Sort US Out was a student-led campaign that ran during the academic year 2005 - 2006. Have a look around this site for the details of what and how USSU and the student body worked on this campaign.

The campaign (amongst other achievements) prevented the Chemistry department from closing, got students more contact hours, better academic support and initiated regular Executive meetings between the Union Sabbatical Officers and the University. To find out how these are progressing, see www.ussu.info .

A proposal is being considered which involved job cuts across the university and closing two thirds of the chemistry department - click here for more info

 

University Management have responded to the Student Submission which was sent to Council on December 16th. Click here to read the response document (pdf format)


You are paying for your education; you've taken the time and the loans for what you perceived was going to be a quality student experience.

What are the problems?

 

Education - from few contact hours to seminars being cut, to associate tutors teaching core courses without adequate support, to poor learning resources... it's all important.

 

Social and Welfare Support - you deserve a high quality student experience at Sussex -  a good education but also social and welfare support - for example, access to extra-curricular activities, cheap and high quality food provision, affordable and good quality housing provision. If the University is not delivering on any of these areas, it's your right to complain and make your voice heard.

 

Poor Management and Financial Mismanagement - The University has gone from being over £15 million in credit to £4 million in deficit in just nine years. As a result, cuts have being made across the board and over 100 members have been given voluntary redundancy. The University is in a financial crisis and staff morale is low. This is affecting every aspect of our student experience.

 

A Student Submission went to the main committee of the University in December 2005. This listed all the issues that were raised last term. What other issues exist? It's not too late to contribute! What's affecting you? Let the University know by following the actions above

 

Sort US Out

 

The Sort US Out campaign is asking the University Council (the highest committee of the University) for decisive change. Poor management and financial mismanagement in the University cannot be accepted.

 

You can find out what the campaign has done so far, and the timeline for action this term.

 

Your input is vital to this campaign being a success - sign the petition, send an email, make an official complaint, and come to a meeting. An independent documentary is also being made about the issues and needs the input of as many people as possible.

 

LET'S MAKE CHANGE HAPPEN

 

What has happened so far?

 

Week 1- 5 - The Sort US Out campaign ran a publicity campaign to encourage students to get involved - to sign the petition, email the Chair of Council, make a formal complaint and come along to the meetings. The Badger carried a front page article about the campaign

Week 5 - The University's deadline to respond to the Student Submission, giving detailed information on when the action points will be completed. Click here to read the response

 

Week 8 - Students demonstrated around campus on Tuesday 28th Feb to show that they expected to deliver on the commitments it made in it's 'management response'.

Week 9 - Students staged a 'learn in' in support of the Sort US Out campaign. Around 100 students refused to leave the library at closing time, in a peaceful protest featuring film showings, talks, seminars and campaign meetings.

At the end of the week, the University's new Strategic Resources Committee met, and agreed to present a proposal to senate that would see around 40 more voluntary redundancies, re-structuring of departments, and the almost complete loss of the University's chemistry department.

Week 10 - Sort US Out staged the "we're still here!" rally on Tuesday 14th March in Library Square, which was heavily attended by chemistry students in their white lab coats. The rally heard from USSU President, Roger Hylton, AUT president Jim Guild, USSU Education Officer, as well as a number of staff and student chemistry representatives. There was live music, a number of food stalls, and displays around the square focusing on the campaign.

 

What has happened so far?

 

Week 10 - There will be a demonstration outside of the meeting of University Senate this Friday, come along from 1pm and make your presence felt. USSU Sabbatical Officers will also be attending the first meeting of the joint USSU/VCO (vice chancellor's office) talks on student concerns as outlined in the management response.

Early Summer Term - The Sort US Out documentary will be released, with all of the latest footage from the campaign included.