Kate O'Riordan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students

Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education and Students), Professor Kate O'Riordan, wrote to all taught students earlier today. Below you can read her email to new undergraduate students:

Hello,

I hope those of you who joined Welcome Week activities last week had a great time. Autumn term teaching has now begun and I hope your classes are providing an interesting and motivating start as you settle in for this academic year.

As I mentioned last week, Canvas is the University’s online study platform, designed to enrich and support your study. You will need to use this for all of your modules and I recommend watching this video about how to get the most out of Canvas and other useful resources.

I am very happy that our Entrepreneurship Programme, which provides end-to-end support for student entrepreneurs at all stages, has been recognised at the 2024 National Enterprise Educators Awards! On the Student Hub you can read about how to get involved with the programme and more about this achievement. Do remember to book your place for the Student Jobs and Volunteering Fair taking place on Thursday 3 October too.

Coming up on Tuesday 1 October, at Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts, we are hosting a screening of the film Wilding. The documentary tells the inspirational story of how Knepp Estate in West Sussex has become a thriving environment for wildlife and biodiversity. The screening will be followed by a question and answer session with Knepp estate founder Isabella Tree, who was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Sussex last July. Staff and students are eligible for one free ticket per person when entering a Sussex.ac.uk email address.

I know that many of us will be deeply affected by the global events that are continuing to unfold in Palestine, Lebanon, and Israel. The Student Centre team has contacted students who have a declared nationality or home address from these regions, to highlight support available. Please contact our Student Support Services or those of your Students’ Union if you, or others you know of, need support or someone to talk to, whether in relation to these or other domestic or international events.

Please read on for your regular update, including:  

• Your education matters: tell us how you are settling into teaching and learning (30 October)
• Reminder: please complete registration
• The importance of attending your classes
• Here to support you
• Fraud warning for international students making fee payments
• Do you need accommodation?
• Join our Inclusive Sussex: In Conversation with events
• Mandela Hall open and ready for student events
• University parking is going digital
• Check out your Sussexsport membership options
• Join our team of student content creators
• How Sussex students help underrepresented groups succeed in Higher Education
• World Alzheimer’s Day: inspiration from a Sussex researcher
• Sussex snapshot.

Your education matters: tell us how you are settling into teaching and learning (30 October)

Between 2.15pm and 3.45pm on Wednesday 30 October, I will be speaking with students in the Student Centre along with Lewis Wilson, the Students’ Union’s Education and Employability Officer. We would love to meet you.

These sessions are an opportunity for you to ask us questions, and for me to learn about your experience at Sussex and hear any suggestions you might have.

In this first session, we are interested in your thoughts on induction and Welcome Week, and how you are finding your course and university life in general.

Find more information and how to book a slot.

Reminder: please complete registration

If you are a new student you need to complete online registration and collect your ID card.  This is especially important if you are expecting a student loan instalment as collection of your ID triggers any payment to you from the Student Loans Company and ensures payment of your tuition fees to the University. See more information on the UK government website. If you are an international student on a student visa you will need to attend an in-person registration session to complete the process where you will also be able to collect your ID card and BRP. Find out more about when and where to attend.
   

The importance of attending your classes

Now that teaching and the new academic year has begun, I wanted to underline the importance of attending your classes and fully engaging with your studies. Your academic skills, employability skills and sense of belonging will all be strengthened by coming to class and engaging in the world-class teaching and learning on offer at Sussex.

However, I realise that there are many important commitments to juggle in your lives, and it can be challenging to maintain a good level of attendance. To help provide support, we have some new advice pages on the Student Hub and I encourage you to read these. You should also download the Sussex Mobile app so that you can record your attendance where this is used. Most importantly, if you experience any issues that might affect your attendance or your wellbeing, please tell us about them so that we can ensure that you get the support you need.

Here to support you

The University is here to support you not only with your studies but also along your journey here at Sussex. The Student Centre is your first port of call for questions ranging from opening a UK bank account to finding out more about a year abroad. Watch the video to find out more, or visit MySussex to find answers to many common questions.

Remember, just like physical health, there are things you can do to look after your mental wellbeing, even when you’re not experiencing difficulties. Find out how you can support your wellbeing at University and access support on the Student Hub.

Fraud warning for international students making fee payments

Scammers are targeting international students and claiming to offer better payment rates than the official University payment partners. Please ensure that you always pay your own fees. Never give your login details to a third party and only use University-approved payment routes through Sussex Direct.

Do you need accommodation?

If you still need accommodation, the University has some on-campus accommodation places available. To get your place, please contact housing@sussex.ac.uk with ‘I need a room’ as the subject line of the email. Our Housing team will be in touch with more details.

Join our Inclusive Sussex: In Conversation with events

We have two Inclusive Sussex: In Conversation with events coming up on campus this October, open to all students and staff. The events are free and you are invited to stay for a short drinks reception afterwards.

On Wednesday 9 October, Professor Kalwant Bhopal from the University of Birmingham will be discussing themes in her recent book - Race and Education: Reproducing White Supremacy in Britain. An authority on Critical Race Theory, Kalwant’s visit will also contribute to our work to explore different forms of racism and religious discrimination and alternative models of understanding them. Places are limited so book your ticket now.

On Tuesday 15 October, we have an event hosted by the Trans and Non-Binary Staff Network, where we welcome Sussex alum Fox Fisher back to campus. Fox is a British artist, author, filmmaker, and prominent transgender rights activist known for their extensive work in advocating for the transgender and non-binary community. Fox will be curating a selection of short films and clips for the screening, followed by a discussion. Book your place.

Mandela Hall open and ready for student events

We are delighted that Mandela Hall in Falmer House is back in use after some roof repairs – please pop along and explore this iconic Sussex space!

University parking is going digital

Campus parking is transitioning to a paperless system from 1 October. The new system uses an online self-service portal to manage parking permits, with cameras recording all vehicles that access campus. Find out how paperless parking works, how to register, and explore comprehensive answers to frequently asked questions.

Check out your Sussexsport membership options

Sussexsport has membership options to suit everyone, from the all-inclusive Gold membership to pay as you go options. More than just a gym, you can also find squash courts, tennis courts, group fitness classes and more in our facilities. Choose your membership on the Sussexsport website.

Join our team of student content creators

Our Digital Media Creators create engaging content and share community and research stories on University channels. The scheme offers casual, paid roles with flexible hours, so you can earn extra money and develop your CV while you study. Apply by midnight on Sunday 6 October.

How Sussex students help underrepresented groups succeed in Higher Education

Our Access and Participation Plan (APP) sets out how we will improve equality of opportunity for under-represented groups to access, succeed in and progress from higher education. Read about how input from our student community is essential for developing a plan and interventions that work for you.

World Alzheimer’s Day: inspiration from a Sussex researcher

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia and it currently has no cure. Take a look at our Instagram video for World Alzheimer’s Day (21 September), in which Dr Mahmoud Bukar-Maina, a Research Fellow in Sussex Neuroscience, shared the motivation behind his research.

With best wishes,  
    
Kate

Professor Kate O’Riordan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education and Students)

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