Transition Project Scope
Project Background
In March 2009, the Vice Chancellors Forum considered the post Bradley Review environment and what our students will look like in 2012 and beyond. It discussed how CSU could increase the participation and success of our students. The Transition Project was born from this discussion. The Transition project comes under the umbrella of the Student Experience Program (SEP) which is a derivative of the initial Work Process Improvement ‘Opportunity Identification’ report delivered in 2007.
Figure 1: Student Experience Program Structure
The Transition project is sponsored by DVC (Academic) Professor Ross Chambers and managed by Project Director, Liz Smith. Project governance is via a Steering Committee chaired by Associate Professor Jane Mitchell with wide ranging representation from Faculties and Divisions. Membership of the steering Committee is as follows: Ross Chambers(Sponsor), Jane Mitchell (Chair), Liz Smith(Project Director), David Bedwell (Student Experience Program Director), Joy Wallace (Arts), Roz Brennan(Education), Jenny Kent(Business), Andrea Bishop(Science), Ben Bradley(CSU Degree Initiative), Andrew Callander(Student Services) and Alice Ferguson (Library).
The Transition project will concentrate on 3 main stages of the student life cycle: pre enrolment (which may include areas such as aspiration raising, pathways and/or preparation programs), orientation and the first year curriculum. For the purposes of this project, curriculum is taken to mean “all the planned learning opportunities offered by the organisation to learners and the experiences learners encounter when the curriculum is implemented.” (Print, 1993) It is assumed that student support is included across all stages of the student life cycle and will therefore be an integral part of the project.
Figure 2: Transition project at CSU
Program overview and organizational benefits
The Transition project aims to increase participation opportunities for our very diverse student cohorts and ensure that our students are successful and autonomous adult learners by the start of their second year of study. The project will be underpinned by a “One University” approach and support the Student Experience Program’s broader aims of increasing student participation, success and engagement and relevant aspects of the next University Strategic plan.
The success of the transition project from a student perspective will be seen by:
- Increased access and pathways to CSU courses
- Relevant Orientation programs available regardless of location or study mode
- Increased engagement with the University and with fellow students and an understanding of its importance
- Improved curriculum that supports first year transition
- Improved first year support for particular student cohorts (TAFE)
- Increased awareness of support available
- Increased timely and relevant communication from the university regarding transition issues
- Improved understanding of the expectations of tertiary study
The success of the transition project from a staff perspective will be seen by:
- Increased knowledge of and engagement with issues affecting students in transition
- Greater understanding of transition practices across the University
- Increased confidence in designing curriculum that incorporates transition pedagogy
- Increased access to resources and information regarding transition issues
The success of the transition project from an organisational perspective will be seen by:
- A ‘One University’ approach to student Transition and related activities
- A cultural/attitudinal shift with regard to first year as a formative year rather than one that highlights lack of ability
- Increased student participation in access programs
- Increased retention rates for particular student cohorts (TAFE)
- Appropriately designed first year curriculum
- Availability of resources and information to support transition issues
- Increased partnerships with other organisations
- Support services that are responsive and appropriate to student needs
- Improved student engagement of first year students
- Enhanced partnerships between faculty and support staff
- Transition related practice that is based on organizational strategy and policy
- An improved student centered culture
- Increased ability to market the University based on student experience
- Improved management of student responsibilities and expectations for tertiary study