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6 score

12 voters

Accessibility of Events

Submitted 2 years ago by Natalie Baker

Current
5comments

A large number of events across the OU take place on either an evening or weekend which is excluding many students who are only able to study Monday - Friday weekdays.

Giselle Robinson: 12:20pm on 20 Mar 23 I have really felt this this year, there have been so many saturday tutorials which has a big impact on family life
Louise Robinson: 3:51pm on 10 Jul 23 Yes! An assumption is made that we mostly work 9-5 I think. I work as a tutor (not at the OU) but it means I keep the same hours as my course and have rarely been able to attend tutorials as they happen.
Sophia Della: 8:38am on 24 Aug 24 Totally agree.
Steph Acaster: 1:03pm on 16 Jan 25 I was surprised to see only Thursday evening tutorials on a music module as I'd assume many people studying music would also be involved in evening rehearsals. I got lucky this time but had it been another day of the week I would have had a forced choice between tutorial and rehearsal (both important!). It'd be a good idea to somehow ensure a mixture of days/times across the modules - perhaps rather than some people being able to attend no sessions, more people could attend at least some.
Colette Ansell: 12:50pm on 31 Mar 25 While recognising that the opportunity to meet up with other students and experience a different study format is a good one, in-person events at weekends are something I will not ever be able to attend as I am a single parent with no childcare options. The only way that I could do so would be if the OU were to facilitate childcare. Evening weekday events online are better for me as I work during the day (but please keep the start times consistent - it's very difficult to keep up when sessions start at different times and I'm having to try and get myself and my child fed, homework done, etc. beforehand). However, in meeting the needs of a large group of people, the OU should consider more daytime events for those who are available as well as evening events. That said, I also recognise that tutors tend to be part-time and also teaching/researching in other universities, so there could also be a resourcing issue that needs to be looked into

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Current issues

Accessibility of Events