Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education and Students), Professor Kate O'Riordan, wrote to all taught students earlier today. You can read the full message below:

Hello,

Across the world, tomorrow marks International Women’s Day (IWD), which aims to inspire inclusion and call for action to accelerate gender parity. Our recently opened Women at Sussex exhibition, on display in the Library throughout March, showcases some of the amazing women working at the University. You can find a full collection of portraits on the Women at Sussex webpage, see more contributions on Padlet and check out upcoming IWD events too.

Another way we are celebrating our staff is through the Education Awards, and you can nominate staff who have inspired or supported you. Nominations will close tomorrow, Friday 8 March, before a judging panel made up of staff and students decides the winners in each category. This is your chance to say thank you to any staff members who have made a real difference to you and your time at Sussex.

Many of your lecturers are also active researchers making a real impact on people’s lives. It was recently announced that four Sussex academics from the School of Psychology and the School of Mathematics and Physical Sciences will feature in the prestigious Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition in London from 2-7 July. Find out more about the exhibition, which will be free to attend.

Monday 11 March marks the first night of the holy month of Ramadan, in which Muslims across the world will be fasting from sunrise to sunset. Ramadan Kareem to all students and staff, and to the wider Muslim community across Brighton and Hove.

Please read on for your regular update, including:

• Celebrate our global community during One World Week (11-17 March)
• Choose your option module(s) for 2024/25 from Monday
• Scheduled Turnitin maintenance (16 March)
• Eat Central is temporarily closing for refurbishment
• Apply for a paid Career Lab UK summer internship
• Vote in the Students’ Union elections (13-15 March)
• What’s on for University Mental Health Day (14 March)
• Win £500 during National Student Money Week
• Becoming a money mule is a big mistake
• Reminder: Wellbeing support with the Survivors’ Network
• Sussex snapshot.

Celebrate our global community during One World Week (11-17 March)

One World Week is run by your Students’ Union (SU) in partnership with the University. The week of events offers the opportunity to share aspects of your own culture with others, promote cultural understanding and explore global issues as part of One World Sussex. Check the SU event listings and look out for more about One World Week in Flint magazine on Monday.

Choose your option module(s) for 2024/25 from Monday

If you are a continuing student, remember to make your option module choices for the next academic year in Sussex Direct from Monday 11 March. The module options will open by year group:

• from 00:01 for current Year 3 undergraduate students
• from 8am for current Year 1 undergraduate students
• from 10am for current Year 2 undergraduate students
• from 12 noon for current Year 4 undergraduate students, and current postgraduate part-time Year 1 students.

Scheduled Turnitin maintenance (16 March)

Turnitin will take a planned four-hour maintenance window between 2pm and 6pm on Saturday 16 March. During this period, some services will be unavailable and others may suffer disruptions. Please plan your online assessment submissions accordingly.

On the Student Hub you can find more information about submitting assessments.

Eat Central is temporarily closing for refurbishment

From 25 March, Eat Central is set to close for a full refurbishment to create a versatile and sociable space for day and night. There will be pop-ups and alternatives in place for you during this time. I know many of you enjoy the Sussex Saver meal (the £2 option), which will be served outside from a food truck on Bramber lawns just beside Eat Central. Read more on the Student Hub.

Apply for a paid Career Lab UK summer internship

If you are a second, penultimate, third or final year undergraduate student, you could undertake a six-or eight-week paid internship with a UK employer during the summer vacation. All roles will start in June or July and are a great chance to:

• gain valuable paid work experience
• develop key transferable skills that employers look for
• explore different career options.

Browse and apply for Career Lab UK summer internships on CareerHub now. Roles opened on Monday 4 March.

Find more information about this opportunity on the Student Hub.

Vote in the Students’ Union elections (13-15 March)

Voting in the Students’ Union elections will open at 9am on Wednesday 13 March and close at 5pm on Friday 15 March. Results will be announced from 6pm that Friday.

In these elections you can vote to elect the Executive Team and Student Trustees (responsible for the direction of the Students’ Union), as well as Clubs and Society Committees. Make sure you have your say!

What’s on for University Mental Health Day (14 March)

As part of University Mental Health Day next week, there will be wellbeing stalls across the campus (in the Student Centre, the Library and various schools) where you can come and ask questions, get some information and freebies, and meet other people to talk about mental health. You can also take part online using the hashtag #UniMentalHealthDay.

Win £500 during National Student Money Week

National Student Money Week 2024 is now underway! This year, the theme is ‘Less Risk, More Reward’ and our partner Blackbullion is running a competition where you could win £500 to help kickstart your emergency savings pot. As well as entering the prize draw, you will also get real insights into how to handle different types of financial risk.

Becoming a money mule is a big mistake

Criminals often recruit students as money mules – people who let someone else use their bank account to transfer money, which has usually been obtained illegally. In exchange the money mule gets to keep a cut. However, this is money laundering and if you get caught, you could end up in prison for up to 14 years. Find out how you can protect yourself.

Reminder: Wellbeing support with the Survivors’ Network

The Survivors’ network is facilitating a peer support group for student survivors of sexual assault, abuse or harassment. The group offers a safe, welcoming and trauma-sensitive space. Their next session will be on Thursday 12 March.

To find out more and have an initial chat before joining the group, please contact Helen Race (she/her) on: helen@survivorsnetwork.org.uk.

If you have experienced domestic violence, a hate incident, discrimination, bullying or sexual violence, please let us know using the report and support tool, and a University advisor will get in contact with you, if you have indicated that you would like to speak with someone.

The University’s services also offer advice and support on any issue that may be affecting you. You can contact the Student Centre in person at the Welcome Desk, on the phone (01273 075700), or online via the My Sussex portal. You can also use My Sussex to book an appointment to visit our friendly advisors.

With best wishes,
 
Kate

Professor Kate O’Riordan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education and Students)