Broadcast: News items

Professor Kelly Coate, Pro Vice Chancellor for Education and Students

Today, October 9, Kelly Coate wrote to all students. You can read the full email below: 

Dear all students

I hope your studies are going well and that whether you are a new or returning student you are settling into Sussex life well.  Please do read all of this message as there will be information that will be useful to you.

Covid-19 information for students

It’s really important that all students are aware of the support available, guidance and the rules we must all follow to keep campus, ourselves and each other safe.  Please do check the Autumn 2020 pages on the website – you can also find details about what you need to do if you have Covid-19 symptoms need to self-isolate here. 

Covid-19 Mobile Testing Unit will be available on campus this weekend

The Covid-19 Mobile Testing Unit will be available on the 10 (Saturday) and 11 (Sunday) of October. It will be located in the Arts Carpark (no.7A).  This testing facility is for people who are displaying Covid-19 symptoms.  So if you are concerned that you have Covid-19 symptoms, you should book a test through the national booking system https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test. 

Students have told me that they’re unsure about when they should get a test.  The advice from the NHS and the Government is that you should only get a test if you are showing Covid-19 symptoms.  You shouldn’t book a test if you don’t have symptoms, however you should self-isolate for 14 days if you live with, or have had close contact with someone who is positive.  If during that time you do start to show symptoms, then please get a test asap. 

Support for students who are self-isolating

The University is supporting all students who need to self-isolate and I’m pleased to let you know that we will be sharing information with all students about a new financial package of support for all students who need to self-isolate.   Please look out for an email from Student Communications, coming very soon, with all the details.

If you’re self-isolating and you haven’t already done so please do email ResLife.Covid@sussex.ac.uk, leaving your phone number and email.  We will email you with lots of information, including on how to self-isolate, food options and details of online social activities.  More information on self-isolating and support is available here.

Getting food and drink on campus

You can find out where to get food and drink in a Covid-safe way on campus here.  The Co-op on campus is open and you can find out opening times and more details on their web site.  Additionally the Falmer Bar and Deli are also open to students. 

It’s always a good idea to stock up on food items like tins, packets, pasta, and other dry food goods and treats just in case you need something quick and easy to eat.  You can find some tasty cheap and easy recipe ideas to suit all tastes from food author and campaigner Jack Monroe’s Cooking on a bootstrap website

Register for healthcare

If you haven’t already done so you should register with a GP and a Dentist to ensure you can access healthcare if you need it.  Find out how to do this here.

Brighton and Hove Covid local alert level is now Amber – what you must do

Brighton and Hove City Council have raised the Covid local alert level to Amber.  This means that the City (and that includes campus) is just one level below government intervention which would include local restrictions including a local lock down.

We know that almost all students are following the rule of six law and the rules we must comply with to keep our campus and the wider community safe – thank you for continuing to do this. 

Sussex Sport

Sussexsport is the University’s sports service.  They manage the two on-campus gyms at the Sport Centre and Falmer Sports Complex, group exercise classes and courses, sports halls, tennis courts and pitches – all run in a Covid-secure way.

All team sports are temporarily on hold.  We’ll let students know when they are up and running again.  You can still take part in other sporting activities check their website for other ways of accessing Sussexsport facilities and services.  Including Active US – with sessions starting from just £1 – book via the online shop.

Anxiety workshops for students

We know that living in a time of Covid-19 can cause feelings of anxiety, and I want you to know that help, support and guidance is available for all students on any matter that may be affecting you from our professional Student Support advisors.

If you are feeling anxious, you may wish to take part in the Anxiety workshops offered by the University Counselling Services.  These are an open Zoom group for students, facilitated by a counsellor who specialises in CBT techniques.  You can find out more details here.

Things to do

There are a range of activities to keep occupied and connect with other students on the Student Hub’s Things to do page.

With best wishes,

Kelly

Kelly Coate

Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students