Brexit update: six months on from the referendum
We'd like to hear your ideas and comments on Brexit - please share them on the EU information hub.
Almost six months on from the referendum result and there is still no clear direction from Government on what an exit from the European Union (EU) will mean for universities.
Although this is the case, Sussex has undertaken a number of steps to provide staff and students with available information and is currently considering what other details will help to keep our campus community informed.
Following the referendum, all EU students were sent information to confirm tuition fee levels with a promise to provide further details on visa and immigration rules, as soon as they become available. At the time, an information hub was set up on the University’s website and this continues to be updated as information comes to hand.
In October, the Government announced that EU applicants starting study in 2017 would continue to have access to the same funding support as is currently available to EU students and that this would continue for the duration of their studies.
Commenting at the time, Vice-Chancellor Adam Tickell said: “This is important news and clarification for students from the EU, who are looking at their University options for 2017. Here at Sussex we welcome students from around the world – it’s what makes our campus such an eclectic and vibrant place to be. We want our students to become citizens of the world and we want them to begin that journey while studying at Sussex. Universities must be a place where a mix of cultures, opinions and influences are encouraged and celebrated.”
Over the last few months, both the previous Vice-Chancellor and Adam Tickell have been publically vocal in expressing the importance of our international community to the University and how the institution continues to welcome staff and students from across the globe. These messages have been picked up by the media and helped to reinforce Sussex’s strong views on this issue. This week, the Vice-Chancellor wrote in a blog:
“As times grow more uncertain, we must be proud of our record in standing against intolerance and redouble our efforts. This means that we must respect people who don’t agree with us, whether about Brexit, US domestic and foreign policy, or disputes in the Middle East. But we should never tolerate a climate where religion, nationality, ethnicity or gender divide us.”
Behind the scenes, a number of activities have been taking place so that the University is in a stronger position to respond to the implications of Brexit, once article 50 is triggered. This includes:
- Establishing a working group to identify potential issues which will impact the University and its activities, and to start to begin the scenario planning process. This group has had input from academic and professional services colleagues at different levels, and is sponsored by the Vice-Chancellor.
- A series of workshops with staff will soon kick-off to look at specific issues and possible solutions to help the University deal with any implications from restrictions or challenges resulting from potential freedom of movement, changes in research funding and access to European partnerships and collaborative opportunities. The University is also looking to hold forums where people can share their personal views.
- The University’s Human Resources team has been investigating the possibility of providing a legal resource and advice on immigration for EU staff. This idea came up at an Open Forum held for staff and students, following the referendum result, and is currently being explored as a possible service once details on the UK’s Brexit deal is known.
- Sussex is working closely with the sector body, Universities UK, to provide information and case studies related to EU research funding and programmes, such as Erasmus+, and issues affecting staff and students. UUK has been actively engaged in lobbying the Government and House of Lords, and details of the work of UUK can be found on the information hub.
- The University is in active discussion with local MPs to highlight the importance of EU staff and students to the economic and social life of the institution; so that they are able to make the appropriate representations in Parliament.
- Within the School of Business, Management and Economics, the UK Trade Policy Observatory (UKTPO) has been set up to advise the Government, politicians and policy advisors on trade negotiations as well as educating the wider public on these issues. The UKTPO has the largest concentration of trade experts in Britain and has already met with Ministers. UKTPO has been working with Chatham House to host a series of events and has gained significant traction with the media and commentators.
- The University has recently submitted a response to the Education Select Committee on the impact of exit from the EU. Sussex will continue to provide responses to all relevant Parliamentary calls for information and is actively seeking opportunities to make a strong case to Government on the value and benefits of strong collaboration and arrangements in relation to the EU.
Vice-Chancellor, Adam Tickell, said: “Although there is still little information from the Government to help us understand how the higher education sector may be affected by Brexit, we are working hard to ensure that Sussex’s views are represented.
“The planning work that we are doing will be critical in making sure that we are in the best position possible to deal with the implications of a change in our status.
“Over the coming months, and as the picture becomes clearer, our first priority will be to ensure that those staff and students who are directly affected as well as the rest of our campus community have the information and support they need.
“In the meantime, if anyone has any ideas or comments that they would like to share, I encourage you to leave this on the information hub as these ideas will be incorporated as part of our thinking on this subject. Please do also look out for the events that we are looking to host.
“We know there are challenges which lie ahead but the process that we are currently going through to define our new strategy – Strategy 2025 – is very helpful in relation to Brexit, and comes at a time when we can positively help to shape our own destiny.”