Conference is OUSA’s biggest face to face event in the calendar and is where the Association’s policy is decided. Throughout the year, when OUSA’s Central Representatives sit on the various Open University Boards and Committees, they are guided by the OUSA Conference policy. It is how the student voice is heard. Around 350 students attend and participate in debates to establish OUSA policy on educational, organisational, representational and student support issues. Reports are presented by the Association's officers detailing progress made in the preceding twelve months. Time permitting, workshops are held on topics of current interest. There are exhibitions and displays about OUSA and its services, its affiliated societies and from departments of the University.
A number of academics, University officials, and other guest speakers also take stage and deliver speeches. Guest speakers at Conference 2008 featured Government Minister Bill Rammell (pictured left) Richard Budden from the National Union of Students, Honary President, Sir Bryan Nicholson, and the O U's Vice Chancellor, Professor Brenda Gourley.
The real exciting highlight of Conference however is the Hustings and elections for the Association Officers. These elected officers will serve on the Executive Committee for the following year. Other members of the Executive Committee are previously elected by postal ballot and the results announced at Conference. These ballots are for the thirteen members for the regions, the three members for OUSA's sub-regions, and the member for Student Academic Links.
As well as being an important and all too rare opportunity for students to meet and socialise, Conference is a vital part of our democracy.
Official notification of Conference, 2010, R T F version
Official notification of Conference, 2010, R T F version - LARGE PRINT
CD1 Final Motions Order Paper (962 K B)
CD1 Final Motions Order Paper (485 K B)
CD7 Candidates for Election (81 K B)
CD7 Candidates for Elections (123 K B)
Conference 2009 Minutes, pdf version
Conference 2009 Minutes, R T F version, 1.159 K B
These are video highlights from Conference 2009, held at Warwick University, and are available as progressive downloads. Reduced quality audio .M P3 file alternatives have also been provided for those with slower internet speeds. (On the Futures introduction clip, featuring the then Deputy President, Roz Evans, the OUSA President Lisa Carson, who would have normally given this speech, was too unwell to do so.)
For a report on OUSA Futures 2009, please follow the link below.
Should you require any software in order to play the following media clips, please follow the link below to the O U website.
Download O U provided software
Vice Chancellor's question and answer session, Part 1
Video: Vice Chancellor (Good quality, F L V, 37 M B).
Audio: Vice Chancellor (Medium quality M P3, 2.6 M B).
Vice Chancellor's question and answer session, Part 2
Video: Vice Chancellor (Good quality, F L V, 19 M B).
Audio: Vice Chancellor (Medium quality M P3, 1.9 M B).
OUSA Futures presentation introduction
Video: Introduction to Futures presentation (Good quality, F L V, 12 M B).
Audio: Introduction to Futures presentation (Medium quality M P3, 1.2 M B).
Director of Students, Will Swann's Futures speech
Video: Will Swann speech (Good quality, F L V, 24 M B).
Audio: Will Swann speech (Medium quality M P3, 2.4 M B).
OUSA Futures group feedback, Part 1
Video: Futures feedback, Part 1 (Good quality, F L V, 25 M B).
Audio: Futures feedback, Part 1 (Medium quality M P3, 2.5 M B).
OUSA Futures group feedback, Part 2
Video: Futures feedback, Part 2 (Good quality, F L V, 24 M B).
Audio: Futures feedback, Part (Medium quality M P3, 2.4 M B).
OUSA Futures group feedback, Part 3
Video: Futures feedback, Part 3 (Good quality, F L V, 21 M B).
Audio: Futures feedback, Part 3 (Medium quality M P3, 2 M B).
Fraternal Address from Associate Lecturers Committee
Video: Associate Lecturers fraternal address (Good quality, F L V, 14 M B).
Audio: Associate Lecturers fraternal address (Medium quality M P3, 1.4 M B).
Honorary Life Membership awards
Video: Honorary Life Membership awards (Good quality, F L V, 13.6 M B).
Audio: Honorary Life Membership awards (Medium quality M P3, 1.3 M B).
Lisa Carson's outgoing President's speech
Video: President's outgoing speech (Good quality, F L V, 25 M B).
Audio: President's outgoing speech (Medium quality M P3, 2.4 M B).