University Principal Pete Edwards appears to have been targeted by instances of vandalism on university property.
According to several staff sources, ‘Pete Principl’ appeared to be scrawled across the grass on the Kings Playing Field with paint. Two messages were erased on parking spaces in the Senior Management’s car park as well.
The University of Aberdeen and Police Scotland refused to give comment on either incident.
Fraser Bell, Chief Financial Officer, sent an email to students and staff on the 5th of June, stating that they reported “several instances of unacceptable conduct towards members of staff and repeated damage to University property.”
He added, “should such actions be attributed to a member of the student body, it would be treated as a significant breach of our Code of Practice.
“Every single one of us is entitled to expect respect and be treated with courtesy.“
The message on the grass has now been covered by the tents used for the graduations this week.
Fraser Bell also highlighted an instance of a serious hate crime aimed towards a member of staff in his email to the university community. The Gaudie is yet to confirm the nature of this incident.
“Due to their criminal nature, these acts have been reported to the police to investigate,” he continued.
Alongside these incidents, there have also been numerous posters appearing around campus containing a poem aimed at the principal. They have been reported all across campus, including in front of the Sir Duncan Rice Library, St Machars Drive, and Kings Street.
The full poster reads:
“Peter’s Principle’s Principal Peter, what’s your principal pickle?”
The posters make reference to the management theory ‘Peter’s Principle’, that states that hierarchies promote people to “a level of respective incompetence.”
There have also been stickers dotted around campus containing a pickle.
Principal Pete Edwards has been in post since November 2025. He was previously a Computer Science professor, being employed by the University since 1988.
In his time as principal, he has overseen the so-called ‘Adapting for Continued Success’ programme. The scheme has brought forth proposals that have brought wide-spread pushback from students and staff.
The most recent of proposals will see 111 full time equivalent staff lose their jobs.
Staff have participated in strike action for over a dozen days this year over the fear of axed courses, increased workloads, and compulsory redundancies.
Edwards is yet to rule out compulsory redundancies, saying that they are a “last resort.”
Fraser Bell alluded to the plans in his email to the university:
“Views may differ on what’s being discussed but we must not lose sight of our University’s culture and values. “
