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Student Voices Represented at OfS Board Meeting

Tuesday 25-02-2025 - 09:00

Student Voices Represented at OfS Board Meeting

By Your SU

Student Voice Reps Kai Longstaff and Laura Merrison were welcomed at the most recent Office for Students Board Meeting, representing student voices to the Director for Fair Access and Participation, John Blake.

Kai and Laura represented Sunderland in a panel of six students from multiple institutions, who discussed the realities of students entering Higher Education through non-traditional routes. The group tackled key issues such as university choice, assessment methods, work-life balance, and innovation in education.

Student Voice Reps Kai Longstaff and Laura Merrison with OfS Director for Fair Access and Participation, John Blake

(Left to Right) Kai Longstaff, OfS Director for Fair Access and Participation John Blake and Laura Merrison

What is the Office for Students (OfS)?

The OfS is the independent regulator for Higher Education. They aim to ensure that every student, no matter their background, has a fulfilling experience of higher education that enriches their lives and careers. They are the regulator enforcing universities to provide a basic level of resource access, learning and teaching standards, and fair access to students of all backgrounds.

What was said?

Kai and Laura represented Sunderland Students' Union in a panel of six students representing multiple institutions. Kai focused on accessibility, emphasising the importance of student support services. Kai said: “These services, like wellbeing and disability support, help students engage with their education in the best way possible. It’s also vital that university facilities are physically accessible for those with specific needs.

Reflecting on the meeting, Laura said: “It was reassuring to see that the OfS genuinely listens to student concerns and uses them to shape policies. Students are the primary stakeholders in Higher Education - every policy decision directly affects us. That’s why students need to have a voice in shaping policies.”

What next?

Your SU believes that enabling co-creation between students, the University, and the government empowers students to have their voices heard and contribute to the changing nature of higher education. We will continue to provide students with the skills and opportunities to participate in national dialogue, and thank the University for allowing us to provide these opportunities.

From representational issues such as those highlighted by our Course Reps and Student Voice Reps, to national campaigns such as the NUS’ campaign to abolish the need for guarantors for international students, Your SU will continue to be at the forefront of platforming students as the most important stakeholders in the experience whilst at the University of Sunderland.

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Office for Students, Representation, Higher Education, Student Voice Reps,

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