The February Half-Yearly Meeting of the General Council took place in the McEwan Hall followed by lunch in the Playfair Library. The University Rector, Simon Fanshawe, chaired the meeting and the Convener, Gordon Cairns gave his inaugural report from the Business Committee. The Principal, Professor Sir Peter Mathieson, presented the Annual Report from the University, based on the University's Annual Report and Statement of Accounts for 2023/24.The Secretary of the General Council, Dr William Duncan, noted the key dates for General Council elections and statutory meetings:Elections for vacancies to the Business Committee will be held in February 2026 and nomination forms should be received by Wednesday 19 November 2025.Future dates for Half-Yearly Meetings: Saturday 14 June 2025Saturday 14 February 2026A recording of the meeting, which includes the reports from the Principal and the Convener of the General Council Business Committee, can be viewed below:As usual following the Half-Yearly Meeting, members of the General Council, alumni partners, family and friends attended the General Council Lunch in the Playfair Library to hear the Rector, Mr Simon Fanshawe, deliver the after-lunch talk: "Argument, taking offence and academic freedom".The recording can be viewed below:Some feedback received:congratulations on a very well organised and successful meeting and lunch Simon Fanshawe's talk was most stimulating and thought provoking Recording of the General Council statutory meeting on Saturday 15 February 2025 in the McEwan Hall. Talk from Rector, Simon Fanshawe, at the General Council lunch in the Playfair Library Hall, February 2025 entitled: "Argument, taking offence and academic freedom". This article was published on 2025-02-27
