Kate O'Riordan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students

Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education and Students), Professor Kate O'Riordan, wrote to all taught students earlier today. Below you can read her full message:

Hello,

With National Mentoring Day coming up on Sunday, I would like to remind you about Sussex Connect, the platform where you can expand your network with alumni working in different sectors all around the world. A mentoring relationship can help you reflect on your academic and work experience, while learning from another person. You can gain a clearer idea of the career direction you would like to take and opportunities you might apply for, now or in the future. I would really recommend signing up to Sussex Connect as a way to make new connections and stay in touch with people after your studies finish.

I hope those of you who heard Clive Myrie in conversation with our Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sasha Roseneil, last week enjoyed the event. You can see the highlights and find out more about the Big Read on the Student Hub.

Please read on for your regular update, including:

• Your education matters: book your slot for my open office session next Wednesday (30 October)
• Register for disability services by Friday 1 November
• Book your Careers Fair place to access graduate roles, placements, work experience and voluntary positions
• International students: check if you need to apply for an eVisa
• ‘Whose South Downs?’ event with Writing our Legacy (30 October)
• New traffic light system on menus making carbon labelling easy
• Free Halloween student events.

Your education matters: book your slot for my open office session next Wednesday (30 October)

I will be speaking with students in the Student Centre along with Lewis Wilson, the Students’ Union’s Education and Employability Officer, on Wednesday 30 October between 2.15pm and 3.45pm. We would love to meet you.

These sessions are an opportunity for you to ask us questions and share any suggestions you might have, and for me to learn about your experience at Sussex. In this session, we are interested in your thoughts on induction and Welcome Week, and how you are finding your course and university life in general. Find more information and book a slot.

Register for disability services by Friday 1 November

We provide support for students with a disability, a learning difficulty or an ongoing physical or mental health condition. Register with our support services before 1 November so we can put in place reasonable adjustments for your course and provide you with all the support your need. Read this blog post from Izzy, a student ambassador, about how to navigate university with a disability. If you are starting a new course, you will need to re-register with our service but will not need to provide new documentation.

Book your Careers Fair place to access graduate roles, placements, work experience and voluntary positions

Bookings are now open for our 2024 Careers Fair, which is coming up on Wednesday 6 November, 11am-3pm, at the American Express Stadium, Falmer. This is a brilliant opportunity to browse and speak to organisations offering graduate roles, placements, work experience and voluntary positions across a range of sectors. The event is open to students from all years and courses, and to recent graduates. You will need to book a time slot to attend.

International students: check if you need to apply for an eVisa

You may have noticed that your biometric residence permit (BRP) is short-dated to 31 December 2024 and does not cover the full length of your course. You must create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account using your BRP and transfer your Student visa from a BRP to an eVisa. Follow the instructions on the UKVI website to do this.

Once you receive your eVisa, check all the details are correct and contact us about any errors. You must carry your BRP with you when travelling until it expires. You must keep your passport updated on your UKVI account.

‘Whose South Downs?’ event with Writing our Legacy (30 October)

Discover the many heritages in local landscapes with artists, writers, countryside walkers and advocates from Writing Our Legacy, an arts and heritage organisation that enables Black, Asian and ethnically diverse people of colour to tell their stories through writing and the creative arts.

The talks will take place in the Meeting House from 2-4pm on Wednesday 30 October, and you will also have the opportunity to join a creative short walk on the campus boundary afterwards. This event is free but you need to register in advance.

New traffic light system on menus making carbon labelling easy

Sussex Uni Food have teamed up with Foodsteps, a UK food sustainability company developing methods for assessing and minimising the environmental impact of food. With their help, we have introduced a traffic light system on campus menus, encouraging you to consider the environmental impact of the food choices you make and explore new, sustainable options. Find out more.

Free Halloween student events

Join Halloween at Sussex for two days of spooky activities at the Student Centre on Wednesday 30 and Thursday 31 October. Bring your friends to a Halloween-themed movie, share in spooky storytelling, pose in our photo booth or enjoy some free spooky snacks! You willl also get a chance to speak to various teams from across the University and discover the support on offer.

All events are free to attend and most are drop-in activities from 11am-4pm. A small number require booking. For more information, check out the full schedule.

With best wishes,  
    
Kate

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