Earlier today, Kelly Coate, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students, wrote to all taught students. You can read her full email below:

Hello,

Happy One World Week! I hope you get a chance to take part in the events going on as we celebrate the diversity of our global community. 
 
Like One World Week, there are so many ways to enrich your university experience, and the Spirit of Sussex Award is our way of recognising your extra-curricular and voluntary achievements. 
 
The award can help you feel involved with life at Sussex, build a wider network of friends and contacts, and get a job after your studies by showcasing what you’ve accomplished. 
 
I really recommend getting started or continuing to log points towards a bronze, silver or gold award. We present these award certificates at graduation, along with your degree certificate, which makes for such a special moment. 
 
You can look out for ways to log points through Flint, the online magazine sent to you every fortnight during term-time. Many of the opportunities and events featured can help you work towards an award. 

Read on for this week’s update, including:  
 

• Sussex shortlisted for national Cost of Living Award for £2 meal initiative 
• Final-year undergraduate? There’s still time to take the National Student Survey 
• Making module choices in Sussex Direct 
• Celebrating and supporting neurodiversity 
• Green Futures – a new graduate job event 
• Join WarpIt to donate and claim items within our community 
• Sustainable Sussex: enter a poetry competition for Earth Day 
• Upcoming industrial action 
• Have you seen the World Reimagined globe on campus? 

Sussex shortlisted for national Cost of Living Award for £2 meal initiative 

Have you been enjoying our tasty £2 hot meals? The initiative has been shortlisted for the Cost of Living Award at this year's Whatuni Student Choice Awards. Head down to Eat Central to try one for yourself. 
 

Final-year undergraduate? There’s still time to take the National Student Survey 

Through the National Student Survey (NSS), you can tell the world about your time at Sussex, helping future students to decide what and where to study. 
 
For every eligible student who takes part in the NSS, we’ll donate £1 to the mental health charity Mind – recently voted for by finalists. 
 
Find out more about the NSS on the Student Hub. 
 

Making module choices in Sussex Direct 

Students making optional module choices for the next academic year may be aware that we have been experiencing technical issues with the area in Sussex Direct where students make their choices. In order to investigate this problem, we have had to temporarily close this feature. 

Teams from across the University are urgently investigating so that we can re-open this function as soon as possible. We will provide comprehensive updates as soon as we are able to. Please be assured that you will be able to choose next year’s optional modules very soon.   
 

Celebrating and supporting neurodiversity 

This week also marks Neurodiversity Celebration Week, with a national campaign recognising how people think, move, process information and communicate in different ways. You can access a range of resources designed for students and register for free online learning events. 

If you would like support or advice around your own experience, you can contact the Student Centre. The Student Centre brings together our student support services, who provide confidential, pre-booked appointments in-person or via Zoom on a range of issues. 
 

Green Futures – a new graduate job event 

The Careers and Entrepreneurship team have organised an exciting new event where you’ll discover the green graduate job market, meet inspirational speakers and tackle a live sustainability challenge faced by an employer – all on one day, Monday 27 March. 

There are 120 places available (priority will be given to students from underrepresented groups). Find out more and apply for your place using the Green Futures 2023 application form. Applications close at the end of this week (Sunday 19 March). 
 

Join WarpIt to donate and claim items within our community 

You can join our community of students and staff who are using our new online platform WarpIt to donate pre-loved items to new places on campus. 
 

Sustainable Sussex: enter a poetry competition for Earth Day 

To celebrate Earth Day (22 April), the International Universities Climate Alliance, alongside others, is inviting students, staff, and community from across the globe and many language backgrounds to share their vision for a fairer, more sustainable world in a festival that aims to be inclusive, friendly and fun. Read more and register your interest. 
 

Upcoming industrial action 

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 Monday 20, Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22 March. 
 
We are doing everything possible to minimise the impact on your studies and the running of University services. If you have any queries, please check the Industrial action page on the Student Hub. 
 

Have you seen the World Reimagined globe on campus? 

You may have spotted a unique globe outside Jubilee lecture theatre. This sculpture, The Inner Voice Through Music, was designed by local artist Serena Sussex as part of a travelling UK-wide sculpture trail.  

The World Reimagined is a national touring art education project featuring 103 globes designed by artists, schools and colleges. It aims to transform understanding of the Transatlantic Slave Trade and its impact on all of us. You can read more about the project on this news story and visit the globe in person outside Jubilee lecture theatre. 

With best wishes,

Kelly

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

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