From record breaking events, to developing student support hubs, and creating a dedicated space all about what we believe in – your outgoing President, Natalie, reflects on everything the 2024-2026 Student Leadership Team (SLT) has achieved, passing the torch to the 2026-2028 team.
Your outgoing President Natalie, reflects on everything the 2024-2026 Student Leadership Team (SLT) has achieved, passing the torch to the 2026-2028 team.
It feels surreal writing this today as it only feels like 5 minutes since we were celebrating the start of our term. I have felt incredibly proud and privileged to lead the SLT and represent the SU as President during the 24-26 term.
I am also incredibly proud of all the things we have achieved during this term, where we have...
- Created the What We Believe in Hub - Which includes 5 evidence based best practice documents that cover 13 different areas of the OU student experience.
- Developed position statements on other areas as identified by students including, exams, AI and Academic Misconduct, graduation and welfare support.
- Led Student consultation sessions across the Nations.
- Developed 4 Support hubs covering, allyship, menopause support, support for carers and the Neurodivergent Student hub.
- Developed a framework for priority projects and co-creation with SU staff.
- Presented our work across the OU including at faculty and executive level.
- Consulted with students on topics that matter to them including internal and external issues affecting students from OU strategy to government welfare reforms.
- Reviewed our community activity and consulted students on the events they want to see, and the support needed to run them effectively.
- Reviewed and refined our governance arrangements to ensure that the SLT is as effective as can be.
- Strengthened relationships with the OU and had great feedback for the work we have been doing.
- Sat in countless hours of meetings and read thousands of pages of papers.
- Helped develop, shape and challenge (when necessary) OU policy.
- Continued to increase engagement and awareness of the SU with students and at the OU.
- Received a record-breaking response to the Annual Membership Survey – over doubling our response rate!
- Achieved continuous growth in response to our question on the NSS, continuing our trend of being above the sector average.
However, the SLT is just one part of the SU, and I want to take a moment to thank all our volunteers who support the SU and OU students. Our work would not be possible without the student representatives, who are our eyes and ears within the OU and work tirelessly to advocate for students, and the library study volunteers who work to ensure our students in secure environments can complete and succeed in their studies.
We would not be the community we are without the work of our events and meet up hosts, and all those that make our support groups, clubs and societies work. Finally, without the hard work and dedication of the staff team at the SU none of this would work would happen, and I personally have valued their support and guidance.
So, THANK YOU to each and every one of you!
All of this has been completed whilst many have balanced life, health and study commitments and during a time of great change within the SU, the OU, and the Higher Education Sector.
Despite all the challenges we have faced over the last two years, the dedication, hard work and passion for supporting OU students and our mission have meant that we have made real and lasting changes to ensure student voice and wellbeing is at the heart of OU decision making.
Whilst we have achieved a lot, most of this has been about laying the foundations. There is always more that can be done and improvements to be made. I am more than assured that I am leaving this work in the capable hands of Scarlet (your 2026-2028 President) and her team. I am excited to see how they will grow, bringing their own perspectives, and developing their own priority areas and projects to further strengthen the student voice and community.
To the new Student Leadership Team (SLT), my advice would be to make the most of every opportunity and have fun because two years goes a lot quicker than you think. There may be times that you feel things are taking their time... but keep showing up, keep sharing your ideas, and keep the OU student voice at the heart of everything. In two years’, time you will have your own (hopefully longer) list of achievements and wonder how you did it all!
Good Luck, and I wish everyone in the 2026-2028 team lots of success during your new term!
- Natalie Baker, Open SU President (2024-2026)