Snowden will engage with the student union, which represents the university's governing body, to discuss university affairs, though he is unable to leave Russia to attend discussions in person. The Rector is a unique position at the University of Glasgow, elected by a vote of the student body. The student organization stated that they had previously obtained his consent through Snowden's lawyers. The organization remarked: “We are very pleased to see Snowden elected as the new Rector of the University of Glasgow.”
The organization added: “The University of Glasgow has a tradition of using the Rector to make important statements, and we oppose pervasive and unethical 'surveillance.' More importantly, we want to show Snowden and other brave whistleblowers that we stand with them, wherever they may be.”
Snowden's role as Rector is primarily to serve as a student representative for the University of Glasgow. He is expected to be granted permission to attend meetings held by the government and other institutions. Previous Rectors of the University of Glasgow include Winnie Mandela, Israeli nuclear whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu, and former Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy.
