Today, 30 October, the following email was sent to all students. You can read the message in full below.

Dear students,

We hope you are well, Kelly is away this week, so we're getting in touch to let you know about some updates on upcoming events and reminders on the on-campus Mobile Testing Unit, student accounts, and important Covid-19 information and the Covid-19 Symptoms or self isolation reporting form.

Spark off your career at next week’s virtual career fair

Next Wednesday, 4 November 10am – 4pm Sussex is hosting a virtual careers fair. It’s a great opportunity for all students to meet over 60 amazing employers and organisations from a wide range of sectors to find graduate jobs, placements, work experience, vacation work, further study and volunteering – you can view a list of the employers you can meet here.

Find out how you can attend webinars with exhibitors and get yourself ready for the event via this page.

US Election 2020 live panel event, 2 November

Will Donald Trump be re-elected?  Are the polls to be trusted?  Is American democracy broken?  These questions and more will be answered by our panel of experts, and you’ll have an opportunity to ask your own to:

• Professor Allan Lichtman, renowned historian who has accurately predicted the results of every Presidential election since 1984
• David Smith, Washington Bureau Chief of the Guardian
• Professor Paul Taggart, Professor of Politics at the University of Sussex
• Sabrina Siddiqui, National Politics Reporter for the Wall Street Journal

You can take part along with the Sussex student Politics Society, International Relations Society and the Badger via a live-stream on the Politics Society Facebook page from 6pm, 2 November: https://www.facebook.com/events/395250845213653

Mobile Testing Unit – returns to campus this weekend (31 Oct – 1 Nov)

The Mobile Testing Unit returns to campus this weekend (31 Oct – 1 Nov) and will again be located in the Arts Carpark (no.7A).  Please note this testing facility is for symptomatic testing only and those students concerned about having Covid-19 symptoms and requiring a test should book an appointment through the national booking system: https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test. The University also has home testing kits too, which are available to students when the Mobile Testing Unit isn’t on campus.

What to do if you test positive or someone you’ve been in close contact with tests positive

If you have symptoms, test positive, or you’ve been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19 please fill out the Covid-19 Symptoms or self isolation reporting form.  This enables University staff to contact you and offer support you may need, including the self-isolation payments we are providing to students.  You can find out about Covid 19 symptoms, what to do and how we’ll support you on the Student Hub.

An important message from Brighton & Hove City Council’s (BHCC) Director of Public Health

Alistair Hill, Brighton and Hove City Council’s Director of Public Health has asked us to share a message with all students:

“Confirmed cases of Covid-19 continue to rise among all age groups in the city, not just young people.  In the past week there has been a steep rise in cases among adults aged 40-59 years old and a 27% increase among people aged over 60.

We remain in Tier 1 on Medium alert but if cases continue to rise at this rate we risk moving up into Tier 2.  That would place the city on High alert with greater restrictions on meeting friends and family members who don’t live in your household.

Sadly, 2020 is not the year for trick or treating and Halloween parties. We’ve posted suggestions for a Covid-safe Halloween on our website.

The guidelines are inconvenient and difficult for all of us.  But the only way we can stop Covid from spreading out of control in the city is for everyone to follow them closely:

• reduce social contacts
• maintain social distancing and keep to the rule of six
• wash hands regularly
• wear a face covering when in busy places, not just when required to
• ask people you mix with to keep to the guidelines too

Moving up an alert level is not inevitable.  We can stay at Tier 1 if we work together to control the spread of the virus.”

Watch the Brighton & Hove City Council Public Health student Covid-19 Q&A

Last week, students joined a Zoom call to hear from Dr Katie Cuming and Sarah Columbo, Public Health Consultants in Brighton & Hove, about how the City Council is responding to Covid-19, and supporting and informing students on Covid-19 issues.  You can watch a recording of the Q&A session on this webpage.

Contacting Student Accounts and Accounts Receivable

Some of you have let us know that you have been trying to contact Student Accounts and Accounts Receivable with queries.  The team have received a huge amount of email enquiries and to ensure that they can reply to them all their phone line will be closed from Wednesday 4 November to Friday 13 November. 

If you have emailed Student Accounts or Accounts Receivable and are waiting for a reply you will receive one during 4 November – 13 November.  Thanks for your understanding and patience and please be assured your email will be responded to.

Lewes Bonfire night celebrations are cancelled

The Lewes Bonfire night celebrations have unfortunately been cancelled. Please do not attempt to go to Lewes on the 5 November.  You can read this short news story for more information.  If you have to use the train to travel on the Lewes line on the 5 November please note that there will be changes to the train service and station stopping points and you are advised to check National Rail Enquiries for more details.

Whilst bonfire night celebrations aren’t happening this year, there are some great events organised by the Students’ Union and its societies including the MEXSOC Day of the Dead ‘Coco’ screening, a Halloween murder mystery evening and lots of other activities – you can find out more here.

We hope you have a good week.

With best wishes

Student Communications