Wanted: One Rector

[Eliot Wilson]

Eliot, I think it is actually a lot harder to get someone worthy to agree to actually run for the role. I know an awful lot of people have been contacted and they have pretty much all responded with their regret that they cannot donate the time or effort required. Maybe we are paying the price of having such a good rector now - Simon is a hard act to follow.

I know exactly how hard or otherwise it is to get people to agree to stand. But that wasn't really my point; rather, I was getting irritated by the fact that the bulk of postings on this thread seemed to be "Oh, wouldn't it be great to have Hardeep Singh Kohli/Frankie Boyle/John Gordon Sinclair/other random sleb" rather than "I've written to the following slebs" or "I know someone who's written to the following slebs".

As for people being frightened off the role because of the current incumbent - please.

[Georgina]

Wanted: One Rector
Found: Kevin Dunion OBE

Kevin Dunion OBE. He's the current Scottish Information Commissioner, which means he lives and works in Fife (his office is the castle-looking building on Double-Dykes Road), and is responsible for upholding Freedom of Information in Scotland. He has a close connection as he graduated from St Andrews, and understands what it's like to be a St Andrews student. The Rectorship is arguably the most important position in the university for students, making it crucial that we elect someone on October 31st who will work hard for students, someone who has the time to make every meeting, who will make St Andrews an even better place, rather than just someone who has a famous name.
The Rector exists to ensure that student voices are heard at all levels throughout the university, which is one of the reasons the Rector is also Chair of University Court, the highest governing body of the university. They should also meet with students, support student societies or initiatives, and basically act as someone in the university who is there to work for students 100% of the time.
Kevin has extensive experience of influencing people at the highest levels, and is extremely well respected in political and media circles. We need someone who is interested in helping students do what they want to do, whether it's in sport, theatre, societies, or just sorting out a place to live and getting their degree. If we want a Working Rector who will ensure students interests are represented at all levels, it's crucial that we vote for Kevin Dunion.

[Dave the Explosive Newt]

He's accepted?

And you're running him?

[Georgina]

Why yes, most definitely. He's an amazing candidate, it's going to be a great election.

[Fawksie]

It certainly is, since it seems that nobody else has been nominated

[RumourMill]

There is a rumour that Colin Fox of the Scottish Socialist Party has been / is being nominated. It would be a terrible day for St Andrews University if that ever came to pass.

[Freaker]

The Saint spoke of rumours, too. Surely if the nomination has been secured it'd be good to let people know, if there are any truths to that rumour?

[David Bean]

I met Colin Fox once - had dinner with him. He's a perfectly amiable chap, and hopefully his politics wouldn't be a deal-breaker, except that he hardly seemed like an intellectual giant, and I'd be somewhat wary his awareness of where it might or might not be appropriate to let his political views influence his actions in the job.

Besides, I don't really think electing the leader of the Scottish Socialist Party as Rector exactly presents the kind of image of St Andrews that the students would wish. This Kevin Dunion chap sounds like he has promise, though.

If anyone wanted to be mildly controversial, by the way, I understand a certain Sir Ian Blair has recently found himself with quite a bit of extra time on his hands...

[Alternative]

What about Chris Woodhead or someone else who knows a bit about education??

[Anthro3]

Time is over for nominations, right? Who are the candidates then???

[RandomMusings]

No - nominations are open for another week (24th)

So far the only confirmed appears to be Kevin Dunion
Expected to be confirmed is Colin Fox

No other candidates appear to have thrown their hat into the proverbial ring as yet....

[Eliot Wilson]

What about Chris Woodhead or someone else who knows a bit about education??

Chris Woodhead was nominated (by Alex S, as it happens) in 2002, but had to withdraw because his mother fell ill, as I recall.

[Freaker]

I believe nominations have closed now - anyone have a candidate list?

[RobFett]

Kevin Dunion OBE

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=28761129303

[David Bean]

Do we therefore have an unopposed election? A pity, in principle, for a position as important as this, but it does sound as though we have the best man for the job under the circumstances.

I'm happy to endorse.

[Al]

Colin Fox and Sir Chay Blyth have been nominated as well.

[jimmy johnstone]

Here is some info on the other candidate Colin Fox. Although I probably don't agree with all his political opinions, it would be good to have a bit of a character as a rector, not just another faceless 'yes-man' or bureaucrat and by the look of his website Fox has a decent track record as a campaigner.

http://www.facebook.com/n/?group.php&gid=30352889300
http://www.foxforrector.org

[exnihilo]

Deary, deary me. What a field. Were I still eligible to vote, I don't think I'd bother.

[Georgina]

www.kevindunion.org.uk is the place to go to find information about Kevin Dunion OBE.

I think one the main things that really stands out about him is his extensive experience in various fields, and that he has an extremely strong record of actually delivering results, rather than just making noise on issues. That, and he is based in St Andrews and graduated from the university, so he is more accessible than any Rector has been before and has a strong connection to the university.

On the issues of 'yes-men' as Rectors, I can sympathise with this analysis in relation to many of the previous Rectors, however with the sea chance towards electing Working Rectors across Scotland, with Simon Pepper here, we can definitely see a dramatic change in the impact the Rector has upon students lives. Electing a true Working Rector transforms what could be reduced to a ceremonial role, to a position that actually questions how the university treats students and works for students. For a Working Rector to be successful however, they must be able to work with Court, not against them, and be present here in St Andrews to commit to the job.

[exnihilo]

I'm intrigued now, which of the recent St Andrews rectors were yes men? Which weren't working rectors? When did this change, in your mind, begin? With Simon Pepper? Promote your candidate by all means, but get your facts straight if you're going to slag off his predecessors.

I'm intrigued also by this purported accessibility, is he inviting students to come to his office whenever they like? Will he be out in pubs drinking with them? Or is he no more accessible than any other Rector with a day job would be?