SLT Priority Areas Update
Since the last meeting in February 2025, the SLT have been meeting with Students Association staff on how to progress their priority areas. The following activities have been highlights:
Under the Student Support priority area:
Under the Student Wellbeing priority area:
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the WELS Faculty Rep and the VP Student Representation are working with staff to create a page on the Association website on perimenopause and menopause, that will signpost to support groups and resources all in one place. There will also be a thread within the Disabled Students Group (DSG) on this matter. The project team are hoping that the webpage will be up and running by the end of May 25.
Under the Academic Student Experience priority area:
Finally, under the Neurodivergent Student Experience priority area:
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 Statements
Student Concerns
Students have raised the following concerns with members of the SLT...
1. University communications with students
Concerns were raised by some students after receiving communications about the fee credit waiver changes coming into effect from August 2025. VP Student Representation along with The President passed these concerns and the way communications were sent to students to the interim Vice Chancellor.
2. Accessibility
A student reported to the STEM Faculty Rep that an AL is not providing materials as needed or agreed, according to accessibility requirements, relating to disability. The STEM Faculty Rep offered support to the affected student, advising them to speak to their SST (Student Support Team).
3. Academic matters and support
Concerns were raised to the WELS Faculty Rep, by students regarding inconsistencies in extensions given to students studying the same module and concerns over late returns of TMAs, with no tutor contact. The WELS Faculty Rep contacted the module chair who informed them they were in conversations about how to overcome these inconsistencies.
On the morning of 21 March, there was a system issue stopping students from being able to submit their assignments. The Associate Exec Dean for Tuition in WELS was contacted, along with all Heads of schools in WELS by the WELS Faculty rep and all students who had missed the 11.59 deadline were given a respective 1-day extension.
The Deputy President responded to concerns raised by students on social media about issues with module registration by escalating the issue to the right OU department.
The International Area Rep has been contacted by numerous students, relating to a range of issues international students are facing, namely:
As these problems are recurring issues, the International Area Representative will continue to liaise with the OU about this.
Multiple students across FASS have spoken to FASS Rep about the lack of tutors having their cameras on while in tutorials. Students have found this off-putting and feel they are less likely to engage or benefit from the presentation. Students feel this issue is becoming more common. The FASS Rep raised this at the faculty assembly and also spoke to the senior leadership of FASS and Heads of Schools to address it. Leadership is looking at ways to encourage more tutors to turn on their cameras.
The England Area Rep received concerns regarding tutors and marking time/ feedback. They advised students to student services.
4. Equity and Inclusion
Concerns were raised by a student in relation to unconscious racial biases from tutors that could have an impact on students' grades, particularly BAME students. The EDI team provided support for student welfare as well as support on addressing these issues directly with the OU. This matter is currently on going.
A student in a secure environment reached out to the EDI Team and VP EDI via letter with much praise to the OU. However, they advised the team that they think there should be more awareness raised for students in secure environments on the support and services that are available to them. They also stated that some of the additional resources they are provided with are not accessible in secure environments. Conversations are ongoing with the student and a plan devised within the EDI team on how to approach these matters and best support students in secure environments.
5. Student finance
An incoming student asked the FASS Rep for assistance as they were having issues with paying for their short course. He passed along the student's concern to Association’s Student Advice and Individual Representation Service and also FASS Student Support.
The Wales Area Rep has signposted students to the support team following misunderstanding around student finance.
SLT Social Media Conversations
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Other News and Ongoing Projects
President:
Vice Presidents:
VP Academic Student Voice:
VP Student Representation:
VP EDI:
Area Representatives:
England Rep:
Wales Rep:
International Area Rep:
Faculty Representatives:
WELS Rep:
FASS Rep:
Sustainability Rep:
Hedgehog Friendly Campus Awareness Project: