The rector of the University of St Andrews has been removed from the institution's senior governing body for a second time, following a protracted dispute centred on her interpretation of her constitutional powers.
A Second Removal Amid Governance Dispute
Stella Maris has been removed from her role as president of the university court, the institution's most senior governing body. The university stated this action was taken due to her refusal to adhere to established governance rules.
This marks the second time Ms Maris has been ousted from this position. She was first removed in 2024 after commenting publicly on the situation in Gaza, before being reinstated the following year.
Clash Over Protocol and Authority
The core of the conflict stems from claims made by Ms Maris since last summer. The university stated she asserted that she alone held the authority to chair the university court and should have 'absolute discretion' over all aspects of managing its meetings.
These claims directly contradict the Scottish Code of Good Higher Education Governance and the university's own protocols. These rules stipulate that while the rector opens and closes meetings, substantive business is chaired by the senior lay member.
The standoff came to a head during a key meeting in October last year, which was intended to review and sign off the university's accounts. Ms Maris's refusal to follow procedure reportedly disrupted this crucial financial session.
After the court voted to uphold its standard procedures, Ms Maris accused fellow members of acting 'unlawfully' and did not contribute to the subsequent discussion on university finances.
Impact and Failed Resolutions
The university stated that her actions had a 'dispiriting' effect on other court members and diverted vital attention and resources away from tackling the institution's significant financial challenges.
Attempts to find a 'sensible and collegiate resolution' were reportedly resisted. The university said Ms Maris declined to bring forward her own proposals for changing court procedure, refused to withdraw her allegation of unlawful behaviour, would not agree to be bound by the principle of collective responsibility, and declined to resign.
A spokesperson for the university court said: "Members of a governing body have clear legal responsibilities and cannot pick and choose which rules they observe."
They added that agreeing to her demands would have made it impossible for the court to operate under the Higher Education Governance Act (Scotland) and the Scottish Code. The spokesperson expressed regret that "considerable time and scarce university resources" had been consumed by the dispute when the focus should be on severe financial pressures.
The university thanked Ms Maris for her service and wished her well for the remainder of her term as rector, which ends in October 2026, and offered support for her ongoing pastoral duties with students.
Ms Maris continues to hold the elected office of rector of St Andrews and has been approached for comment.
