We've excited to have kicked off a brand-new term for our student representatives this week, and we have some fantastic updates to share.
Following a successful summer recruitment campaign, we appointed 121 student representatives to serve on a wide range of OU committees. Among them, 71 people stepped into the role for the first time, while many experienced student reps returned for another term. We warmly welcome this vibrant mix of voices and perspectives, and we're confident that everyone working with our student representatives will enjoy collaborating with them.
Nichola Connolly, Vice-President Student Representation, shared her thoughts:
"Student representatives play an important role, acting as a conduit between the OU and the wider student body. They work with the OU as critical friends, offering perspectives that might not have been considered previously. We know their input constantly makes a difference, protecting and enhancing the student experience. The start of a new student representative term is exciting, and I'm eager to see the impact our representatives will make."
Our new student representatives bring a wide range of backgrounds. They range in age from 19 to 79, include brand-new students and long-time learners, and represent all four UK nations, Europe, and even Mongolia! They truly reflect the diversity of the OU student body.
Jack Flaherty, Faculty Representative for the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, offered this tip to new student representatives:
"Take advantage of listening to others. Whether it's fellow students, fellow student representatives, or OU staff, learn from their knowledge and experience but don't be afraid to challenge them. You are the expert at being an OU student."
As the new term begins, we also say goodbye to 41 student representatives who have stepped down. We deeply appreciate the time, energy, and dedication they have given, especially since all our student representatives volunteer their time. They have made a real difference through their contributions.
Matt Porterfield, outgoing student representative, reflected on his experience:
"Being a student representatives benefited my own studies by helping me connect with the academics who design modules. It also gave me the chance to improve future module presentations through co-design. Being a student representatives isn't just for confident extroverts; we need the voices of quieter students too, because their views matter just as much. I felt proud to challenge the Campus 2030 proposal during my time as a student representatives, offering a student perspective on a very important topic."
Want to find out more about the role of a student representative? Visit our Representation page or email oustudents-voice@open.ac.uk.
Here's to a great year ahead!
Gareth Jones, Head of Student Voice, Open SU