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Representative Structure

Associate Lecturers

A representative structure operates for the University’s associate lecturers to enable them to contribute to policy and strategy around enhancing the student experience, both in generic support and in curriculum design, and to contribute to market and customer intelligence. An Associate Lecturers Assembly of around 60 associate lecturers, elected by associate lecturers on a faculty and region/nation basis, provides the main focus for the gathering and synthesis of associate lecturer opinion on University-wide issues, engaging with issues that are common across faculties, schools and institutes, and across regions and nations, in order to inform representatives on University committees and the Associate Lecturers Executive. It is responsible for the effectiveness of the representative structure.

The day to day work of the representative structure is done by the Associate Lecturers Executive. The Executive is responsible for the effective operation of the Associate Lecturers Representative Structure, ensuring that the purposes are fulfilled.

Further information can be found on the Associate Lecturer Representation website.

Students

OUSA LogoThe Student Charter states that ‘as members of a collaborative community, we actively support the right of students to participate in the governance of the University through the Open University Students Association (OUSA), which supports the interests of its members.

Appointed by OUSA, the student representatives are full members of the committees on which they sit and, as such, are able to take an active role in the decision-making process of the University.  There is a student member of the Council (pdf 351kb), as well as annually appointed 'central representatives' who serve as student members on the Senate (pdf 209kb)  and the majority of the principal governance committees.

The University's new student consultative structure makes use of online forums and meetings to consult students on a range of topics.  It acts alongside the University governance structure, in which students are represented on University committees and groups.