Robin Harper installed as Rector of the University of Aberdeen

01 January 2004

The University community will be given the chance to see the installation of Robin Harper MSP, as Rector for the University of Aberdeen, at a ceremony at King's College Chapel on Monday, September 19.

Robin Harper joined the Scottish Green Party in 1985 and is now the party’s co-convener. He stood at various elections and became the first UK Green parliamentarian when he was elected to the Scottish Parliament in 1999. Spectacular electoral success followed in 2003, when Robin returned to the Parliament with another six Green MSPs. Mr Harper was Rector of the University of Edinburgh from 2000 to 2003.

Robin has taken over from celebrity cook Clarissa Dickson Wright who took a high-profile approach to the job of Rector and made history in 1998 when she became the first woman Rector at Aberdeen in more than 500 years.

The ceremony next week at King's College Chapel will start at 11.00am with a colourful academic procession representing civic, student and academic life in Aberdeen and the University has been gifted with a new Rectorial Mace which will be used in the proceedings.

Speaking ahead of his installation, he said: “I am delighted that I have been successful in being elected as the new Rector for the University of Aberdeen. I can give an absolute guarantee that I will have frequent contact with the students over the ensuing years and perform my duties with the commitment and dedication that the students and the University deserves.”

University staff and students, along with representatives from the City and Aberdeenshire Councils, Incorporated Trades, MSPs, and guests of Robin Harper have been invited to attend the ceremony. An installation reception will be held immediately following the ceremony in a marquee on the playing fields at the University.

Students' Association President, Paul Richards, is looking forward to working with Robin Harper. He said: "To have someone of Robin's calibre representing students at the University Court and within the Scottish Executive is a fantastic opportunity for all our students.

"I am very pleased that Aberdeen's students have elected Robin and the Students' Association is confident that Robin can act as an inspiration to them."

Attending Monday's ceremony will be Donald Wintersgill, a retired Scots journalist, who has kindly gifted to the University the new Rectorial Mace. He has been involved in the designing of the mace and carried out most of the making for the University and is looking forward to seeing it being used for the first time by Robin Harper.

He said: "The design of the new Rectorial Mace is partly in the tradition of maces - for example, the ones that the University already has - and partly from the traditional design for crowns, which have an orb and cross on the top.

"I took this theme, recognising a visual link with the "crown" on the tower of King's College Chapel. The top of the mace has three coats of arms in enamels: the coats of arms of the University, Marischal College and King's College. The orb and cross signify that Christ rules the world."

Following the ceremony, the Rector will be carried from the marquee to The St. Machar Bar - aboard Angus the Bull, the student mascot - where he will buy his student supporters the traditional round of drinks.

Notes for Editors

The following photo opportunities are available for news crews and photographers:

· 10.55am Academic procession leaves Linklater Rooms for King's College Chapel

· 11.00am Ceremony begins, and Robin Harper will be officially installed by Paul Richards, President of the Students Association during the ceremony at King's College Chapel. He will also deliver an address to the audience.

· 11.45am (approx.) Academic procession leaves King's College Chapel and return to the Linklater Rooms to derobe before joining guests at the marquee.

· 1.00pm Robin Harper will be carried by the student mascot, Angus the Bull, to The St Machar Bar where he will follow tradition and buy a round of drinks for his student supporters.

Members of the media wishing to cover the installation of Rector and Rectorial Address should meet Angela Ferguson outside the King's College Centre, in the Quadrangle, at the University of Aberdeen at 10.45am. For further information, please telephone the Communications Office on: (01224) 272960.

A copy of Robin Harper’s speech is available for the media and can be sent electronically.

Notes to Editors:

Born in Thurso, Robin Harper was educated in London and at Elgin Academy, before attending the University of Aberdeen. He graduated in 1962 and entered the teaching profession. He worked at schools in Aberdeen, Fife, Glasgow and Midlothian as well as in Kenya, before settling in Edinburgh, where he taught at Boroughmuir High School between 1972 and 1999.

He joined the Scottish Green Party in 1985 and rose to become its leader. He stood at various elections, but became the first UK Green parliamentarian when he was elected to the Scottish Parliament in 1999. Spectacular electoral success followed in 2003, when Harper returned to Parliament with another six Green MSPs.

He served as Rector of the University of Edinburgh (2001-3).

Role of Rector:

The Rector, an ancient post dating back to the foundation of the University in 1495, has been, since 1860, the students’ representative on the University Court. Rectors serve for three years and appoint to the Court a Rector’s Assessor. Students’ interests are further served on the Court ex-officio by the President of the Students’ Association.

The Rector of the University of Aberdeen 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’s 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 ‘representative’ 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’ Association and the Rector’s Assessor both have a detailed knowledge of and interest in student affairs. The Rector’s authority as ‘President’ 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’s two main roles. The sabbatical officers of the Students’ 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’ 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’s Assessor who acts as the ‘eyes and ears’ 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’ Association, before choosing his or her Assessor. The Rector normally holds regular surgeries in Aberdeen and, during his or her absence, the Rector’s 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 There is a potential conflict in the Rector’s role: he or she is both an advocate on behalf of the student body and the impartial president of the University’s governing body. In practice, that potential conflict has not become a reality at Aberdeen.

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 University of Aberdeen has a long tradition behind it and is prized by students as a way of ensuring that, in the University’s governance, due regard is paid to matters that are of importance to the student body.

Issued by: The Communications Team
Directorate of External Relations, University of Aberdeen, King's College, Aberdeen
Contact: Angela Ferguson
Issued on: 01 January 2004

Robin Harper installed as Rector of the University of Aberdeen

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