Lies, spin and the fight against cut-backs

For those of you who have seen the University’s recent ‘response to financial challenges’ you could be forgiven for finding it laughable. Not that any of what it contains is funny, only that the language they have used to justify what amounts to massive staff and services cuts across campus, is duplicitous and quite frankly illogical.
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War against the HMOs?

Friends is the most repeated show in television history. Whenever there is nothing on, we can all agree to engage in the most common form of televised procrastination and settle down and watch a nice episode of Friends, the show that for ten years sometimes successfully – often hilariously – defined the sit-com genre. Last Tuesday, after somehow finding new laughs in an early episode I must have seen 4 times already, I felt prompted to ask my house-mate: why was there never a successful British Friends?
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A day in the life… of a Sabb

Just over a week ago, the USSU Sabbatical elections witnessed the largest turnout of voters on record. The next six Sabbatical officers were chosen and in just over four month’s time, they will assume their positions at the forefront of the Students’ Union. Read more

First-rate service from The Voluntary Butler Scheme

Photo: Oscar Broughton

The Voluntary Butler Scheme @ The Cube, 10 Feb

I’m so glad that finally we have a situation where campus is being used as a venue for good music. Here at Sussex Uni there are so many potentially great spaces accessible for live music, and it seems that this year’s Union is clearly more in tune with this understanding. Last night’s performance at the Cube, by The Voluntary Butler Scheme showed that the venue itself was great for live music and also that this band were quite capable of making something of it. Read more

Lecturers’ union demands pay increase

In the face of a severe economic downturn, members of the Universities and Colleges Union (UCU), including lecturers and academics, are demanding significant increases to their annual salaries. The UCU would like to see an 8% pay raise for lecturers, starting next year. However, when inflation is taken into account, the pay increase will only amount to 3.5%.
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Union says ‘start negotiating’ over pensions

Resistance from University likely to continue

The students’ union has called on university management to start negotiating with support staff over pensions. Laura Tazzioli, USSU President, said the union would hold management responsible for any future disruption caused by strikes. Read more

Best of the country’s rising bands to be highlighted at “USSU Introducing…” events

Fox Cubs, Rosie and the Goldbug and Flashguns were among the acts announced as the first line-ups were revealed for USSU Introducing…, a monthly exhibition highlighting the best up-and-coming bands in the country. The purpose of the event is to show students at the University of Sussex the next big acts before they break through the glass ceiling to the next level. With an intimate venue, a lively crowd and a great line-up of rising bands, “USSU Introducing…” is the perfect exhibition for live music. Read more

Union shop revamped

Falmer House Union shop has undergone an extensive refurbishment to offer a better service to students.

The University of Sussex Students’ Union (USSU) invested a total of £110, 000 in the refitting and updating of the shop, which had become run down. Assistant Director of Commercial and Central Services John Houlihan, who oversaw the investment, described the changes as “well overdue,” pointing out that the old cramped layout wasn’t helpful for customers shopping during busy hours. The new shop floor has been designed to maximise space, aide a one-way customer flow, and ensure that queues will move quickly. Houlihan feels that this investment in the campus facilities reflects the Union’s commitment to meeting the expectations of fee-paying students: “I’m absolutely delighted that the Union is investing in the future…this should be the benchmark”.

The shop will now provide students, particularly the residents of nearby Stanmer Court, with a range of basic conveniences. Recent additions to the usual range of sandwiches, snacks and Fairtrade products include a section for magazines and newspapers, a coffee machine and a selection of international foods. The shop also boasts the cheapest lunch available on campus: £2.89 will pay for a sandwich, a snack and a drink Meal Deal.

The shop is open from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday. The Union is currently applying to the University for a license permitting the shop to sell wine and beer between the hours of 5pm and 8pm.