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Rector

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The word '''rector''' ("ruler," from the Latin ''regere'') has a number of different meanings. The term and office of a rector are called ''rectorate''. In languages such as German, Norwegian, Swedish and Polish, the spelling is '''Rektor'''; in Italian, the word became '''Rettore''', and in Finland, '''Rehtori'''.

Academic rectors
The '''Rector''' is the highest academic official of many university universities and certain other institutions of higher, sometimes even secondary, education. The title is used widely in higher education Europe, including Italy, Germany, Scandinavia, Benelux the Benelux, Spain, Portugal, and Scotland. In Latin American countries, such as Argentina, Brasil, Mexico and Peru, it is also very common. At some universities it is phrased in a loftier manner, as ''Rector Magnificus'' or ''Lord Rector''. A notable exception to this terminology was England, where universities were traditionally headed by a "Chancellor", and this designation followed in the Commonwealth, USA and other countries under Anglo-Saxon influence.

Scotland
In Scotland, the position of '''Rector''' exists in the four Ancient universities of Scotland ancient universities, which are the University of St Andrews St Andrews, the University of Glasgow Glasgow, the University of Aberdeen Aberdeen and University of Edinburgh Edinburgh. The University of Dundee Dundee, technically an 'ancient university' owing to its separation from the University of St Andrews, also follows this tradition. The post (officially ''Lord Rector'', but by normal use ''Rector'' alone) was made an integral part of these universities by the Universities (Scotland) Act 1889. Whilst the chief executive of these universities is the University Principal Principal and Vice-Chancellor, the Rector chairs meetings of the University Court, the governing body of the university, and is elected at regular intervals by their matriculation matriculated student bodies. This role is considered by many students to be integral to their ability to shape the universities' agendas. To some extent the office has evolved into more of a figurehead role, but given recent threats to the status of the Rector as the chair of the Court, and the value placed upon this role, there has been a resurgence of interest in recent years in the idea of electing more respected, experienced figures. This is because students have come to realise the importance of electing people who are competent and could be taken seriously, and that not treating the position with respect would make it far easier to argue for the status of the Rector as chair of the Court to be discontinued. Nonetheless, a significant number of celebrities have often been elected as Rectors, such as (Peter Ustinov at Dundee, Clarissa Dickson-Wright at Aberdeen, and John Cleese and Frank Muir at St. Andrews. Gordon Brown, the current Chancellor of the Exchequer, was Rector of Edinburgh University while a student there, but since then most universities have amended their procedures to forbid currently matriculated students from standing for election. The head teacher of a Scottish secondary school is in many cases known as its Rector.

England
At Oxford University Oxford and University of Cambridge Cambridge, English universities headed by ''chancellors'', most colleges are headed by a ''master''. At a few colleges, this role is instead played by a ''president'' or a ''warden''; and at two of the Oxford colleges - Lincoln College, Oxford Lincoln College and Exeter College, Oxford Exeter College - the head is called a ''rector.'' At University of London, the head of Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine is called a Rector as well.

The European continent
The head of Dutch universities is called ''rector magnificus'', as in some Belgian universities (notably the oldest and largest, KULeuven). The title ''rector'' is also used for the head of some Maltese and Dutch secondary schools, but less commonly than ''Conrector'' (not necessarily collegial). In some countries, including Germany, the position of head teacher in a secondary school is also designated as Rector; in the Netherlands (aside from Dutch-speaking Flanders), Rector or often Conrector (not necessarily collegial) is used commonly.

The United States
The title "rector" is generally used at secondary schools and boarding schools affiliated with the Episcopal or Catholic Church, where the headmaster is often an ordained clergyman. Most colleges and universities follow the English method, and use the term 'chancellor." for either the president, or the chairman of the board. A notable exeption is the University of Virginia, which does employ the term "rector."

India
The heads of certain Indian Boarding schools are called Rectors.

See also
* Education in Scotland * Lord Rector of Glasgow University * Lord Rector of Edinburgh University * Lord Rector of Aberdeen University * Lord Rector of Dundee University * Lord Rector of St Andrews University

Ecclesiastical rectors

Anglican churches
In the Anglicanism Anglican Churches, a '''rector''' is one type of parish priest. For historical reasons, some parish priests in the Church of England are called by this term while others are called vicars. Roughly speaking, the distinction was that the rector directly received the tithes of his parish, while a vicar was paid instead a salary (sometimes by his diocese). The term has been re-used to designate the priest in charge of a team ministry (See also curate.) In the Church of Ireland, Scottish Episcopal Church, and Anglican Church of Canada, most parish priests are called rectors, not vicars. Outside the British Isles the term is used more loosely. In the Episcopal Church in the United States of America, "rector" is usually used for the priest in charge of a self-sustaining parish while the priest who heads a mission (Christian) mission—a congregation supported by the diocese—is generally called a vicar.

Roman Catholic Church
In the Roman Catholic Church, a '''rector''' is a priest appointed by the diocesan bishop to take charge of a church not belonging to a parish. This is often the case with the cathedral of the diocese, which, in the Anglican Communion, would be headed by a dean (religion) dean. The specific term in the Roman Catholic Church is ''Plebanus''. A rector can also be in charge of the main church of a Catholic university or the church of a seminary. Rectors of those institutions have special obligations under canon law.

Rectorates in politics and administration
*'''''Rector provinciae''''' was the Latin generic term for the governor of a Roman province, known since Suetonius, and specifically a legal term (as used in the Codices of Theodosius and Justinianus) since Emperor Diocletian's Tetrarchy (when they came under the administrative authority of the Vicarius of a diocese and these under a Pretorian prefect), regardless of the specific titles (of different rank, such as Proconsul, Praeses, Consularis, Corrector provinciae) *For the use of the style ''duke and rector of Burgundy'' by the Zähringer dynasty claimants to viceregal powers as Regent in the Arelat kingdom of Burgundy ''within'' the Holy Roman Empire, see King of Burgundy#Rectorate of Burgundy *The Comtat Venaissin in southern France was administered by a Rector since it became a papal possession till 1790 (on 24 May its States General -representative assembly- proclaims a constitution, but remains loyal to the pope). *For similar gubernatorial use or as Chief magistrate in city states in the Adriatic, see ''Rettore'' *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), Innsbruck in Tirol, Wien (Vienna) in Nieder-Österreich (Lower Austria); in Bohemia, two Rectors seated in the equivalent Landesvertretung

Sources and references
*Pauly-Wissowa (in German, on Antiquity)
- Austria-Hungary Empire in German (use English and French translations with due caution) Category:Anglicanism Category:Catholic Priesthood Category:Ecclesiastical titles Category:Education in Scotland Category:Schools in Scotland Category:Universities in Scotland da:Rektor de:Rektor eo:Rektoro id:Rektor nl:Rector Magnificus pl:Rektor pt:Reitor ru:Ректор sl:Rektor sv:Rektor uk:Ректор

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