About the University
History and Future
Charles Sturt University (CSU) was established in 1989 as a multi-campus institution and has grown into a dynamic and progressive university that is well-known for its innovative approach to education and applied research.
Our campuses at Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Canberra, Dubbo, Goulburn, Orange, Parramatta and Wagga Wagga provide access to higher education across central, western and south-western NSW and north-eastern Victoria. CSU Study Centres, catering to international students, operate in Sydney and Melbourne. In 2005, Charles Sturt University, Ontario, commenced operations delivering primary teacher education programs locally to Canadian students.
Through our network of campuses, and in close association with industry, professions and government, CSU is committed to maintaining a course and research profile that meets the
needs and supports the aspirations of our communities, and contributes to the enrichment of our regions.
We are also committed to making a positive contribution to the wider Australian community and to participating in the internationalisation of higher education. We consider our regional, national and international roles to be integrally linked and mutually reinforcing. We believe that the University´s
success in attracting national and international students strengthens the programs it is able to offer its regional communities. The University´s regional location enables it to make a distinctive national and international contribution in such fields as wine science, land and water, education and health.
Our capacity and reputation for distance education and online learning provide additional education options for mature age students and extend the University´s sphere of influence to metropolitan areas, interstate and overseas. We are challenging traditional approaches to learning and teaching with flexible delivery systems that are continually being refined to improve course delivery. An excellent graduate employment rate is indicative of our success in learning and teaching, and our responsiveness to the changing trends and needs of society, industry and commerce sees us playing an increasingly important role in regional research and development.
Over many years, we have combined our learning resources, delivery systems and experience with our reputation in multi-site delivery to enrol students in cooperation with third parties.
For example, Charles Sturt University enrols international students through collaborative arrangements in countries including China, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong and India.
The University´s four Faculties have a presence on each of the main campuses, and comprise a number of Schools and Units. Faculties operate across campuses and are responsible for developing and delivering courses, while Schools are generally based on a single campus and carry responsibility for teaching subjects. Administrative and academic support services are provided by the Divisions, Departments and Centres which operate across the University´s campuses.
The University partners the University of Melbourne and the Australian National University in the Australian Research Council (ARC) Special Research Centre, the Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics (CAPPE). The University also has two Centres of Research Excellence (the Australian Agriculture, Wine and Food Network [AAWFN], incorporating the National Wine and Grape Industry Centre [NWGIC] and the EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation; and the Institute for Land, Water and Society [ILWS], incorporating the Centre for Rural Social Research and the Johnstone Centre for Research in Natural Resources and Society); three Strategic Research Centres (the Centre for Research in Complex Systems [CRiCS]; the Centre for Research into Professional Practice, Learning and Education [RIPPLE]; and Public and Contextual Theology [PACT]); an Affiliated Research Centre (the Centre for the Application of Molecular Biology to International Agriculture [CAMBIA]) and eight Communities of Scholars. The University is also a partner in four Cooperative Research Centres - Plant-Based Management of Dryland Salinity, Viticulture, Irrigation Futures and Spatial Information.
Vision
A national university for excellence in education for the professions, strategic and applied research and flexible delivery of learning and teaching.
Values
Charles Sturt University values:
- Intellectual independence and freedom of inquiry
- The discovery, refinement, preservation and dissemination of knowledge
- Engagement with professions and communities through responsiveness, partnerships and inclusiveness
- Social justice including ethical practice and global citizenship
- Economic, social and environmental sustainability, including the responsible
- stewardship of resources, and
- Its staff and students, their well-being and development
Mission
As a national university, Charles Sturt University´s mission is:
- To provide distinctive educational programs for the professions that prepare students for work and citizenship
- To conduct strategic and applied research which is nationally and internationally recognised
- To lead in the quality provision of flexible learning and teaching
- To enhance its communities, which include:
- Rural and regional Australia
- Indigenous Australians
- The professions, industries and students for whom we provide research and education
- National and international institutions, scholars and researchers with whom our staff and students are linked
Student Charter
This Charter sets out the expectations that you as a member of the University community may have of us (the University) and your fellow students; and the expectations that we and other students may have of you. We recognise that teaching and learning is a cooperative endeavour and this is reflected in the Charter that we regard as a statement of practice not just intent.
Expectations you and other students may have of us:
- a supportive, harmonious and positive learning community of which you are a valued member irrespective of your gender, race, sexual preference, political affiliation, marital status, disability or religious belief;
- easy access to timely and accurate information about our regulations, policies and procedures and confidence that we will apply them appropriately and fairly to you;
- access to unambiguous information about research and study requirements;
- quality teaching and/or research supervision delivered flexibly to take account of your learning needs;
- fair, objective, helpful consultation and prompt feedback on your learning and/or research, additional assistance when you are experiencing difficulties with your study and concessions when your learning is affected by misadventure or extenuating circumstances;
- recognition of your intellectual property rights regarding the work you produce with us;
- opportunities to contribute to the organisational and cultural life of the University;
- prompt and considerate resolution of your concerns, appeals and grievances using procedures that are easily accessible, fair and transparent;
- adequate, well designed, functional, clean and safe facilities to take account of your study, research and recreational needs;
- a range of services to support you while you are studying with us including accommodation, financial, health, counselling, study skills, recreational and childcare services and assistance in obtaining suitable employment as your period of study ends;
- respect for the privacy and confidentiality of your dealings with us and confidence that your affairs will only be known to those of us whose duty it is to deal with you.
Expectations that we and other students may have of you:
- contribution to the harmonious and positive learning environment irrespective of others´ gender, race, sexual preference, political affiliation, marital status, disability or religious belief;
- familiarisation and compliance with our rules, regulations, policies and procedures;
- honesty in your work including not cheating, falsifying or conducting yourself in any way that injures others or your studies;
- active and positive participation in the teaching/learning process;
- monitoring your own progress throughout your course or research program and seeking advice from us when you are experiencing difficulties;
- recognition of the intellectual property rights over the work that others produce individually or in partnership with you;
- solicited and unsolicited feedback for the improvement of the teaching and learning environment;
- contribution to the organisational and cultural life of the University;
- agreement to resolve disputes, appeals or grievances honestly and openly by participating in grievance procedures;
- utilisation of the facilities and resources we provide to you in accordance with their function and the conditions for their use;
- respect for other students´ and staff members´ right to privacy and confidentiality.
University Management
The Council
The governing body of the University is the Council. It has a membership of 18 comprising: the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor and the Presiding Officer of the Academic Senate as ex- officio members; six members appointed by the NSW Minister for Education and Training; four graduate members nominated by the Council and appointed by the Minister; three elected staff members; one postgraduate student member; and one undergraduate student member. The Council meets at least five times each year.
Committees of the Council
The Council has established the following committees to support it in the oversight of the University and the implementation of the University´s strategic objectives: (a) Executive Committee, (b) Audit and Risk Committee, (c) Compliance and Commercial Activities Committee, and (d) Corporate Governance and Nominations Committee.
Vice-Chancellor and President
The Vice-Chancellor and President is the chief executive officer of the University and is accountable to the Council for the good government of the University. The Vice-Chancellor is assisted by two Deputy Vice-Chancellors and one Pro Vice-Chancellor.
Heads of Campus
Each of the four main campuses has a Head of Campus who, as a member of the executive, has University-wide accountabilities as well as being responsible for representing and promoting a particular campus.
Regional Consultative Committees
Each main campus has a Regional Consultative Committee to provide advice to the Vice-Chancellor, through the Head of Campus, on: (a) initiatives to assist the University to achieve its strategic goals particularly relating to regional engagement, (b) relationships with local communities, and (c) any specific matter referred to them by the Council, the Vice-Chancellor and/or the Head of Campus.
Regional Consultative Committees comprise the Head of Campus for that region, a member of the University Council and six members of the community.
Administrative Support Divisions
The administrative support services are provided by the Divisions, Departments and Centres of the University. Each of these organisational units is headed by a Pro Vice-Chancellor, an Executive Director or a Director who has University-wide responsibilities. These include: Planning and Audit; Human Resources; Financial Services; Facilities Management; Information Technology; Marketing and Communications; Library Services; Student Administration; Student Services; CSU International; the Office of the Vice-Chancellor; the Centre for Research and Graduate Training; the Centre for Enhancing Learning and Teaching; the Learning Materials Centre; and the Indigenous Education Centre.
Academic Governance
Academic Senate
The Academic Senate is the principal academic body of the University. It has delegated authority from the Council to make and monitor academic policy.
The Senate has a membership of 21 comprising: two members of the professoriate elected by the Senate as the Presiding Officer and Deputy Presiding Officer; the Vice-Chancellor, the Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Deans of Faculty; Executive Director of Library Services; the Director, Indigenous Education; The Director of the Centre for Enhancing Learning and Teaching, the Pro Vice-Chancellors (Research and Graduate Training) as ex-officio members; two members of the professoriate nominated and elected by the professorial forum; one elected academic staff member of each Faculty; and two students nominated by the student associations.
The Senate meets five times each year and is assisted in its work by eight committees.
Academic Programs Committee
The Academic Programs Committee advises the Senate on matters relating to undergraduate programs and postgraduate coursework programs and has delegated authority from the Senate to approve new and revised programs submitted to it by the Faculties.
Board of Graduate Studies
The Board of Graduate Studies advises the Senate on matters relating to higher degree research programs including professional doctorate programs and has delegated authority from the Senate to administer these programs.
Research Management Committee
The Research Management Committee advises the Senate on research development and management. The Committee also allocates research grants.
Other Committees of the Senate
The Senate has a number of other committees to perform specialist functions. These include: the Academic Appeals Committee which decides student appeals against exclusion and other academic decisions; the Academic Awards Committee which certifies that students have met the requirements of their courses and are eligible to graduate; the Learning and Teaching Committee which is responsible for advising Senate on matters relating to learning and teaching policy and planning for the University; the Standing Committee which has the authority to determine urgent matters; the Audit Committee which is responsible for auditing the practices and operation of the Academic Senate; and the University Medals Committee which awards University Medals to academically outstanding students.
Faculties and Schools
The University´s academic activities (teaching, research and consultancy) are the province of the Faculties of the University. Each Faculty is headed by a Dean who is responsible to the Vice-Chancellor through the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) for the management of the Faculty.
The Faculties, which are multi-campus, comprise campus-based Schools and, in a few cases, campus-based academic units. Each school is managed by a Head of School who is responsible to the Dean.
Faculties are responsible for the development and delivery of courses whereas Schools are responsible for the curriculum and the teaching of the subjects that comprise courses.
Faculty Boards
Each Faculty has a Faculty Board, chaired by the Dean, which is responsible for the quality of the Faculty´s courses, research, consultancy and other academic activities. Each School of the Faculty is represented on the Faculty Board.
Committees of the Faculty Boards
The Faculty Boards have a number of committees to perform specialist functions on behalf of the Board. These include: a Courses Committee which approve the documentation for new and revised course proposals; an Assessment Committee which approves the awarding of grades; Faculty Research and Graduate Studies Committees which monitor the Faculty´s research and consultancy endeavours and graduate programs; and a Standing Committee to handle urgent issues.
School Boards
Each School has a School Board, chaired by the Head of School, which is responsible for the quality of the teaching and assessment of the School´s subjects and the other academic activities of the School.
Course Coordinators
Each Faculty course is managed by a course coordinator who is a member of the academic staff of the Faculty. The course coordinator is responsible for ensuring that students in a course meet all the requirements of the course required for graduation and abide by the regulations and other policies approved by the Senate.
Research
CSU focuses its research endeavours in areas where it has depth and strength of academic and research capability.
The first major research strength is in Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics. The University leads an ARC Special Research Centre in the Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics (CAPPE) in partnership with University of Melbourne and the Australian National University. This Centre has been recognised by the University as a Designated Centre of Research Excellence. The purpose of CAPPE is to conduct path-breaking research, provide policy input and promote community discussion and professional dialogue in relation to critical issues within the public and political domain. The Centre's research is organised around six integrated research areas, each of which has one or more ‘core´ projects.
The second major research strength is in the areas of Agriculture, Wine Science, Land, Water and Rural Society. Charles Sturt University has a strong history of agricultural, water, environmental and rural social research by way of its links to its predecessor Agricultural Colleges, Colleges of Advanced Education and its geographical location. The University is a full member of two Cooperative Research Centres whose research focus and activities relate to this history and location. These are the CRC for Plant-Based Management for Dryland Salinity and CRC for Irrigation Futures. We have three Designated Research Centres in this area namely the National Wine and Grape Industry Centre, the EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation and the Institute for Land, Water and Society. The University is a Regional Coordinator of the UNESCO Hydrology for the Environment, Life and Policy (HELP) Program for the Australasia.
The University has also identified three areas of strategic importance in terms of research. These are Applied Research for the Professions, Research in Complex Systems, and Public and Contextual Theology.
Cooperative Research Centres
COOPERATIVE RESEARCH CENTRE FOR PLANT-BASED MANAGEMENT OF DRYLAND SALINITY
Mission
Through an improved understanding of the way natural and agricultural ecosystems work, provide new plant-based land use systems that lessen the economic and social impacts of dry-land salinity and thereby help to sustain rural communities.
Research Program
CSU is involved in the programs that evaluate natural ecosystems and in animal production systems to manage dryland salinity.
COOPERATIVE RESEARCH CENTRE FOR IRRIGATION FUTURES
Mission
To facilitate cooperative research and training networks and programs which continuously improve irrigation policy, tools, practices and processes to:
double irrigation water use efficiency
improve profitability for commercial irrigation enterprises and
protect soil and water condition and the dependent ecosystems.
Research Program
The CRC-IF comprises of two research themes, covering system harmonisation and toolkits. These themes are linked with an education and training component. CSU is a program leader for the System Harmonisation and Regional Irrigation Business Partnerships. The System Harmonisation Program aims to develop strategies to improve cross-organisational communication and system-wide management while improving production and environmental outcomes. Specifically, the program outcomes are to:
Increase profitability and reduce environmental footprints from improved irrigation systems in a catchment context.
Facilitate creation of viable regional irrigation businesses supported by improved transparency and objectivity in decision making.
COOPERATIVE RESEARCH CENTRE FOR SPATIAL INFORMATION (SI)
Mission
The vision for the CRC-SI is a Virtual Australia providing a single entry-point to SI, modeling and visualisation tools. End-users will comprise the whole of Australian society including all levels of government, business, community organisations and individuals. A supporting vision is to promote industry through a fostering of commercialisation of SI technology and products.
Research Program
The CRC-SI binds together major developments in SI acquisition and data coordination, in the integration of data across all spatial scales with appropriate models, and in decision support tools in a manner suitable for both experts and lay users alike.
CSU's Special Research Centre: A Centre of Research Excellence
CENTRE OF APPLIED PHILOSOPHY AND PUBLIC ETHICS (CAPPE)
The Centre was established as a Commonwealth Special Research Centre in 2000 and is funded under the Australian Research Council's Special Research Centre Scheme for a period of nine years (2000-2008). It is also accredited as a CSU Centre of Research Excellence.
Mission
The purpose of CAPPE is to conduct path-breaking research, provide policy input and promote community discussion and professional dialogue in relation to important and pressing matters of public and political concern. It has a Canberra based CSU Division which is the Head Office and a Melbourne based division at the University of Melbourne.
Research Programs
The Centre's research is organised around thirteen integrated research programs, each of which has one or more 'core' projects. Emerging projects have also been identified in some of the Programs. Following are the programs: Police Ethics; Correctional Ethics; Welfare Ethics; Social Ethics and Religion; Environmental Ethics; Presuppositions of Public Morality: The Australian/Asian Context; Ethical Issues in Political Violence; Computer Ethics; Ethics in the Professions; Media Ethics; Business Ethics; Ethics of Reproductive Technology; and Public Sector Ethics.
CSU's Designated Research Centres
INSTITUTE OF LAND, WATER AND SOCIETY
(INCORPORATING THE JOHNSTONE CENTRE: RESEARCH IN NATURAL RESOURCES AND SOCIETY AND THE CENTRE FOR RURAL SOCIAL RESEARCH)
Mission
To be an internationally recognised provider of integrated research that is contributing to enhanced social and environmental sustainability in rural and regional areas.
Research Program
The Institute combines the expertise of over 100 environmental scientists, hydrologists, social researchers and economists plus 80 PhD students who are addressing the critical sustainability issues in regional Australia. The four ILWS research themes are Irrigated Systems in a Catchment Context; Landscape, Biodiversity and Riverine Systems; Social and Economic Dimensions of Sustainability; and Policy and Integration. Drawing on strong disciplinary bases, ILWS researchers have recently identified three integrated programs of research: the holistic management of critical environmental assets; development of tools and methods for triple bottom line reporting; and the implications of social and demographic change.
THE GRAHAM CENTRE FOR AGRICULTURAL INNOVATION
Mission
The Centre is developing innovations for profitable and sustainable agricultural systems through integrated and collaborative research, extension, education and training, and is speeding up the delivery of new information to land managers. The E H Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation will have an international reputation as a centre of excellence for integrated agricultural research and extension in mixed farming systems.
Research Program
Six Themes have evolved following considerable consultation with industry and staff. These reflect a focus for the outputs and outcomes of the Centre and reflect a multidiscipline approach: Conservation Farming, Weed Management, Animal Production Constraints, Canola production, Pasture Systems, and Emerging Opportunities.
THE NATIONAL WINE AND GRAPE INDUSTRY CENTRE
Mission
The mission of the NWGIC is to be Australia´s signature wine research community that provides leading edge, internationally recognised research outcomes for the economic benefit of the Australian wine industry. This mission will be effected through the creation and dissemination of cutting edge knowledge that will enhance the economic viability of the Australian wine industry.
Research Program
The Centre is an alliance between Charles Sturt University, NSW Department of Primary Industries and the NSW Wine Industry Association. The Centre´s function is to support the wine industry maintain its internationally competitive edge. The Centre, through a focus on issues critical to best practice in the Australian wine industry, maintains excellence in research and dissemination of new knowledge to industry, utilising the skills and enthusiasm of its staff.
The Centre has recently attracted a major five-year funding program from the wine industry known as Winegrowing Futures. This program will focus on priorities that have been set by the wine industry at the state and national level. The research activities will focus on vine health, vine physiology, optimising resource use for sustainable environmental practice and matching wine composition to consumers. These activities will add to the on-going research programs in grape and wine quality, sustainable viticulture and wine chemistry.
CSU Strategic Research Centres
RESEARCH INTO PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE, LEARNING AND EDUCATION
Mission
Research into Professional Practice, Learning and Education (RIPPLE) is a multi-disciplinary research centre that conducts high-quality applied research and consultation in the field of professional practice. The Centre aims to undertake focussed research that contributes to the advancement of world class knowledge about the professions and professional practice.
Research Program
The Centre´s research agenda is aimed at examining issues germane to both pre-service and practicing professionals. The approved themes are Initial and Continuing Professional Education; Professional Cultures, Identities, and Roles; and Practice in Context.
PUBLIC AND CONTEXTUAL THEOLOGY
Mission
The mission of this Research Group is to promote research and public discourse in contextual theology and to foster engagement between theology and the values and sense of identity of the Australian community.
Research Program
Public theology is concerned with the engagement in dialogue of the received faith tradition with wider social and intellectual concerns of the day. Contextual theology in Australia takes account of our pluralist, multi-cultural society as it is evidenced in the dispersed population groups of our sparsely populated land. PACT encourages scholars from different streams - biblical, historical and systematic - to develop projects in their own areas.
CENTRE FOR RESEARCH INTO COMPLEX SYSTEMS
Mission
The mission of the Centre for Research in Complex Systems (CRICS) is to undertake world class research in complex systems theory and applications, to supervise new researchers at the postgraduate level and to enhance the discipline within Australia.
Research Program
The Centre has three research themes namely, the Nature of Complexity Itself, Complexity as Methodology and Complexity as a Paradigm.