Hello,

Yesterday (Sunday 13 November) was World Kindness Day. To celebrate, the Sussex Centre for Research on Kindness set up the Kindness Corner at the Student Centre, an interactive space where you can learn and talk about kindness. I enjoyed reading the suggestions for random acts of kindness that we can all do, and I am going to try to commit a random act of kindness this week. The Kindness Corner is going on tour to spread kindness around campus. This week they will be in the Meeting House. 

We also partnered again with KindFest, the world’s largest online festival of kindness, which took place on Friday 11 November. The line-up featured several University of Sussex academics, including Dr Gillian Sandstrom, Director of the Sussex Centre for Research on Kindness. 

Reminder about cost-of-living support measures

The University has introduced some new measures to reflect the increases in the rising cost of living, which I outlined in my last update. This includes an increase in the Student Hardship funds available for the 2022/23 academic year and additional Sussex Bursary funding. Please read this news story for more details and check the Student Hub formoney information and advice.

Looking after your mental health

Remember that our student health, support and wellbeing services are here to help any student who needs’ professional help on a wide range of issues. These services include counselling, group workshops, drop-in clinics and online support options like Togetherall and online resources to look after your mental and emotional health. 

Skill up and you could win up to £10,000 of funding

There’s still time to take part in Ideas Lab, our weekly entrepreneurship workshop programme, where you’ll get all the support you need to develop an idea through to launch – and potentially win up to £10,000 of funding. Register now for this great opportunity to develop your creative and business skills, and to meet like-minded students. 

Meet with your Vice-Chancellor this week

There are a few slots left to meet with Professor Sasha Roseneil, Vice-Chancellor of the University, on Wednesday 16 November. Taking place in the Student Centre, you’ll have an opportunity to talk about your student experience and ask Sasha questions. Find more information and how to book a slot. 

Inclusive Sussex: gender neutral and same sex bathrooms on campus

Informationon gender neutral and same sex bathroomavailability is shown on the campus webpages, now with an updated campus map. 

How much of campus should we set aside for nature?

As part of our commitment to sustainability, we’re now launching a consultation to decide how much of campus we should set aside for nature. Our beautiful campus in the heart of the South Downs is one of the reasons that make the student experience at Sussex so unique. It is also one of the most biodiverse campuses in the UK with 38 percent of our land counting as green, but we want to know your views on which areas of campus land may be suitable for setting aside for nature. Read this story to find out more and submit your views.  

On Wednesday we also published our third Annual Sustainability and Sustainable Development Goals Report, covering research, policy, outreach and operational practice on sustainability at the University of Sussex. You can read about the report’s findings and the actions we will be taking next. 

With best wishes for the week ahead, 
 
Kelly
 
Professor Kelly Coate, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students