Rector (college)
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

A rector ( Latin for 'ruler') is a senior official in an
educational institution An educational institution is a place where people of different ages gain an education, including preschools, childcare, primary-elementary schools, secondary-high schools, and universities. They provide a large variety of learning environments an ...
, and can refer to an official in either a university or a
secondary school A secondary school describes an institution that provides secondary education and also usually includes the building where this takes place. Some secondary schools provide both '' secondary education, lower secondary education'' (ages 11 to 14) ...
. Outside the English-speaking world the rector is often the most senior official in a university, whilst in the United States the most senior official is often referred to as president and in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth of Nations the most senior official is the
chancellor Chancellor ( la, cancellarius) is a title of various official positions in the governments of many nations. The original chancellors were the of Roman courts of justice—ushers, who sat at the or lattice work screens of a basilica or law cou ...
, whose office is primarily ceremonial and titular. The term and office of a rector can be referred to as a rectorate. The title is used widely in universities in EuropeEuropean nations where the word ''rector'' or a cognate thereof (''rektor'', ''recteur'', etc.) is used in referring to university administrators include Albania, Austria, the Benelux, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy,
Latvia Latvia ( or ; lv, Latvija ; ltg, Latveja; liv, Leţmō), officially the Republic of Latvia ( lv, Latvijas Republika, links=no, ltg, Latvejas Republika, links=no, liv, Leţmō Vabāmō, links=no), is a country in the Baltic region of ...
, Malta, Moldova, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Scandinavia, Scotland, Serbia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Turkey and Ukraine.
and is very common in Latin American countries.''Rector'' is used for university administrators in Latin American nations such as: Argentina,
Bolivia , image_flag = Bandera de Bolivia (Estado).svg , flag_alt = Horizontal tricolor (red, yellow, and green from top to bottom) with the coat of arms of Bolivia in the center , flag_alt2 = 7 × 7 square p ...
, Brazil, Chile,
Colombia Colombia (, ; ), officially the Republic of Colombia, is a country in South America with insular regions in North America—near Nicaragua's Caribbean coast—as well as in the Pacific Ocean. The Colombian mainland is bordered by the Car ...
, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Dominican Republic,
Guatemala Guatemala ( ; ), officially the Republic of Guatemala ( es, República de Guatemala, links=no), is a country in Central America. It is bordered to the north and west by Mexico; to the northeast by Belize and the Caribbean; to the east by H ...
, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela.
It is also used in Brunei, Macau, Turkey, Russia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Israel and the Middle East. In the ancient universities of Scotland the office is sometimes referred to as Lord Rector, is the third most senior official, and is usually responsible for chairing the University Court.


Europe

The head of a university in Germany is called a ''president'', ''rector magnificus'' (men) or ''rectrix magnifica'' (women), as in some Belgian universities. In Dutch universities, the ''rector magnificus'' is the most publicly prominent member of the board, responsible for the scientific agenda of the university. In the Netherlands, the rector is, however, not the chair of the university board. The chair has, in practice, the most influence over the management of the university. In some countries, including England, the position of head teacher in secondary schools is also designated as rector. In the Netherlands, the terms "rector" and "conrector" (assistant head) are used commonly for secondary school directors. This is also the case in some Maltese secondary schools. In the Scandinavian countries, the head of a university or a gymnasium (higher secondary schools) is called a ''rektor''. In Sweden and Norway, this term is also used for the heads of primary schools. In Finland, the head of a primary school or secondary schools is called a rector (''rehtori'') provided the school is of sufficient size in terms of faculty and students, otherwise the title is headmaster (''koulunjohtaja''). The head of some Finnish universities is called chancellor ("kansleri"). In the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal's and Spain's university heads or presidents have the title . Those universities whose foundation has been historically approved by the Pope, as e.g. the rector of the University of Coimbra, the oldest Portuguese university, is referred to as ''Magnífico Reitor (Rector's name)'' ("Rector Magnificus (Rector's Name)"). The others are referred to as ''Excelentíssimo Senhor Reitor''. In Spain, all Rectors must be addressed as ''Señor Rector Magnífico'' according to the law (Ley Orgánica 4/2007), but the Rector of the University of Salamanca, the oldest on the Iberian Peninsula, is usually styled according to academic protocol as ''Excelentísimo y Ilustrísimo Señor Profesor Doctor Don (Rector's name), Rector Magnífico de la Universidad de Salamanca'' ("The Most Excellent and Most Illustrious Lord Professor Doctor Don (Rector's name), ''Rector Magnificus'' of the University of Salamanca").


Austrian Empire

In a few "Crown lands" of the Austrian Empire, one seat in the '' Landtag'' (regional legislature of semi-feudal type) was reserved for the rector of the capital's university, notably: Graz in
Steiermark Styria (german: Steiermark ; Serbo-Croatian and sl, ; hu, Stájerország) is a state (''Bundesland'') in the southeast of Austria. With an area of , Styria is the second largest state of Austria, after Lower Austria. Styria is bordered to ...
(Styria),
Innsbruck Innsbruck (; bar, Innschbruck, label=Bavarian language, Austro-Bavarian ) is the capital of Tyrol (state), Tyrol and the List of cities and towns in Austria, fifth-largest city in Austria. On the Inn (river), River Inn, at its junction with the ...
in Tirol, Wien (Vienna) in
Nieder-Österreich Lower Austria (german: Niederösterreich; Austro-Bavarian: ''Niedaöstareich'', ''Niedaestareich'') is one of the nine states of Austria, located in the northeastern corner of the country. Since 1986, the capital of Lower Austria has been Sankt P ...
(Lower Austria); in
Bohemia Bohemia ( ; cs, Čechy ; ; hsb, Čěska; szl, Czechy) is the westernmost and largest historical region of the Czech Republic. Bohemia can also refer to a wider area consisting of the historical Lands of the Bohemian Crown ruled by the Bohem ...
, two Rectors had seats in the equivalent Landesvertretung.


Austria

Today Austrian universities are headed by a Rectorate consisting of one Rector (elected by the Universitätsrat) and 3-5 additional Vizerectors. The Rector is the CEO of the university.


Czech Republic

The heads of
Czech universities This list of universities in the Czech Republic includes public, state, private and for-profit universities which exist in the Czech Republic. Partial list Old universities *Charles University in Prague (Charles University) - founded in 1348 by ...
are called the ''rektor''. The rector acts in the name of the university and decides the university's affairs unless prohibited by law. The rector is nominated by the University Academic Senate and appointed by the
President of the Czech Republic The president of the Czech Republic is the head of state of the Czech Republic and the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Czech Republic. The president mostly has ceremonial powers as the day-to-day business of the executive governm ...
. The nomination must be agreed by a simple majority of all senators, while a dismissal must be agreed by at least three fifths of all senators. The vote to elect or repeal a rector is secret. The term of office is four years and a person may hold it for at most two consecutive terms. The rector appoints vice-rectors (''pro-rektor''), who act as deputies to the extent determined by the Rector. Rectors' salaries are determined directly by the Minister of Education. Among the most important rectors of Czech universities were reformer Jan Hus, physician Jan Jesenius, theologian Rodrigo de Arriaga and representative of
Enlightenment Enlightenment or enlighten may refer to: Age of Enlightenment * Age of Enlightenment, period in Western intellectual history from the late 17th to late 18th century, centered in France but also encompassing (alphabetically by country or culture): ...
Josef Vratislav Monse Josef Vratislav Monse (June 15, 1733 – February 6, 1793) was a Moravian lawyer and historian. He was a leading enlightenment figure in the Habsburg monarchy and an early exponent of the Moravian Revival in Moravia. Monse played a key role i ...
.
Jiřina Popelová Jiřina is a Czech given name for females which may refer to: *Jiřina Bohdalová (b. 1931), actress and TV personality *Jiřina Hauková (1919–2005), poet and translator *Jirina Marton (born 1946), Czech-born Canadian artist and illustrator *Ji ...
( Palacký University of Olomouc) became the first female Rector in 1950. The rectors are addressed "Your Magnificence Rector" (''"Vaše Magnificence pane rektore"'').


Denmark

In Danish, ''rektor'' is the title used in referring to the heads of universities,
gymnasiums A gymnasium, also known as a gym, is an indoor location for athletics. The word is derived from the ancient Greek term " gymnasium". They are commonly found in athletic and fitness centres, and as activity and learning spaces in educational ins ...
, schools of commerce and construction, etc. Generally ''rektor'' may be used for the head of any educational institution above the primary school level, where the head is commonly referred to as a 'skoleinspektør' (Headmaster; Inspector of the school). In universities, the second-ranked official of governance is known as ''prorektor''.


England and Wales

In England and Wales, most universities are headed by a "chancellor" (a ceremonial position) and a "vice-chancellor" (the academic head). This also applies to e.g. the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, the University of London, and Liverpool Hope University. At a lower administrative level within these universities, a range of titles is used: * At the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, most colleges are headed by a "master" or a "principal" as the chief academic. In a few colleges, the equivalent person is called a "president", "provost", or "warden". At two Oxford colleges, Lincoln College and Exeter College, the head is called "rector". * At the University of London, all colleges have a chief academic as head, using a variety of titles. At University College London, the head is the "provost"; at
King's College London King's College London (informally King's or KCL) is a public research university located in London, England. King's was established by royal charter in 1829 under the patronage of King George IV and the Duke of Wellington. In 1836, King's ...
the head is the "principal"; at Imperial College London the
head A head is the part of an organism which usually includes the ears, brain, forehead, cheeks, chin, eyes, nose, and mouth, each of which aid in various sensory functions such as sight, hearing, smell, and taste. Some very simple animals may ...
was until recently called the rector, until this was split into a provost and president; and the London School of Economics is headed by a "director". * At the University of Durham, St Chad's College (one of the two so-called "recognised colleges" of the university) has a "rector" as titular head (a position held ''ex officio'' by the Dean of Durham Cathedral), while the academic head is the "principal". * At Liverpool Hope University, the vice-chancellor also takes the role of rector. Prior to their conversion to universities, polytechnics often had the rector as the head of the establishment; following their transition to universities, the rector became the vice-chancellor.


Germany

The head of a German university is either called "Rektor" (rector) or "Präsident" (president). The difference is usually that a "Rektor" is elected by the Senate from among the professors of the university (which is the traditional method of choosing the head of a German university), while a "Präsident" need neither be a professor nor a member of the university (or of any university) prior to appointment. The "Rektor" is traditionally addressed as "Magnifizenz". The rector forms a collegiate leadership body together with the vice rectors (Prorektor) and the university's chancellor (Kanzler) - the rectorate (Rektorat). The rectorate is usually aided by several advisors (Referent) who provide advice on specific topics and take over responsibilities in the preparation of decisions, roughly comparable to an associate PVC in the British academic system.
''Rektor'' is also the official title of the principal/headmaster of an elementary school, the deputies are called ''Konrektor''.
In earlier times, the title ''Rektor'' was also used for the heads of a Gymnasium. Today, these teachers usually hold the title of ''Oberstudiendirektor'' ("Senior Director of Studies").


Iceland

The ''rektor'' is term used for the headmaster or headmistress of Icelandic universities and of some gymnasia.


Italy

In Italy the rector is the head of the university and ''Rappresentante Legale'' (Legal representative) of the university. He or she is elected by an electoral body composed of all ''Professori ordinari ed associati'' (full and associate professors), the two highest ranks of the Italian university faculty, all the ''Ricercatori'' (lowest rank of departments) and representatives of the staff, students and PhD students. The term of a ''rettore'' is now six years, in accordance with the new national regulation and the ''statuto'' (constitution of the university). The Rettore is styled and formally greeted as ''Magnifico Rettore'' (Magnificent Rector).


Netherlands

In the Netherlands, the rector is the principal of a high school. The rector is supported by conrectors (deputy rectors who can take his place). In Dutch universities, the ''Rector Magnificus'' is responsible for the scientific vision and quality of the university. The ''rector magnificus'' is one of the members of the executive board of a university. The ''rector magnificus'' is a full professor. The ceremonial responsibilities of the ''rector magnificus ''are to open the
academic year An academic year or school year is a period of time which schools, colleges and universities use to measure a quantity of study. School holiday School holidays (also referred to as vacations, breaks, and recess) are the periods during which sch ...
, and to preside over the ceremonial PhD defenses and inaugural lectures of newly appointed (full) professors. During PhD defenses the rector is usually replaced by another full professor who is acting rector during the session.


Norway

A rector ( no, rektor), in the context of academia, is the democratically elected head of a university or university college. The rector is the highest official of the university, and is traditionally elected among the institution's professorship, originally by all the (full) professors and in modern times by all academic employees, the students and the non-academic employees. The rector is traditionally the head of the ''Collegium Academicum'', which has been renamed the university board in the 2000s, and is also the university's chief executive and ceremonial head. The elected deputy of the rector is known as pro-rector ( no, prorektor). Some institutions also have vice rectors, who are appointed by the rector and subordinate to the rector and pro-rector. Traditionally, Norwegian universities and colleges had democratic elections for the rector and pro-rector positions. Since 2016, the institutions may choose to have an elected or an appointed rector. Universities and colleges usually have a ''university director'' or ''college director'', who is the head of the administration (i.e., the non-academic employees) and subordinate to the rectorate.


Poland

In Poland, the rector ( pl, rektor) is the elected head of a university or university college, in military, military type upper educaction institutions name of rector like official is ( pl, komendant) (commander). The rector is the highest official of the university. Rector of the university can be a person with at least a
doctoral A doctorate (from Latin ''docere'', "to teach"), doctor's degree (from Latin ''doctor'', "teacher"), or doctoral degree is an academic degree awarded by universities and some other educational institutions, derived from the ancient formalism ''li ...
degree, employed by the university as the main place of work. Rector is referred to as Jego/Jej Magnificencja (en. His/Her Magnificence) (abbreviation: JM). The outfit of rector is red or purple coat (robe) with ermine fur, often with a
scepter A sceptre is a staff or wand held in the hand by a ruling monarch as an item of royal or imperial insignia. Figuratively, it means royal or imperial authority or sovereignty. Antiquity Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia The ''Was'' and other ...
and a decorative string of symbols of the university. Deputy rectors ( pl, prorektor) at official ceremonies are dressed in the same gown, but with fewer decorations (usually without the fur). Rectors of military universities wear only an officer's uniform and a necklace with symbols of the university. As of 2008, the term of office of the rector of public universities lasts for 4 years (previously 3 years), beginning on 1 September in an election year and ending on 31 August of the year in which the term ends. A person may not be elected to serve as rector for more than two consecutive terms. In the case of private universities the rule is regulated by university statute.


Portugal

In Portugal, the Rector ( Portuguese: ''Reitor'' male or ''Reitora'' female), frequently addressed as ''Magnificent Rector'' (''Magnífico Reitor'' in Portuguese), is the elected highest official of each university, governing and representing the university. The rector of a university is helped by vice-rectors and by pro-rectors, with different responsibilities. Until 1974, the director of each Lyceum (high school) also had the title of Rector.


Russia

In Russia, the rector ( Russian: ''Ректор'') as a term for a university chancellor introduced in 1961. Before 1961 university chancellor had title "director" ( Russian:''Директор'').


Scotland


Ancient universities

In Scotland, the position of rector exists in the four ancient universities (
St Andrews St Andrews ( la, S. Andrea(s); sco, Saunt Aundraes; gd, Cill Rìmhinn) is a town on the east coast of Fife in Scotland, southeast of Dundee and northeast of Edinburgh. St Andrews had a recorded population of 16,800 , making it Fife's fou ...
, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh) and at
Dundee Dundee (; sco, Dundee; gd, Dùn Dè or ) is Scotland's fourth-largest city and the 51st-most-populous built-up area in the United Kingdom. The mid-year population estimate for 2016 was , giving Dundee a population density of 2,478/km2 or ...
, which is considered to have "ancient" status as a result of its early connections to the University of St Andrews. The current office of Rector, sometimes termed ''Lord Rector'', was instituted by the Universities (Scotland) Act 1858, passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom. With the Universities (Scotland) Act 1889 requiring an election for the Rector every 3 years in the ancient universities. The rector is the third-ranking official of university governance and chairs meetings of the university court, the governing body of the university, and is elected every three years by matriculated students at Aberdeen, Dundee, Glasgow and St Andrews, and by the students ''and'' staff at Edinburgh. The titular head of an ancient university in Scotland is the
Chancellor Chancellor ( la, cancellarius) is a title of various official positions in the governments of many nations. The original chancellors were the of Roman courts of justice—ushers, who sat at the or lattice work screens of a basilica or law cou ...
, who appoints a Vice-Chancellor to deputise in the awarding of degrees. The Principal of each university is, by
convention Convention may refer to: * Convention (norm), a custom or tradition, a standard of presentation or conduct ** Treaty, an agreement in international law * Convention (meeting), meeting of a (usually large) group of individuals and/or companies in a ...
, appointed as Vice-Chancellor, however the position of Vice-Chancellor does not confer any other powers or responsibility on the Principal. The authority to serve as chief executive of each university is vested in the office of Principal, who holds both offices referred to as ''Principal and Vice-Chancellor''. The role of the rector is considered by many students to be integral to their ability to shape the universities' agenda, and one of the main functions of the rector is to represent the interests of the student body. To some extent the office of rector has evolved into more of a figurehead role, with a significant number of celebrities and personalities elected as rectors, such as Stephen Fry and Lorraine Kelly at
Dundee Dundee (; sco, Dundee; gd, Dùn Dè or ) is Scotland's fourth-largest city and the 51st-most-populous built-up area in the United Kingdom. The mid-year population estimate for 2016 was , giving Dundee a population density of 2,478/km2 or ...
,
Clarissa Dickson Wright Clarissa Theresa Philomena Aileen Mary Josephine Agnes Elsie Trilby Louise Esmerelda Dickson Wright (24 June 1947 – 15 March 2014) was an English celebrity cook, television personality, writer, businesswoman, and former barrister. She was be ...
at Aberdeen, and
John Cleese John Marwood Cleese ( ; born 27 October 1939) is an English actor, comedian, screenwriter, and producer. Emerging from the Cambridge Footlights in the 1960s, he first achieved success at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and as a scriptwriter and ...
and Frank Muir at
St. Andrews St Andrews ( la, S. Andrea(s); sco, Saunt Aundraes; gd, Cill Rìmhinn) is a town on the east coast of Fife in Scotland, southeast of Dundee and northeast of Edinburgh. St Andrews had a recorded population of 16,800 , making it Fife's fourt ...
, and political figures, such as Mordechai Vanunu at Glasgow. In many cases, particularly with high-profile rectors, attendance at the university court in person is rare; the Rector nominates an individual (normally a member of the student body) with the title of ''Rector's Assessor'', who sits as a voting member of the University Court. The
Rt. Hon. ''The Right Honourable'' ( abbreviation: ''Rt Hon.'' or variations) is an honorific style traditionally applied to certain persons and collective bodies in the United Kingdom, the former British Empire and the Commonwealth of Nations. The term is ...
Gordon Brown, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, was
Rector of the University of Edinburgh The Lord Rector of The University of Edinburgh is elected every three years by the students and staff at The University of Edinburgh. Seldom referred to as ''Lord Rector'', the incumbent is more commonly known just as the ''Rector''. Role Th ...
while a student there, but since then most universities have amended their procedures to disqualify currently matriculated students from standing for election. , the rector of the University of Aberdeen is
Maggie Chapman Maggie Chapman (born 27 June 1979) is a Zimbabwe Rhodesia-born Scottish politician and lecturer who is a Scottish Green Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for North East Scotland. She was co-convenor of the Scottish Greens from Novembe ...
, a Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Scottish Greens. The rector of the University of Dundee is the long-distance cyclist Mark Beaumont. The
rector Rector (Latin for the member of a vessel's crew who steers) may refer to: Style or title *Rector (ecclesiastical), a cleric who functions as an administrative leader in some Christian denominations *Rector (academia), a senior official in an edu ...
of Edinburgh is
Debora Kayembe Debora Kayembe Buba (born in April 1975) is a Scottish human rights lawyer and political activist. She has served on the board of the Scottish Refugee Council, and is a member of the office of the prosecutor at the International Criminal Court an ...
. The rector of the University of Glasgow is Aamer Anwar. Elected in November 2020, the
rector of the University of St Andrews The Lord Rector of the University of St Andrews is the president of the University Court of the University of St Andrews; the University Court is the supreme governing body of the University. Overview The Rector is elected every three years by ...
is
Leyla Hussein Leyla Hussein ( so, Leyla Xuseen) is a Somali-born British psychotherapist and social activist. She is the founder of Dahlia project,"'FGM is violence, child abuse and sexual assault' – Leyla Hussein",''The London Economic'', 8 September 201 ...
the political activist and first black female to hold the position.


High schools

Some Scottish high school/
secondary school A secondary school describes an institution that provides secondary education and also usually includes the building where this takes place. Some secondary schools provide both '' secondary education, lower secondary education'' (ages 11 to 14) ...
have a head teacher whose official title is ''Rector'', an example being
Bell Baxter High School Bell Baxter High School is a non-denominational comprehensive school for 11 to 18-year-olds in Cupar, Fife, Scotland. Founded in 1889, it educates over 1,500 pupils mainly from the surrounding villages. The school is one of 18 secondary schoo ...
in Cupar,
Fife Fife (, ; gd, Fìobha, ; sco, Fife) is a council area, historic county, registration county and lieutenancy area of Scotland. It is situated between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth, with inland boundaries with Perth and Kinross (i ...
.


Spain

In Spain, ''Rector'' or ''Rector Magnífico'' (magnific rector, from Latin ''Rector Magnificus'') is the highest administrative and educational office in a university, equivalent to that of president or chancellor of an English-speaking university but holding all the powers of a vice-chancellor; they are thus the head of the academy at universities. Formally styled as ''Excelentísimo e Ilustrísimo Señor Profesor Doctor Don N, Rector Magnífico de la Universidad de X'' ("Most Excellent and Illustrious Lord Professor Doctor Don N, Rector Magnificus of the University of X"), it is an office of high dignity within Spanish society, usually being highly respected. It is not strange to see them appear in the media, especially when some academic-related subject is being discussed and their opinion is requested. Spanish rectors are chosen from within the body of university full professors (''Catedráticos'' in Spanish); it is compulsory for anyone aspiring to become a rector to have been a doctor for at least six years before his election, and to have achieved professor status, holding it in the same university for which he is running. Usually, when running for election, the rector will need to have chosen the vice-rectors (''vicerrectores'' in Spanish), who will occupy several sub-offices in the university. Rectors are elected directly by free and secret universal suffrage of all the members of the university, including students, lecturers, readers, researchers, and civil servants. However, the weight of the vote in each academic sector is different: the total student vote usually represents 20% of the whole, no matter how many students there are; the votes of the entire group made up of professors and readers (members of what used to be known as the ''Claustro'' ('' cloister'')) usually count for about 40-50% of the total; lecturers, researchers (including Ph.D. students and others) and non-doctoral teachers, about 20% of the total; and the remainder (usually some 5-10%) is left for non-scholarly workers (people in administration, etc.) in the university. Spanish law allows those percentages to be changed according to the situation of each university, or even not to have a direct election system. Indeed, in a few universities the Rector is chosen indirectly; the members of the modern ''Claustro'' (a sort of electoral college or parliament in which all the above-mentioned groups are represented) is chosen first, and then the Claustro selects the Rector. Rectors hold their office for four years before another election is held, and there is no limit to the number of re-election terms. However, only the most charismatic and respected rectors have been able to hold their office for more than two or three terms. Of those, some have been notable Spanish scholars, such as Basque writer Miguel de Unamuno, Rector of the University of Salamanca from 1901 until 1936.


Sweden

''Rektor'' is the title for the highest-ranked administrative and educational leader for an academic institution, such as a primary school, secondary school, private school, high school, college or university. The ''rektors'' of state-run colleges and universities are formally appointed by the government, i.e. the cabinet, but upon the advice of the concerned institution's board, and usually following some sort of democratic process at the concerned institution. The adjunct of a ''rektor'' at a university is called a ''prorektor'' and is appointed by the institution's board. Some institutions also have ''vicerektorer'' (vice rectors), who are appointed by the ''rektor'' to carry out a sub-set of the ''rektor's'' tasks. A ''vicerektor'' is subordinate to the ''rektor'' and ''prorektor''. In the older universities, Uppsala university and Lund university, the ''rektor'' is titled ''rector magnificus'' (men), or ''rectrix magnifica'' (women). Younger universities have in more recent years started using the Latin honorary title in formal situations, such as in honorary speeches or graduation ceremonies. The University Chancellor of Sweden was until 2017 the title of the head of the government accrediting agency, the
National Agency for Higher Education The Swedish National Agency for Higher Education ( sv, Högskoleverket) was a Government agency in Sweden. It was in charge of inspecting and promoting higher education sector activities, through follow-up and evaluation of higher education, qualit ...
. From 2017, this position carries the title Director General which is the usual title of the head of a government agency. The people recruited to the position have in later times always been former ''rektors'' of a Swedish university. The position does not include leadership of a university. Universities and colleges usually have a ''Universitetsdirektör'' or ''Förvaltningschef'', who is the head of the administration (i.e., the non-academic employees) and subordinate to the rectorate.


Switzerland

The heads of the universities in Switzerland, usually elected by the college of professors, are titled rector (''Rektor'', ''recteur'').


Central and Eastern Europe and Turkey

The rector is the head of most universities and other higher educational institutions in at least parts of Central and Eastern Europe, such as Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Poland, Romania, Russia, North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey, Hungary and Ukraine. The rector's deputies are known as "pro-rectors". Individual departments of a university (called faculties) are headed by deans.


North America


Canada

As in most Commonwealth and British-influenced countries, the term "rector" is not commonly used in English in Canada outside Quebec. Quebec's universities, both francophone (e.g., '' Université de Montréal'') and anglophone (e.g.,
Concordia University Concordia University ( French: ''Université Concordia'') is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1974 following the merger of Loyola College and Sir George Williams University, Concordia is one of the t ...
), use the term (''recteur'' or ''rectrice'' in French) to designate the head of the institution. In addition, the historically French-Catholic, and now bilingual, Saint Paul University in
Ottawa Ottawa (, ; Canadian French: ) is the capital city of Canada. It is located at the confluence of the Ottawa River and the Rideau River in the southern portion of the province of Ontario. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Quebec, and forms the core ...
, Ontario uses the term to denote its head. St. Paul's College, the Roman Catholic College of the University of Manitoba, uses the term 'rector' to designate the head of the college. St. Boniface College, the French College of the University of Manitoba, uses 'recteur' or 'rectrice' to designate the head of the college. At the bilingual University of Ottawa, the term president has been used since 2008, but before that time rector was used for the English name; however, ''recteur'' (or ''rectrice'') continues to be used as the French term for the head of the university.
Queen's University Queen's or Queens University may refer to: *Queen's University at Kingston, Ontario, Canada *Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK **Queen's University of Belfast (UK Parliament constituency) (1918–1950) **Queen's University of Belfast ...
( Kingston, Ontario) uses the term "rector". The term refers to a member of the student body elected to work as an equal with the
chancellor Chancellor ( la, cancellarius) is a title of various official positions in the governments of many nations. The original chancellors were the of Roman courts of justice—ushers, who sat at the or lattice work screens of a basilica or law cou ...
and principal. The Badge of Office of the Rector of Queen's University was registered with the Canadian Heraldic Authority on 15 October 2004. See
List of Rectors of Queen's University The following is a list of notable alumni, faculty and affiliates of Queen's University at Kingston in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Notable Queen's alumni Academic leaders * John Hall Archer – first president of the University of Regina *Herbe ...
. University of Ontario Institute of Technology also use the title.


Mexico

In Mexico, the term "rector" refers to the highest authority of most of National and State Universities, it is also usual in private Universities. The Schools and Faculties (''Facultades'' in Spanish) are in charge of Directors which are below the authority of the rector. The rector is often selected from the full time professors and have periods which vary in the different universities. The rector of the
National Autonomous University of Mexico The National Autonomous University of Mexico ( es, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, UNAM) is a public research university in Mexico. It is consistently ranked as one of the best universities in Latin America, where it's also the bigges ...
, the most relevant Mexican university, is an important mediatic figure of academic authority for all the country. The political relevance of the university makes the rector office one disputed political position and the ex-rectors are often related with the public service after their appointment, for example,
Juan Ramón de la Fuente Juan Ramón de la Fuente Ramírez (born 5 September 1951 in Mexico City) is a Mexican psychiatrist, academician and politician who served as Secretary of Health in the cabinet of President Ernesto Zedillo (1994–1999) and as rector of the Nat ...
rector from 1999 to 2007 is currently Permanent Representative of Mexico to the United Nations and
José Narro Robles José Narro Robles (born December 5, 1948 in Saltillo, Coahuila) is a Mexican researcher, academic, and politician. He is a former director of the Faculty of Medicine of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and was elected its 2 ...
rector from 2007 to 2015 was after head of the
Ministry of Health Ministry of Health may refer to: Note: Italics indicate now-defunct ministries. * Ministry of Health (Argentina) * Ministry of Health (Armenia) * Australia: ** Ministry of Health (New South Wales) * Ministry of Health (The Bahamas) * Ministry of ...
. Since 2015 the office of rector on the UNAM is occupied by
Enrique Graue Wiechers Enrique Luis Graue Wiechers (born January 9, 1951) is a Mexican academic and ophthalmologist. He is the rector of the National Autonomous University of Mexico, effective November 17, 2015. Biography Graue Wiechers entered Preparatory School No. ...
, who was appointed for his second and last period (2019-2023).


United States

Most U.S. colleges do not use the term "rector." The terms "president" and "chancellor" are often used for the chief executive of universities and university systems, depending on the institution's statutes or governing documents. Some state university systems have both "presidents" of the constituent institutions and a "chancellor" of the overall system, or vice versa; for example, in the
University of California system The University of California (UC) is a public land-grant research university system in the U.S. state of California. The system is composed of the campuses at Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Merced, Riverside, San Diego, San Francisco, ...
, each of the ten campuses is headed by a chancellor, while the leader of the system is given the title "president." Colleges and universities, or state systems, also typically have governing boards (akin to a
board of directors A board of directors (commonly referred simply as the board) is an executive committee that jointly supervises the activities of an organization, which can be either a for-profit or a nonprofit organization such as a business, nonprofit organiz ...
), which may be referred to by a variety of names, including "board of trustees" and "board of regents," and which are usually led by a chairperson. "Rector" is commonly used in Virginia, however. The University of Virginia ( Charlottesville), University of Mary Washington ( Fredericksburg),
George Mason University George Mason University (George Mason, Mason, or GMU) is a public research university in Fairfax County, Virginia with an independent City of Fairfax, Virginia postal address in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area. The university was origin ...
(
Fairfax Fairfax may refer to: Places United States * Fairfax, California * Fairfax Avenue, a major thoroughfare in Los Angeles, California * Fairfax District, Los Angeles, California, centered on Fairfax Avenue * Fairfax, Georgia * Fairfax, Indiana * Fa ...
), Virginia State University (
Petersburg Petersburg, or Petersburgh, may refer to: Places Australia *Petersburg, former name of Peterborough, South Australia Canada * Petersburg, Ontario Russia *Saint Petersburg, sometimes referred to as Petersburg United States *Peterborg, U.S. Virg ...
), Virginia Commonwealth University (
Richmond Richmond most often refers to: * Richmond, Virginia, the capital of Virginia, United States * Richmond, London, a part of London * Richmond, North Yorkshire, a town in England * Richmond, British Columbia, a city in Canada * Richmond, California, ...
),
Longwood University Longwood University is a public university in Farmville, Virginia. Founded in 1839, it is the third-oldest public university in Virginia and one of the hundred oldest institutions of higher education in the United States. Previously a college, Lo ...
( Farmville), Washington and Lee University ( Lexington), the College of William and Mary (
Williamsburg Williamsburg may refer to: Places *Colonial Williamsburg, a living-history museum and private foundation in Virginia *Williamsburg, Brooklyn, neighborhood in New York City *Williamsburg, former name of Kernville (former town), California *Williams ...
), Old Dominion University ( Norfolk), Christopher Newport University ( Newport News), and Virginia Tech ( Blacksburg) all use the term "Rector" to designate the presiding officer of the Board of Visitors (or "Board of Trustees," in the case of Washington and Lee). Thomas Jefferson served as the first rector of the University of Virginia, beginning in 1819, and intended that the school would not have a president; it lacked that position until 1904. From 1701 to 1745, the head of the school that was to become Yale University was termed the "rector". As head of Yale College, Thomas Clap was both the last to be called "rector" (1740–1745) and the first to be referred to as president (1745–1766). Modern custom omits the use of the term "rector" and identifies Abraham Pierson as the first Yale president (1701–1707), making Clap the fifth of Yale's leaders, regardless of title. Several Catholic colleges and universities, particularly those run by religious orders of priests (such as the Jesuits) used to employ the term "rector" to refer to the school's chief officer. In many cases, the rector was also the head of the community of priests assigned to the school, so the two posts – head of the university and local superior of the priests – were merged in the role of rector (''See "Ecclesiastical rectors" below''). This practice is mostly no longer followed, as the details of the governance of most of these schools have changed. Creighton University still appoints a rector. At the University of Notre Dame, the title "rector" is used for those in charge of individual residence halls. Some American high schools also have a rector; for example, at St. Paul's School in New Hampshire, the rector is equivalent to a headmaster (head of the school).


Australia

The term "rector" is uncommon in Australian academic institutions. The executive head of an Australian university has traditionally been given the British title Vice-Chancellor, although in recent times the American term President has also been adopted. The term rector is used by some academic institutions, such as the University of Melbourne residential college, Newman College; the private boys' school, Xavier College; and the University of Sydney residential college, St John's College (Benedictine). The title rector is sometimes used for the head of a subordinate and geographically separate campus of a university. For example, the executive head of the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra, which is a campus of the University of New South Wales in Sydney is a Rector, as is the head of the Cairns campus of
James Cook University James Cook University (JCU) is a public university in North Queensland, Australia. The second oldest university in Queensland, JCU is a teaching and research institution. The university's main campuses are located in the tropical cities of Cairn ...
, based at Townsville.


New Zealand

The title is used in New Zealand for the headmaster of some independent schools, such as
Lindisfarne College Lindisfarne College was a private school or independent school. It was founded in 1891 in Westcliff-on-Sea in Essex, England. In 1940 Lindisfarne College moved from Westcliff to nearby Creeksea Place, but during the Second World War the buildin ...
and
St. Patrick's College, Silverstream St Patrick's College is a state-integrated school, state-integrated Roman Catholic Church, Catholic boys' day school, day and boarding school, boarding secondary school located in Silverstream, Upper Hutt, New Zealand. It was established in 193 ...
, as well as a number of state schools for boys, including Otago Boys' High School,
King's High School, Dunedin King's High School is a state single-sex boys' secondary school in Dunedin, New Zealand. It is located at the southern end of the city close to the boundary between the suburbs of South Dunedin, St. Clair and Forbury, next to the parallel single ...
,
Waitaki Boys' High School Waitaki Boys' High School is a secondary school for boys located in the northern part of the town of Oamaru, Otago, New Zealand, with day and boarding facilities, and was founded in 1883. , it has a school roll of approximately 400 students. The ...
,
Timaru Boys' High School Timaru Boys' High School (also known as TBHS), established in 1880, is a single sex state (public) secondary school located in the port city of Timaru, South Canterbury, New Zealand. TBHS caters for years 9 to 13 (ages 12 to 19 years). At th ...
, Palmerston North Boys' High School and Southland Boys' High School showing the Scots' involvement in the foundation of those schools.


Africa


Benin

In Benin, the term is commonly used for heads of universities and academic institutions


Mauritius

In Mauritius the term 'rector' is used to designate the head of a secondary school.


Asia


India

The heads of certain Indian
boarding school A boarding school is a school where pupils live within premises while being given formal instruction. The word "boarding" is used in the sense of "room and board", i.e. lodging and meals. As they have existed for many centuries, and now exten ...
s are called rectors. The head or principal of a Catholic school in India is also called a rector.


Indonesia

Rector is the highest executive post in universities in Indonesia. At a public university, university senate members select a pool three candidates for the education minister to decide the rector from. Except for autonomous public university (PTN-BH), rector was elected by university board of trustees. The final decision is not necessarily the one with the majority of the university senate's votes.


Japan

During the years of the Tokugawa shogunate (1601–1868), the rector of Edo's Confucian Academy, the '' Shōhei-kō'' (afterwards known at the '' Yushima Seidō''), was known by the honorific title ''
Daigaku-no kami was a Japanese Imperial court position and the title of the chief education expert in the rigid court hierarchy. The Imperial ''Daigaku-no-kami'' predates the Heian period; and the court position continued up through the early Meiji period. The ...
'' which, in the context of the Tokugawa hierarchy, can effectively be translated as "Head of the State University". The rector of the ''Yushima Seidō'' stood at the apex of the country-wide educational and training system which was created and maintained with the personal involvement of successive shōguns. The position as rector of the ''Yushima Seidō'' became hereditary in the Hayashi family. The rectors' scholarly reputation was burnished by the publication in 1657 of the seven volumes of and by the publication in 1670 of the 310 volumes of .Brownlee, John. (1991)
''Political Thought in Japanese Historical Writing: From Kojiki (712) to Tokushi Yoron (1712),'' p. 120.
/ref>


Macau

In the former Portuguese colony of Macau, a Special Administrative Region of China since late 1999, the highest administrative officials of three universities, namely University of Macau, University of Saint Joseph and City University of Macau, are titled as 'Rector'. However, the equivalent position is 'President' at the Macau University of Science and Technology.


Malaysia

In this
Commonwealth A commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. Historically, it has been synonymous with "republic". The noun "commonwealth", meaning "public welfare, general good or advantage", dates from the ...
nation, the term ''Rektor'' is used to refer to the highest administrative official in several universities and higher education institutions in Malaysia, such as the International Islamic University Malaysia in Gombak and the Universiti Teknologi MARA in
Perak Perak () is a state of Malaysia on the west coast of the Malay Peninsula. Perak has land borders with the Malaysian states of Kedah to the north, Penang to the northwest, Kelantan and Pahang to the east, and Selangor to the south. Thailand's ...
. A ''Rektor'' is comparable to the position of ''Naib Canselor'', or vice-chancellor, in other higher education institutions, as the ''Rektor'' answers to the '' Canselor''.


Myanmar

The term ''rector'' (
Burmese Burmese may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to Myanmar, a country in Southeast Asia * Burmese people * Burmese language * Burmese alphabet * Burmese cuisine * Burmese culture Animals * Burmese cat * Burmese chicken * Burmese (hor ...
:''ပါမောက္ခချုပ်'') is used to refer to the highest official of universities in
Myanmar Myanmar, ; UK pronunciations: US pronunciations incl. . Note: Wikipedia's IPA conventions require indicating /r/ even in British English although only some British English speakers pronounce r at the end of syllables. As John C. Wells, Joh ...
. Each university department is headed by a professor, who is responsible to the rector. Nowadays, given the large dimensions of some universities, the position of pro-rector has emerged, just below that of the rector. Pro-rectors are in charge of managing particular areas of the university, such as research or undergraduate education.


Pakistan

The heads of certain universities and colleges such as COMSATS University Islamabad,
National University of Modern Languages The National University of Modern Languages (NUMLs) (Urdu: ) is a multi-campus public university with its main campus located in Islamabad, Pakistan and other campuses in different cities of Pakistan. Overview At the foothills of the mighty H ...
, National University of Sciences & Technology,
Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology The Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology ( ur, ; commonly referred as GIKI), is a private research university located in Topi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan. The institute has a campus that is located in the vici ...
, Forman Christian College,
Virtual University of Pakistan The Virtual University of Pakistan (VU) ( ur, ) is a public university with its headquarters in M.A Jinnah Campus, Defence Road, Off Raiwind Road Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. It mainly focuses on providing distant learning programs through utilizat ...
and PIEAS are all titled "Rector".


Philippines

The term ''rector'' or ''Rector Magnificus'' is used to refer to the highest official in prominent Catholic universities and colleges such as the University of Santo Tomas, the Colegio de San Juan de Letran, and the
San Beda University es, Universidad de San Beda , image = San Beda University seal.svg , image_size = 150px , caption = University Seal , latin_name = Universitas Sancti Bedæ , former_names ...
. The rector typically sits as chair of the university board of trustees. He exercises policy-making, general academic, managerial, and religious functions over all university academic and non-academic staff. During the Spanish colonial period, on 20 May 1865, a royal order from Queen Isabella II gave the
Rector Magnificus of the University of Santo Tomas The of the University of Santo Tomas (pl. ) is the highest-ranking officer and chief administrator of the University of Santo Tomas (UST), the oldest and the largest Catholic university in Manila, Philippines. The rector typically sits as chief ...
the power to direct and supervise all the educational institutions in the Philippines and thus, the Rector of the university became the ''ex officio'' head of the secondary and higher education in the Philippines. All diplomas issued by other schools were approved by the Rector of the university and examinations leading to the issuance of such diplomas were supervised by the professors of the University of Santo Tomas.http://www.varsitarian.net/supplement/rectors_supplement/history_of_the_rectorship
''The Varsitarian website'' Accessed 4 August 2012

''The University of Santo Tomas website'' Accessed 4 August 2012


Thailand

The term ''rector'' is not widely used to refer to the highest executive position in Thai universities (
Thai Thai or THAI may refer to: * Of or from Thailand, a country in Southeast Asia ** Thai people, the dominant ethnic group of Thailand ** Thai language, a Tai-Kadai language spoken mainly in and around Thailand *** Thai script *** Thai (Unicode block ...
:''อธิการบดี''; ), compared to the term ''president''.
Thammasat University Thammasat University (Abbreviation, Abrv: TU th, มธ.; th, มหาวิทยาลัยธรรมศาสตร์, , ) is a public research university in Thailand with campuses in Tha Phra Chan area of Phra Nakhon District near the ...
adopts this term for this position to reflect its tradition associated with the French education system where Pridi Banomyong, Thammasat's founding father was educated. Except Assumption University, the only International Catholic University in Thailand, the position of the head of the executives and administrators of the institute is "rector". A decade after the present rector assume his duty, the title of Rector Magnificus was bestowed on Rev. Bro. Bancha Saenghiran, f.s.g., Ph.D. at a solemn Academic ceremony on 1 November 2011 at the Assumption University Suvarnabhumi campus in the ornate Chapel of St. Louis Marie de Montfort (founder of the Montfortian Brothers of St. Gabriel.)


South America


Argentina

The term ''rector'' is used to refer to the highest official of universities, and university-owned high schools (e.g.,
Escuela Superior de Comercio Carlos Pellegrini The Escuela Superior de Comercio Carlos Pellegrini (''Carlos Pellegrini High School of Commerce'', ESCCP) is a public high school in Buenos Aires, and it is one of the most prestigious in Argentina and Latin America. Founded on February 19, 189 ...
) in Argentina. Each faculty ( Spanish:''Facultad'') has its own dean.


Brazil

The term ''rector'' ( Portuguese: ''Reitor'') is used to refer to the highest official of universities in Brazil. Each faculty is headed by a director, who is under the authority of the rector. Nowadays, given the large size of some universities, the position of pro-rector has emerged below that of the rector. The pro-rector is in charge of managing a particular area of the university, such as research or undergraduate education.


Compound titles

A rector who has resigned is often given the title ''rector
emeritus ''Emeritus'' (; female: ''emerita'') is an adjective used to designate a retired chair, professor, pastor, bishop, pope, director, president, prime minister, rabbi, emperor, or other person who has been "permitted to retain as an honorary title ...
''. One who temporarily performs the functions usually fulfilled by a rector is styled a ''pro-rector'' (in parishes, administrator). Deputies of rectors in institutions are known as ''vice-rector''s (in parishes, as curates, assistant - or associate rectors, etc.). In some universities the title vice-rector has, like vice-chancellor in many Anglo-Saxon cases, been used for the de facto head when the essentially honorary title of rector is reserved for a high externa dignitary; until 1920, there was such a ''vice-recteur'' at the Parisian Sorbonne as the French Minister of Education was its nominal ''recteur''.


See also

* Chancellor (education) *
Dean (education) Dean is a title employed in academic administrations such as colleges or universities for a person with significant authority over a specific academic unit, over a specific area of concern, or both. In the United States and Canada, deans are usua ...


Notes


References

*


External links

* {{Authority control Academic administration