Referring & Signposting

There are a whole range of support services available to students on campus and so if you don’t know the answer to question a student comes to you with, or it is an issue outside the boundaries of what you, as a rep, can deal with, there’s bound to be a person/service that can help.

This section provides details of the support services around campus, where they are and what they do. When a student is in distress they may ask you to contact a support service on their behalf to set up an appointment (this is known as ‘referral’). However, when a student just wants to be pointed in the right direction, this is known as ‘signposting’.

Students’ Union Services

Note: all Students’ Union services are located in Falmer House.

Student Advice Centre (SAC)

The Student Advice Centre provides free, professional, independent and confidential information, advice, support and representation on a range of academic and non-academic issues. This includes advice on employment (including rights and responsibilities and immigration issues), housing (including council tax, benefits, house hunting, deposits, eviction and repairs), money (state benefits, the University’s Access to Learning Fund, scholarships and bursaries, opening bank accounts, financial implications of withdrawing or intermitting), and legal and consumer issues. Check the SAC’s website for drop-in times.

UNISEX

Based within the SAC, UNISEX provides advice and information on sexual health, drugs and alcohol, free and low-cost condoms and lubricants and pregnancy testing for £1. UNISEX also offers a range of volunteering opportunities for students.

Welfare Officer

Based in the Student Advice Centre, the Student Unions’ Welfare Officer represents student welfare needs to the university, its committees, and external bodies. The Welfare Officer also campaigns on welfare issues, supports liberation campaigns and welfare groups and assists students who wish to make a University complaint.

Education Officer

Also based in the Student Advice Centre, the Education Officer assists in the co-ordination of the Student Representatives Scheme, represents your views on University Committees (who make curriculum decisions), coordinates the Students’ Union Free Education Campaign and gives advice and representation for Academic Appeals and Academic Misconduct.

President

The President acts as the figurehead of the Union representing students’ needs at the University’s highest decision-making bodies – Senate and Council. Alongside the other elected officers, it is the President’s role to listen to and engage with the student population ensuring that the direction of the Union is in accordance with the values of its students. The President is also the Chairperson of the Students’ Union Trading Company and is located on the top floor of Falmer House.

Activities Centre

The Activities Centre is the spiritual and literal home of 30 Sports Clubs, 70+ Societies and over 250 Volunteering opportunities. Whether it’s a general kick-about or representing the university at national level; acting up a storm or challenging multinationals; working on local conservation projects or volunteering at local galleries: it’s all available in the world of Activities.

University academic-related
support services

Student Advisors

The University’s Student Advisors provide support to students with personal difficulties or issues affecting their ability to study (this includes discussing whether a student wishes to temporary or permanently withdraw from the University). They also give advice on the submission of mitigating evidence (where for example a student has been or is ill and has fallen behind with their work etc) and are a good first point of call for students as they know all the University support services.

Student Advisors, as from 2009-10, are located within the professional services teams for each of the following Clusters:

Academic Advisors

The University’s Academic Advisors meet with students at least twice a year to discuss the progress of their work and give guidance on course selection and career planning.

Student Mentor Scheme

Student mentors (also known as peer mentors) are available for advice and support in most schools of study. They work closely with Student Advisors. Students are advised to go along prepared to see a mentor. This could mean bringing questions that have arisen from reading a text, a proposed essay plan, interpreting feedback from a tutor, preparatory work for a presentation, concerns around what constitutes plagiarism, etc.

Careers and Employability Centre (previously known as CDEC)

Careers and Employability Centre works in close conjunction with employers and colleagues in the University of Sussex with the aim of increasing the employment opportunities for current students and recent graduates. You can also find details of part-time work opportunities on campus and in the local area.

Falmer House

International and Study Abroad Office

Supports and advises all international students or Sussex students studying abroad. The office offers international student advice on various issues including immigration and is a good source of help for students having difficulties studying in a foreign language.

Student Support Unit

The University's Student Support Unit offers advice and support to students with disabilities, including specific learning difficulties and mental health issues. The range of support includes liaising with University staff over teaching and examination arrangements, arranging individual study support, screening and assessing for specific learning difficulties, advice on adapted accommodation and help with locating personal care provision.

Psychological and Counselling Service (PCS)

PCS offers confidential, individual and group therapy for all registered students, specialist groups for anxiety management, procrastination and eating problems, and a substance misuse programme. Self help
information is also available through the website
www.sussex.ac.uk/sas/1-4-6.html

Health Centre

Gives medical help to all students and their families registered and living on campus, by way of four doctors, nurses and dentists. They also run a baby clinic with baby/child immunisation.

Housing Office

Provides information on University managed housing and private rented sector. More detailed information can be found online at:

Student Accounts

Keeps records and receives payments on students' University financial accounts. Including tuition fees, accommodation, hardship loans and library charges.

The Meeting House

Centre for spirituality, social action, counselling, music, prayer and people. Offers a quiet space for study, reading, reflection and prayer. Provides a listening ear to all regardless of religion, belief or non-belief.

Crèche

The crèche looks after children between four months and three years of age.

The Nursery

Looks after children between three and five years of age.