Today (30 May 2022) David Maguire, Interim Vice-Chancellor sent a message to all staff. You can read the message below:
Dear colleague,
All those of us who have worked in higher education for any length of time are familiar with the cycle; while bidding adieu and best of luck to those leaving, we are simultaneously planning for new arrivals.
An enormous amount of planning has gone into ensuring our 41 graduation ceremonies taking place in the Brighton Centre during July are celebratory occasions for all of the 10,000 plus students (including previous years’ as well as this year’s cohorts) and – so far – 27,000 guests who are expected to attend. We need many hands on deck during this period to ensure it runs smoothly. If you would like to help this year, please sign up. I very much hope to see a good turnout of academic staff at the ceremonies, as I know how much students and their guests appreciate this.
At the same time, we are looking ahead to those joining us for the next academic year. Our application figures generally look promising. In terms of UCAS home undergraduates, we have seen a rise of 2 per cent compared to the same period last year. This may sound modest, but it follows a 21 per cent rise in 2021. Our postgraduate taught applications are up by 45 per cent – largely thanks to a huge rise in applications from international students (but a word of caution is appropriate as there is evidence that students are now applying to more institutions).
This is the first year since 2019 that UK students’ grades will not be based on teacher assessment. This is likely to make a difference in the numbers who make their offer and whom we can accept in confirmation. We expect to be busy in Clearing again this year in most parts of the University in order to meet our entry targets. This is not just about maintaining the size of our university. We know that many students who may not have considered us early on in their application process go on to realise, once they are here, that Sussex was absolutely the right place for them – as these stories show. The Admissions team is still looking for volunteers to help with Clearing; please register here if you can help. Many of those who have volunteered to do this in the past say what an exciting, rewarding, and (in a good way) emotional experience this has been for them.
While the cycle continues – and seems to spin ever faster to some of us – the higher education sector does not stay the same. We must always be looking for ways to improve our student experience, our academic offerings, and our own personal development and performance.
At Sussex we have made it a priority to encourage everyone to get a better understanding of inequalities and how we can seek to eliminate them. In addition to publishing our Anti-racist Pledge and having David Ruebain, our PVC for Culture Equality and Inclusion, progressing change initiatives, in University Executive Group (UEG) we have undertaken the Union Black training course and attended a staff development session for university leaders on how to reduce structural racism within our sector. I found both very instructive and illuminating, giving me new insights into my own assumptions as well as the wider picture. The most effective leaders, as we all know, are those who are willing to listen and learn, and put into practice what will make a difference.
It is always wonderful to see examples of how we share our knowledge and learnings with others. Our Festival of Doctoral Research takes place 6-10 June – giving you an opportunity to find out more about the many areas of doctoral research at Sussex as well as providing career and networking opportunities for PhD candidates. The School of Media, Arts and Humanities is showcasing undergraduates’ work in the Attenborough Centre for Creative Arts (ACCA) on 7-9 June, while Sussex Neuroscience has planned a free, family-friendly event on 8 June that involves interactive activities to help explain some of the extraordinary work they do in areas such as dementia and mouse navigation. I recommend you take the opportunity, if you can, to find out a little more about the academic lives of others and the inspiring work they do.
It was good to see so many people taking part in the Boundary Run/Walk for the Commit to Get Fit challenge during May. Although the month is almost over, I hope the commitment continues for many of you and that you make the most of our lovely campus and excellent sports facilities. We are incredibly lucky to have this as our work environment.
Finally, I hope you all enjoy the extra bank holiday this week for the Queen’s platinum jubilee celebrations.
Warm regards,
David Maguire
Interim Vice-Chancellor