The OU Students Association is run for students, by students and this means we have an elected Student Leadership team called the 'Central Executive Committee (CEC). This Committee is currently elected every two years by a democratic vote in which all students can select their prefered candidates to represent them. We are a values-based organisation whose mission is to make a positive difference for all OU students.
Although the CEC carry out extremely important work, we always encourage our student volunteers to put themselves and their studies first. Sometimes this means individuals can find they need to step back from their role due to personal circumstances or to focus on their studies, and so we currently have five one year vacancies on the Committee.
If you haven't heard of the CEC, here is a summary of what they are doing for you right now (I say summary, as it would be impossible to list everything this incredible team are doing behind the scenes):
- Representing your best interests on committees and working groups across the University to ensure the student voice is heard and considered.
- Raising issues around Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility to your University.
- Holding the University to account when things go wrong and affect the student experience.
- Campaigning for better student access to resources, such as Eduroam.
- Hosting community events to bring students together and offer shared spaces through supporting our groups, societies and clubs.
- Generally working to make a positive difference and placing students at the centre of everything we do.
If you have read this far, I'm assuming you are intrigued. Tell me more you think, whilst wondering how you will fit it all in? Well, it is true that joining the CEC won't suit everyone, as it does have a time commitment attached. This commitment is pretty flexible though as most work is carried out online via our shared Microsoft Teams spaces and through online meetings which are often arranged around your availability. The CEC meet four weekends a year for business, and there are also meetings during the day/evening for some roles. We have estimated around 10-15 hours a week for the roles of Area Representative and Faculty Representative (the roles available), though some weeks there will be less and some weeks, such as Freshers, you may wish to be involved in more to meet more new students!
It's an incredibly exciting time to join the Association! We are just embarking on big changes to improve our Governance and 2022 marks our 50th Anniversary too!
So if we have piqued your interest here today, these are the available roles:
- Area Association Representative – Continental Europe.
- Area Association Representative – Ireland.
- Area Association Representative – Wales.
- Area Association Representative – England.
- Faculty Association Representative – Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies (WELS).
Read the full role descriptions and apply here.
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