About the Open University Students Association (OUSA)

The Open University Students Association (OUSA) represents students' interests, both in the University itself and in the wider community.  Within The Open University, OUSA has student representation on all the University's decision-making and consultancy boards and committees, putting forward the student's point of view. Outside the Open University, the Association lobbies MPs and talks to local authority education departments.

1. To foster a corporate identity for its members and all students of the Open University.

2. To defend the principle of equal opportunity and of open access to the Open University regardless of academic qualifications or financial circumstances.

3. To coordinate the organisation of social and welfare activities for all its members.

4. To promote and represent the educational interests of all students as members of the University.

5. To promote the influence of students upon the operation and development of the University.

A large organisation like OUSA cannot work without structures so its Constitution, governing the procedures of the Association, is vital for smooth functioning. Responsibility for this area lies with the Vice President Constitutions, who chairs the Constitutions Standing Committee and the Steering Committee which looks after the business of National Conference.

The OU Students Association is your Association. All students are automatically members unless they make a special request to be withdrawn.  

OUSA is keen to get involved in issues which will help to improve the OU/OUSA and has the opportunity to bring motions forward at the annual OUSA Conference.  This ability is especially important for us in Europe where services are less abundant than in the UK.

Each OUSA Branch has an elected committee which holds regular meetings in their catchment area.  The Annual General Meeting is usually held in the spring. Anyone who is taking courses with the OU can attend meetings held in his/her catchment area (e.g. Barcelona) and is encouraged to participate as often as they can. Any OU student, however, is free to attend any OUSA meeting outside his/her catchment area.

In addition, OUSA organises regular events, specifically at Christmas, in the spring and at the end of term, to get students, their families and their friends together.

The Annual General Meeting of OUSA and its decision-making body is the face-to-face conference which takes place in April of each year. It examines the constitution, formulates policy, reviews motions and elects the Executive Committee, including the President, Deputy President and the five Vice Presidents for the following year.

Motions are proposals for change within the OU or OUSA, which are debated and voted on by the delegates at OUSA Conference.

Online conferences are discussion fora which run in FirstClass©, the software used by The Open University and the OUSA for electronic computer conferencing. It enables users to communicate by email or through online conferences using either a web interface (from your OU StudentHome page) or a piece of installed software (i.e. the Client). FirstClass© Client can be installed using the 'Online Applications' CD-ROM, which is included in the first mailing of your course materials.