New Rector to be installed

The new Rector of the University of St Andrews, Simon Pepper, will be installed at a public ceremony tomorrow (Friday 10 March 2006).

Mr Pepper will be officially installed by Principal and Vice- Chancellor Dr Brian Lang. Welcoming addresses will be given by Dr Lang (on behalf of the academic community), William Berry (on behalf of the University Court) and Alex Yabroff, President of the Students’ Association (on behalf of the student body).

The Rector will take the oath of Office and then give a rectorial address to his constituents.

The event will take place at 3pm in Younger Hall, North Street, St Andrews.

THE RECTORIAL DRAG, WHEN THE RECTOR IS TRADITIONALLY WELCOMED BY THE STUDENT COMMUNITY, WILL COMMENCE AT 2PM TODAY (THURSDAY 9 MARCH 2006), STARTING FROM ST SALVATOR’S QUAD, NORTH STREET, ST ANDREWS.

ENDS

NOTE TO EDITORS

To attend the installation ceremony, please call Gayle Cook, Press Office in advance of event – 01334 462529/462530/467227.

Simon Pepper is also available for interview in advance of event – please call Gayle Cook to arrange – 01334 462529/462530/467227.

A photocall will be held at approximately 3.45/4pm on Friday 10 March in Lower College Hall, St Salvator’s Quad, North Street, St Andrews.

Copies of embargoed addresses are available from the Press Office.

Hailing from Highland Perthshire, Simon Pepper built a reputation for effectiveness and leadership as Director for 20 years of World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Scotland – part of the global network of WWF which campaigns on environmental policy over a wide range of issues relating to land, sea and freshwater resources, climate change and species protection.

Mr Pepper also holds appointments on the boards of two Scottish land use agencies (Deer and Forestry Commissions) and is an advisor to Scottish Ministers on Sustainable Development, sitting on a Cabinet Sub-committee on that subject. He was awarded an OBE in the Millennium Honours list. He is passionate about the role of education in meeting the enormous challenges of the 21st Century and was ‘thrilled’ to be elected to the three-year role of Rector.

*

The constitution of the University is laid down in a series of Acts of Parliament enacted between 1858 and 1966.

Under these, the University Court is the supreme governing body of the University.

Its 23 members come from within the University, the local community and beyond. The President of the Court is the Rector, elected by the matriculated students of the University. All matriculated students of the University have the right to vote in the election of a Rector who holds office for a three-year period. As well as chairing the University Court, the Rector acts as an advocate of students at the highest level.

The Rector appoints an Assessor who is also a member of the University Court and is usually a student.

In addition, the University Court includes among its membership both the President and the Director of Representation of the Students Association (ex-officio).

Issued by Beattie Media – www.beattiegroup.com On behalf of the University of St Andrews For more information, please contact Claire Grainger, Press Officer – 01334 462530, 07730 415 015 or [email protected]; Ref: press releases/simonpepper3 View the latest University news at http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk