The Lord Rector of the University of St Andrews is the President of University Court, and plays an informal, pastoral role for students. Since 1858, the Rector has been elected by students every 3 years. They are completely independent and external to the University, and represent the student community.
University Court is the highest governing body of the University. It exists to oversee the management of the University, with special emphasis on strategic leadership and accountability. The Principal leads the actual management of the University, but they are accountable to the Court, which comprises senior staff and a majority of unpaid, external, independent 'lay' members, meeting about four times a year. Court is the place where many University issues are decided: budget allocations, financial policies, academic policies, estate development and capital projects, staff and student provisions.
The Rector can open doors and help to release log-jams where the formals mechanisms for resolving issues appear to fail. A Rector with the time, sincerity and commitment to get to know the student body and engage with their issues, and the skills to influence effectively, can make a valuable contribution to the student experience, as well as to the life and reputation of the whole University.
Current Rector
Stella Maris is the current Rector, taking on the role in October 2023.
With her diverse background and unwavering commitment to student welfare, embraces the role of Rector of the University of St Andrews with both empathy and expertise. Born in Nigeria and relocating to England during her formative years, she achieved her MA (Hons) in English and Philosophy at St Andrews in 2023. Throughout her academic journey, Stella served for 2 and a half years as the Rector’s Assessor, delving deep into the intricate workings of St Andrews' unique governance and strategic mechanisms.
Stella is focusing on her pastoral role and rooting herself in her commitment to student advocacy. Stella champions the student voice, ensuring it is both acknowledged and amplified, working in tandem with student representatives to ensure their concerns are heard and acted upon.
Stella Maris
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