Charles Sturt University

Appointment of Course Coordinators

Course coordination is one of the most important academic management roles. It brings the university’s formal systems together with the teaching and delivery of subjects in the closest of relationships with students. In addition to being a manager of academic programmes, the course coordinator is a manager of the course’s reputation and quality; an advocate within the School and Faculty; a steward of its long term development and an important contact with the general community, the professions and industry sector that it serves; its keenest marketer and promoter, internally and externally. In summary, the Course Co-ordinator is committed to the course’s success and to student satisfaction with it.

Appointment

Course Coordinators are appointed by the Dean in consultation with the Head of School and, where in place, discipline Sub-Dean. Appointments are consistent with the Minimum Standards for Academic Levels

Appointments are normally for an initial period of 3 years and performance is reviewed annually as part of the performance management process or probation.

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Workload

It was recognised by the working party which reviewed the role of Course Coordinators at CSU in 2005-2006 that absolute consistency of course coordination workload was not possible due to the variation in duties from one Faculty to another. The Guidelines for Developing Workload Allowances for Course Co-ordinators were produced to assist Deans to bring about a greater degree of workload consistency within Faculties.

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Duties of Course Co-ordinators

The responsibilities of Course Coordinators are set out in the Academic Manual A7 - Accountabilities of Senior Academic Positions.

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Professional Development

Professional Development Information
Induction	Heads of Schools will provide planned support to staff new to the University as part of the Induction and Development Program.
Mentoring	Heads of Schools will identify a suitable mentor to assist staff that are new to the University, or moving into the course coordination role. The booklet Initial Career Mentoring: a guide for mentors and menteesis a resource that can assist in structuring the mentoring relationship.
Skills Development	The Course Coordinators website has been established by the Office of Academic Governance for course coordinators to assist them undertake their day-to-day responsibilities for student, academic and administrative matters.
Course Coordinators Forum	This forumprovides the opportunity for new course coordinators to discuss the role and responsibilities and share practice as part of induction and development.It also gives all course coordinators a vehicle to identify common issues and develop strategies to effectively manage these and the position, and to engage in professional development opportunities, including course reviews and mentoring and leadership programs. Contact: cmaginnis@csu.edu.au

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Performance Management

The performance of the role of Course Coordinator will form part of the performance management planning and development of staff in line with the Policy on Standards Expectations Qualifications of Academic Staff . Heads of School will also arrange a performance management meeting within four weeks for current CSU staff members being appointed to the role of Course Coordinator to review their current performance management objectives and professional development plan in relation to the new role .