Talk:Open University Students Association

Links to branch web sites
I've edited the link to the OUSA Southampton branch so that it appears in one sensible place - the external links section. But should we have links to branch websites at all? It could end up being a very long list indeed. It could be argued that links to websites of the regional fora are sufficient - they will almost certainly all have links to constituent branches. Also, branches change so often that having links from this article could lead to linkrot Savirr 14:29, 17 June 2007 (UTC)


 * Don't think we need individual branches linked (unless they could really be considered to be "of note") and tbh I don't think the fact that Orchard was a member of that branch rates it as needing a link (sorry!) Linking to regional websites is definitely the best bet IMHO. --Vertilly 10:20, 18 June 2007 (UTC)


 * Agreed. Since no one dissents, I'll remove the link Savirr 16:29, 8 July 2007 (UTC)

John Orchard
Removing reference about John Orchard being a tutor as this was in fact a different John Orchard, I have verified this fact from my own contact with the Open University as a student. Paulw99 09:04, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

Thanks Paul --Vertilly 11:42, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

Have now removed the sentance "A statement from the Open University Student Association can be found at the OUSA News page" as the link refered to no longer exsists. Paulw99 20:09, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

Reps & Structure
I feel that the structure/facitlities needs a bit more filling out with regards to Student Support Links, Disabled Student Links, the Disabled Student Group, EC structure and internal regional structure (amongst other things) but I'm not sure quite where to start. Does anyone have any ideas? --Vertilly 11:41, 15 June 2007 (UTC)
 * Just start adding stuff. Someone will correct it if it's wrong.  You could always pop onto firstclass and ask OUSA Matters if someone wants to pop over to review. Thedarxide 11:51, 15 June 2007 (UTC)
 * That's true I guess! The link's already been posted to Matters though and no one seemed very interested at the time. Ho hum --Vertilly 12:37, 15 June 2007 (UTC)
 * When I have some spare time I will post some information here but busy with Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA) and some web design work. Paulw99 16:18, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

OTRS action
This text has been removed, on the basis of a complaint that this John Orchard is not the same John Orchard who was a former OUSA president.

==Controversy==

In June 2007, then President John Orchard, 48, was forced to resign following exposure in The Sun newspaper as a convicted paedophile. Orchard served a 6 month jail sentence in 2001 for indecently assaulting a 13 year old schoolboy. A statement from the Open University Student Association can be found at the OUSA News page. As a result of his resignation the position of President has been taken over by Lisa Carson, and an election for a new Deputy President will be held shortly. Orchard was an active OUSA member based in the Southampton area.

I invite editors to research this further and make a determination. Please do not re-add the material until you can find sources that describes this person as the former OUSA president. ≈ jossi ≈ (talk) 04:03, 18 July 2007 (UTC)


 * The Sun article quite clearly states the position, and while I note that the OUSA web site has now removed their statement, the situation is still correct, and the OU confirmation is stated in the referenced article. Thedarxide 14:00, 18 July 2007 (UTC)


 * I agree with Thedarxide's statement. As someone who is actually a student at the Open University, and an active member of OUSA I can assure you this information is correct.  I suspect the complaint may relate to some misinformation within that section which has been deleted in the past month (please see Revision as of 19:33, 12 June 2007.  This erroneously stated that JO was also a tutor - which is incorrect and has since been removed) --Vertilly 18:56, 18 July 2007 (UTC)