SLT Priority Areas Update
Since the last meeting in July, the following activities have been highlights:
Under the Student Support priority area:
Under the Student Wellbeing priority area:
Under the Academic Experience priority area:
Finally, under the Neurodivergent 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 Approvals
New Volunteer Role, vote needed – July 2025
Updated Sustainability Policy, vote needed – July 2025
SLT Statements
Student Concerns
Students have raised the following concerns directly with members of the SLT...
1. Academic Matters & Support
Students lacked physical textbooks for Law modules. The FBL rep addressed this by introducing Law Trove, launched for the 2025/26 academic year. Despite initial issues, the rep has supported students in accessing it.
Students across the UK sought clarity on Post Graduate funding. The WELS faculty rep provided guidance via the student finance page and explained OUSBA options.
2. Accessibility
Some students couldn’t access the OU Students Connect chat platform. The VP for Student Representation escalated the issue, and access has now been restored.
Students in Wales reported slow feedback on assignments. The Wales Rep referred this to the academic experience project team.
3. Community Engagement
Since its January 2025 launch, the International Students Club has grown to 136 members—more than tripling since May. Students can join via OU Students Connect.
SLT Achievements
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Our Sustainability Representative, and staff member Ciara Linehan, won the RAISE 2025 online poster competition displaying our sustainability and nature projects! Their poster was titled “Bridging the gap: engaging remote students in sustainability".
SLT Social Media Conversations
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!
Other News & Ongoing Projects
President:
Whilst the committees and the OU have had a little summer break the President has been working on ways the SU can be future proofed and ensure that SLT resources and voices are being used effectively.
Vice Presidents:
VP Student Welfare:
The VP Student Welfare is part of the Holistic Design of Quality Review Processes Project, Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy, and has attended the Guidance Service Future Visioning workshop since taking up the role in Summer.
VP EDI:
VP EDI is very excited about a new project and business case being put forward the Students in Secure Environment team at the OU. The business case, if approved, will see the introduction of an Access Fee Waiver for students in prisons wishing to study an Access course, working towards a degree. This will open the option of education to many more people.
Area Representatives:
Wales Rep:
Students across Wales requested more involvement with the Open SU and a greater sense of community. The Wales Rep has since recruited a new co-lead for the Wales club and is working closely with them to develop events for students. Since then, there has been a big in-flux of students joining the club across Wales and beyond, with students sharing their pleasure and enjoyment of the events.
International Rep:
The International Area Representative continued to liaise with OU staff about the implementation for international students of the Scheduled Contact Service used by the Student Support Team. The International Area Representative also continued to liaise with OU staff about the feedback she received during previous student consultations for international students.
Sustainability Representative:
The Sustainability Representative is working with Open SU staff, drafting an application form for students to apply for one of three grants of £500 each to start a sustainability project. Hoping to launch in the New Year!
With staff and Environment and Sustainability Working Group volunteers, they are planning a Student Voice Week session on AI and computing's effects on the environment.