Kelly Coate, Pro vice-Chancellor for Education and Students, wrote to all taught students this morning. You can read the full message below:

Dear students,

Thank you to the thousands of students who took part in our vaccination status survey, especially as I know many of you were busy doing assessments. The results are brilliant, with 93 per cent of you confirming that you're fully vaccinated with two doses (this is six per cent higher than when we ran a similar survey in September, and 22 per cent higher than England’s vaccination rate for 18-24 year olds) and 56 per cent of you have already had your booster jab. 
 
Getting vaccinated if you’re medically able to is a small thing to do but it is a great act of kindness – one that shows how much you care about your own and everyone else’s health at Sussex and beyond.
 
Please read on for more essential information for students about:

• Semester 2 teaching
• Face coverings
• Changes to the Exceptional Circumstances process
• Final year undergraduates’ NSS stall in Library square
• £3,000 COP26 Climate Leader prizes - final call

Semester 2 teaching

I hope you’re all enjoying being back on campus for Semester 2, when we will continue providing in-person teaching. We know from student feedback that this is the preferred teaching and learning method for the majority of our students.
 
However, we understand that there might be Covid-19 related circumstances that might have prevented some of you from coming into campus. If that’s your case, please contact your School Office.
 

Face coverings

Although the Government no longer mandates the wearing of face coverings, we do expect you to wear face coverings in most public spaces, including in teaching spaces and on public transport, to protect our community. See our updated covid-19 guidelines
 

Changes to the Exceptional Circumstances process

We understand that students have faced significant challenges during the pandemic and this has led to increase usage of the Exceptional Circumstances (EC) process. The EC process is used by students who experience something sudden, temporary and unforeseen, which could have an impact on one of their assessments.
 
From the start of this Semester (24 January), the temporary changes to the EC process that were made in response to the pandemic will no longer apply. However, the University is introducing with immediate effect some improvements to the EC process that will ensure that you can make a claim swiftly and easily if/when the need arises.
 
You will now be able to make claims without the need for evidence, up to two times per academic year. For the remainder of the 2021/22 academic year, you will be permitted to submit up to two such claims, regardless of how many claims you have already made this academic year. Claims without evidence will be supported by a self-declaration form, which can be used to cover assessments across a seven day period on each occasion. Other improvements being introduced with immediate effect include a simplification of the claim form itself and the removal of the need to provide evidence when a student is impacted by bereavement.
 

• Read further information regarding these changes
• Find how to make an EC claim on the Student Hub

Final year undergraduates’ NSS stall in Library square

If you're a final year student, don't forget to go to the NSS stall in Library square to choose the charity that will get a donation from the University of £1 per completed NSS survey. Last year the University donation was made to Student Minds. 
 
The NSS stall will be on campus from Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm until the end of next week.
 
Also, if you complete the NSS online by 28 February, you can also opt in to a prize draw for one of five graduation packages including two guest tickets, hire of a gown and photo package, worth £150 each.
 

£3000 COP26 Climate Leader Prizes - final call

Finally, you still have one week to apply for one of three £3,000 Climate Leader prizes. We're looking for current students who've made personal contributions as activists, influencers, organisers or innovators towards sustainability. Find out more and how to apply.

With best wishes,
 
Kelly

Kelly Coate
Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students