Broadcast: News items

Today, 12 August, we emailed all staff with information about a gradual return to campus. You can read the message in full below:

We're welcoming staff to return to campus gradually from this month in line with Government guidance, now that most Covid-19 restrictions have been eased.

To make sure you are familiar with all our Covid measures and the new Remote Working Framework, we are hosting a series of webinars in August and September allowing you to put questions to senior managers from Estates, HR, Student Experience, and Health & Safety.

Register now

A gradual return is an important phase in becoming more familiar with being back on campus - if only for one or two days a week - and get used to working with colleagues in normal surroundings as we move towards a full return for the start of the new academic year. Read our return to campus guidance.

Reconnecting with colleagues, and campus
It's worth putting your name down for cake and a cuppa session at the ACCA between now and 1 September. It's an ideal way meet your teammates face-to-face, and if the sun is out you might be able to meet outside on the grass in front of the ACCA café. If your group is larger than ten then please book through events@sussex.ac.uk – smaller groups can book using this link. Take a few minutes to read our other suggestions for ways to reconnect with your colleagues and campus.

Measures to keep you safe
Our priority remains the safety of our staff and our students and we are guided by health and safety considerations and the latest Government advice. The University will ensure that a number of health and safety measures are in place to manage the Covid-19 pandemic by the start of term. These include:

• refreshed signage in high footfall spaces that face coverings are expected from 9 – 5pm
• sanitiser stations in place across campus
• Perspex screens remaining in place where requested
• additional bins in teaching spaces
• QR codes to support the Track & Trace app
• ensuring ventilation systems and windows operate effectively
• the provision of lanyards or wristbands so staff can signal they’d prefer greater social distancing

A reminder that the Government recommends that people in the workplace get twice-weekly Covid-19 tests. We are making this as easy as possible for staff by making Covid-19 testing available at Bramber level 1 throughout September, and supplying home testing kits at 11 locations across campus. Home testing kits are also easily ordered from the gov.uk website.

To encourage students to get their full vaccinations, the University will be running a prize draw of 10 x £5,000 cash prizes on 30 November. 

While the Government has confirmed that the requirement to wear face coverings has now been lifted, there is an expectation and recommendation that they are worn in crowded spaces – and new signage will make it clear that this is the University’s expectation in busy areas across campus.

Flu vaccinations

All staff returning to campus are encouraged to take advantage of the seasonal flu jab in order to reduce the risks for our whole community associated with the impact of seasonal flu on top of Covid-19 infection rates.  

The Government is rolling out a seasonal flu vaccine programme from September 2021 alongside any booster programme for COVID-19 vaccines to protect as many lives as possible.

Anyone over 50 and those with certain health conditions will be able get a free flu vaccination, either from your GP or from a participating pharmacy. 

And due to the ongoing concerns with the Covid pandemic, University staff who are under 50 who are not eligible, can book and pay for a vaccination from a pharmacy or another provider and can reclaim the cost of a flu jab through expenses. Please ensure you use the expenses app to load claims linked to flu vaccinations, as no other forms of claims will be accepted.

Our campus Pharmacy will have a limited supply of flu vaccinations available from the beginning of the academic year and you won’t need an appointment. 

Alternatively, you may prefer to have a vaccination from your GP.  In addition, many supermarket pharmacies now offer flu vaccinations. 

Slots are now available to book and the University encourages you to take the time to get your vaccination to help protect our community.

Find out about current information about flu vaccines and who is and isn’t eligible.

We look forward to seeing you on campus soon.

Best wishes,

Internal Communications