Did you find OpenMinds journal interesting and thought provoking? Have you talked about any of the articles with friends or family? What did you enjoy the most? How can we make the journal even better in the future?
This area is a chance to share your views on the journal including the content and design, start debates with one another or simply to ask us questions.
Your feedback will help us continue to improve communications with you and we look forward to hearing your comments.
The Open University Alumni Team
I think the new magazine looks fantastic! There are some really interesting articles that I have already mentioned to friends and family.
Jackie
I really like the new format - like a shop bought magazine and the layout made for really easy reading. I especially liked the opinion piece 'Outside of the box' (page 10-15) where experts respond to questions on creativity. The one thing missing compared to other mags in a fun element perhaps a competition, is this something you might include in the future? - I think you'd get lots of entries
I left the OU when tuition fees tripled so I found this "free" high gloss magazine to be a bit of a slap in the face.
Also, both the other comments are from staff of the OU, specifically both are "Communications Officers". I'm sure their comments are in no way biased at all.
Thanks for your comments Eugene, we do appreciate your feedback. Many existing students in England are entitled to transitional arrangements – have you checked to see if you are entitled? Your student home page will tell you if you are entitled.
Open University graduates are proud of their achievements and the institution, and the journal is a great way of staying in touch and sharing the successes of their alma mater. We have worked hard to produce a high-quality communication whilst keeping the costs down by a competitive tendering process and carefully selected advertising in OpenMinds to reduce the final cost to us.
Many of our staff are also alumni, and they contributed to this forum in this capacity.
Thank you for getting involved.
Roz Allison
Head of Alumni Relations
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Roz Allison
Where do I find this? I'm looking everywhere and can't find it!
Hi Simone
OpenMinds is posted to the majority of alumni (unless you have requested an electronic copy), and is landing on doormats as we speak. If you would like me to check please do email me (alumni@open.ac.uk) with your PI number and I'll let you know when you should receive it.
I hope that helps!
Katherine
I like the magazine but I'm happy to receive by PDF and save some paper. How can I do this?
Hi Richard
Pleased you like it!
Just drop us an email (alumni@open.ac.uk) with your Student/PI number and we'll update your record. Or return the form included with the magazine - there is a tick box at the end of the form - to state your preference for an electronic version.
Hope that helps.
Katherine
I have just read the Open Minds journal from cover to cover, and thought it was excellent. It's a long time since I read anything from the OU so diligently! I especially enjoyed the article on creativity, and the interview with Evan Davis about the UK economy. Economics has always been something of a closed book to me, but he made these important current debates very accessible. I'm already looking forward to the next issue.
Hi Jo, thanks for your comments. We are really pleased you enjoyed reading the new magazine and are looking forward to the next issue. Thanks for feeding back your thoughts.
Jackie
Communications Officer - alumni
I welcome the new OpenMinds publication. I would however question the inclusion of the "retirement Supplement". Whilst I understand that advertising is helpful in paying for the publication, I deeply resent the reinforcement of the negative stereotype of older adults as those who are necessarily infirm and feeble. Many of your contributors are over 50! Let's celebrate life for the full term please. Can we have something a little more uplifting than the cheaply produced and depressing "retirement supplement" which is NOT a supplement to the publication, but advertising.
Hi John,
Thank you so much for your comments, it really helps us shape the magazine and also the supplements for future publications. We have reviewed our processes with regards to supplements and note your comments. Thank you for feeding this back to us.
Kind regards
Jackie
Communications Officer - alumni
Thoroughly enjoyed the magazine. I am not usually a magazine reader, but the articles have been interesting and diverse. Also, it helped prove a theory I have championed for over twenty years to my wife - Scousers are a breed on their own
. If Dr Monaghan needs any assistance in his research I would be more than happy to help (Sussing out the Scousers p.43).
Looking forward to the next edition
Hi Carl, thanks for your comments on OpenMinds, we are really pleased you enjoyed reading the magazine!
Jackie
Communications Officer - alumni