What is it?
Student Voice Week is a celebration of all the different ways students can get involved in OU decision making, and this year will be held entirely online between Saturday, 13 November and Sunday, 21 November. Throughout the week, or in this case nine days, we will run a programme of events that highlight the importance of student voice and how it is both listened and responded to across the University.
Open to all students, it will offer the opportunity to attend sessions to help shape the decisions and direction at The Open University and Students Association. With a wide range of topics, there will be something for everyone, so new or returning student, experienced student rep or totally new to student voice, this is your chance to make a difference to your study journey.
How can I get involved?
For now, save the date, sign up to our mailing list and visit the Student Voice Week 2021 website, so that you are first to hear the latest Student Voice Week news. The full timetable of activities will be available in October when you will have the opportunity to see what sessions are on offer and register.
Activities ranging from coffee mornings to Q&As, consultations, demos, workshops and quiz nights are already part of the plan, so there will be something for everyone to give them an opportunity to be involved. We will also ensure that there are a variety of morning, daytime and evening sessions, both during the week and at the weekends, so everyone’s availability will be catered for.
Sessions will be delivered by OU and Students Association staff, as well as by student reps. A lot of sessions will include opportunities to find out something new, to ask questions and provide feedback on initiatives. Some sessions will be for any student to attend, some may be specific to your region, subject area or protected characteristics. The latter is particularly important, to ensure a wide range of voices can be captured throughout the week.
Why should I get involved?
Nobody knows more about being a student and their experiences than students, so the Students Association and the OU rely on student voice to ensure that you have the best experience possible on your study journey. By being involved in student voice initiatives, you will have the opportunity to shape projects, help make decisions, learn new skills, collaborate, get involved in the community, and meet fellow students and staff.
From small changes to strategic decision influencing, there is a way for everyone to be involved. Student Voice Week is a one-stop shop for anyone interested in finding out more about exciting changes and initiatives and provides an easy way for any student to make a difference to the study experience of themselves and their peers.
What about beyond?
Student Voice Week will celebrate a number of key areas of work across nine days, but activities to emphasise the importance of student voice continue throughout the year. During the week, you will hear about further opportunities to contribute throughout the year, the first of which will be the chance to feedback on the sessions you attended.
Student voice matters all year round and is at the heart of everything the OU and the Students Association does, so if you are keen to get involved before Student Voice Week, you can keep an eye on the Student Voice website and the Students Association’s volunteer opportunities.
We really hope you will be able to join us!
Fanni Zombor
Vice President Engagement
Posted on behalf of the Student Voice Week Planning Group
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