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Today (28 February 2022), Interim Vice-Chancellor David Maguire wrote to all staff. You can read the message below:

Dear colleague,

Firstly, I’d like to reiterate my concern for all those affected by the terrible events in Ukraine. These are deeply troubling times and a number of you will be worried and unsure. Now is most definitely the time for us as a community to come together and support each other.
 
If you need help and advice, I would encourage you to speak to your line manager in the first instance. You can also access our Employee Assistance Programme, which includes counselling and specialist advice provided by our partners Health Assured. We also have our multi-faith chaplaincy.
 
Last Thursday (24 February) the government published its long-awaited response to the Augar Review of student funding in England. It’s been announced that UK undergraduate tuition fees are to be frozen at £9,250 until at least 2024-5 (three further years). For students who start a course in September 2023, the loan repayment period has been extended from 30 to 40 years. The threshold for these students to start paying back the loan on their annual earnings will be lowered from the current level of just over £27,000 to £25,000 and the interest rate on repayments will be capped at RPI.
 
The announcement also included some proposals for consultation around the new Lifelong Learning Entitlement, student number controls on ‘poor’ quality courses, and minimum entry requirements. Sussex is unlikely to be significantly impacted by the introduction of minimum entry qualifications for students to access higher education funding along the lines proposed. But I would echo Universities UK’s concern regarding potential impact on people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
 
Particularly welcome is the government’s decision that students on foundation years can continue to access student loan funding, albeit at an upper limit of £7,500 per year. We know the positive impacts of our own high-quality foundation year courses at Sussex and we’re delighted that the government has acknowledged the role they play in offering 'a second chance for students who have not achieved their potential’. We will be analysing this closely and providing a response to the government’s consultation.
 
Overall, the focus on quality indicators aligns with the current Office for Students consultations and indicates a regulatory regime for higher education with real teeth. In that respect, we can be proud of the education that we provide at Sussex.
 
Taken together, these proposals will continue to put a squeeze on higher education finances, which will ratchet up as inflationary pressures have a cumulative impact. As a university we must continue to control costs and live within our means, as defined in our five-year financial projections. 

While world and national events are occupying our thoughts, I’d also like to remind you that it’s Sustainable Sussex Week 2-9 March. Events include a Stanmer Park clean up with Surfers Against Sewage (2 March), our second Pitch for the Planet competition for students (4 March) and a Staff Sustainability webinar (7 March), where we can all make suggestions for creating a more sustainable environment.
 
I hope you have a good week.
 
Warm regards,

David Maguire

Interim Vice-Chancellor