A Scottish university has removed its rector from the institution’s governing body after she issued a statement condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza.
On Thursday, the University of St Andrews announced that Stella Maris has been removed from her position on the university court following an investigation that found she exercised “poor judgment.”
Background
- Incident: In November 2023, Stella Maris, an alumnus and elected rector of the University of St Andrews, sent an email to all 10,000 students calling for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and condemning Israel’s actions as “genocidal attacks,” “apartheid,” “siege,” and “illegal occupation” in Palestinian territories.
- Investigation: Following the email, St Andrews launched an independent inquiry led by Morag Ross KC to assess whether Maris’s actions were compatible with her role as rector.
Inquiry Findings and University Actions
- Findings: The inquiry concluded that Maris’s email had caused “anxiety and fear” among Jewish students. However, it also found that firing Maris would be “disproportionate.”
- University Decision: Despite the inquiry’s recommendation, the university court decided to remove Maris from the governing body. She will retain the title and office of rector until her term ends in October 2026.
Maris’s Response
Maris expressed disappointment with the decision, stating it showed a “lack of respect for the role of the rector in speaking independently as students’ elected representative.” She added, “It is clear that I have been removed because I called for an end to Israel’s war crimes against Palestinians. And I will not apologise for doing so.”
This decision marks the conclusion of a lengthy process that began in November 2023, highlighting the complexities and sensitivities surrounding expressions of political opinions within academic institutions.
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