Broadcast: News items

PS Essentials - September 2023

Posted on behalf of: Internal Communications

Last updated: Thursday, 7 September 2023

PS Essentials highlights the key priorities for Professional Services colleagues and recent news which you and your teams may find useful. Please take five minutes to read the full PS Essentials below.

If there is information you would like included in a future edition of PS Essentials, please email the Internal Comms team at: internalcomms@sussex.ac.uk.

Quick links

About you

Complete your Achievement and Development Review by 30 September

Achievement and Development Reviews (ADRs) are an opportunity to explore the range of development options available, including a number of free online qualifications to develop and enhance your skills, and apprenticeships which can support training and skills needs as well as your career progression.

PS staff must complete the ADR conversation with their manager by 30 September 2023.

If you haven’t taken part in one of the face-to-face ADR training sessions, you can access a recorded version of the training on LearnUpon. Created by the Organisational Development team, the training supports both reviewers and reviewees in preparing for an ADR. For further guidance, please visit the ADR pages.

MentorNet digital tool launched for staff mentoring

The University has recently launched MentorNet, a user-friendly digital mentoring tool that allows mentors and mentees to connect within Sussex by creating a profile within the application.

Mentoring is a powerful method of professional development, and our central mentoring programme is open to all staff. If you are interested in becoming a mentor or a mentee, or would benefit from a refresher, you can join one of the workshops which start from 10 October.

Social media policy now live

The social media policy for staff is now available on the policies webpage. It includes important guidance on using the University's corporate accounts, as well as guidance for any member of staff using professional and personal accounts on social media.

Please note that the University protects the right of any member of staff to express their views, both privately and in public, provided that this is within the law and is done in their own name.

About Professional Services

Join the Ask Me campaign and help support new students

Why not become one of the University’s Ask Me ambassadors and help give our new students the very best welcome to Sussex? All you need to do is to wear one of our orange ‘Ask Me’ badges and help answer any questions that students have when you’re walking around campus throughout Welcome Week. Ask Me badges are available from receptions at Sussex House, the Library and the Student Centre.

As well as answering questions that students may have, you will be a friendly face for those who are new. You’ll probably know the answer to most questions and there will be plenty of support available, including trained ambassadors, if you are stuck. If you can’t answer a query, remember that students can get help via the Student Centre, either in-person at the Welcome Desk from 8.30am-5pm, Monday-Friday or by phone on 01273 075700, 9am-4.30pm, Monday-Friday. My Sussex, our online support portal for students also offers useful information and wellbeing resources 24/7 and if someone simply needs directions, you can check out our campus map.

Reading lists information and support available

For PS colleagues within Schools, help with the new reading lists system is available for those who use it or who support academic staff that use it. Staff can contact readinglists.lib@sussex.ac.uk and the team can provide one-to-one support. There is also a very comprehensive online guide. So far, around 180 academics have been in touch with the team, but many are navigating the new system without needing a tutorial.

Students will not be able to access their reading lists via Canvas until they have completed their in-person registration. The Registration working group is aware of this and comms have gone out. School Administrators will also be emailed this week to let them know.

Transforming Sussex newsletter offers the latest news about improvement projects

Read the third edition of our Transforming Sussex newsletter and stay up to date on our Capital Programme improvement projects, programmes and initiatives. You can also find details of how to join in the conversation and have your say using our social network, Viva Engage (formerly Yammer).

Please sign up to our mailing list to receive future issues of our newsletter directly to your inbox. Further information is available on the Transforming Sussex webpages .

Using the official template for University policies

Did you know that we have a policy template and a Policy on Policies that should be used when you are reviewing, updating or creating new University policies? If you have responsibility for policies in your area, please view the policy, template and related guidance on the General Counsel, Governance and Compliance webpages.

Karen Blackman (Information Manager) has a policy oversight role and can advise on policy-related matters and use of the template as well as reviewing draft policies. Karen is also working on a policy audit project, which will culminate in the creation of a University policy library.

If you have responsibility for drafting, reviewing or maintaining policies in your area, please contact Karen at k.blackman@sussex.ac.uk to discuss any in-progress or upcoming policy work. Read the full story on our new policy template and the policy audit project.

Commissioning design work for digital and print

For PS staff who are involved in commissioning design work, we have renewed our graphic design framework agreement with 12 approved design companies. The framework offers a wide range of designers with extensive experience, who cover design for digital and print, as well as specialist areas such as infographics, and wayfinding and signage materials. It’s a University requirement that all graphic design is commissioned only from designers on the approved roster.

If you are considering commissioning new design work, you’ll need to select an approved designer from the new roster and develop a full brief. Take a look at the Brand webpages to find out how to do this, or email dcm@sussex.ac.uk to have a chat with the Creative Team.

Coming up

VC Open Forum: 5 October

The next VC Open Forum for all staff is on Thursday 5 October. You can register now to attend in person. The event will also be livestreamed for a remote audience.

A reminder

Are you aware of the National Security and Investment Act?

All staff members are strongly advised to familiarise themselves with the 17 sensitive areas listed in the National Security and Investment Act 2021, which obliges universities to consider risks to national security.

You can find a full list of the 17 sensitive areas, as well as resources and guidance, on our staff webpages. There is also a recurrent training session available, and if you’d like to know more about the training please contact ExportControls@sussex.ac.uk.