President Hustings

Question 1: Please introduce yourself, including what made you want this position, and what do you expect to achieve and use your voice for?

I’m Kit Renard (he/him), a disabled queer trans man.

I’m Chair of Pride and have too many other rep roles to count.

I’m also a Level 2 English Literature and Creative Writing student.

I wanted to stand for President because I know I can make a difference – I’ve already made one as Chair for Pride.

I expect that I’ll make OpenSU the most inclusive, welcoming, and representative it’s ever been.

I’ve been nominated for Volunteer awards – Heart of Inclusion and Volunteer of the Year – so I know I can do it already. President will give me more power to do so.

I’ll use my voice to advocate for the full throated support of our more disadvantaged students and hold the OU to account when it falls short.

Again this is already something I do – I’ve used my position as Pride Chair to stand up for trans students at the OU.

Everyone here will make a great President, but nevertheless I hope I have your vote!

Question 2: How will you ensure that all students, including those who feel underrepresented, have their voices heard?

One thing I’ve learned from advocating for disabled and LGBTQIA+ causes is the importance of the principle “nothing about us without us”.

The first step will be ensuring that I and the wider SLT are reaching out to underrepresented groups.

At the same time I’m not going to discount the incredible work done by our existing Support Groups – I will actively engage with them and explore how they can facilitate this increased interaction.

Lastly, I will work to make myself as visible a President as possible, creating opportunities for every student who wishes to to speak to me.

While I understand that there is no casework within the President role, I believe it is valuable to have close links with the wider student body.

I can hardly describe myself as representing them if they don’t know who I am!

Question 3: If elected, what is one thing you will advocate for to improve student experience here at the OU?

One issue that I mentioned in my manifesto, which has only grown more pressing during my time at the OU, has been the difficulties being faced by disabled students. Given that any of us can become disabled at any time, this is something that should worry us all.

Numerous disabled students have experienced barriers to their learning because the policy of reasonable adjustments is not being put into practice. I have personally experienced being assigned tutors who view disability profiles as optional, making their own judgements on whether adjustments are ‘justified’.

It can even be a struggle for disabled students to have their needs accurately reflected in their disability profile as the Student Support Team has final say on what is recorded and required. Disabled students are being forced to advocate for their needs and justify their very existence.

DSG does fantastic work in supporting our disabled students, but more needs to be done so that all the work doesn’t fall on them.

The OU is failing these students. We need to listen to what students are telling us, and then we need to take action.

Question 4: What will you do to improve the sense of community and belonging for students at the Open University, particularly for those who feel isolated or disconnected?

You don’t need me to tell you that students are going through a mental health crisis now, with loneliness and disconnection highlighted as a main culprit.

I’m a big believer in the principle that if you don’t see something you want in the world, you should consider building it yourself. I did that with the OU Trans Student Group, which started as one or two lonely souls and has grown into a thriving community made up of some of my best friends.

I will take the lessons I’ve learned there and with Pride and apply them in my role as President, seeking to create community spaces where I can, and improve the awareness of those that already exist.

We have so many amazing Support Groups, Societies, and Clubs! I’m a longtime member of too many to count; I want others to feel that connection too.

This isn’t something that can be done by one person though – a community can only be built if its members are willing to do the work. I know that I can count on the people here today to help if I am elected.