, usually the Academic Secretary, organizes the election.

If there's a tie between two candidates, the Chancellor of the university makes the final decision. People who work at the University of Dundee or students from other universities cannot run for rector. The election always happens in January or February. The exact day is decided by the university's Senate and the Students' Association.

The installation ceremony, where the rector is officially welcomed, usually takes place two or three months after the election. In the past, this ceremony was held in the Caird Hall in the city center. More recently, it has been held in the university's own Bonar Hall. The last ceremony was moved to a larger lecture theatre because so many people wanted to attend! The Chancellor (or Vice-Chancellor) officially installs the rector. Then, the president of the Students' Association introduces the new rector to the students. After meeting with the Lord Provost of Dundee, the rector is traditionally "dragged" in the university's carriage from Dundee City Chambers to the university. A sports team usually pulls the carriage, and they often stop at local pubs for drinks along the way!

List of Rectors

Sir Peter Ustinov

1968 – Peter Ustinov

Served two terms

Installation: October 16, 1968

Sir Peter Ustinov was a famous actor, writer, and diplomat. He was the very first rector of the newly independent University of Dundee. Peter Ustinov was first elected in February 1968 after an exciting campaign. He won with 489 votes.

Many students voted, with 1535 out of about 2100 students participating. As rector, Ustinov helped the role become more active in university politics, especially in talking with students. In the February 1971 election, he won again by a very small margin. A room in the university's Bonar Hall is named after him, and it has a sculpture of him.

Ustinov received an honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D) degree from the university in 1969. He is the only rector to have received this honor while still in office.

1974 – Clement Freud, MP

Served two terms.

Installation: October 25, 1974

Clement Freud was a writer, broadcaster, and politician. He later became a knight.

He was also elected Rector of the University of St Andrews later on.

1980 – Lord Mackie of Benshie

The Baron Mackie of Benshie was a politician. He was elected in 1980. Another politician, Teddy Taylor, decided not to run at the last minute. Craig Murray, who later became a rector himself, helped Lord Mackie with his campaign.

1983 – Gordon Wilson, MP

Gordon Wilson was a Member of Parliament for Dundee East and the leader of the Scottish National Party at the time. Wilson often spoke out against government cuts to education. Gordon Wilson received an honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D) degree from the university in 1986.

1986 – Malcolm Bruce, MP

Malcolm Bruce was a politician and a Member of Parliament for Gordon. He was also the president of the Liberal Club at the University of St Andrews.

1989 – Paul Henderson Scott

Paul Henderson Scott was a Scottish writer and historian. He was a long-time member of the Scottish National Party.

1992 – Stephen Fry

Stephen Fry

Served two terms.

Installation: October 29, 1992; November 1, 1995

Stephen Fry is a well-known comedian, author, actor, and filmmaker. His speech as rector was called "Think of a lobster." He encouraged students not to get too caught up in everyday worries. He reportedly turned down a similar offer from the University of St Andrews to be their rector, choosing Dundee instead.

The main bar in the Students' Association building is named after his book, The Liar. Fry received an honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D) degree from the university in 1995.

1998 – Tony Slattery

Tony Slattery is an actor and comedian. He was installed as rector shortly after his father passed away. He found some of the public events challenging and eventually stopped attending the University Court meetings.

He appointed Jason Wassell as his assessor. Jason Wassell became his spokesperson on university matters when Tony was not in Dundee.

2001 – Fred MacAulay

Fred MacAulay is a Scottish comedian and radio presenter. He studied accountancy at the University of Dundee.

He ran against other well-known people like television presenter Richard Whiteley. David Hasselhoff was also nominated but had to decline because he could only visit the university once a year. MacAulay received an honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D) degree from the university in 2005.

2004 – Lorraine Kelly

Lorraine Kelly

Election: February 27, 2004 Installation: April 28, 2004

Lorraine Kelly is a television presenter from East Kilbride. She won against other candidates. Lorraine Kelly received an honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D) degree from the university in 2008.

2007 – Craig Murray

Election: February 16, 2007 Installation: September 26, 2007

Craig Murray is a former British Ambassador. He also studied at the University of Dundee and was president of the Students' Association twice. Murray was elected by students on February 16, 2007, winning with 632 votes. He beat former Scotland rugby captain Andy Nicol.

Craig Murray's installation took place on September 26, 2007. In his speech, he talked about education in Scotland and making the university better for students.

2010 – Brian Cox

Election: February 12, 2010

Informal Installation in Student Union: October 25, 2010 Formal Installation at Caird Hall: November 17, 2010

Brian Cox, a famous film and stage actor, was born in Dundee. He also helped raise money for the university's £21 million Sir James Black Centre. Cox won the election with 1034 votes.

Brian Cox was re-elected without anyone running against him in 2013. He received an honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D) degree from the university in 1993.

2016 – Mark Beaumont

In January 2016, it was announced that cyclist Mark Beaumont had been elected as rector. He was the only candidate running, taking over from Brian Cox.

2019 – Jim Spence

In February 2019, broadcaster Jim Spence was chosen as the new rector, following Mark Beaumont. Spence, who earned a law degree from the university in 1986, said he was "deeply honored" to be chosen.

In March 2021, he announced he would step down as rector. He explained that changes in his other commitments meant he couldn't spend enough time supporting students.

2021 – Keith Harris

A special election was held at the end of November 2021 to find a replacement for Jim Spence. Artist's Manager Keith Harris won the election with 101 votes. Harris is a former student of the university and a past president of the Dundee University Students' Association. He said he wanted to "make sure that all students are positively impacted by their time at the university."