2011: Kennedy Vs Kennedy set for historic contest to become Rector of the University of Glasgow
A historic contest to become Rector of the University of Glasgow has been put into motion today after its nomination court received applications from both current-rector Charles Kennedy, and Scottish writer Alison Louise Kennedy to run for the three year term of Rector at the University.
Whichever candidate comes out on top following the vote on the 21st and 22nd February, will have a historic win- A L Kennedy would be only the second woman to be elected Rector, the last woman to hold the post being Winnie Mandella in 1987-1990. Were Charles Kennedy to win, he would be the first Rector to hold two consecutive terms since Benjamin Disraeli who was in the office 1871-1874 and 1874-1877.
Voting will be conducted online from 9am on the 21st Feburary till 6pm on the 22nd. Any student of the University of Glasgow is eligible to vote and will be able to register their vote from a computer with an Internet connection, anywhere in the world.
The University of Glasgow is one of five Scottish universities which elects a Rector. Since the Universities (Scotland) Act of 1858, the Rector has been elected by the matriculated students of the University and not only represents them but is also, ex-officio, the Chairman of the University Court, the body which administers the resources of the University.
Further information about the position of Rector, and the history of those who have held the post can be found at: http://www.universitystory.gla.ac.uk/officer/?id=6.
Charles Kennedy is currently MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber, and Rector of the University of Glasgow. He led the Liberal Democrat party for six years and has recently been a vocal critic of tuition fees, voting against the recent measure to increase them in Westminster.
Alison Louise Kennedy is a Scottish writer, teacher and stand-up comedian and winner of numerous literary awards including the 2007 Lannan Literary Award, and the 2007 Costa Book of the Year Award. In the same year the University of Glasgow also awarded her an honorary Doctorate of Letters degree.