Following the sad news of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, we are now in a period of national mourning. Through the period of national mourning, the University will be open, whilst aligning with government, DfE and UUK guidance, with the exception of the state funeral on Monday 19 September, which has been declared a Bank Holiday. 

On the day of the state funeral, the University’s operations will run in a similar way to other national Bank Holidays, but we will adapt our practices to reflect both the national context and that it will be the first day of Welcome Week. 

The University of Sussex is an institution founded by Royal Charter, and one of the universities of which Her Majesty was the official University Visitor. 

• On behalf of the University, the Vice-Chancellor has written formally to HM King Charles III to share our condolences. 
   
• On the day of the state funeral, the University will be closed and scheduled teaching, meetings and events will be rearranged, but students will be able to continue to access core support.  
   
• The national mourning period will continue until the end of the day of the state funeral, on Monday 19 September. The funeral will start at 11am. We are working on plans to screen the funeral on campus for newly-arrived students, and any other Sussex community members, who wish to watch it in a communal space. More details will follow. 
   
• New students will be able to arrive as planned, and Welcome Week events will be respectful of the national tone whilst providing students with as close to normal an experience as possible. School inductions will be moved from Monday to Wednesday for the most part. Students will be updated directly on any changes to schedules.  
   
• There is a Book of Condolence in the Meeting House, which members of the University are welcome to sign, and a second book displaying letters of condolence that have been received by the University. Buckingham Palace has opened an online book of condolence, and we are setting up a Sussex version. Staff and students are welcome at the Meeting House for quiet reflection.  
   
• A multi-faith memorial service for Her Majesty was held in the Meeting House on Thursday 15 September.
   
• There will a Civic Service to honour the Queen at All Saints Church, Grand Avenue, Hove, on Sunday 18 September at 4pm. The Service is open to all, but space is limited.
   
• There will be a national minute’s silence at 8pm on Sunday 18 September.  
   
• Details of local events happening in Brighton and Hove and across Sussex will continue to be publicised via staff news channels as we learn of them. Council websites will include details of further events: 
• Brighton and Hove 
• East Sussex 
   
• If you find yourself in need of further support of any kind, please refer to our Employee Assistance Programme, or seek support through the Chaplaincy if you choose. Students in need of further support may wish to contact our Counselling Services or speak with a member of our Chaplaincy. 
   
• There is a more detailed set of guidance available for staff. You will need to login to open this page, which we will keep updated.