Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education and Students), Professor Kate O'Riordan, wrote to all taught students earlier today. You can read the full message below:

Hello,

There is lots going on around our community this week. Through One World Week events, you can share aspects of your culture and have fun while learning about other cultures. Today is University Mental Health Day too – find out about wellbeing stalls and support below.

I also strongly encourage you to take part in the University of Sussex Students’ Union (USSU) officer elections. The USSU plays a really important role in the University. Cast your votes online before 5pm on Friday 15 March to have your say on who represents you and your fellow students. 

I know the cost of living continues to present challenges for students, so I am pleased that we have introduced a new payment system for providing financial assistance through the Hardship Fund and short-term welfare loans. Please see this story for more information on the benefits of the system, including quicker access to funds, and where to go if you need support.

Many congratulations to Law students Carolyn Lemens and Joe Regan, who shone at the Client Interviewing Competition National Championship in Birmingham last Saturday. As the top team in England, they will progress to the international competition in Poland in April. Meanwhile, Sussex's Minecraft Society made the news for their impressive virtual recreations of our campus, created using digital models and 3D scans. It is brilliant to see the ingenuity and commitment of Tom Harwood and the other students leading this.

Lastly, congratulations also go to Claudia Hammond, Sussex alumna, award-winning broadcaster, author and Visiting Professor of the Public Understanding of Psychology here, who has been awarded the prestigious Rosalind Franklin medal by Humanists UK.

I am always interested in hearing about your achivements. Please do get in touch to share your news, or that of your coursemates or school.

Please read on for your regular update, including:

• University Mental Health Day
• Changes to academic appeal regulations
• Choose your option module(s) for 2024/25
• Scheduled Turnitin maintenance (16 March)
• West Slope: meet the architects, with free cake!
• Make it Happen: building a career in media, arts and communications
• Free talk on the historical representation of women in mathematics
• Get inspired at Green Futures 2024
• Free period products trial across campus
• Final-year student? Get your free class of 2024 t-shirt

University Mental Health Day

To celebrate University Mental Health Day today (Thursday 14 March), we have set up wellbeing stalls across the campus (in the Student Centre, the Library and various schools) where you can come and ask questions, get some information and freebies, and meet other people to talk about mental health. You can also take part online using the hashtag #UniMentalHealthDay.

Throughout the year, the University’s services can offer advice and support on any issue that may be affecting you. You can contact the Student Centre in person at the Welcome Desk, on the phone (01273 075700), or online via the My Sussex portal. You can use My Sussex to book an appointment to visit our friendly advisors.

See the health and wellbeing pages on the Student Hub for further information and resources.

Changes to academic appeal regulations

You may remember that I wrote to you about the changes to the academic appeal regulations back in January. As some of you will be receiving exam board outcomes this week, I wanted to remind you of these important aspects:

• Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to resolve your issue via Informal Resolution. This option could help with obvious mistakes that can be easily corrected. e.g. incorrect mark input.
• In addition to being able to submit a Formal Appeal you also have the right to ask for your Formal Appeal Outcome to be reviewed by an expert panel.
• The deadlines for Appeals are different now, to allow for this multi-stage process. You now have 10 University working days to either submit a request for Informal Resolution or to submit a Formal Appeal.

The Student Hub pages have been refreshed and I very much encourage you to read both the summary information and, if you do need to use the academic appeals process, to read the full regulations as well.

Choose your option module(s) for 2024/25

We are aware that you may have experienced initial difficulties accessing the option module choice pages in Sussex Direct on Monday morning. We are very sorry that these technical problems occurred and for any upset or anxiety this may have caused. We appreciate that making your module choices for the next year can be stressful, particularly when the number of places on modules may be limited and not everyone will get their first choices.  

Colleagues in ITS worked hard to restore the service by midday on Monday and they are continuing to work with our external partners to diagnose the root cause of the problem.  Please also be assured that if you made your choices on Monday but then saw a blank screen, your selections were saved and you should now be able to view them in Sussex Direct. 

Option module choice remains open until the end of tomorrow (Friday 15), so if you haven’t yet made your choices for next year, please do so by logging into Sussex Direct.

Scheduled Turnitin maintenance (16 March)

As mentioned last week, Turnitin will take a planned four-hour maintenance window between 2pm and 6pm this Saturday 16 March. During this period, some services will be unavailable and others may suffer disruptions. Please plan your online assessment submissions accordingly. On the Student Hub you can find more information about submitting assessments.

West Slope: meet the architects, with free cake!

Have your say! Come and meet the architects designing the interiors of our new West Slope buildings and share your views on the look and feel of our new Health and Wellbeing Centre, café, and study spaces. With our new Health and Wellbeing Centre opening in 2026, this is your chance to help us create welcoming and inclusive student spaces, so please come along to the Student Centre on Wednesday 20 March between 1pm and 3pm, share your views and enjoy some free cake!

Make it Happen: building a career in media, arts and communications

A panel of Sussex alumni will be at the Chichester Lecture Theatre from 6-8pm on Wednesday 20 March to give you tips for breaking into media, arts and communications roles. Come along to hear their stories, get fantastic insights and make some contacts. Book your place.

Free talk on the historical representation of women in mathematics

Also on Wednesday 20 March, you can hear Professor June Barrow-Green (Open University) talk about how female mathematicians have been represented from the Middle Ages to modern times. The talk is free and will be followed by a reception with refreshments. Book your place.

Get inspired at Green Futures 2024

Taking place on Tuesday 16 April, Green Futures 2024 is your chance to discover green jobs, meet inspirational speakers and get real-world experience – all on one day. The University brings you this exciting event that will provide you with a better understanding of what a ‘green’ graduate job is and where to find one, whatever your skillset, experience or academic discipline. Find out more on CareerHub and apply for a place using the Green Futures 2024 application form.

Free period products trial across campus

As part of the Period Dignity Project, new free period product dispensers have been installed in toilet facilities across campus. The new dispensers will replace existing paid machines with dispensers containing free Natracare pads and tampons for anyone that needs them. Find out more about this initiative and where the dispensers are located.

Final-year student? Get your free class of 2024 t-shirt

Complete the National Student Survey (NSS) and collect your exclusive class of 2024 t-shirt from the survey helpers at the NSS stall in the Student Centre or the Library when you show proof of completion.

By taking part in the NSS, you will be helping prospective students to make decisions about what and where to study. As a thank you, when you complete the survey online you will be entered into a prize draw for one of five graduation packages worth £150.

The NSS can be logged for five points in the Co-Creation and Evaluation category for the Spirit of Sussex Award too. Find more information about the NSS on the Student Hub.

With best wishes,
 
Kate

Professor Kate O’Riordan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education and Students)

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