Professor Kelly Coate, Pro Vice Chancellor for Education and Students

Today, 23 October, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students, Kelly Coate, sent an email to all students. You can read the message in full below.

Dear all students

I hope you are well.  This week, as well as important Covid information and reminders, I’ll be letting you know about Black History Month, a team sports update and a new University Counselling Services session for students.

Black History Month events at Sussex

On Wednesday 28 October in support of Black History Month the University is hosting an online discussion event with national and international speakers on the Black Lives Matter protests over the summer and what we can do within the University.  This event is open to students and the wider community to attend with speakers including:

• the climate activist from Green New Deal UK, Zamzam Ibrahim
• Magid Magid, former MEP
• former Black Students’ Officer at the National Union of Students, Fope Olaleye
• and decolonising education activist, Hamsavani Rajeswaren

There are many other Black History Month activities being run at the University, please read this article for more information to find out how you can get involved.

Sussexsport team sports update

I’m pleased to say that following the temporary suspension of team sports at Sussex, after a comprehensive review of the health and safety actions taken by Sussexsport and those student volunteers that run Clubs and team sport activities, that as of the 21 October these activities have resumed.  I want to say thank you to all of the student volunteers who continue to ensure that these activities can be run in a Covid secure manner.

Covid-19 information for students

It’s really important that all students are aware of the support available, guidance and the rules we must all follow to keep campus, ourselves and each other safe.  Please do check the Autumn 2020 pages to access comprehensive information about Covid-19 for students.  If you have any outstanding questions after reading the information on these pages you can contact the University Covid-19 enquiry service on 01273 876500, or use the webchat available on this page.  

Support for students who are self-isolating

A quick reminder of the services that the University is providing to all students who need to self-isolate and have informed us about this by completing the Covid-19 Symptoms and self-isolation form.  This support includes financial packages for Sussex students – hot meal provision, cleaning materials and laundry for students on campus – and for those self-isolating off campus additional financial support to cover these additional expenses.  You can find out more details here.

The Res Life team will email you with information to help you through your period of self isolation, including on how to self-isolate, food options and details of online social activities – you can also email this address if you have any concerns or questions.  

Covid-19 Mobile Testing Unit will be available through to 25 October

The Covid-19 Mobile Testing Unit remains on campus through to the 25 October. It is located in the Arts Carpark (no.7A).  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 a supply of home testing kits that are available to our students, which means you can get a test quickly if you are on campus when the Mobile Testing Unit isn’t here.  If you have Covid-19 symptoms please do continue to report them using the University’s online form.

Sessions for students dealing with low mood/depression

The University’s Counselling Service is running free sessions for students who are dealing with low mood and depression.  These sessions are run in a safe and supportive classroom style by a trained professional facilitator.  The sessions begin on Thursday 5November 2020 and will run every week for six weeks between 1pm and 2:30pm.  If you’d like to know more please visit this webpage and if you need help with these or any other issue, no matter how big or small, please do reach out to our student support services.

With best wishes

Kelly

Kelly Coate

Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students