THE ADMINISTRATION OF STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES AT THE OPEN UNIVERSITY

The Open University of the United Kingdom is acknowledged as one of the most successful distance education system yet designed. High among the reasons for its success is the student support service provided by the Regional Tutorial Services, a department of the Open University administrative structure which has received little acclaim. This paper shows how the Regional Tutorial Services copes with the problem of drop‐outs that has been a feature of many other distance systems and how it seeks to provide a valid educational experience for those enrolled. Three phases in the evolution of the present administrative system are analysed and various aspects of structure are discussed. Attention is drawn to developments in computer recording which may enable the Regional Tutorial Services to forecast possible drop‐outs and thus take a major step towards eliminating avoidable student withdrawal.