Kelly Coate, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students, wrote to all taught students earlier today. You can read the full message below:

Hello,

My heart goes to those students, their families and friends who have been affected by the tragic earthquake in Turkey and Syria. If you registered your nationality or home address on Sussex Direct as from one of those countries, you should have received an email with information from the University earlier this week.
 
The Welcome Team in the Student Centre are available Monday to Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm, to help you access any information, advice and guidance you may need, and they can connect you with a specialist advisor when you need it. You can also find information about the support available to students on the Student Hub, including wellbeing services.

Find out more about the support available for you and how you can help those in Turkey and Syria, including the collection organised by the student-run Turkish Society.

Read on for this week’s update, including: 

• LGBT+ History Month
• Black at Sussex – music in Mandela Hall next Friday (17 February)
• Register for the Summer jobs fair
• Finalists – fill in the National Student Survey
• Industrial Action
• Improve your writing with one-to-one support sessions
• Take part in filming a documentary this Saturday

LGBT+ History Month

Throughout February, the Students’ Union will be hosting a wide range of events, including a cultural cabaret, Pride March, banner making, art exhibitions and much more. Go to the Students' Union website to see the full list of events.
 
Find out about other LGBT+ History Month events on campus.

Black at Sussex – music in Mandela Hall next Friday (17 February)

London’s famous all-female sound system Nzinga Soundz will kick off the evening with an hour-long session of vintage roots reggae, Afrobeat, soul and lovers’ rock. The event will also feature Sussex alumni, Lynette Lynton and Topher Campbell, discussing the music that shaped their politics, work and lives.
 
Entry is free but you have to book your ticket.

Register for the Summer jobs fair on Thursday 16 February

Book your place now on Eventbrite to meet employers offering a wide range of opportunities throughout the summer period. You’ll hear about part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities and internships, based on campus, in Brighton and elsewhere in the UK. It’s a brilliant event to help you think about options for the year ahead.

Finalists – fill in the National Student Survey

Thank you to all final-year undergraduates who have already taken part in the National Student Survey. Don’t forget to collect your free tea or coffee voucher from the NSS stall in Library Square!
 
For those of you who have not taken part yet, if you fill in the survey online before 28 February, you’ll enter a prize draw for two £1000 cash prizes. And for every survey completed, we will donate £1 to a charity chosen by you (vote for your favourite charity).
 
The NSS is your chance to tell the world about your time at Sussex. It takes less than ten minutes to complete and you will be helping future students make a decision on what and where to study.
 
Take part in the NSS now

Industrial Action

As mentioned in recent updates, Sussex is one of 150 universities where University and College Union (UCU) members have voted in favour of industrial action over pay and working conditions, and one of 67 who are striking in relation to the USS pension scheme.
 
On the Industrial Action page on the Student Hub you can find upcoming dates for this nationwide industrial action, when some staff may exercise their legal right to strike. The strike action days next week will be Tuesday 14, Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 February.

We will do everything possible to minimise the impact on your studies and the running of University services during any industrial action. Please check the Student Hub pages first if you have any queries.

Improve your writing with one-to-one support sessions

As part of the Royal Literary Fund’s Fellowship Scheme (RLF), the Library hosts two professional writers who offer free one-to-one tutorials during term-time for students wanting to improve their writing. The RLF Fellows can help with any aspect of the writing process, including planning, drafting, constructing an argument and editing. Find out more and book your one-to-one appointment.
 
If English is not your first language, specialist one-to-one tutorials are available from English Language for Academic Study.
 
Check out the Skills Hub for more writing workshops and resources.

Take part in filming a documentary this Saturday

There are still some places available to be part of the audience in the documentary ‘Conscious’ with Professor Anil Seth this Saturday 11 February at 2pm. Find out more and book your place.

With best wishes,

Kelly

Kelly Coate, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students