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Get yourself involved
Interested in getting more involved with your Students Association? There are many opportunities for becoming involved in an active capacity within OUSA. Whether you're thinking of becoming a Peer Supporter or are interested in becoming a Student Support Link, or even thinking of representing OUSA at a Residential School or Degree Ceremony, we actively encourage our members to make good use of their experience to help the Association deliver the service our students have come to expect. Our members get themselves actively involved within the Association for various reasons. Whether you're looking to broaden your inter-personal skills, or just enjoy helping others, OUSA is always keen to encourage wider participation. Please have a browse through the details below to find out more about how you can get involved.
Student Support Link and Disabled Student Link
Our Student Support Links (S S Ls) and Disabled Student Links (D S Ls) are O U students who volunteer their time to help others with problems that are affecting their studies, when they may not feel able to approach their tutor for whatever reason or are not sure whom to contact. It's a rewarding experience and those interested in offering their services can contact the OUSA Office to find out more about the service and how to apply.
Central Representative
One of the most important functions of OUSA is to ensure a strong and representative voice for students on all decision-making bodies throughout the University. The O U provides extensive opportunities for student views to influence the service they get. If you think you would be interested in representing student interests on University academic boards, follow the link below.
More about applying to be a Central RepresentativeNational and Regional Assemblies
OUSA Assemblies have the following primary functions: to facilitate the representation of OU students at a local/regional/national level within the Open University and Higher Education sector;to define regional/national level OUSA policy;
to facilitate obtaining the widest possible student opinion and access to discussion and decision making in OUSA;
to appoint students to represent OUSA on the relevant OU National/Regional Committee(s) with due regard to the University’s wish that OUSA reflect the interests of students throughout the Nation/Region as far as possible.
In addition OUSA Assemblies have the following secondary functions:
to provide an OUSA public face to OU events within the region or nation (e.g. residential school, degree ceremony).
to support local OUSA Groups within the nation/region
Follow link below to find out more about how to get involved in your nations/regions Assembly Bye Elections that are currently being held.
Assembly Bye ElectionsVolunteer Rep at OUSA Events
Residential School Volunteer
Our representatives play an important role at Residential Schools and we field a team of representatives 'in residence' at all main UK sites throughout the whole of the summer period. The service is highly valued both by those students attending and by the University itself. If you would like to volunteer your services, please follow the link below.
More about applying to be resi repDegree Ceremony Volunteer
One of the highlights of OUSA's year is our participation at Degree Ceremonies. They are such well organised and joyous occasions, it's always a pleasure to play a part - and we do! OUSA is always represented in the academic procession or amongst the V I P guests as well as running the most popular gift stall at the event. If you think you would be interested, please follow the link below.
More about applying to be a Degree Ceremony volunteerPeer Supporter
Peer Support Online is available to all students through FirstClass. Its purpose is to support any student that feels they need it… whether answering one-off questions that may seem too trivial to ask a tutor or O U staff, or through on-going one-to-one support for as long as it's needed. The volunteer Peer Supporters who offer this service do so anonymously and in strict confidence. The Peer Supporters are also O U students and so are more inclined to empathise with the needs of our students. For more information, please follow the link below.
More about applying to be a Peer SupporterIf you are keen to develop your interpersonal skills or your business acumen, or want to broaden your administrative experience, or just want to meet new people, becoming actively involved within your Association offers many such opportunities. Your local branch or region is always keen to hear from you.
Find an OUSA near you