Who are the Student Leadership Team?
At the Students Association, we have a Student Leadership Team (SLT) elected every two years to represent students and influence all levels of decision making within the OU. The SLT exists to promote your interests and ensure that the OU is more than just a place of learning - it’s a student community.
The SLT leads the Association’s strategic direction, runs events and activities, and talks to the OU on your behalf about decisions that affect students. Its members represent the collective rather than the individual needs of the student body. Any student can stand for election to be a member of the SLT, and every student may vote for the candidate they believe will best represent them.
Ways that the Student Leadership Team represents you:
University level – The SLT take part in and are - in some cases - full members of OU committees and working groups, therefore ensuring the student voice has an input into decisions made by the OU.
Student Community –They meet with students at events, local activities and national meet-ups to understand the student experience. Some SLT members also endorse and are involved with student societies and support groups such as our Disabled Students Group (DSG), OU Pride (LGBTQI+) and the BAME (Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic) groups.
Nationally – Members of the SLT speak to Parliament and MPs about the experience of part-time and distance learning, and contribute to Government-led consultations to ensure that OU students’ perspectives are part of a wider narrative or campaign
The Students Association Trustees
The Board of Trustees (BoT) is made up of nine elected students: three ex officio from the SLT and six Student Trustees. Three external trustees are appointed by the Association for the benefit of their professional skills, including finance and law. They all work to ensure the continuing health of the Students Association finances, governance, and strategy. The six Student Trustees are elected every two years.
The BoT manages all the full legal and financial responsibilities for our organisation. They act as the employers of the staff and are there to make sure that everything the Association does complies with its Constitution, the Charities Act, the Employment Act, and all other legislative and regulatory requirements.
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