Testimonial #22

I am now a third year student and have been in close contact with student advisors for much of the last two years as a student mentor. Through numerous students both referred to be for academic support from a student advisor and students I have referred to them myself, I see on a regular basis how vital student advisors, and the student support team, as a whole are to the success of many students at Sussex. The increased retention rate and student satisfaction since the creation of student advisors is further proof of this.

Many of my friends have used this service and one in particular would have failed out in second year had it not been for the support her advisor gave her. This year, she is thriving. Additionally, I now find myself in need of my student advisor's assistance to apply for impairment after prolonged illness. She has been invaluable in explaining the procudure and how it could help me and been extremely sympathetic to my experienes. She has also been amazingly supportive of everything we have done as student mentors.

I think the management's plans for student advice (the centralised service with no confidential space and the reduced numbers) and the increased role of academic advisors is absurd. Academic advisors are not enough, as many issues students face are too sensitive and/or embarassing to be discussed with your own professor. Not to mention that most of them don't care, wouldn't know how to deal with these issues, and already refer many students on to student advisors in recognition of this. I would strongly urge the management to reconsider these proposals and urge every student who has benefitted from this service (or even knows someone who has) to provide a testimonial as proof of the outstanding work these people do for us every year.