Earlier today, Professor Kelly Coate, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students, emailed all taught students. You can read the full message below:

Hello,

You might have noticed the days getting longer and brighter as the spring term progresses. Even with sunnier days ahead, it can be useful to take notice of how we are feeling at this time of year and consider if we need any support. 
 
Have a look at this news story for five ways to help look after your mental wellbeing. You can also explore the wellbeing section of the Student Hub, where we have a wide range of guidance and resources. 

Read on for this week’s update, including: 

• LGBT+ History Month
• Money advice
• National Student Survey – £1,000 prize draw closes on 28 February
• New Print Unit coming soon
• Upcoming Industrial Action
• Towner 100: celebrating the centenary year of the South Coast’s biggest gallery

LGBT+ History Month 

Schools and departments across the University are creating information articles and organising events to celebrate LGBT+ History Month. The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Unit highlighted some in last week’s LGBT+ History Month article. 

Money advice 

National Student Money Week 2023 runs from 27 February to 3 March. This year’s theme is ‘Navigate the Numbers: Coping with the cost of living’, recognising the current strain on everyone’s budgets. 

Our Advice and Guidance Team will be running a stall in the Student Centre atrium on Tuesday 28 February, Wednesday 1 March and Tuesday 2 March. Come along to get tips around budgeting and managing your money. There will be a limited number of freebies too. 

Remember, you can always find information about money and funding on the Student Hub. 

National Student Survey – £1,000 prize draw closes on 28 February 

The National Student Survey (NSS) is your chance to tell the world about your time at Sussex. If you’re a final-year undergraduate, fill in the NSS online before 28 February and you’ll enter a prize draw for one of two £1,000 cash prizes. 

For every survey completed, we will also donate £1 to a charity chosen by you (vote for your favourite charity). 

Thank you to everyone who has already taken part! Don’t forget to collect your free tea or coffee voucher from the NSS Agents on campus. 

Did you know the survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete? You can find out more about the NSS on the Student Hub. 
  

New Print Unit coming soon 

The Print Unit, currently located in York House, will be moving to the Hastings building (view campus map). This move means the Print Unit will be closed between Monday 20 February and Sunday 26 February, reopening on Monday 27 February in its new location. Find out more in this news story.

Upcoming Industrial Action 

As mentioned in recent updates, Sussex is one of 150 universities where University and College Union (UCU) members have voted in favour of industrial action over pay and working conditions, and one of 67 who are striking in relation to the USS pension scheme.

On the Student Hub you can find upcoming dates for this nationwide industrial action, when some staff may exercise their legal right to strike. The strike action days next week will be Tuesday 21, Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 February.

We will do everything possible to minimise the impact on your studies and the running of University services during any industrial action. Please check the Industrial Action page on the Student Hub first if you have any queries. 

Towner 100: celebrating the centenary year of the South Coast’s biggest gallery 

Towner Eastbourne, just a short trip along the coast from our University, is celebrating its 100 year anniversary this year. A series of major exhibitions will take visitors on a journey through the Towner Collection past and present, as well as offer the chance to witness the world’s leading prize for contemporary art, the Turner Prize, in Sussex for the first time. 

The University is proud to be the education partner for the Turner Prize 2023 and we’re looking forward to offering staff and students the chance to visit the exhibition later in the year. For now, you can check out their programme of events including Turner Prize winner and Sussex alum Helen Cammock.

With best wishes,

Kelly

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

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