University government
For more information about the University’s policy-making committees and officers, see Structure and governance.
Student participation
There is plenty of scope for student participation in University government. The participation of all students is actively encouraged, feeding into the audit of academic courses. You will be provided with a student feedback form at the end of each taught module; please take time to fill this in and return it as indicated.
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 and presides at meetings of the University Court - the highest governing body of the University. The Rector is elected by students to ensure that the views of that body can be properly articulated at the highest level of the University. The current Rector is Mr Alistair Moffat, a graduate of the University and author and Director of the Lennoxlove and Borders Book Festival, who was elected to a three-year term in October 2011. The Rector appoints an Assessor who is also a member of the University Court and is usually a student. The current Assessor is Chloe Hill. The role of the Assessor is to act as a permanent point of contact within the town for the Rector, to highlight problems when they arise. For more information contact rector@st-andrews.ac.uk.
In addition, the University Court also includes among its membership two other students - the President and the Director of Representation of the Students’ Association. These two Sabbatical Officers can be found in the Students’ Association building on St Mary's Place, and are also there to represent you at the highest echelons of University Government. Members of the SRC (Students’ Representative Council) also sit on the Academic Council. Students also have representatives on a wide range of University committees, and School/Departmental consultative committees. The SRC itself exists to represent students on all matters and is the principal recognised channel of communication between students and the University authorities. Should you wish to be involved, the SRC elections occur every March, with postgraduate positions elected in October.
For more information on these and the other services the Students’ Association offers, view their web page at: www.yourunion.net.
When you graduate: the General Council
Instituted in 1858 by the Universities (Scotland) Act, the General Council is a body whose members include graduates of the University, members of the University Court and teaching staff. The business of the Council is to take into consideration all questions affecting the well-being and prosperity of the University and to make representation thereon to the University Court. The Chancellor of the University is elected by the General Council and is President of the Council.
Meetings of the General Council are normally held on the Saturday following the June Graduation Ceremonies and the Saturday following the St Andrew’s Day Graduation Ceremonies, the latter normally being held outwith St Andrews.