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,

We are the latest institution to sign up to an agreement to improve the way we conduct research and innovation – which is just one of the ways we are making our research more environmentally sustainable. Got some sustainability ideas you want to share? Read below about our drop-in event on 3 December, where the Sustainability Team are gathering students’ views on some key environmental topics.

As the festive season will begin soon, watch Digital Media Creator and student Sophie’s great tips to look after yourself and your friends on a night out. Through our 23 days of kindness activities we are also continuing to celebrate kindness in the run up to International Volunteer Day (5 December).

Finally, you may start to hear about our staff Voluntary Leavers Scheme in the coming weeks. Like many UK universities, Sussex is facing significant financial challenges due to long-term underfunding, ongoing inflation, and a drop in international students. Despite our efforts to make savings over the past year, we now need to reduce costs further to ensure the University's long-term financial sustainability. The Voluntary Leavers Scheme offers Sussex staff the opportunity to leave voluntarily with a good leavers package. The scheme is due to start in January and we will provide further relevant updates as we move forward.

Rest assured, this decision will not distract us from ensuring that you continue to receive an inspirational and high-quality education, and excellent student support services. We will continue to support our world-leading researchers in their contributions to scientific, social, and cultural understanding. Our support services are available if you need any help - please do reach out via My Sussex, the Student Centre or the Chaplaincy. 

Please read on for your regular update, including:

• Brighter Futures Grants: last chance to win £1,000
• Creating a Better Campus: Autumn Term Update
• Have your say in the 2024 Student Spaces Survey
• Help shape our work and your campus & get FREE FOOD!
• Events to mark 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence
• Support our sports clubs during Challenge Week
• Free event – Michael Attenborough in conversation with Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sasha Roseneil
• University of Sussex Symphony Orchestra – Winter concert 2024.

Brighter Futures Grants: last chance to win £1,000

In collaboration with Santander, we are giving you the chance to win one of 10 grants, each worth £1,000, to support your academic journey. All students are eligible to enter, including undergraduates, postgraduates, part-time and full-time students. You do not need to bank with Santander to get involved. Apply online by 11pm on 5 December for your chance to win. Read more on the Student Hub.

Creating a Better Campus: Autumn Term Update

Dive into our Autumn update to learn more about campus developments this term, from sustainable initiatives to the latest on West Slope.

Have your say in the 2024 Student Spaces Survey

Your feedback is very important in shaping our campus and your student experience. Take 10 minutes to complete this year’s Student Spaces Survey for a chance to win a £50, or one of five £10, Munch Money vouchers to spend in campus cafés!

Deadline is Sunday 8 December – let's make a positive difference together.

Help shape our work and your campus & get FREE FOOD!

Let’s hear it! We want to know, where do you shop on and off campus? Do you think about the amount of waste we produce? What do you need from us to cycle to campus? Come along to Eat Central on Tuesday 3rd December, 4-5pm for FREE FOOD. Tell the Sustainability Team your thoughts and have your views influence their work. Register your interest! 

Events to mark 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence

Running from 25 November to 10 December, 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence aims to raise awareness and promote action to end gender-based violence. To support the campaign, we have organised a programme of activities on campus. Follow @universityofsussexwellbeing for more content and events across the 16 days. You can also read about our new Dignity, Respect and Inclusion Policy, which seeks to ensure all members of our community are able to study, work and live on campus free from bullying, harassment, victimisation or violence.

Sussex Students' Union are also hosting a series of events to contribute to this important campaign. Check out the SU webpage to find out more about the events they are running.

Many of the events will cover sensitive topics - if you or someone you know needs support, you can contact the SU Advice Team, the Student Centre, or use the University’s Report and Support Service.

If you haven’t done so yet, don’t forget to complete Consent Matters, our free online course about consent, respect, communication skills and relationships, boundaries and positive intervention. You can access and complete the course on Canvas.

Support our sports clubs during Challenge Week

Next week, six of our sports clubs take on seven challenges in seven days to raise money for their activities. Challenge Week will feature a huge range of fundraising activities from an extreme egg and spoon race to a chilly sea swim.

Clubs taking part are Men’s Rugby, Women’s Rugby, Cricket, Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball and Mountaineering. Find out more about the challenges and how to support.

Free event – Michael Attenborough in conversation with Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sasha Roseneil

There are still some seats available to listen to Michael Attenborough share his experiences, career highlights and personal memories with Vice-Chancellor Sasha Roseneil on Wednesday 4 December, 1:30-2:30pm, at the Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts (ACCA). Son of former Sussex Chancellor Lord Richard Attenborough and nephew to Sir David Attenborough, Michael has had an illustrious career in theatre, including roles at the Young Vic, Almeida Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company. Book your place via ACCA's website.

University of Sussex Symphony Orchestra – Winter concert 2024

Join us on Sunday 8 December at the ACCA for a winter celebration of soulful orchestral melodies and the mesmerising and seductive music of La La Land, the haunting and atmospheric score of Maurice Maeterlink’s Pelleas and Melisande, and the energetic rhythms of Antonin Dvorak's Symphony number 9. There are concession tickets for students. Find out more and book your seat.

With best wishes,  
    
Kate

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