Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education and Students), Professor Kate O'Riordan, wrote to all taught students earlier today:

Hello, 

You will likely be aware, or have heard about the peaceful encampment protest outside the Library and Arts building A. The protest started on Monday and I’ve spent some time there, where I saw evidence of a commitment to respectful engagement, a non-conflict approach, and a commitment to supporting students’ studies during the assessment period with scheduled study sessions.

As well as recognising the protestors right to peaceful protest within the law, I know that there are students who are concerned about the presence of the protest and may even feel unsafe. The University is here to support all students. I want to reassure those participating, that the University supports peaceful protest within the law; and for those of you who are concerned about the protest, we are equally committed to your wellbeing and continued support for your studies.

Our campus has space and services for all, including the Student Centre, school study spaces and other areas on campus.

Please remember, that our wellbeing and academic services via your School Office and  Skills Hub are here to support everyone too.

We are a diverse and vibrant community, and we have more in common than that which sets us apart, and our ability to celebrate diversity together is a reflection of this. Tomorrow (17 May), we are celebrating the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). This year’s theme, “No one left behind: equality, freedom and justice for all,” resonates with our commitment to fostering an inclusive community here at Sussex.

Also, a huge congratulations to our brilliant student sports teams, who have triumphed in Varsity for an incredible eight years in a row!

Please read on for your regular update, including: 

• Mental Health Awareness Week (13-19 May)
• Help shape your University’s future
• Apply for financial support to the Student Loans Company by 31 May
• Students feedback via ‘The Student Panel’
• Report and Support
• Keep your bike safe: Get it marked and registered for free
• Graduation gown photography on campus
• Win two tickets to Brighton Festival!
• This is Home, Sussex students exhibition at the Brighton Fringe
• Student Blog - Stanmer Park a Landscape next door.

Get moving this Mental Health Awareness Week (13-19 May)

This Mental Health Awareness Week we want to help Sussex students find moments for movement in their daily routines. Whether that’s going for a walk across campus, joining an exercise class, or putting on your favourite music and dancing around the living room—it all counts! Visit the Student Hub for more advice on getting moving no matter who you are, or drop in to the Student Centre to visit our Wellbeing stall, 12-2pm today (Thursday 16 May) to ask any questions you might have about your mental health.

The University offers advice and support on any issue that may be affecting you. The Student Hub has information on the wellbeing support available and you can access support and find answers to frequently asked questions using our My Sussex portal, where you can also make and manage appointments with our advisors.

You can also contact the Student Centre in person at the Welcome Desk or by phone (01273 075700).

Help shape your University’s future

Students have a chance to have their say in the University’s new strategy. Vice-Chancellor Sasha Roseneil has shared a new vision for the future of Sussex in the draft strategy: ‘Sussex 2035 – Creating Progressive Futures.’. This is final draft and the last opportunity for students to have their say and help shape the future of Sussex. Please share your feedback through this short survey.

Apply for 2023/24 academic year financial support to the Student Loans Company by 31 May

If you have not already done so, there is still have time to apply to Student Loans Company (SLC) for financial support and tuition fees covering the current academic year, 2023/24, until Friday 31 May. Read our update on the Student Hub and apply if you are eligible and have not already applied for this academic year's SLC funding. You can find out about who is qualified to receive SLC funding on the UK government website.

The deadline to apply to the SLC for financial support for next academic year, 2024/25, is Friday 21 June. Those applying by this deadline will get their funding for the start of the academic year.

You can also find information about money and funding support on My Sussex and the Student Hub. This includes information around how to get financial support through Hardship funding and short-term welfare loans.

Students feedback via ‘The Student Panel’

There are lots of ways that students can feedback and be active partners in their teaching, learning and the student experience. An example of this is the Student Panel, an advisory group led by students that helps the University to improve the experiences of students who are underrepresented within higher education. Hear what a couple of our current student panellists had to say about what it was like to participate on the panel and find out more about their work.

Report and Support

We are committed to providing a safe, inclusive and respectful environment for every member of our community. By knowing what is happening in our community, we can best support you and direct resources where they are needed.

If you or someone else has experienced behaviours such as bullying, harassment, a hate incident, sexual violence, domestic abuse, discrimination or spiking, you can let us know using the Report and Support tool.

If you disclose an incident through Report and Support and provide your name and contact details, an advisor can talk you through options for support and/or further action. This is the best way to seek expert advice and support if you need it, but it won’t trigger a ‘formal’ report to the University. If you wish, you can anonymously provide information.

You can also find our Dignity and Respect policy on the University website.

Keep your bike safe: Get it marked and registered for free

Bring your bike to Amex Stadium concourse from 11am on Tuesday 21 May to get it marked and registered on the BikeRegister for FREE. With every Police Force in the UK using the BikeRegister database, registering your bike means you could be reunited with your bike if it is ever stolen and having it marked can make it 83% less likely to be stolen in the first place. Come and get your bike marked and registered for free to gain peace of mind and bike security.

Graduation gown photography on campus

If you are a finalist or postgraduate student, you can now book a place to be photographed on campus in official graduation attire, either individually or in small groups. Due to the high demand, we have extended the bookings into a second week, from 20 to 24 May, and there are still slots available. Find out more and book your place.

Win two tickets to Brighton Festival!

Brighton Festival is running until 26 May, and as Higher Education partner we have lots of ticket offers for students, including a chance to win two tickets to Our Roots queer club night on 25 May! Enter the competition by midday on 22 May.

There are also plenty of events in the Brighton Festival that are free or under £10 – check out a recent Instagram video created by two of our student Digital Media Creators sharing some of the fun low-cost events coming up.

This is Home, Sussex students’ exhibition at the Brighton Fringe

This is Home, a Brighton Fringe exhibition by Sussex students from 21-22 May, interrogates the traditional definition of home and what it means to belong in a university setting.

Through an array of creative outputs, including photography, poetry, soundscapes and music, students explore representations of home as both physical and metaphorical spaces. The exhibition invites participants to gain insight into the student journey, and a greater understanding of experiences of underrepresented students in overtly formalised spaces.

Book your free ticket.

Student Blog – Stanmer Park a landscape next door

Finally, don’t forget to check out your student blog for insightful articles and updates to enrich your student experience. This week, I wanted to highlight Tugce’s recent post about visiting Stanmer Park—a great place to decompress from your studies right next to campus.

With best wishes,  
   
Kate 

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