David Maguire, Interim Vice-Chancellor sent a message to all colleagues today (28 March). You can read the message below: 

Dear colleague,

As the devastating war in Ukraine continues, I want to restate our University’s position that we condemn the Russian government’s military invasion and fully offer our support to all those affected by this violent and deadly conflict.

The University Executive Group has been deliberating on what we, as a University and as a caring community, can do to help Ukrainians and others experiencing hardship and trauma in these difficult times.

In acknowledgement of our moral responsibility, and with regard to our role as an educational institution, we have devised a programme of support based on five priorities.

These are to:

• boost our student hardship provision by £50k.
• review our institutional support for at-risk academics via Council for At-Risk Academics (CARA).
• work with the City of Sanctuary and University of Sanctuary group to explore what additional educational support we can offer to Ukrainian nationals who have arrived in the UK.
• review how we, as a University of Sanctuary, are contributing to the humanitarian effort.
• launch a new fundraising appeal.

As a visible endorsement of our commitment, we are also flying the Ukrainian flag from the flagpole of Sussex House for this week.

As a university we feel that the best way we can support those affected by the war is by concentrating our contribution in the areas of education and research. We are monitoring the Government’s policy statements and actions and will operate within their guidelines, taking advantage of government initiatives where possible. Over the weekend, the Government announced its new Researchers at Risk Fellowship Programme to support Ukrainian researchers fleeing the conflict, as well as those already in the UK who are unable to return home. University colleagues will be exploring this scheme in full once further details are made available. We also plan to work with established and trusted partner organisations that can ensure effective delivery in a timely way.

With immediate effect, the extra £50k for our Student Hardship Fund is available to all students, regardless of nationality, who are facing financial difficulties caused by the conflict in Ukraine. We are aware that the war is affecting students in many ways, not just financially, and this fund can also help students access a loan for welfare services.
As a member of the Council for At-Risk Academics (CARA), we are reviewing how we can further support the work of this organisation. CARA offers financial and practical assistance to academics whose lives are in immediate danger.
Working with the City of Sanctuary and University of Sanctuary group, we will also be exploring what we can do to offer educational support for Ukrainian nationals who are arriving in our local region.

Over the past few weeks, many staff and alumni have asked how they can help. We will shortly be launching a new emergency fundraising appeal specifically aimed to assist our Ukrainian students facing financial hardship as a result of the war. We hope that the Sussex community will once again come together in support of Sussex Ukrainian students facing hardship and unimaginable pain and suffering.

This is just the start of our support for Ukrainian nationals and others affected by this war that is showing no sign of ending. We are continuing to consider what further help we can offer, both practical and financial.

Turning to other matters, I would also like to encourage staff and students to participate in the Big Biodiversity Conversation, which is currently taking place online to help finalise the University's biodiversity plans and turn them into a reality.

Staff and students can submit ideas and feedback by 7 April. These will then be discussed in detail at a workshop during our University's Biodiversity Week, beginning 25 April. We will be selecting the best ideas to be taken forward.

You can also support our community of runners and cyclists taking part in Brighton Marathon Weekend on the 8-10 April 2022, who are raising money to fund the projects that will boost biodiversity on our campus and beyond.

Finally, I’d like to give you early notice of our next staff pulse survey, which begins on 25 April and runs until 13 May. The pulse surveys are part of our ongoing listening and action strategy. By holding more regular surveys - two a year - we can better understand what it’s like to work at Sussex and be more responsive to emerging issues. This week, UEG is reviewing progress in its implementation plan and I am pleased to report that everything is on track. The spring 2022 survey will explore issues of equality, diversity and inclusion, and a sense of belonging. The autumn 2022 survey will explore views about leadership, management and development. I would urge you all to take part in the next survey so that you can influence the actions we take and ensure they have impact that you want.

I hope you have a good week.

Warm regards,

David Maguire
Interim Vice-Chancellor