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,

I'd like to share with you a new guide on closed captions (subtitles) for teaching sessions and materials that we've developed following your feedback. This is part of our initiatives to provide an inclusive and supportive environment for all members of our community.
 
Closed captions are not only helpful for those students with hearing disabilities or whose first language is not English. In fact, subtitles are a very useful learning aid that can help you better understand, organise and learn the information in videos.
 
Professor Claire Smith, Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Innovation, worked with students and staff to review different options to improve captions and the learning experience at Sussex. As a result of this work, we've also developed a new captioning policy that’s now in place, and our Student Connectors have produced a student guide to show you how to add captions to your visual study materials in a way that best suits your learning.
 
We’re also aware that providers such as Panopto, Zoom and Chrome are working hard to improve their caption functions, and we’re ensuring that you have access to the most up-to-date version of their products.
 
Read on for more student updates:
 

• Pitch for the Planet: £20,000 funding to bring your climate change innovation idea to life
• LGBTQ+ History Month
• Strike action
• Violence Against Women and Girls in Brighton & Hove – Consultation
• Healthy Relationships/Consent Workshops Re-launch
• Spirit of Sussex Awards

Pitch for the Planet: £20,000 funding to bring your climate change innovation idea to life

Enter our annual Pitch for the Planet student innovation competition. This year’s competition theme is ‘From Covid Crisis to Net Zero’.
 
We're offering up to four prizes from our £20,000 funding pot and a place on our summer accelerator programme for the best student proposals to maximise sustainability at Sussex.
 
If you have an idea that you think has potential, submit your application by 10am on Monday 21 February.
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LGBTQ+ History Month

The Students' Union has organised a series of exciting events to celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month, including socials, screenings, fundraising and its own Sussex Pride March.
 
Find out more on the Students' Union website.
 

Strike action

Since Monday, some staff have chosen to take strike action – as Sussex is one of the universities included in nationwide industrial action. Check the Student Hub for the latest information.
 

Violence Against Women and Girls in Brighton & Hove – Consultation

Brighton & Hove City Council is in the process of developing a Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy; and they're keen to hear the views of all students in the Brighton and Hove area via an anonymous survey that’s open until Sunday 20 February. Warning: the survey includes questions about sexual harassment and sexual violence.
 

Healthy Relationships/Consent Workshops Re-launch

The University’s Wellbeing team is re-launching their REDS Healthy Relationships/Consent Workshops. 
 
Understanding the boundaries of healthy relationships is key to having an enjoyable and safe time at university.
 
The interactive two-hour workshops are being delivered in person and on Zoom, four times a week, so it’s easy for you to choose a time and format that works for you.
 
Book your free place on one of the REDS workshops.
 

Spirit of Sussex

Finally, don't forget to log your extra-curricular activities to win a Spirit of Sussex Award. 
 
If you have a part-time job, volunteer in a charity, you're a member of a student society or sports club, play in a band, helped at the silent disco beach clean with me in September, or completed the NSS, register them on the SoSA platform. All these activities and many more can get you points towards a bronze, silver or gold award.
 
The awards will be announced at your graduation ceremony to celebrate all of your achievements during your time at Sussex.
 
With best wishes,
 
Kelly

Kelly Coate
Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students