Arquivo F2843 - Queen's University. Office of the Rector fonds

The position of Rector, unique among Canadian universities, was established in 1912 and modelled after similar positions at Scottish universities. The primary function of the Rector is to represent students on the Board of Trustees. Some Rectors, however, have also used the office in a more informal way to help students with administrative problems by providing information and advice.

The Rector also has certain ceremonial responsibilities, the most important of which is to join the Chancellor and the Principal on the dais at convocations. The Rector is frequently called upon to represent students on university committees, such as those which select the Principal and honorary degree recipients.

The Rector was previously elected by students to a three-year term (now a two-year term), but until 1969 no students were chosen; instead, the Rector tended to be some prominent friend of Queen's, such as the senior public servant O.D. Skelton (1929-1935), former Prime Minister R.B. Bennett (1935-1937), and the businessman and chair of the CBC Leonard Brockington (1947-1968). In 1969, students forced the resignation of the Rector, Senator Grattan O'Leary – since that time, students have been elected to the post ever since.