Broadcast: News items

Returning to campus next week

Following the latest Government guidance and the lifting of current restrictions, the University is able to resume some additional in-person activity from Monday 8 March for certain courses.

If you are due to return to campus next week, please do familiarise yourself with information and guidance on the staff webpages, including the University’s health and safety measures.

If there is any information you would like that you feel is missing, please email internalcomms@sussex.ac.uk. 

Teaching on campus

Health and safety risk assessments have been reviewed for this term, and work will continue to ensure that the campus is as Covid-secure as possible.

Evidence from our track and trace system shows that where the health and safety measures have been followed there was no evidence of transmission in the workplace last term.

Rules of the Classroom such as hand washing, wearing a face covering and maintaining safe social distancing, will be displayed in all rooms. We’re encouraging all teaching staff to use face visors, which will be made available by the University. This allows easier communication during teaching. Staff may wear a facemask while teaching if they wish and must wear them while moving around buildings.

Read our working and teaching on campus page.

Transport

Please consider active travel options that enable social distancing, such as walking and cycling. The University has recently increased its Cycle to Work Scheme limit to £3,000, allowing electric bikes to be leased more affordably. See information about cycling to and from campus.

If you use public transport to travel to campus, please travel outside peak times if possible and wear a face covering, unless you are exempt. Do not travel if either you and or anyone in your household are showing symptoms of Covid-19.

Brighton & Hove Buses have put special measures in place to help keep customers safe, and customers are now able to check how busy the bus is before they travel and plan your route.

If you are travelling by train, Southern Trains have put special measures in place to help keep customers safe. Plan your journey in advance; journey planners are being updated frequently .

Staff who commute by car should note that parking charges on campus will remain suspended throughout March and April for all staff and students.

Testing

Staff who are working on campus will be asked to take two lateral flow tests each week and this can be carried out at the Sport Centre, near Falmer House. The testing process is free, quick and easy. We’ve had great feedback from staff and students who regularly use the facility.

Regular testing is also being offered to all students living on or coming to campus

From next week, you will be able to book tests on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, at any time from 10.00 am - 3.00 pm. Testing time will be expanded as demand for testing increases.

For staff delivering in-person teaching, we recommend that you book to take two tests the week before your in-person teaching is scheduled to begin. As campus becomes busier it’s worth booking your tests as soon as possible.

Staff wellbeing
If you have been asked to return to resume in-person teaching or support services and have personal circumstances that you consider might prevent you from returning at this time (e.g. living with someone who has an underlying health condition) please speak to your line manager.

Please remember that whether you work on or off campus, the wellbeing hub is a useful resource for all staff during such challenging times. And counselling support is available from Care First 24 hours a day.