Q Manivannan and US Office star beaten to University of St Andrews rectorship

St Andrews University <i>(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)</i>

(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

A Scottish Green MSP and one of the stars of the U.S version of The Office have been beaten to the rectorship of the University of St Andrews.

Brian Baumgartner, who played Kevin Malone in the American adaptation of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant's sitcom, stood for election along with Dr Q Manivannan.

However, they were beaten into second and third place respectively by Dr Arthur Bernhoff, an alumnus of the university.

Dr Bernhoff holds an analytical role with the Ministry of Defence and remains a Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Deployable Civilian Expert.

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Having completed a PHD in international relations at St Andrews, he has worked in Lebanon and Ukraine.

On a turnout of just below 45% he secured 3135 votes in the fourth round of voting, compared to 1,553 for Mr Baumgartner and 1243 for Dr Manivannan, who was eliminated in the previous round.

Mark Brunner was fourth with 874 votes, Edison Yau fifth with 382 votes, and Dr Conor Philp sixth with 140 votes. A Reopen Nominations option got 200 votes.

Dr Bernhoff, who received the most votes in all four rounds of voting, said: “I am honoured and humbled by the level of support that I received during the campaign and the election from all the different parts of the student body.

"Over the past few weeks, and particularly in the last few days, students have very generously talked to me about their experiences, and shared their perspectives. As a proud alumni, it has been a great pleasure and a privilege to reconnect with the University where I have spent some of the most formative years of my life.

“I look forward to working with the student body, Students’ Association, University staff, and members of the Court to help make the University even stronger, where students from all backgrounds, and of all characteristics can thrive and build strong foundations for lives beyond their time in higher education.

“I intend to be a proactive rector, accessible to all students of our vastly diverse student body. I am committed to my campaign promise of representing the views of all St Andrews students as a neutral, unbiased advocate of their concerns. I promise to be present, listening, and effective.”

The previous rectors, Stella Maris, was dismissed from the institution’s governing body and her position as a trustee after accusing Israel of genocide and apartheid in its treatment of Palestinians.

She sent a message to all 10,000 students at the university describing Israel's actions in Gaza as "genocidal" and accused it of "apartheid, siege, illegal occupation and collective punishment".

The rector also condemned "war crimes" committed by Hamas including the taking of hostages and the targeting of civilians, while calling for a ceasefire.

The report, prepared by Morag Ross QC, concluded dismissal would be a "disproportionate response" but the university nonetheless followed through with her removal.

Ms Maris won an appeal and was reinstated, but was dismissed for a second time after a row about her constitutional powers.

She continued to hold the role of rector until this month.