Principal of the University of St Andrews

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Principal of the University of St Andrews
Incumbent
Professor Dame Sally Mapstone
since 17 November 2016
Member ofGeneral Council
University Court
Senatus Academicus
AppointerAppointed by the University Court
Constituting instrumentUniversities (Scotland) Act 1858
First holderSir David Brewster
Websitewww.st-andrews.ac.uk/about/governance/key-officials/principal/

The Principal of the University of St Andrews is the chief executive and chief academic of the University. The Principal is responsible for the overall running of the university, presiding over the main academic body of the university, known as the Senatus Academicus (Academic Senate). The Senate has the responsibility for superintending and regulating teaching in the University, including the regulations for the conferring of degrees, and the Senate also administers the property and revenues of the University (subject to the authority of the University Court.) The Principal is appointed by the University Court. The current office of Principal dates to 1858 with the passage of the Universities (Scotland) Act 1858.

The Principal is, by convention, appointed as Vice-Chancellor of the University of St Andrews by the Chancellor, and can confer degrees in the absence of the Chancellor.

As of July 2023, the Principal was Professor Sally Mapstone, who had previously served as Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford.

History[edit]

Until the mid 1700s the University comprised three colleges and the Provosts of St Salvator's College and Principals of St Leonard's College and St Mary's College were responsible for the oversight of their own institutions. In 1747 the Colleges of St Leonard's and St Salvator's were combined into the United College, with the University now led by two principals. The modern office of Principal dates from 1858, with the passage of the University (Scotland) Act 1858.[1] From 1858 until 1889 the senior of the two Principals (of the United College or St Mary's) undertook the responsibilities of Principal of the University, when in 1889 the Principal of the United College was made Principal of the University. The University of St Andrews Act 1952 created the Principal as a separate office, to be appointed by the Monarch of the United Kingdom.[2][3]

The power to appoint the Principal is vested in the University Court by Schedule 2 of the Universities (Scotland) Act 1966. The Education (Scotland) Act 1981 transferred the power to the Court, with the previous power to appoint the Principal being vested in the Monarch of the United Kingdom.[4][5] The Principal is also a member of the University Court, as required by Ordinance 121 of the University.[3]: 83 

In 2009, Professor Louise Richardson was the first woman appointed as Principal,[6] with her successor, Professor Sally Mapstone being the second woman appointed to the office.[7] Professor Mapstone had previously served as Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) at the University of Oxford.[8]

Vice-Chancellor[edit]

The Principal is, by convention, appointed as Vice-Chancellor of the University of St Andrews by the Chancellor, and can confer degrees in the absence of the Chancellor. The position of Vice-Chancellor does not confer any other powers or responsibility on the Principal.[9][1]

List of Principals and Vice-Chancellors[edit]

List of presidents
No. Principal Term of office Notes
1 Sir David Brewster 1837–1859
2 Reverend John Tulloch 1859–1886
3 Sir James Donaldson 1886–1915
4 Sir John Herkless 1915–1920
5 Sir James Irvine 1921–1952
6 Sir Thomas Malcolm Knox 1953–1966 Oversaw the separation of Queen's College, Dundee from St Andrews.[10]
7 John Steven Watson 1966–1986
8 Struther Arnott 1986–1999 First Principal at St Andrews to not be appointed by a monarch
9 Brian Lang 2001–2008
10 Dame Louise Richardson 2009–2015 First woman to occupy the position of Principal at St Andrews as well as the first female Principal to lead an ancient university in Scotland.[6]
11 Dame Sally Mapstone 2016–

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Universities (Scotland) Act 1858", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 1858 c. 83
  2. ^ "History of the Principal's Office". University of St Andrews. Archived from the original on 12 March 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  3. ^ a b "The Acts, Ordinances and Resolutions Affecting the University Of St Andrews" (PDF). www.st-andrews.ac.uk. University of St Andrews. February 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 April 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  4. ^ "Universities (Scotland) Act 1966", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 1966 c. 13
  5. ^ "Education (Scotland) Act 1981", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 1981 c. 58
  6. ^ a b Bonner, Raymond (7 March 2009). "In Scotland, New Leadership Crumbles Old Barrier". New York Times. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
  7. ^ "New Principal of St Andrews". University of St Andrews Press Office. St Andrews, UK. 22 February 2015. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
  8. ^ "Blueprint (Staff magazine for the University of Oxford)" (PDF) (PDF). University of Oxford. January 2011. p. 4. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  9. ^ "University of St Andrews: The Principal and Vice-Chancellor". University of St Andrews.
  10. ^ "Sir Malcolm Knox – Former Principal of St Andrews University". The Times. 17 April 1980. p. 16.
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