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PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 24/1/11

Kennedy vs Kennedy set for historic contest tobecome Rector of the University of Glasgow

A historic contest to become Rector of the University of Glasgow has been putinto motion today after its nomination court received applications from bothcurrent-rector Charles Kennedy, and Scottish writer Alison Louise Kennedy to runfor 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 beelected 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 consecutiveterms sinceBenjamin 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. Anystudent of the University of Glasgow is eligible to vote and will be able to register theirvote 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 thematriculated 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 resourcesof the University.

Further information about the position of Rector, and the history of those who have heldthe post can be found at: http://www.universitystory.gla.ac.uk/officer/?id=6 .

Charles Kennedy is currently MP forRoss, Skye and Lochaber, and Rector of theUniversity of Glasgow. He led the Liberal Democrat party for six years and hasrecently been a vocal critic of tuition fees, voting against the recent measure to increasethem 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 2007Costa Book of the Year Award. In the same year the University of Glasgow alsoawarded her an honorary Doctorate of Letters degree.

Glasgow University Students Representative Council represents the interests of studentsregistered at the University of Glasgow to the University and nation. The representativefunction is augmented by the delivery of services aimed at enhancing the student experiencewhile at Glasgow. Council comprises up to 37 elected students who meet throughout the year.

For more information contact:

Luke WinterVP Media and Communications

http://www.universitystory.gla.ac.uk/officer/?id=6http://www.universitystory.gla.ac.uk/officer/?id=6http://www.universitystory.gla.ac.uk/officer/?id=6

8/7/2019 Press Release - Rector Race Jan 2011

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vp-comms@src.gla.ac.uk0141 339 854107989 111 856