On Wednesday 13 December, Michael Luck, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost emailed academic staff. You can read the message below:
Dear Colleague,
Welcome to the first edition of the new look Academic update. This update will go to all academic staff on a monthly basis, to give you operational updates and share recent news for academics. Academic update used to go to Heads of School for cascade, but I thought it would be simpler to send it straight to all academic staff to share key messages directly and quickly. Your University-wide news will still come every Monday via This week at Sussex and the more in-depth, fortnightly, Sussex in focus.
This month I want to particularly draw your attention to the upcoming National Student Survey. This is an important way for students coming towards the end of their undergraduate courses to tell the world about their time at Sussex. The University’s promotion of NSS 2024 will begin on Monday 29 January and run until the survey closes on 30 April. If you teach a final-year module, your assistance is essential for the success of the NSS campaign in your School – find out why and how you can help.
You may have also seen in the academic press that the next Research Excellence Framework (REF) has been delayed to 2029, having been scheduled to take place in 2028. We will discuss how to plan for the next REF at the Academic Leadership Forum and keep you all updated, but for now it is good news that we have a little extra time to prepare.
I wish you all the best for the festive season and look forward to seeing you in 2024.
Best wishes
Michael Luck
Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost
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Coming up
A reminder
From the University Executive Team
The annual National Student Survey (NSS) is an important way for students coming towards the end of their undergraduate courses to tell the world about their time at Sussex. The University’s promotion of NSS 2024 will begin on Monday 29 January and run until the survey closes on 30 April. Read our latest update to find out more about campaign plans, briefing sessions and resources to support all staff involved in survey promotion.
About you
Staff survey update and focus groups in January
Following the last survey in October 2022, we are introducing changes to improve the staff survey process. Our full staff survey will now take place every two years, with the next survey planned for autumn 2024, subject to confirmation by the People and Culture Board. We will also be making sure staff can share their views about working life at Sussex in between our surveys. You can be part of the conversation and help shape our future approach to listening at Sussex by taking part in one of ourstaff focus groups in January.
Celebrating the upcoming festive season
As seasonal celebrations begin, the University’s annual festive e-card is now available for you to personalise and send to your contacts.
All staff have two additional minimum service days which are Thursday 21 December 2023 and Tuesday 2 January 2024. You are not required to add these to the MyView absence booking system, so if you have booked these days off please cancel the booking on MyView.
There have been lots of festive events on campus this week, including a Hanukkah menorah lighting ceremony and a Christmas carol service on Monday 11 December, and a pagan Yule and winter solstice ceremony on Wednesday 13 December.
Elsewhere on campus, a festive Library coffee morning is happening on Thursday 14 December from 10.30am-12noon. Festive dishes are on offer at Eat Central, and from 11 to 14 December you will be able to sample Cantonese honey glazed turkey. The Students' Union is providing festive feasts to eat in Falmer Bar or for delivery on campus until 20 December. Sussexsport is also running kids' camps with fully qualified instructors for basketball, netball, badminton, circus skills and squash from Monday 18 December to Thursday 21 December. All equipment is provided.
The winter break is fast approaching, so we wanted to share a few reminders about ways to stay well and healthy over the festive period. There are a number of resources available, including our free Employee Assistance Programme, for staff who may need help and support. You can also view information about services and opening hours on campus over the winter break.
About Sussex
Sussex has been confirmed as an apprenticeship provider to other employers, and our formal launch campaign and event will start in February 2024 to coincide with National Apprenticeships Week. Programmes begin in September 2024, when we will welcome our first cohort onto two Masters’ level degree apprenticeships - one in Advanced Mechanical Engineering and one in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. We will also be offering an undergraduate degree apprenticeship programme in Business Analytics and Digital Technology.
Our latest Transforming Sussex newsletter brings you updates on the projects and programmes happening across the University. This month we share news on more catering developments, outcomes from Curriculum Reimagined Open Meetings and further news on RAAC replacements. We also introduce Professor Claire Smith as part of our ‘Meet the Changemakers’ series. 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.
MS Teams Calling is coming to Schools
MS Teams Calling is a new functionality which will allow you to make phone calls from wherever you are to people inside and outside of the University using existing extension numbers in Microsoft Teams. It allows us to move away from outdated, desk-based landlines and Skype for Business.
We will migrate to Teams Calling one School at a time, beginning today (13 December) with the School of Education and Social Work. Migration will begin again w/c 22 January until late spring 2024, avoiding the early assessment period in the New Year. Each School has been assigned a Change Champion who will help to support the change and a complete schedule will be communicated shortly. Watch a short explainer video from Iain McCracken, Assistant Director IT infrastructure – or visit ourTelephony Modernisation page for more information.
Coming up
The next forum will take place on Zoom on Wednesday 31 January at 2.30pm and Professor Seb Oliver will chair it. More details will be published in due course.
A reminder
It is very important to be vigilant when being asked by third parties to disclose personal data held by the University. Personal data includes, for example, confirmation of whether an individual is currently - or was formerly - a student of the University. Make sure you view our comprehensive guidance including a definition of personal data, information about lawful bases for disclosure, and advice around different situations in which you may be asked to share personal data.
Please note that all requests for personal data from the police should be sent to the University’s Information Management teamat dpo@sussex.ac.uk in the first instance as they manage the specific process for dealing with these types of requests. If you have any questions, please get in touch with the Information Management team.
As we approach the Christmas break, the last payment date for out-of-pocket expense claims will be Wednesday 20 December. This means that:
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expense claims need to be submitted and authorised by close of business on Friday 15 December to be settled this year. Funds should reach your bank account by Friday 22 December depending on your personal banking arrangements.
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staff with purchasing responsibility should note that they need to ‘goods receipt’ goods and services received by Wednesday 20 December to make sure that suppliers who have correctly invoiced the University will be paid before January. This is particularly important for our suppliers who are small businesses and who rely on timely payment, especially at this time of year.
If you have any questions, please contact the Finance Service Desk.
Please complete the Global Academic Reputation Survey
Academics at Sussex may receive (or have already received) an invitation to complete the Global Academic Reputation Survey being run by Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings. We encourage you to fill in the survey if you are selected to take part. More information.
The next edition of the Academic update will be published in February 2024.
Enjoy the festive season and please remember to switch off for the holidays, turning off lights and suitable equipment before you leave the office.