Professor Kelly Coate, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students

The Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students, Kelly Coate, emailed all taught students earlier today. You can read her message in full below.

Hello,

As this will be my last update until January, I’d like to take the opportunity to wish you a happy and restful holiday season. You can watch a short video message from me on YouTube. 

This week’s update also includes: 

• Staying on campus over the holidays?
• Preparing for upcoming assessments
• Mental health and wellbeing resources
• Cost of living support
• Do you love social media and using your creative skills?
• Overseas Covid-19 vaccinations checking at Brighton Racecourse
• Foundation year team wins UK Higher Education award
• This week’s Sussex snapshot

Staying on campus over the holidays?

We have gathered information on the Student Hub for those of you staying on campus over the holidays. The Belong at Sussex programme team have produced this helpful leaflet too. 

There are festive social events in the Meeting House on 20 December and on Christmas day itself. Follow @ResLifeSussex on Instagram and Facebook to keep up to date with Residential Life events, and check out the VisitBrighton website for what's going on in Brighton & Hove. 
 

Preparing for upcoming assessments

Many of you will be preparing for assessments scheduled after the winter vacation. These assessments typically relate to Semester 1 and will fall between Monday 2 January to Saturday 14 January 2023. I wish you the best of luck with any upcoming assessments and encourage you to take a break over the vacation too. 

Now is a great opportunity to remind you of key information regarding this assessment period. 

• Do take the time to read through our guide to submitting work and accessing feedback in Canvas. It takes you through the process of submitting assessments online, as well as finding and understanding any feedback from your tutors you may have received already, which can guide you in future academic work. 

• You might also like to revisit our Digital Learning Guide to Sussex Direct and Canvas, which was created by students to help you. 
• Our refreshed Skills Hub has lots of resources to help you with your studies, including support around referencing and revision. 

In the unlikely event that you experience any sudden, temporary and unforeseen circumstance that directly impacts your academic performance, please review our Exceptional Circumstances webpages. There are important deadlines that must be observed should you need to submit an application for consideration. 

You can find contact details for your School office on the Student Hub. Please note that offices will be closed from Thursday 22 December to Monday 2 January. 
 

Mental health and wellbeing resources

Remember that a wide range of information, advice and support is available online. 

The Student Centre building will remain open 24/7 during the vacation. The out-of-hours (overnight) service will operate from 23 December through to 2 January, with the full Welcome and Triage service reopening on 3 January. 

The Student Hub, our website designed for current students, also has answers to many questions and useful links about our Health, support and wellbeing services. 

Cost of living support

See the UK government’s Help for Households website for information on saving energy and help with energy bills, which you may be eligible for if you are part of a student household. 

You can also visit the Money and funding section on the Student Hub to find financial advice and information provided through the university. Read our previous update about cost of living support. 
 

Do you love social media and using your creative skills?

You could join a group of Sussex students who create engaging content and share community and research stories on University channels. The Digital Media Creator scheme offers casual, paid roles with flexible hours, so you can earn extra money and develop your CV while you study. Apply through CareerHub by Sunday 15 January. 
 

Overseas Covid-19 vaccinations checking at Brighton Racecourse

If you had any of your Covid-19 vaccinations outside of England, you’ll need to make an appointment for the NHS to check evidence and update your medical records, so you can show proof of your vaccination status as evidence for travel. This service will be available at Brighton Racecourse on Sunday 18 December. Find out more or book an appointment online. 

Foundation year team wins UK Higher Education award

Last week, Dr Wendy Garnham and our Foundation Year team won 1st place for ‘Most innovative approach to supporting students’ in this year’s Pearsons' HE Innovate Awards. As part of the award the team won £300, which they have chosen to donate to the Student Hardship Fund. You can read more about the winning project in this news story. This is an example of staff receiving well-deserved recognition for how they deliver an excellent teaching and learning experience for students at Sussex.

With best wishes,

Kelly

Professor Kelly Coate, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students

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