Broadcast: News items

Dame Denise Holt, Chair of Council

One of the most important aspects of the July meeting of Council was being able to confirm the appointments of Professor David Maguire as interim Vice-Chancellor (starting later this year) and Professor Kevin Hylton, interim PVC for Culture, Equality and Inclusion (starting immediately). These important roles will provide the leadership we need at this critical time for the sector.

Sustainable Sussex

With the UN Climate Change conference (COP26) happening in Glasgow in less than five months, it was inspiring to hear about the University’s Sustainable Sussex strategy – which will take us to become one of the most sustainable universities in the world. The strategy is undoubtedly ambitious, and covers so much from embedding sustainability into our curriculum, waste, transport, recycling, energy use and a reduced carbon infrastructure. Council has been asked to agree a new target connected to the strategy to get us to net zero carbon emissions by 2035.

Helping our students achieve excellent outcomes

In addition, we received a briefing on work underway to improve outcomes for graduates. Our new World Readiness and Employability Strategy is really turning around opportunities for our students for when they leave Sussex. Our aim is to move into the top 10 for graduate prospects in the league tables – and to progress closing performance gaps for underrepresented groups. We’re already seeing an uplift, with 14% more finalists engaging with the careers and employment services available to them. 

Financial matters – pensions and sector change

Following the USS Trustee’s rejection of UUK’s latest proposal, the current challenges were debated in full – and it was ultimately agreed by Council that we should indicate our preference for Option A as part of the latest consultation for Employers to consider.

It is clear nobody wants to be in the situation we are in. These are painfully difficult decisions and the travesty is that the longer it takes to decide, the bigger the problem becomes.

We also heard from the Vice-Chancellor about the upcoming consultation into the Augar Review, expected imminently, that will influence HM Treasury’s Comprehensive Spending Review in the autumn. Whether there is a freeze on tuition fees, lower headline fee levels, minimum entry requirements, student number controls or changes to foundation years funding, sector change is undoubtedly coming. We also heard that the funding to UKRI has already been reduced by £540m. So we need to be prepared and on the front foot to navigate change.

Size and Shape

Which brings me on to the Size and Shape programme, which will help us to weather the volatility we face. I’m pleased to say we’re on track to consider the full proposals in the autumn.

The programme is overseen by PVC Keith Jones, with each Head of School and Divisional Director leading the programme in their local areas. Our new interim VC will allow us to maintain momentum on this important work.

As we continue along this journey, do remember why it’s so important. In the Sussex 2025 Strategic Framework, we set out our collective ambition to build on our successes and pioneering spirit to ensure the University of Sussex can thrive locally, regionally, nationally and globally in new times and for a new generation. That remains our ambition, and we need to make tough choices if we are to become more competitive, increase research funding and provide better outcomes for our students and staff.

It was noted in the meeting that further delay to the programme would put the University at risk in the face of rising costs (i.e. pensions and pay), and vulnerability from almost certain sector change mentioned above. Through Size and Shape we can minimise that risk, and at the same time ensure that the University is in the best shape it can possibly be.

The student experience

How we consider the needs of the current and future generations of students at Sussex is overseen by the Student Experience Committee (SEC), led by Council member Jane Parsons. It has been encouraging to hear the ambition of those in the committee to close the awarding gap for BAME students by 2025 – a new KPI that we are adopting. There was a discussion about the best ways to reduce the awarding gap and improve experiences and outcomes, particularly for black students, at Sussex – and I’m certain that our new interim PVC for Culture, Equality and Inclusion, Kevin Hylton, will be keen to ensure we continue to study the evidence of how different interventions and schemes perform so we can create real impact.

A group will also be convened over the summer to review some of our student support measures such as bursaries and funding for those students who are most in need. This will include looking at accommodation pricing on campus, a topic raised at both SEC and Council by the USSU representative. Council is clear that the University should continue to do all it can to help those most in need of our support, and look forward to the outcome of the group’s deliberations.

Celebrating 60 years of Sussex

Although people still think of Sussex as ‘new’, it won’t be long now till we are toasting our wonderful University’s 60th birthday. We heard some of the exciting plans that will be unveiled later in the summer – that will run throughout the next whole year. Of course it's the people that make Sussex so special – and I know that the University’s original pioneering spirit is very much alive.

Finally, it was excellent to welcome Professor Paul O’Prey for his first Council meeting, replacing Andy Bryant who has left us after three terms. Sadly, we also bade farewell to two outgoing staff members, Mark Fisher and Mario Novelli. It was the first Council for Emily Tofield (Director of Communications, Marketing and Advancement) and Sally Priddle (the new Deputy University Secretary and Head of Governance). I’m delighted that Council member Aleema Shivji will be staying for another term.