Rules revision

What is the Open SU rules revision?

Our governance rules state that every four years we must open the floor for students to submit changes they would like to see to the Union's articles and bye-laws that govern how we are run.

The Rules Revision is about Open SU members being able to suggest ways of improving how your Students Union functions, updating our constitution and procedures so they speak for current Open University students and better reflect student voices.

Thank you for all your submissions, we really appreciate your time to send us your ideas. They are all being reviewed and will be taken to our Board of Trustees meeting in April for their consideration.

All OU students are members of the Union, which means you have a say in how we’re governed. You’ll be able to read governance change ideas submitted by your fellow students on this page, and share your feedback. Trustees will consider suggestions, comments and views, and you will be able to formally vote on anything that gets taken to our 2026 Conference.

Submit your rule revision

Rules revision

Back to list

0 score

4 voter

By-election

Submitted 2 months ago by Nicola Simpson

Current
4comments

A by-election should be held if the student leadership team reaches 50%, plus 1 of the total size of the team. Eg. If all members of the SLT resign a by-election should be held. If the full team consists of 8 people (6 officers, president and deputy president) a by-election should be held if 3 positions become vacant. If the position of president becomes vacant the deputy president should assume the role without the need for an election. If they are unable or unwilling to accept the role of president it may be assigned to any other member of the SLT by mutual agreement of the trustees and SLT.

Open SU: 12:31pm on 22 Jan 26 Thank you for your suggestion. For those who would like to consider this topic further, the relevant sections of our governance documents are: Bye-laws: Section 10: Election of Student Leadership Team Members and Student Trustees, as well as points 4.2.10, 4.2.12 and 4.2.15
Scarlet James: 3:40pm on 5 Feb 26 Whilst I’m not ?? convinced by the structure suggested, I do feel that the positions that remain open and unfilled should be filled much sooner than they currently are. We have positions that have been vacant for almost the entire 2 years, which could have been filled much earlier. Perhaps bye elections could be sooner than they currently are?
Louise Gardner: 4:24pm on 5 Feb 26 Maybe bi-elections could be held as a matter of course in any year where any position has not been filled. This would constantly increase the chance of every role being filled.
Nicola Simpson: 7:08pm on 17 Feb 26 It would be really useful to have some information on how long members of the student leadership team have remained in post after each election. Are particular roles more difficult to fill or retain students in post?

More information

What is a rules revision?

Every four years, the Union can update how we are run according to our governing documents, and the rules revision period allows students to submit any changes they think should be made to how we do that.

What are the Unionʼs Articles and Bye-laws?

The articles and Bye-laws are the documents that define who we are, what we do, and how we do it. They govern our decision-making and reflect what OU students want us to be focusing on. For example, they include how our student leaders are appointed, how Trustees are required to make their decisions, and the format of our biannual Conference.

Why is this process happening?

In line with the Open SUʼs Bye-laws, a Rules Revision should be held every four years. This gives all members of the Union the opportunity to be involved in the process of reviewing the Unionʼs articles, and being a part of potential changes.

Who can propose changes?

All Open University students are invited to submit changes during the submission period.

How are changes approved?

Once the first round of submissions are processed, there will be an additional period of online discussion on the initial submissions. This will provide answers to any questions, any additional information that is required, and the opportunity for other students to provide feedback on submissions.

After these online discussions, the submissions will be considered by Trustees, who will make the final decisions on what will be taken to the Open SUʼs biannual Conference , where OU students will have the final vote on which changes to the way we run are approved. These will then be actioned by staff and student leaders at the Open SU.

Rules revision

What is the Open SU rules revision?

Our governance rules state that every four years we must open the floor for students to submit changes they would like to see to the Union's articles and bye-laws that govern how we are run.

Submit your rule revision

Rules revision

By-election

More information

What is a rules revision?

What are the Unionʼs Articles and Bye-laws?

Why is this process happening?

Who can propose changes?

How are changes approved?