Improvements
The feedback that students provide in the NSS does lead to real changes at Sussex.
Following the results of the 2012 survey we are focusing our energies on improving assessment and feedback and enhancing teaching and learning.
Here are details of some of the latest major developments that have been completed, or are underway, as a result of the survey and other forms of student feedback.
Enhanced teaching and learning
We are spending around £1 million to enhance students' learning by investing in e-submission and feedback; improving online signposting of information and advice; buying more computers; and improving recording of lectures.
New structure of the academic year
The new structure of the academic year at Sussex includes a mid-year exam and assessment period, meaning students get better and quicker feedback rather than having to wait until the summer to find out how they are doing.
New Wi-Fi and computers
In autumn 2011, Sussex invested £1.3m in IT to increase the availability and speed of wireless internet (Wi-Fi) on campus.
The cash has paid for:
- 400 new computers: replacing 250 old machines and installing 150 new ones.
- a brand-new Wi-Fi service on campus
- Wi-Fi in every student bedroom in residences
State-of-the-art buildings
The £29m Jubilee building (pictured at top of page), home to the School of Business, Management and Economics, opened in summer 2012.- The £10m Fulton building at the centre of campus opened in summer 2010.
- Nearly 200 new on-campus bedrooms were available to new Sussex students this autumn, with the completion of the second stage of the Northfield residences project.
Library: refurbishment and 24-hour opening
A £6m Library refurbishment project, completed in summer 2011, has updated and improved the Library through the creation of a flexible, accesible, technology-rich study environment, offering state-of-the-art facilities in support of innovative research and scholarship, inspirational teaching and learning, and an enhanced student experience.
Since January 2008, the Library has been open 24 hours a day.
Better personal development
Last summer (2011) we relocated our Careers and Employability Centre to a more convenient location for students in the Library. We also doubled the size of the team. Since then, the number of visits to the Centre by students has more than doubled.
This comes on the back of very successful initiatives in recent years, such as Sussex Plus, Postgrad Plus and Learning to Lead.
Student Life Centre
The autumn term 2010 saw the opening of the Student Life Centre (SLC) on the ground floor of Chichester 1.
Over the summer, work had gone on to convert this space at the heart of the campus into a bright and welcoming environment.
The team provides a single point for non-academic information and advice.