All staff are invited to attend a focus group on the effectiveness of governance at the University of Sussex, as part of a review being undertaken by an external body.

The review is focusing on key areas such as:

• decision making and accountability
• how we engage students and staff in the governance of the University
• the respective roles of Council, Senate and the relationships between them
• the culture of governance and its alignment with the University’s values
• ensuring the University can be agile, resilient and ready for the future

To ensure appropriate independence, management consultancy Halpin Partnership (who are experienced in higher education governance) were appointed by Council and by Senate to undertake the review.

All staff members are invited to attend one of two sessions:

• Tuesday 4 May from 2-3pm
• Thursday 6 May from 10-11am

If you would like to attend one of these sessions, please contact Halpin directly via sussexreview@halpinpartnership.com to register your interest and preferred date.

Halpin are keen to hear from all parts of the University; you can email comments to sussexreview@halpinpartnership.com at any time during the review consultation period, which started in early March and continues until 28 May.

The review process also includes one-to-one interviews; virtual discussion group sessions for students and members of Senate; observations of committee meetings; a benchmarking exercise, and a review of key documents.

Dame Denise Holt, Chair of Council – the University’s governing body – said: “Council and our senior leadership team recognise the importance of ensuring that we have effective, inclusive and transparent governance at Sussex.

“This full and robust review demonstrates our commitment to continued improvement. It will enable us to benchmark against best practice in the higher education sector.”

A steering group chaired by the Vice-Chair of Council, Adrienne Fresko, is overseeing the review.

Council, Senate and the USSU are represented within the steering group. A great deal of thought went into the make-up of the group, which comprises:

• Three independent members of Council (David Benson, Stephen Caddick and Aleema Shivji)
• Two elected Senators on Council (Professor Sara Crangle and Professor Steve McGuire)
• A USSU representative on Council and Senate member (Connor Moylett)
• Research Pro Vice-Chancellor and Senate member (Professor Keith Jones)
• An elected Senate representative (Dr Paul Gilbert)

Halpin will report to Council and Senate on the review findings, making specific recommendations for improvement as appropriate.