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.

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Nations and regions

Submitted 2 months ago by Nicola Simpson

Current
7comments

In an increasingly digital world, the student leadership team no longer needs specific representation from nations and regions. The president of OpenSU is the voice for all students, wherever in the world they reside. The president should have a good grasp of higher education policy across the devolved nations and utilise a suitable forum (online and in person) to engage with students on the issues that matter to them. Students must have access to raise concerns directly with the S L T throughout their term of office, as well as at designated 'nations events'.

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: Articles of Association: Section 26: The Student Leadership Team Bye-laws: Section 4: The Student Leadership Team (SLT), Section 7: Nations and Regions, and point 10.9 regarding who can stand as a Nation Rep.
William Docherty: 2:50pm on 5 Feb 26 I think doing away with the regional reps is a bad idea. Each nation works different in terms of support, funding and what is expected of them from their own devolved governments, so it is vital we have a student reps in each nation who can focus on this and what is happening at a local level.
Scarlet James: 3:23pm on 5 Feb 26 This is absolutely and utterly NOT a good idea! As amazing as our current president is, we do still need regional representatives to understand and support us as students within these nations! I speak as someone from Wales, who has worked very closely with our current Wales representative, who has worked tirelessly for Wales-based students to have a larger input, a larger voice and better support! Without him, many Welsh students may not have continued in their journeys or felt that their voices were important or heard! Having representation within Scotland, Wales and NI is imperative to understanding we all have different cultural needs, backgrounds and some of our laws and educational systems are completely different to England. We need a voice on SLT that has an impact and is invested in us students from the other three nations!
Louise Gardner: 4:14pm on 5 Feb 26 I disagree with this. I think regional reps play such a large role in individual cultural community that a singular person could not apply. As a Wales-based student, I can speak for the benefits of having a Welsh rep and the community and support he offers. I'd like to think (but can't speak for them) that the other three nations also benefit from having their own representatives.
Michael Jones: 4:42pm on 5 Feb 26 Thank you for your suggestion. As the Wales Student Representative, having seen first hand the importance of Area and Nation representatives, I must respectfully disagree, as the devolved nations have distinct higher education frameworks, governance, and policies, with Welsh higher education overseen by MEDR and the Welsh Government, while in England it is regulated by the Office for Students, making it essential that each nation has its own representative who can engage directly with these bodies. Students face different challenges and access different support services across the nations, including Student Finance, Disabled Students’ Allowance, and local student support teams, while part-time, rural, and mature students face additional barriers, making it vital that leaders focus on understanding, navigating, and developing these frameworks. Nation representatives provide a vital link to students and ensure they have representation in local OU matters, including regional networks, student support, and engagement with OU staff in their nation, and they also foster community and cultural identity, including language; for example, as I speak Welsh, I can converse with Welsh-speaking students. Removing nation representatives would place an unrealistic workload on leaders and make it harder for students in the devolved nations to have their voices heard. They can provide direct advocacy, engage locally with staff and networks, respond quickly to policy changes specific to their nation, and prevent focus shifting exclusively to higher-population areas, ensuring students in the devolved nations are not under-represented or denied equitable access to support and opportunities.
Harrison Jenkins: 5:25pm on 5 Feb 26 I disagree with the claim that, in a digital world, the student leadership team no longer needs specific representation from different nations and regions. While online platforms make communication easier, they don’t remove the real differences in policy, funding, student support systems, and educational structures across regions. A single president, even if well-informed, cannot fully represent the lived experiences and priorities of all groups without dedicated regional voices. Students in different nations often face different regulations, fees, support services, and legal frameworks. Having specific representation ensures these differences are not overlooked and that students have advocates who understand their local context in detail. Digital access improves communication, but it does not replace representation; it should support it. Relying only on one central voice risks generalising student needs and missing region-specific concerns. Dedicated national or regional representatives strengthen accountability, increase visibility of local issues, and give students greater confidence that their particular circumstances are understood and acted on.
Charon Gates: 11:44am on 19 Feb 26 The area reps are most definately needed as funding for degrees and masters differs between the 4 nations. DSA across the 4 nations is totally different. Maintenance loans are totally different. Meet up places are totally different Would you expect someonew living in London to go up to Cardiff to hold and inperson meet up . We need our area reps

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

Nations and regions

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?