Broadcast: News items

Professor Sasha Roseneil

The Vice-Chancellor wrote to all staff on Tuesday 21 November. You can read the full text of her email below. 

Dear Colleague,

The horrific conflict in Gaza and Israel, very sadly, currently continues unabated, with repercussions playing out across the UK and locally amongst our own community. I am writing to assure you that the safety, security, and wellbeing of all members of the University is our highest priority at this time. As I set out, as part of a statement of guiding principles in October, the University will not tolerate antisemitism, Islamophobia or any form of racism, harassment, or discrimination.

As a community we are not immune to the wider currents of hatred, intolerance, and harassment that are taking place elsewhere. There have been unacceptable incidents on campus, as well as on social media, including acts of antisemitism. Thankfully, these are isolated incidents, and as we are determined that our campus will never become unsafe, we are dealing with all cases in accordance with our regulations and with reference to the law.

At Sussex we are committed to providing an inclusive, respectful, and supportive learning and working environment for every member of our diverse and international community. We strive to ensure that diversity of belief and opinion can be expressed and heard safely and legally, and we seek to facilitate dialogue between those with differing views. We are committed to rigorous, rational, evidenced argument and respectful discussion. I believe that these commitments support our foundational responsibility to create the conditions for academic freedom and freedom of speech within the law, and our determination to make Sussex a place in which everyone is able to flourish.

Many of you will know that UCU Sussex and USSU recently passed motions on the conflict in Gaza and Israel. Both are independent organisations, each is a valued and important member of the Sussex community, and they are entitled to articulate their views. Two points are important, though. The views of UCU and USSU should not be taken to be the corporate position of the University itself. In addition, while the motions each has passed might reflect the views of their members, they do not represent the range of views on campus amongst both students and staff. The reality is that in our community there are differences of opinion about all matters, including the current conflict in Israel and Gaza.

As I noted above, there have been unacceptable acts on social media by members of the University recently. We remind our students regularly that we will not tolerate racism or harassment of any kind, and we will be communicating with students this week to underline the implications and potential impact of their social media activity. I also take this opportunity to remind colleagues of our University social media policy.

Against this backdrop, I ask you all, whatever your role, to continue to support our students and each other to work towards mutual understanding, as we seek to positively embrace diversity of background and belief at Sussex. Above all, I hope that we can all demonstrate empathy and kindness towards all members of our community at this incredibly difficult moment in world history.

Support for staff
The University has a range of support services available for staff, and these can be accessed via our staff wellbeing page. Colleagues affected by the situation in Israel and Gaza can also access confidential independent advice, information and support from the Employee Assistance Programme provided by Spectrum.Life – including access to highly qualified counsellors by phone, WhatsApp, live chat and SMS, or you can request a call back 24/7, 365 days a year.

Alternatively, you may find it helpful to visit our Chaplaincy service based in the Meeting House, where Chaplains representing a wide variety of religious and nonreligious perspectives are available. You can also contact our Lead Chaplain, James Croft, for an appointment by emailing
J.F.Croft@sussex.ac.uk.

Staff and students are encouraged to report hate incidents, harassment, or discrimination, either directly experienced or witnessed, on the University's Report and Support tool.

With my best wishes,

Professor Sasha Roseneil
Vice-Chancellor and President