Academic Senate

The Academic Senate is the principal academic body of the University. Its main function is to provide academic governance for the University, as is required by law in the Charles Sturt University Act 1989 No 76, the Charles Sturt University By-law 2005, and by the conditions of its registration as an Australian University through the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency.

The principal functions of the Academic Senate as prescribed in the Charles Sturt University By-Law and in the Governance (Academic Senate) Rule 2024 include advising the Council and Vice-Chancellor on all matters relating to teaching, scholarship and research and ensuring the high quality of teaching and learning and research within the University by developing and implementing appropriate policies.

The Academic Senate has established six subcommittees to assist it in exercising its responsibilities.

The Academic Senate has a diverse membership that brings unique talents and insights. Many members of the management of the University are also members of the Academic Senate, and therefore have responsibility for providing critical oversight of activities which they also manage for the University.

MemberCategoryCategory Term Ends
Professor Wilma Vialle Chair, Academic Senate Appointed 31 December 2027
Associate Professor Mark FrostDeputy Chair, Academic Senate & Elected Member of the Professoriate , FOBJBSElected30 June 2028
Professor Kerryn Butler-HendersonDeputy Chair, Academic Senate & Elected Member of the Professoriate, FOSH Elected 30 June 2027
Professor RenĂ©e Leon Vice-Chancellor Ex-officio N/A
Professor Graham Brown Provost & Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Ex-officio N/A
Professor Neena Mitter Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Ex-officio N/A
Mr Mike Ferguson Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) Ex-officio N/A
Professor Michael Friend Pro Vice-Chancellor Research (Governance and Performance) Ex-officio N/A
Dr Stacey JenkinsActing Pro Vice-Chancellor (Student Success)Ex-officioN/A
Ms Heather McGregorInterim Pro Vice-Chancellor First Nations Strategy Ex-officio N/A
Professor Janelle Wheat Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) Ex-officio N/A
Professor Lewis Bizo Executive Dean, Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural Sciences Ex-officio N/A
Professor Andrew Hope Executive Dean, Faculty of Arts and Education Ex-officio N/A
Professor Megan Smith Executive Dean, Faculty of Science and Health Ex-officio N/A
Professor Susan MlcekActing Chair, Indigenous Board of Studies Ex-officio N/A
Mr Sebastian Carlesso Undergraduate Student Appointed 30 September 2028
Ms Rachel Starr Postgraduate Student Appointed 30 September 2028
Ms Julie Norris Higher Degree by Research Student Appointed 30 September 2027
Associate Professor Miao LiMember of the Professoriate, Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural SciencesElected30 June 2028
Professor Caryn West Member of the Professoriate, Faculty of Science and Health Elected 30 June 2027
Associate Professor Jane Garner Member of the Professoriate, Faculty of Arts and Education Elected 30 June 2028
Associate Professor Christopher OrchardMember of the Professoriate, Faculty of Arts and EducationElected30 June 2028
Professor Sarah O'Shea Elected Non-Faculty Member of the Professoriate Elected 30 June 2028
Mr Hector Valdes Rodriguez Academic staff, Non-Faculty Elected 30 June 2028
Dr Sarah GurrAcademic staff, Faculty of Arts and EducationElected30 June 2028
Ms Kirsten LockeAcademic staff, Faculty of Arts and EducationElected30 June 2027
Dr Nicholas Ruddell Academic staff, Faculty of Arts and Education Elected 30 June 2027
Dr Jamie FerrillAcademic staff, Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural SciencesElected30 June 2028
Dr Leo LinAcademic staff, Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural SciencesElected30 June 2028
Dr Geberew Mekonnen Academic staff, Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural Sciences Elected 30 June 2027
Ms Patience MoyoAcademic staff, Faculty of Science and HealthElected30 June 2028
Dr Isabel Paton Academic staff, Faculty of Science and Health Elected 30 June 2027
Dr Melissa SkeinAcademic staff, Faculty of Science and HealthElected30 June 2028
Ms Alice Cooman Professional/general staff, in a position that directly supports students or the student experience Elected 30 June 2027
Vacant Alternate member from the Faculty of Arts and Education Faculty Board Nominated 30 June 2028
Associate Professor Jenny Kent Alternate member from the Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural Sciences Faculty Board Nominated 30 June 2027
Vacant Alternate member from the Faculty of Science and Health Faculty Board Nominated 30 June 2028

The Academic Senate Standing Committee was established to decide urgent matters which arise between meeting of the Academic Senate and when it is not practicable to convene a full meeting of the Academic Senate. The Committee also performs other functions as outlined in the Academic Senate Standing Committee - Membership and Terms of Reference.

MemberCategoryAppointment Term Ends
Professor Wilma Vialle Chair, Academic Senate Ex-officio N/A
Associate Professor Mark Frost Deputy Chair, Academic Senate Ex-officio 30 June 2028
Professor Kerryn  Butler-Henderson Deputy Chair, Academic Senate Ex-officio 30 June 2027
Professor Graham Brown Chair, University Courses Committee Ex-officio N/A
Professor Michael Friend Chair, University Research Committee Ex-officio N/A
Professor Janelle Wheat Chair, Academic Quality and Standards Committee Ex-officio N/A
Kirsten Locke Member of the Academic Senate Nominated 30 June 2027
Dr Leo Lin Member of the Academic Senate Nominated 30 June 2028
Associate Professor Miao Li Member of the Academic Senate Nominated 30 June 2028

Whilst the University routinely communicates a range of institutional information to the public, Academic Senate Agendas and Minutes may contain small amounts of confidential and personal information, so access is currently limited to University staff for University purposes.

Requests for access by other persons

The University will manage any Right to Information requests pertaining to these Academic Senate Agendas and Minutes by following the Records Management Procedure - Access to University Records. The University's Right to Information page sets out additional information on how to deal with requests from the public for access to information in these documents.

DateTimeLocation Agenda Close Meeting Records
24 March 2027 10.00am - 12.00pm Videoconference  8 March 2027 Agenda Minutes
19 May 2027 10.00am - 12.00pm Videoconference 3 May 2027 Agenda Minutes
14 July 2027 10.00am - 12.00pm Videoconference 28 June 2027 Agenda Minutes
29 September 2027 10.00am - 12.00pm Videoconference 13 September 2027 Agenda Minutes
10 November 2027 10.00am - 12.00pm Videoconference 25 October 2027 Agenda Minutes

Whilst the University routinely communicates a range of institutional information to the public, Academic Senate Agendas and Minutes may contain small amounts of confidential and personal information, so access is currently limited to University staff for University purposes.

Requests for access by other persons

The University will manage any Right to Information requests pertaining to these Academic Senate Agendas and Minutes by following the Records Management Procedure - Access to University Records. The University's Right to Information page sets out additional information on how to deal with requests from the public for access to information in these documents.

DateTimeLocation Agenda Close Meeting Records
11 March 2026 10.00am - 12.00pm Videoconference  23 February 2026 AgendaMinutes
13 May 2026 10.00am - 12.00pm Videoconference 27 April 2026 AgendaMinutes
8 July 2026 10.00am - 12.00pm Videoconference 22 June 2026 AgendaMinutes
23 September 2026 10.00am - 12.00pm Videoconference 7 September 2026 AgendaMinutes
18 November 2026 10.00am - 12.00pm Videoconference 2 November 2026 Agenda Minutes

Whilst the University routinely communicates a range of institutional information to the public, Academic Senate Agendas and Minutes may contain small amounts of confidential and personal information, so access is currently limited to University staff for University purposes.

Requests for access by other persons

The University will manage any Right to Information requests pertaining to these Academic Senate Agendas and Minutes by following the Records Management Procedure - Access to University Records. The University's Right to Information page sets out additional information on how to deal with requests from the public for access to information in these documents.

DateTimeLocation Agenda Close Meeting Records
19 February 2025 10.00am - 12.00pm Videoconference  3 February 2025 AgendaMinutes
16 April 2025 10.00am - 12.00pm Videoconference 31 March 2025 AgendaMinutes
28 May 2025 10.00am - 12.00pm Videoconference 12 May 2025 AgendaMinutes
13 August 2025 1.00pm - 3.00pm Videoconference 28 July 2025 Agenda Minutes
24 September 2025 10.00am - 12.00pm Videoconference 8 September 2025 AgendaMinutes
12 November 2025 10.00am - 12.00pm Videoconference 27 October 2025 AgendaMinutes

Contact

Kate Hayden
Manager, Governance
Email: governance@csu.edu.au
Phone: 02 6338 6383