Common use of Respect and Understanding Clause in Contracts

Respect and Understanding. The OU and the OU Students Association both work together in partnership and are separate organisations with their own distinctive roles – something that is understood and valued by both parties. • The OU provides the academic environment for students. It supports their learning and assessment, awards credit, and confers qualifications. • The Students Association is focused on building a vibrant and engaged student community featuring volunteering opportunities, peer-to-peer support and a strong, representative student voice throughout the University and to external organisations. • Our independence as separate organisations with distinct roles may sometimes lead to differences of views. When this occurs, both parties recognise the benefits of working together to resolve those differences wherever possible as part of an ongoing healthy partnership. Openness and trust The OU and the OU Students Association believe that an effective working relationship is based on full, open and regular two-way communication and discussion of relevant issues. In order to build and sustain a culture of openness and trust, we share a commitment to approach matters jointly wherever possible, debating any potential concerns and acting on them wherever possible. Mutual support and commitment The OU and the OU Students Association recognise that they can each fulfil the responsibilities of their roles more effectively if they work together to support students. • Working together may take place through formal and informal relationships and both parties will commit the time and resources to make those relationships effective. • The Student Charter and this Relationship Agreement are evidence of our commitment to work together. • The OU and the Students Association will work together to embed the principles of the Relationship Agreement in the development of University strategies, policies, procedures, programmes and projects that relate to the student experience. Equality, diversity and inclusion The OU and the OU Students Association have a shared commitment to equality and diversity. They will work together to create an inclusive university community and a society where: • people are treated with dignity and respect; • inequalities are challenged; and • we anticipate and respond positively to different needs and circumstances so that everyone can achieve their potential. The OU is a unique university, operating in all four nations of the United Kingdom and around the world. The OU and the Students Association recognise that they should take into account and celebrate the breadth of experiences and circumstances of all OU students, as well as the diversity of and differences in the four UK nations and the countries and regions outside the United Kingdom. How we will achieve this 1 Our Student Charter commitment states: ‘We actively support the OU Students Association to engage with all its members to xxxxxx a vibrant student community and to promote their educational and social interests.’ The OU and the Students Association will work together to ensure that the Students Association is a fair, democratic and accountable students association that is resourced by the OU to meet its objects and strategic aims.

Respect and Understanding. The OU and the OU Students Association both work together in partnership and are separate organisations with their own distinctive roles – something that is understood and valued by both parties. • The OU provides the academic environment for students. It supports their learning and assessment, awards credit, and confers qualifications. • The Students Association is focused on building a vibrant and engaged student community featuring volunteering opportunities, peer-to-peer wellbeing support opportunities and a strong, representative student voice throughout the University and to external organisations. • Our independence as separate organisations with distinct roles may sometimes lead to differences of views. When this occurs, both parties recognise the benefits of working together to resolve those differences wherever possible as part of an ongoing healthy partnership. Openness and trust The OU and the OU Students Association believe that an effective working relationship is based on full, open and regular two-way communication and discussion of relevant issues. In order to build and sustain a culture of openness and trust, we share a commitment to approach matters jointly wherever possible, debating any potential concerns and acting on them wherever possible. Mutual support and commitment The OU and the OU Students Association recognise that they can each fulfil the responsibilities of their roles more effectively if they work together to support students. • Working together may take place through formal and informal relationships and both parties will commit the time and resources to make those relationships effective. • The Student Charter and this Relationship Agreement are evidence of our commitment to work together. • The OU and the Students Association will work together to embed the principles of the Relationship Agreement in the development of University strategies, policies, procedures, programmes and projects that relate to the student experience. Equality, diversity and inclusion Our Student Charter commitment states: ‘We value diversity, anticipate and challenge inequalities, and commit to being an anti- racist, anti-discriminatory, accessible and inclusive university, so all feel a sense of belonging.’ The OU and the OU Students Association have a shared commitment to equality equity and diversity. They will We work together to create an inclusive university community and a society where: • people are treated with dignity and respect; • inequalities are challenged; and • we anticipate and respond positively to different needs and circumstances so that everyone can achieve their potential. The OU is a unique university, operating in all four nations of the United Kingdom and around the world. The OU and the Students Association recognise that they should take into account and celebrate the breadth of experiences and circumstances of all OU students, as well as the diversity of and differences in the four UK nations and the countries and regions outside the United Kingdom. How we will achieve this 1 Our Student Charter commitment states: ‘We actively support the OU Students Association to engage with all its members to xxxxxx a vibrant student community and to promote their educational and social student interests.’ The OU and the Students Association will work together to ensure that the Students Association is a fair, democratic and accountable students association that is resourced by the OU to meet its objects and strategic aims.

Respect and Understanding. The OU and the OU Students Association both work together in partnership and are separate organisations with their own distinctive roles – something that is understood and valued by both parties. •  The OU provides the academic environment for students. It supports their learning and assessment, awards credit, and confers qualifications. •  The Students Association is focused on building a vibrant and engaged student community featuring volunteering opportunities, peer-to-peer support and a strong, representative student voice throughout the University and to external organisations. •  Our independence as separate organisations with distinct roles may sometimes lead to differences of views. When this occurs, both parties recognise the benefits of working together to resolve those differences wherever possible as part of an ongoing healthy partnership. Openness and trust The OU and the OU Students Association believe that an effective working relationship is based on full, open and regular two-way communication and discussion of relevant issues. In order to build and sustain a culture of openness and trust, we share a commitment to approach matters jointly wherever possible, debating any potential concerns and acting on them wherever possible. Mutual support and commitment The OU and the OU Students Association recognise that they can each fulfil the responsibilities of their roles more effectively if they work together to support students. •  Working together may take place through formal and informal relationships and both parties will commit the time and resources to make those relationships effective. • Approved by OU Council March 20182019 Page 2  The Student Charter and this Relationship Agreement are evidence of our commitment to work together. •  The OU and the Students Association will work together to embed the principles of the Relationship Agreement in the development of University strategies, policies, procedures, programmes and projects that relate to the student experience. Equality, diversity and inclusion The OU and the OU Students Association have a shared commitment to equality and diversity. They will work together to create an inclusive university community and a society where: •  people are treated with dignity and respect; •  inequalities are challenged; and •  we anticipate and respond positively to different needs and circumstances so that everyone can achieve their potential. The OU is a unique university, operating in all four nations of the United Kingdom and around the world. The OU and the Students Association recognise that they should take into account and celebrate the breadth of experiences and circumstances of all OU students, as well as the diversity of and differences in the four UK nations and the countries and regions outside the United Kingdom. How we will achieve this 1 Our Student Charter commitment states: ‘We actively support the OU Students Association to engage with all its members to xxxxxx a vibrant student community and to promote their educational and social interests.’ The OU and the Students Association will work together to ensure that the Students Association is a fair, democratic and accountable students association that is resourced by the OU to meet its objects and strategic aims.

Respect and Understanding. The OU and the OU Students Association both work together in partnership and are separate organisations with their own distinctive roles – something that is understood and valued by both parties. • The OU provides the academic environment for students. It supports their learning and assessment, awards credit, and confers qualifications. • The Students Association is focused on building a vibrant and engaged student community featuring volunteering opportunities, peer-to-peer support and a strong, representative student voice throughout the University and to external organisations. • Our independence as separate organisations with distinct roles may sometimes lead to differences of views. When this occurs, both parties recognise the benefits of working together to resolve those differences wherever possible as part of an ongoing healthy partnership. Openness and trust The OU and the OU Students Association believe that an effective working relationship is based on full, open and regular two-way communication and discussion of relevant issues. In order to build and sustain a culture of openness and trust, we share a commitment to approach matters jointly wherever possible, debating any potential concerns and acting on them wherever possible. Mutual support and commitment The OU and the OU Students Association recognise that they can each fulfil the responsibilities of their roles more effectively if they work together to support students. • Working together may take place through formal and informal relationships and both parties will commit the time and resources to make those relationships effective. • The Student Charter and this Relationship Agreement are evidence of our commitment to work together. • The OU and the Students Association will work together to embed the principles of the Relationship Agreement in the development of University strategies, policies, procedures, programmes and projects that relate to the student experience. Equality, diversity and inclusion The OU and the OU Students Association have a shared commitment to equality and diversity. They will work together to create an inclusive university community and a society where: • people are treated with dignity and respect; • inequalities are challenged; and • we anticipate and respond positively to different needs and circumstances so that everyone can achieve their potential. The OU is a unique university, operating in all four nations of the United Kingdom and around the world. The OU and the Students Association recognise that they should take into account and celebrate the breadth of experiences and circumstances of all OU students, as well as the diversity of and differences in the four UK nations and the countries and regions outside the United Kingdom. How we will achieve this 1 Our Student Charter commitment states: ‘We actively support the OU Students Association to engage with all its members to xxxxxx a vibrant student community and to promote their educational and social interests.’ The OU and the Students Association will work together to ensure that the Students Association is a fair, democratic and accountable students association that is resourced by the OU to meet its objects and strategic aims.

Respect and Understanding. The OU and the OU Students Association both work together in partnership and are separate organisations with their own distinctive roles – something that is understood and valued by both parties. • The OU provides the academic environment for students. It supports their learning and assessment, awards credit, and confers qualifications. • The Students Association is focused on building a vibrant and engaged student community featuring volunteering opportunities, peer-to-peer support and a strong, representative student voice throughout the University and to external organisations. • Our independence as separate organisations with distinct roles may sometimes lead to differences of views. When this occurs, both parties recognise the benefits of working together to resolve those differences wherever possible as part of an ongoing healthy partnership. Openness and trust The OU and the OU Students Association believe that an effective working relationship is based on full, open and regular two-way communication and discussion of relevant issues. In order to build and sustain a culture of openness and trust, we share a commitment to approach matters jointly wherever possible, debating any potential concerns and acting on them wherever possible. Mutual support and commitment The OU and the OU Students Association recognise that they can each fulfil the responsibilities of their roles more effectively if they work together to support students. • Working together may take place through formal and informal relationships and both parties will commit the time and resources to make those relationships effective. • The Student Charter and this Relationship Agreement are evidence of our commitment to work together. • The OU and the Students Association will work together to embed the principles of the Relationship Agreement in the development of University strategies, policies, procedures, programmes and projects that relate to the student experience. Equality, diversity and inclusion The OU and the OU Students Association have a shared commitment to equality and diversity. They will work together to create an inclusive university community and a society where: • people are treated with dignity and respect; • inequalities are challenged; and • we anticipate and respond positively to different needs and circumstances so that everyone can achieve their potential. The OU is a unique university, operating in all four nations of the United Kingdom and around the world. The OU and the Students Association recognise that they should take into account and celebrate the breadth of experiences and circumstances of all OU students, as well as the diversity of and differences in the four UK nations and the countries and regions outside the United Kingdom. How we will achieve this 1 Our Student Charter commitment states: ‘We actively support the OU Students Association to engage with all its members to xxxxxx a vibrant student community and to promote their educational and social interests.’ The OU and the Students Association will work together to ensure that the Students Association is a fair, democratic and accountable students association that is resourced by the OU to meet its objects and strategic aims.