Dr Petrina Stevens is the new graduate representative on OU senate, which means she gets involved in the OU’s decision-making processes. Here she reports from her first meeting…
As the new graduate representative on Senate, I must begin by thanking Veronica Summers for her contributions over the last four years.
Having recently attended my first Senate, I now appreciate the work needed in keeping abreast of all the discussions and vast amount of paperwork! As Veronica mentioned in her last column, note-taking is impossible when everything happens at speed, and I now regret ignoring my mother’s advice to learn shorthand! In this short space I hope to cover the main issues relevant to graduates, bearing in mind many of them will become part of the future student body.
The Browne Report is essential reading, and so far suggests that all part-time students studying a course of 40 points or more, should be treated the same as full-time students for the cost of learning, with Higher Education being free at the point of entry. It also promotes reskilling or improving qualifications for working people. However, the downside is that it stipulates qualifications such as A Levels that convert into UCAS points as a must, to qualify for the main allocation of student finance. This totally misses the point of OU study, and so further pressure will be applied. The report does recommend that some places be allocated separately to students without conventional qualifications.
The whole sector faces severe cutbacks in public spending, and the OU is no exception. The Director, Students has made a considerable effort to reduce spending, whilst emphasising that there should be absolutely no difference in the student experience, which sees the OU in the top three for student satisfaction.
This only touches the surface, but before the next meeting in January I will be asking alumni for their comments on relevant parts of the agenda, so I can then make representations on their behalf. As graduates we understand the complete student experience and can offer the most relevant opinion. I urge alumni to contact me, so I can appreciate the viewpoint of the graduate body and bring a strong and true graduate voice to Senate.