SLT PRIORITY AREAS UPDATE
The Student Leadership Team are coming up to the halfway point of their terms in office and will focus on what they hope to achieve under each priority area in the next twelve months at the July SLT meeting.
Since the last meeting in April, there have been a number of achievements, including the following highlights:
Under the EDI and Accessibility priority area, 700 free Totum cards were distributed to OU students in Wales to help with the cost of living, and guidance was provided for students who are applying for Disabled Student Allowance.
Under the Representation priority area, students were consulted on their views regarding the University and College Union’s (UCU) marking and assessment boycott (MAB), which informed the Student Leadership Team’s decision to oppose the MAB and call for the UCU to take an alternative course of action that would reduce the impact on students. Additionally, the decision was taken to rebrand Central Committee Representatives to Student Reps in order to make their function more clear and relevant to students.
Under the Association Awareness priority area, the Association was awarded the Investing in Volunteers accreditation, representing the quality standard for organisations who work with volunteers. The Association’s Environmental and Sustainability Working Group also released a statement regarding the Open University’s placement in the People and Planet University league table calling on the OU to be more transparent and open about its work on Sustainability.
And finally, under the Communities and Engagement priority area the Association opened nominations for this year’s Tutor Awards, enabling students to recognise the impact of tutors who have helped them on their student journey. Furthermore, the Association is promoting a series of ‘End of Year Meet Ups’ taking place on the weekend of 22nd-23rd July to bring students together to celebrate their academic achievements.
For more information on the work being done in the Student Leadership Team’s four priority areas, please visit the Our Priorities area of the website.
SLT APPROVALS
Raising awareness of the Association through students’ engagement with their modules Action Plan – April 2023
Deadline extensions for students receiving late alternative formats Action Plan – April 2023
Marking and Assessment Boycott Statement – May 2023
Books opt-out – Approval requested from Environment and Sustainability Working Group May 2023
Byelaw Amendments (May 2023) – May 2023
Amendment to Environment and Sustainability Working Group Terms of Reference - June 2023
Update to Resolving and Settling Differences Procedure and Approval of a Complaints Pool Panel Terms of Reference – June 2023
SLT STATEMENTS
The Students Association, in collaboration with the OU (Open University) in Wales, utilised funding from the Higher Education Council for Wales to provide 700 3-year TOTUM student discount cards to students in Wales for free!
Four statements were released in relation to the Marking and Assessment Boycott announced by UCU (UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE UNION). The first of these explained that the mandate for further industrial action had been extended. We then released a statement that reflected our position on the boycott, which was informed by a variety of quantitative and qualitative data. Our third statement provided an update on the impact of the action, before a final statement, released jointly with UCU calling for a resumption to negotiations. These statements were supplemented with guidance to students affected by the action.
Following the first use of the Student Issues page to inform discussions at quarterly SLT meetings, we reported on what we discussed and what our next steps are.
We celebrated a phenomenal number of nominations in our 2023 Tutor Awards, registering a 421% increase on the inaugural 2022 nominations!
Find out what your elected Student Leadership Team have been up to!
STUDENT ISSUES
Students have raised concern about the reduction of face-to-face tutorials and feels this unduly penalises those that prefer this method of delivery over online. Concerns were raised by students studying languages at the OU regarding the loss of face-to-face opportunities. Some felt that they were misled when enrolling on modules, as they were still advertised on the module description. Additionally, they felt that there was a strong pedagogical reason for face-to-face opportunities to remain for this topic. Members of SLT have raised these concerns with the appropriate people and will continue to do so.
Concerns were raised about the inadequacy of software required to be used in A350. This impacted the build-up to the final assessment and resulted in a group complaint being made. The Deputy President raised these issues with the Module Chair, and after a response that was felt to not address the issue, escalated it to the PVC (Pro Vice Chancellor) for Students and the Director for Student Support. They have got in touch directly with the students and are working to reach a resolution.
Exceptionally lengthy delays for some students in receiving their TMA (Tutor Marked Assignment) results back has resulted in support from members of the SLT. Whilst we do not normally get involved in individual advocacy and encourage those affected to use the official channels at first instance, these cases involved delays of multiple months. Multiple members of the SLT, particularly the Faculty Reps, VP Education the Deputy President and President have worked together to bring these issues to the attention of the appropriate people, ensuring that contact was made to explain the reasons for the delay and possible remedying actions.
Michael, VP Admin, received a concern from a student who had delayed DSA funding. This caused them to fear falling behind, owing to being unable to print material from their course. Michael signposted them to the appropriate team to ensure that they received the support needed.
There have been concerns raised with regards to the Gender Critical Network at the OU by our Trans and non-binary students and their fears that they are not being heard by the OU when they raise these concerns. Given the current social and political situation it is important now more than ever that we support our trans and non-binary students so we are currently in consultation with these students to see how we can provide effective help and support.
VP Engagement, Lou, received concerns over remote exams not being available as practice papers with answers as the old exams were and struggling to know what is expected. Lou has raised this issue in the hope of better preparing students for remote exams.
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Rep, Nigel, raised concerns with the Life, Health, and Chemical Sciences school following concerns from students that their results and feedback were delayed. The school were aware of the issue and were working proactively to address the issue.
SLT ACHIEVEMENTS
To increase engagement with our online magazine, The Hoot, our VP Engagement has been involved in the creation of a working group on the topic. This group will look at how The Hoot is working, looking at a refresh as it celebrates its’ 5th birthday this year!
VP Admin led a review of the OUSET (Open University Students Educational Trust) Trust Deed to update the charity's governance structure.
VP Engagement and WELS (Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies) Faculty Rep organised planned and facilitated an environment and sustainability quiz for Great Big Green Week thar was a success and generated a lot of conversation around environment and sustainability issues.
Our STEM rep has run a successful series of Maths MSc colloquia, which intended to foster a sense of community, but also to help prepare them for further study/work.
VP Admin chaired meetings of the Association Shop Working Group, to consider stock level, range, and stall representation at Graduation. Michael also led a brainstorming session to consider ways the Association could identify ways to generate revenue.
Nigel has been involved in trying to arrange a merger in our Alchemy and Fusion societies. Nigel commented on how Alchemy (which is the Association’s chemistry society) and the Fusion (Physics and Astronomy Society) have similar interests, as chemistry begins in the stars through fusion! Near the beginning of time the only elements were hydrogen, helium, and a touch of lithium. The rest were created, by fusion, in the stars. We are all, quite literally, stardust!
SLT SOCIAL MEDIA CONVERSATIONS
The Deputy President shared his memories of becoming a Student Rep and encouraged others to do the same and sign up!
Natalie celebrated the end of her current module and offered support and encouragement to other students who were completing EMA's & Exams
Eurovision proved to be a clear distraction during EMA (End of Module Assignment) season for our VP Engagement.
The news that the OU Students Association had been reaccredited with the Investing in Volunteers award for another three years was celebrated by the Deputy President.
Lou hosted a quiz night as part of Great Big Green Week!
Elizabeth, our England Rep, asked for you to share the issues affecting your academic experience.
Gareth celebrated the phenomenal response to the 2023 Tutor Awards, with 738 nominations received!
To fill the summer lull, Lou has been looking for your OpenLearn recommendations.
The President, Deputy President and Wales Rep attended an OU in Wales event focussing on Students as Citizens, raising questions to sector leaders and the Minister for Education in Wales.
Lou encouraged you to volunteer at a graduation as the OU celebrates 50 years of graduations!
Our Ireland Rep, Stephen, and President, Margaret attended the OU’s Belfast graduation ceremony.
The Deputy President and President attended the OU Law Societies Summer Ball, representing the Students Association. At the event, they shared with attendees the work of the Association and encouraged others to get involved!
Natalie shared an opportunity for you to have your say about accessibility in higher education!
Margaret encouraged students in England to provide feedback on how a maintenance loan could have helped them when studying with the OU.
WE NEED YOU!
We really want to know about the issues affecting you, as OU Students! Use our Student Issues reporting tool to submit your issues, comment on the issues of others, and up/down vote the issues important to you!
Natalie VP EDI (Equality, Diversity, Inclusion) is looking to gather feedback from Neurodivergent Ethnic Minority students to gather their experiences of studying with the OU and any issues or areas of focus for our work
We are campaigning to improve the financial support given to part-time students! Share with us how having access to further financial support would assist you!
Michael, VP Admin, would like to hear your thoughts on applying for funding through OUSET - including your experience. Please reach out to him via e-mail.
OTHER NEWS
Marking and Assessment Boycott
The last quarter has seen the commencement of a marking and assessment boycott by members of UCU across the higher education sector. As an SLT, we have worked to advocate for students throughout. We also listened to students and received over 12,000 responses in an informal poll to see how they felt on the topic.
HLMs (Honorary Life Membership)
During the last three months, we were privileged to bestow the title of Honorary Life Membership to three people. These were: Dr. Liz Marr, retiring Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Students at the OU; Sarah Jones, President of the Students Association 2020-2022; and Fanni Zombor, member of the Central Executive Committee 2018-2022 and Trustee 2022-Present.
Opt-Out for Textbooks
Lou, our VP Engagement and Co-Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Group, brought a policy to the SLT for approval on behalf of the group that asks the OU to introduce an opt-out system for those who do not wish to receive physical textbooks. In doing so, they are clear that this should not infringe on those who wish/need to continue to receive physical textbooks.
Student Voice Forum in Wales
Over the last quarter, we have helped contribute to the formation of a Student Voice Forum for higher education representatives in Wales that will feed into the decision-making process at the Higher Education Council for Wales (HEFCW). Gareth, our Deputy President, currently sits on the Student Outcomes and Achievements Committee at HEFCW and has been appointed Co-Chair of this forum.
Access, Participation and Success Biennial International Conference
VP EDI took part in a panel discussion at the 7th Biennial International Conference on Access Participation and Success on the 26th of April with regards to the future of accessible Higher Education including evaluating the changes already implemented and any future challenges.
Disabled Students Allowance
VP EDI authored an article for the Hoot about the process of applying for Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) - this covered all aspects of the process and how to make sure our disabled students are getting the help and support they need.
Race Equality Enhancement Network
VP EDI has recently completed the Race Equality Enhancement Network which is a series of workshops that aims to support Higher Education Institutions with the Race Equality Charter application ensuring the OU and other institutions provide a welcoming and anti-racist learning environment.
Graduations
Margaret, the President, and Stephen, the Ireland representative, visited Belfast to attend the graduation ceremony as a guest of the Ireland office. This included celebrating many nursing graduates and honorary graduates Gary Lightbody and Anna Burns.
Higher Education Funding Council for Wales
Our Deputy President, Gareth, has been appointed as co-chair (alongside the NUS (National Union of Students) Wales President) of the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales’ (HEFCW) Student Voice Forum. Both Gareth and Margaret have fed into the design of this forum, which will feed into HEFCW’s governance structure.