Broadcast: News items

Professor David Ruebain, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Culture, Equality and Inclusion

Dear Colleagues

Content:

• Professor Jason Arday
• Provision and signage of toilets, showers and changing rooms across campus
• Brighton & Hove Community Pride
• Upcoming religious observances

Professor Jason Arday

I write this on my first day back from annual leave and, with the Vice-Chancellor away from the University following a major operation, have brought forward publication of this Inclusive Sussex Update because of last week’s terrible news. Like many, I was very shocked to hear of the death of Professor Jason Arday. The enormous pressure that he was put under in a relentless media and social media onslaught in the period leading to his death was awful. Many have illustrated that other, white colleagues against whom similar allegations were made did not face such a barrage and the racism in this is palpable. Further, the allegations that he was an ‘Equality, Diversity and Inclusion appointment’ is chilling for all minoritised colleagues. I didn't know Professor Arday personally although I know that some colleagues, particularly in the School of Education and Social Work, did, and he visited Sussex. Nothing I can say will ease the profound grief, shock, anger and dismay, but I can and do restate my and the University's commitment to addressing racism, structural or otherwise.

Bud Johnston, Black at Sussex Project Lead, has also written a piece remembering Jason Arday and giving some thoughts about the Black academic experience, with additional commentary from Gavin Mensah-Coker, Chair of Black at Sussex.

Support for staff is available via the Staff Wellbeing Hub, which includes links to the Employee Assistance Programme and the Report + Support tool.

Provision of toilets, showers and changing rooms across campus

As mentioned in recent Updates, we have been working on plans to develop and consult on arrangements for the use of toilets and other facilities in light of the new Equality and Human Rights Commission’s Code of Practice and the University’s commitments to legal compliance and inclusion. Because of the need to bring forward this Update, we are not yet able to provide further detail but will do so shortly.

Brighton & Hove Community Pride

Brighton & Hove Community Pride was held on Saturday 1 August, and the University’s walking parade featured a great turn out of staff, students and alumni coming together to mark this important date. It is always a fantastically joyous occasion, and I really enjoyed seeing the photos of members of our Sussex community celebrating diversity together.

Upcoming religious observances

Mawlid al-Nabi is expected to fall on 25 August this year, marking the birth of Prophet Muhammad. Muslim students and staff may use this as a time of reflection, prayer, and charity.

Paryushan Mahaparva, a major Jain festival, runs from Tuesday 8 to Thursday 15 September this year. It is a period of reflection, fasting, repentance and forgiveness.

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, begins at sundown on Friday 11 September and continues until Sunday 13 September.

Hindu students may be observing the festival of Raksha Bandhan on 27 August, and it is traditional for Hindus to visit relatives at this time to recognise the bond between brothers and sisters. Hindus also celebrate the birth of Krishna on Friday 4 September.

My warm wishes to all who are celebrating and marking religious occasions over the coming month.

Finally, thank you for all you are doing for the University and to support each other during what continues to be a very challenging period, within Sussex and in the wider world.

With good wishes

David