Kelly Coate, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students

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

Hello,

I am really pleased to share that the University of Sussex has been ranked 218th in the latest QS World University Rankings 2024, released last Tuesday (27 June 2023). We have climbed 22 places on last year, out of 1,500 leading institutions globally.

We performed most strongly in the newly-added sustainability category, with a score of 97.2 out of 100. We were also ranked 9th in the UK for citations per faculty, which highlights the impact and quality of research produced by Sussex academics. If you’re interested, you can find out more on the Student Hub.

Read on for this week’s update, including:

• Marking and assessment boycott information
• Future of campus catering: preferred bidder announced
• Community ambassador scheme returns to the city
• Meet the Turner Prize artist shortlist: Ghislaine Leung

Marking and assessment boycott information

A reminder of what’s happening

A trade union representing some University staff (University and College Union, or UCU) is currently taking industrial action in over 140 universities across the country, including Sussex. Staff who choose to take part in the marking and assessment boycott will not undertake marking and associated assessment activities, including invigilation and the processing of marks.

While the University respects union members’ right to take industrial action, we are doing everything possible to minimise the impact on your studies and graduation while also maintaining our academic standards.
Please visit the industrial action page on the Student Hub for further information, including why this action is taking place.

About your results

Last week, I shared important information ahead of results day for progressing students.
If they haven’t already, following the publication of results on Monday (3 July), your School will be emailing to explain what these results mean for you and point you to further information, support or advice should you need it. Any questions should be directed to your School office in the first instance.

As mentioned previously, final-year students have also been sent additional emails relating to the impact of the national boycott and graduation events at the Brighton Centre. Please check your University email account for full details and see the specific information for finalists on the Student Hub.

We are continuing to update the industrial action page on the Student Hub when there is new information. Please check this page to stay up to date and see answers to frequently-asked questions about the impact of the marking and assessment boycott. You can also find information there on how to submit a complaint if you have been impacted by the industrial action.

If you have concerns and need extra guidance or support, the University has services available that provide advice on a range of subjects. You can access these services via the Student Centre.

Future of campus catering: preferred bidder announced

Last week, we announced Chartwells as our preferred bidder for the new catering contract at the University of Sussex, which will come into effect on 15 August 2023. You can read this email from Tim Westlake, our Chief Operating Officer, which explains the selection process and shares information on the exciting new food offer and services.

The Chartwells catering team here at Sussex also recently received the U Dine Award for sustainability!

Community ambassador scheme returns to the city

Our Student Community Ambassadors have been visiting Sussex students in the city as part of a scheme to support you to live well in the community. Read this news story to see what they have been up to.

If you are interested in the scheme and would like to know more about applying in the new academic year, please email housing@sussex.ac.uk.

Meet the Turner Prize artist shortlist: Ghislaine Leung

As Education Partner for the Turner Prize 2023, the world’s leading prize for contemporary art, we are taking a deep dive into the artist shortlist announced in April of this year. We invite you to join us over the following weeks and meet each of the artists. This week we are shining a spotlight on Ghislaine Leung.

With best wishes,

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