Testimonial #29

“When I first started at Sussex, I remember [a student advisor] introducing herself to a group of us and telling us that while she hoped we would never need to use the support services, they are there to help when you need them. At the time, I didn't think too much about what she said and I just got on with Freshers' Week.

Later in the academic year I was diagnosed with a serious illness and I became distressed, isolating myself from the university, friends and family.

I was scared to talk to anyone about my problems and it reached the point where I thought I would have no alternative but to leave the university. Finally, at that stage I spoke to [the same advisor] and now I wish I spoke to her much sooner! I was taken aback by her professionalism, understanding and knowledge. She was non-judgemental and sympathetic to my situation and guided me through the process of reintegrating with the university. Her knowledge of my school/degree gave me the confidence to trust her advice.

I think it is incredibly important to have a permanent contact at the university who understands your personal circumstances and you feel you can confide in. There is absolutely no way I would have felt comfortable explaining by situation in an open plan office or having to repeat myself every time I'm presented with a different student advisor. In fact, it has been deeply troubling me thinking that this support might be taken away and replaced with something more akin to a bank call centre.

While most students will never have to use support services, they are absolutely essential in some circumstances and there is no substitute for having a permanent in-house student adviser who you know and trust. Removing this will be removing the human face of the university and I for one would not be comfortable discussing my personal problems with anyone else.

There are some very vulnerable people and I believe cutting this "model of best practice" service will have a human cost far greater than any financial savings you think you are making.”