Rector Stella Maris Discharged by University Court

University Rector, Stella Maris has been discharged as President of the University Court and a charity trustee, it has been announced. Senior Lay Member and Chair of the Court of the University, Ray Penman announced the shock decision via an email sent to both students and University Staff. 

Within the email, sent at lunchtime on 1 August, Penman outlined the reasoning behind the University Court’s decision, stating: “The Rector has been discharged because she has repeatedly declined to accept the conclusion of an independent investigation which found that she had made some St Andrews students 'fear for their safety', and by her actions and activities breached her responsibilities and legal obligations as a Court member and charity trustee.”

The aforementioned investigation, led by Morag Ross KC, was commissioned following a statement Ms Maris made in November 2023, which drew controversy over its claims of an Israel-led genocide. The statement saw hundreds of students demand the Rector retract her remarks. 

Within the announcement, Penman cites the key findings of Lady Ross’s report, stating that “The Rector was entitled to free speech but had exercised 'poor judgement' in the manner in which she wrote to all students to give her personal opinions on the conflict, specifically in ignoring the possibility that her words from a position of leadership could encourage antisemitic behaviour by others.” 

Ross’s report also concluded that the Rector’s actions on social media “fell below the standards required of a Court member, 'inflamed tensions' in the St Andrews community, and represented a breach of her responsibilities to act with courtesy and respect.”

Upon receiving Lady Ross’s report in April and accepting its findings in full, Penman states that the Court has “pursued extensive, exhaustive dialogue with the Rector to seek a resolution that would allow her to continue to sit as President and a member of Court. We also offered facilitated discussion with an independent external mediator.” The statement goes on to state that Maris had continually refused to formally accept the findings of the report, and declined the Court’s offer of a facilitated discussion. 

Maris has announced that she will appeal the decision, stating it “shows a lack of respect for the role of the Rector in speaking independently for students as their elected representative and sets a dangerous precedent for freedom of speech in higher education." She added, "It is clear that I have been removed from University Court because I called for an end to Israel’s war crimes against Palestinians, and I will not apologise for doing so. As a young, neurodiverse Black woman with limited financial resources, I have faced the full force of the University, including a KC investigation, all because I made a statement supported by the overwhelming majority of students, calling for an end to a genocide."

On 2 August, St Andrews Student Association President, Cam S. Brown and Director of Education, Hitanshi Badani, gave a statement regarding the dismissal of Rector Maris. The two University Court members stated that while they could not comment further due to being "legally bound by the rules of collective responsibility", they were "concerned about the loss of student representative voices on Court since the Rector is no longer a member." They further stated that the Sabbatical Team will work alongside student groups and the Rector to "practically mitigate the impact" of the decision.

Meanwhile, remaining Sabbatical Officers: Director of Events and Services, Director of Student Development and Activities, and Director of Wellbeing and Equality, condemned the Court's decision. The collective statement from the Sabbatical Officers described the Court's decision as a "disproportionate response" and "inconsistent with the findings of the independent investigation". The statement also drew concern over student representation at the Court following Maris's dismissal.

Despite being discharged as President and member of the Court, Maris will hold the title and office of Rector of the University until her term concludes in October 2026. 

As this story continues to break, this article shall be periodically updated.

Photo by University of St Andrews