h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

OU Student Association has done an ePetition over fees and changes.
Basically, the OU fees will be trebling to cover short falls in funding, which will obviously massively affect their traditional student base.

Not wanting to start a debate on the politics here, so just plonking the petition down and if you are interested, feel free to click through:

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/22316

you have to be british and resident to sign.

British or UK?

British Citizen or UK Resident it says

(smartarse...)

Signed.
I was 2 years into a 5 year Masters but sadly it looks like thats now at an end. Despite being on income related benefits and disability I've been told I need to make a mega contribution if I want to continue. End of the road for me.

Just wondering whether I can sign it.

tbh Mala, not sure whether 'UK Resident' is a legal term or just describes one as living here. Give it a go, not sure if resident has different qualifiers on it.

BMT - yeah, that's the problem. I've encountered loads of people on the psych course using it to get better jobs or different jobs (a lot of teachers and carers on it) and to think many of them will simply not be able to afford it anymore.

Plus there were starting to be quite a few youngsters doing OU instead of going to a bricks and mortar uni, so they could work and study at the same time.

I doubt it will have any effect, but it makes a point.

I am legally a UK resident, I pay taxes and everything!

So it's true, we will let anyone in

On a more serious note, you should be fine to sign it then!

Signed.

Another example of smacking the poorer sections of the community because of the misbehaviour of the nice rich bankers who should be the ones getting their noses rubbed in their own crap.

Signed

Even though there's no change to fees here in Scotland I feel the OU performs an important role in helping people retrain and explore new interests in later life. Further, by allowing people to continue in full time employment rather than becoming full time students, it is far more cost-effective to the state than bricks & mortar universities.

I just finished my K101 Health & Social Care there in June. Was thinking of going on but am still not sure due to health issues. They keep in touch though.

Signed.