On Wednesday 25 November, the Vice-Chancellor emailed all staff to share information about an extended period of closure over the winter vacation. You can read the email in full below.

Dear colleague,
 
This past year has undoubtedly been one of the most challenging times we have experienced in our working lives. 
 
I want to take this opportunity to thank you for all your hard work, as we have navigated our way through the extraordinary pressures presented to us by the pandemic.
 
In recognition of your unwavering commitment and dedication to our students and campus community, we have decided to extend the University’s closed period over the winter vacation to a full fortnight. This means that the University will be closed at the end of the working day on Friday 18 December and will reopen on Monday 4 January. 
 
And while I am pleased to be able to say for that the majority of staff this will mean an extended break, there are many staff in essential roles who will be working through this period as they keep many of our campus services running, or are providing other services remotely.
 
Those staff deserve our biggest thanks – and please know that you will absolutely be able to take the additional time too in the following weeks.
 
There is much to do for the last few weeks of term, not least complete a logistically challenging mass testing programme for our students, however once again the teams at Sussex are proving that anything is possible when we put some of our great minds together, mixed with enthusiasm and determination to do the right thing. 
 
It’s not too long now till the break – and I wanted to share this news with you today to make the final stretch that little bit easier.
 
I hope that everyone will have the opportunity to find some time to relax during the break – and for those who are working that the additional holiday can be enjoyed as soon as possible.
 
Once again, thank you for your continued commitment to the Sussex community.
 
With best wishes,
Adam