Peter McColl becomes Rector after other nominees pull out, forcing an uncontested election

Edinburgh University has confirmed anti-cuts campaigner and political blogger Peter McColl as the new Rector of Edinburgh University amid accusations that his uncontested appointment was an undemocratic move.

Peter McColl was confirmed as Rector on January 12; the absence of any other contestants served as reason enough for the University to bypass a vote and return Mr McColl as Rector elect.

Controversy has arisen, not just over the failure for the university to offer staff and students the opportunity to re-open nominations, but also over the fact that nominations fell during the December exam diet and subsequently many students remained unaware not only of such nominations taking place, but of the significance they held.

The Rector chairs the Court, Edinburgh University’s highest decision making body and the position has been held in the past by figures such as Gordon Brown and journalist Muriel Gray. The Rector is an important representative of Edinburgh University students, and is only elected once every three years.

The absence of an option to reopen nominations (known as RON) has been deemed as “unhealthy and entirely against the principle of the post” by student activist and Secretary of Edinburgh Labour Students Stephen Donnelly. Donnelly told The Student that whilst he offered Mr McColl his congratulations and had faith in his ability as an excellent Rector, the process by which he was elected is in need of change.

Donnelly will be presenting a motion on the issue to the Student Council this week proposing that not only should a ballot always take place, even in the event of a single-horse race, with an option to re-open nominations, but also that the position – which is currently unpaid – should be a salaried one to ensure that those from all social backgrounds might apply.

McColl offered similar sentiments via the blog that he co-edits, Bright Green, replying to a comment that criticised the absence of a fought election by stating his shared disappointment that no election took place and assuring that he believed in the importance of installing both a mechanism for recall and an option to re-open nominations in future elections.

Mr McColl has pledged his objection to student fees and promises to “fight hard to ensure that no one is excluded from University by their financial situation”, affirming a commitment to providing education based on “ability to learn not ability to pay.”

Mr McColl has found support among many student representatives. Matt McPherson, President of Edinburgh University Students’ Association (EUS A) has stated that, although McColl will be taking up his position at a “challenging time, with rising fees, inflating student living costs, and a bleak job market affecting many of our 30,000 members” he believes that Mr McColl will be part of a change towards “a brighter time of growing opportunities”.

Mike Williamson, EUS A’s Vice President of Academic Affairs has echoed these sentiments stating that “Peter is one of the most dedicated people I know and his involvement with students means that he knows in detail the important issues to push at University Court and beyond”, adding that “This is a fantastic result for students, and I’m very excited about it”.

McColl will take up his post on March 1 2012.