Broadcast: News items

PS Essentials: February 2023

Posted on behalf of: Internal Communications

Last updated: Friday, 3 February 2023

PS Essentials highlights the key priorities for Professional Services colleagues and recent news and updates which you and your teams may find useful.

If there is information you would like included in future PS Essentials, please submit your request to the Internal Comms mailbox.

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About you

New Achievement and Development Review process for 2023

We have recently launched a new annual Achievement and Development Review (ADR) process which is now live and will be used for the upcoming 2023 annual review cycle starting in April 2023. Developed in collaboration with a range of stakeholders across the University, the new system will bring consistency and clarity to how we support you to review your work and personal development.

The Organisational Development (OD) team have created a range of resources including guidance, workshops and online learning pathways, along with updated review forms and you’ll find everything you need on the Achievement and Development Review page. There will be lots more information to follow, but in the meantime if you have any questions or feedback, please email od@sussex.ac.uk.

Book your place at financial wellbeing webinars next week

The Money Charity is hosting one-hour financial awareness and education webinars for staff on Tuesday 7 February and Thursday 9 February. Commissioned by University, the webinars are part of a wider set of steps being taken to help support colleagues as the cost of living rises. The sessions will cover the fundamentals of financial wellbeing, budgeting, credit, borrowing and debt. Find out more and book your place.

People Strategy launched

Our new People Strategy has just been launched and brings together all our plans and resources to support and develop staff here at Sussex so they continue to deliver an exceptional experience for our students. Wide consultation was carried out on the early version of the strategy, and the strategy, and our communications around it, have been informed by our staff.

Check your computer’s virus protection as soon as possible

To help to prevent cyber security incidents, the ITS team have been rolling out virus protection software called Sentinel One which runs in the background of your computer. It helps ensure that your computer is protected, and University information is kept safe. Please check that your computer has it installed and if not, install it as soon as possible. View instructions on how to check and install Sentinel One on your computer. Further changes will be coming soon to enhance our IT security and updates will be shared on the Staff Hub.

About Professional Services

National Student Survey 2023 – how you can help

The 2023 National Student Survey (NSS) is now underway and it is an important way for students coming towards the end of their undergraduate courses to tell the world about their time at Sussex. NSS results are made publicly available to help prospective students, their families and advisors make informed choices about where and what to study, and we encourage as many students as possible to take part to generate reliable information.

Staff can help by raising awareness of NSS with students and you can find resources, information and guidance on the staff NSS pages. If you have a question about how the survey runs, please contact Denise Cooper, Associate Director for Academic Services.

Nominate inspiring staff for the 2023 Education Awards

The Education Awards recognise members of staff – both academics and those in professional services – who truly embody the spirit and values of the University. This is a unique opportunity to say thank you to individual members of staff or teams, in your School or the wider University, who have had, or are having, a positive impact in our community. Staff and students can now send in nominations for this year’s Education Awards so make sure you take the opportunity to celebrate those who make a positive impact at Sussex.

First winners of the Education and Innovation Fund revealed

Four projects have been awarded up to £5,000 through the new Education and Innovation Fund. Launched in October 2022, the fund is part of our Learn to Transform strategy which aims to drive positive changes in the way we deliver our teaching and learning experience by stimulating student and staff co-creation, and rewarding innovation and teaching excellence. Find out more about the winning projects and how they will help pave the way for a Pedagogic Revolution at Sussex.

Investing in a Better Sussex: February highlights

Highlights this month include:

Network Replacement Programme (NRP): This flagship initiative will provide a future-proof, secure, high speed wired and Wi-Fi campus-wide data network, with construction works anticipated to start later this year.
Student Information System: Planning and configuration has begun around the first three capability workstreams – General Person Record Management, Admissions and Curriculum Record Management. Colleagues have been taking part in planning and alignment workshops and we have access to an Ellucian test system which will help familiarise our teams with the platform.
Professional Service (PS) Places: Following our recent PS Places programme survey, our change coordinators are working on an in-depth data gathering exercise which will give us a full and detailed picture of team and individual working habits.
The future of campus services: 3,200 staff and students took part in our consultation around catering on campus and the feedback is helping shape the tender for the new contract. We’ll soon be launching our consultation about facilities management to gather views on what our community wants and needs from these services in the future.
Curriculum Reimagined: 80 members of the University came together for the first open meeting in January and the discussion themes will be taken back to three working groups (architecture, operations and curriculum and assessment). This is the first of a series of open meetings over the next few months.

Read more about the latest updates on projects underway across the University, and book your place at the first Capital Programme webinar of the year on 22 February to find out more about what’s happening in our change programme.

Coming up

VC Open Forum: 7 February

The next VC Open Forum for all staff is on Tuesday 7 February. Staff can register to attend in person or online, and we will share key messages afterwards. Sasha mentioned her proposals for formalising School clusters, which will be discussed in detail at the Open Forum, in her Reflections message to all staff on 27 January.

Black at Sussex - Journeys in Music: 17 February

Our next Black at Sussex event is coming up on Friday 17 February, 6.30pm-10pm in Mandela Hall. Sussex alumni Lynette Lynton and Topher Campbell return to discuss their time at the University and the evolution of their careers against a background of music that shaped their experiences, politics, work and lives. Veteran sound system Nzinga Soundz will be playing and discussing vintage roots reggae and Afrobeat, with a DJ set continuing until late. The event is open to all Sussex staff and students so make sure you book your place.

PS Bigger Picture: 29 March

Please join Tim Westlake for the next PS Bigger Picture on Wednesday 29 March at 1.30pm. The event will be a chance to hear about what’s new in Professional Services and to put your questions to Tim and other members of the Professional Services leadership team. Reserve your space to join in person or via the livestream.

A reminder

Annual Leave Purchase Scheme window closes on 28 February

The current window to purchase additional leave for use from April until September 2023 will close on 28 February 2023. Up to five days additional leave (pro rata for part time staff) can be purchased during this window. Application forms are to be signed off by your manager first, so please consider this in making your application by the deadline. Visit the Annual Leave Purchase Scheme webpage to find the application form and view the frequently asked questions, guidance notes and policy.

Organisational Development support booking process for leaders

The OD department supports leaders and their teams across the University with team-based interventions such as away days, facilitation of events and event design. To improve the efficiency of the service offered, leaders and managers requiring OD support will be asked to complete an online Organisational Development Support request form. This enables the OD team to gather the information needed in advance and identify the best solution. Requests must be submitted at least four weeks in advance of an event to enable the OD team to plan capacity and provide effective support.