Principal cuts ties with ancient club and brands men-only membership 'sexist'

Published on Thursday 9 April 2009 22:23

AN ANCIENT student society dating back to the 15th century has been told by the principal of one of Scotland's most prestigious universities that its sexist men-only membership rules are unacceptable.

Dr Louise Richardson e-mailed every student to say St Andrews University is withdrawing its official recognition of the Kate Kennedy Club.

The society is famous for a colourful procession, on 18 April this year, which attracts large crowds and is led by a male student dressed as a woman.

Dr Richardson said she hoped the event would continue as an "important tradition" and praised the group's charitable fundraising. But she added: "The university will not, however, be participating officially in the procession this year nor continuing its recognition of the Kate Kennedy Club."

She told students she believed the university could not endorse a club from which so many were excluded at birth.

She added: "The official endorsement of any club or society which excludes people because of their gender or race would be completely at odds with the values of this university, and our commitment to foster an open and inclusive international community of scholars and students in St Andrews."

The club was set up to honour the beautiful niece of Bishop Kennedy, a founder member of the university, and dates back to the 15th century.

It fell into disuse but was revived in 1926, and is most famous for its annual procession in which students dress as historical characters connected with the town such as Mary Queen of Scots, John Knox and Andrew Carnegie.

A male first-year student is selected on the morning of the event to dress as Kate.

In 2002, a petition against the club sparked a university snub of the event because of its elitist invitation-only membership.

While he was a student at St Andrews, Prince William is reported to have pointedly not sought membership of the society in disapproval.

James Shield, director of representation at St Andrews University Student Association, said: "The Kate Kennedy Club is, to many, an anachronism. There are some fantastic benefits of being a 600-year-old institution but there are also aspects that should catch up with modern society."

However, Murdo Findlay, president of the Kate Kennedy Club, said he was disappointed by the decision and vowed the procession would go on.

He said: "I do not believe changes to our constitution should be effected by any degree of external pressure."

In 2002 the then principal, Dr Brian Lang, boycotted the procession and withdrew university support in protest at its men-only membership, which he maintained was contrary to its equal opportunities policy.

Kevin Massie, a St Andrews graduate, said: "It was seen as a very exclusive club for English people from private schools, with perhaps the odd member from Fettes. It was regarded as unrepresentative of the student body."

The move comes after Dr Richardson was denied membership of the men-only centuries-old Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews – a courtesy extended to her male predecessors.