Student Representatives play an invaluable role in shaping the student experience at the Open University. We welcome all students that are passionate about using their thoughts, ideas and experiences to make a positive difference for the wider student community now and in the future!
As a Student Representative you will be joining a team of volunteers that represent the views, thoughts and opinions of the wider student community, this is known as the Student Voice. The aim of this role is to attend meetings that are held by the Open University to promote the presence of the student voice throughout each level of governance. We welcome applications from all students.
A successful Student Representative will:
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Become a full member of the committee that they are appointed to. This means that they will have the ability to comment, ask questions and where appropriate raise issues to that committee. For more information about the individual committees, please see the committee descriptions and chart.
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Before the meeting, you will be sent meeting papers to read in advance. There will also be an opportunity to discuss these papers in advance with other Student Representatives and the Association, in accordance with confidentiality.
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Some papers are highly confidential, so you will be required to adhere to a Confidentiality Agreement for Student Representatives.
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After the meeting you, or the group of student representatives write a short report about what happened at the meeting, which is read by members of the Student Leadership Team.
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Attend the Student Voice Monthly Online Forum (optional attendance)
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Keep up to date and get involved with the Student Rep community, by posting and responding to posts on the Student Voice Forums.
To be eligible for this opportunity you must:
Committment
A new Student Representatives should aim to provide at least 12 months commitment to this role. Applicants should indicate on their application form if they prefer a longer term (up to 24 months).
Term dates (12 months) - 1 September 2023- 31 August 2024
Term dates (24 months) – 1 September 2023- 31 August 2025
Most committees meet 4 times per year during the working day
For each meeting you should allow:
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A minimum of 3-5 hours to read your committee papers before the meeting
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A minimum of 30 minutes – per quarter to meet with the Association
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Up to 5 hours to attend the committee meeting
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At least 1 hour to prepare a post meeting report
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Travel time to Milton Keynes if meetings are held on campus - though most meetings are online or offer a hybrid option.
In addition to the meetings, you may choose to get involved with the Student Representative community:
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By contributing to online forum discussions each week
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Attending the online Student Voice Forum once per month (1 hour).
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Non-Governance Committees and student consultations.
Details of training offered
When you become a Student Representative you will be required to complete a programme of training that is aimed to support your introduction to and continuous development in your new role.
To become a Student Representative you must complete the full onboarding and introduction training – we anticipate training to take place:
Mid-August to early September (dates tbc).
We offer a dedicated induction programme for all new Student Representatives which will include -
Introduction to Volunteering with the Association, which includes a suite of core training which should be completed within the first 3 months of your appointment:
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GDPR (keeping personal data secure)
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Safeguarding (keeping young people and vulnerable adults safe)
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PREVENT (our duty to prevent extremist radicalisation).
Your induction training programme will also provide in depth information about:
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The Student Voice - (‘How the Governance Structure Works’ and ‘What is Student Representation?’)
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Guidance on reading papers for meetings
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Information on preparing a report and why it is important
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Support to access online Student Voice Forums
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Information and practical advice on getting started
We will also invite you to join online community spaces where you can access support and advice from other Student Representatives as well as the Volunteer and Representation Team.
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The Student Voice online Forums – monthly drop-ins
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Volunteer Community Slack
You may also express an interest and on occasion be invited to get involved in other areas where your Student Voice is valued. E.g. (Non governance committee, discussion forums (consultations from PVC students).
Location
This role can be carried out online, so it can be fulfilled anywhere as long as you have an internet connection however some meetings may be held in person with sufficient notice. All reasonable expenses incurred in relation to attendance of committee meetings will be reimbursed.
The opportunity closes at 11.59pm on Sunday, 18 June 2023.
An application form will be emailed to you when you press the register your interest button.
All volunteers sign a OU Students Association Volunteer Policy and volunteer within the OU Students Association Volunteer Agreement.
If you have any queries or require the application form in an alternative format, please contact oustudents-volunteer@open.ac.uk