Our mission
We’re on a mission to make a positive difference for all OU students. This is a mission we believe in and that we use to make all of our decisions.
Our vision
Your Students Association will:
- Empower a student voice that is strong and effective in representing the diversity of our members
- Work collaboratively with the University to ensure that students are at the centre of decision-making
- Build an inclusive community which nurtures a sense of pride and belonging
- Provide relevant, quality services which enhance the student experience
Our values
Our values and behaviour support this mission. Our values are important because they underpin our commitments and decision-making. They are crucial in creating a positive space to engage with our members to ensure that, together, we’re achieving our charitable objectives. They represent what we value and who we are.
Our values bring us together as a team, because everyone is in this together. They drive how we interact with others, and establish what we expect of one another. They make the student community one which every single OU student can engage with, and where they can feel at home.
We celebrate our differences. We understand that we will never all agree. Some conversations are hard, but they need to be had. So long as we share our individual perspectives respectfully and with acknowledgement for other's hardships, journeys and barriers, there is always something we can learn from one another.
We are all involved because we’re driven to make a difference. To make this work, we must live our values and be aware of our behaviours (how we act). How we behave not only paves the way for how we interact together, and how we make each other feel, but it shows others what is expected in our spaces and how we treat one another.
By ensuring we all understand these expectations, we can operate harmoniously and achieve more. Together. Whether we are elected, selected, appointed, paid or just coming along for the laughs: we’re passionate about improving the future of the OU and Association for others. The behaviours we expect from one another are:
- To be honest and respectful in all our interactions
- To build and nurture personal connections
- To seek and value others contributions
- To consider others, and model kindness through all interactions
We work together. We genuinely care about each other, offering compassion and safety. Our best ideas, projects and events are born from truly listening to one another. Our values include being welcoming, accountable, bold, adaptable and sustainable.
Welcoming
We ensure every student feels welcome and supported whilst celebrating diversity, embracing all backgrounds, and fostering a sense of belonging.
Accountable
We are accountable to our members and actively work toward their best interests.
Bold
Empowering people to be creative and ambitious in their actions, whilst striving to improve the experience of all our members.
Adaptable
We are dynamic in meeting the needs of our diverse members and reactive to changes that affect their experience.
Sustainable
Ensuring we are responsible in our activities, safeguarding the future of the Association and promoting a positive environmental impact.
Find out more in our Values and Behaviour Policy below.
Values and Behaviour Policy