Charles Sturt University (CSU), the largest regional provider of student accommodation in Australia, has been recognised for the service it provides students living on campus.

Residence Life, which runs student accommodation at CSU, has been recognised by the Australasian Association of College and University Housing Officers. The Association presented the 2014 Award for Excellence College/University Housing Operation of the Year to Residence Life Director at CSU, Mr David Griffin in April.

Executive Director of the CSU Division of Finance Mr Paul Dowler said the University's Residence Life team provided a supportive, healthy and inclusive community for students.

"Although an achievement in itself, being named College/University Housing Operation of the Year by the Association recognises more than the delivery of beds for 3 000 full time students across five campuses," he said.

"It is also about excellence in training for Residential Students Advisors (RAs), including Mental Health First Aid and SAFE-Talk Suicide Awareness. The RAs are also trained to deliver the harm-minimisation education program, Putting Youth in the Picture, to every first year CSU student as well as local high school students.

"Residence Life has provided international travel scholarships for students living on campus to undertake volunteer work overseas in 2012 and again last year. There's also on-going fundraising to assist a range of local organisations from suicide prevention to youth mental health and children with cancer."

In accepting the 2014 Award for Excellence for his team, Mr Griffin said, "We cater for a range of students and their diverse range of needs at the same time as strengthening the regional communities in which our students live".

"Being named College/University Housing Operation of the Year is due to the dedication of our team working across Charles Sturt University campuses for the well-being of our students," he said.

Residence Life statistics: 

- In 2014, CSU is accommodating 2 600 on-campus students including 246 in Albury-Wodonga, 1 124 in Bathurst, 62 in Dubbo, 362 in Orange and 1 159 in Wagga Wagga.

- 55 per cent of the total number CSU students living on campus come from outside inner regional Australia. CSU continues to offer a higher education opportunity to students who may otherwise have been unable to attend due to the distance between their homes and a CSU campus.

- Residence Life held 508 events in the 2013 academic year with 19 470 people in attendance.

- Residence  Life provided 443 190 meals to students living on campus

Read about Residence Life initiatives in fundraising for local charities in CSU News here.

Read about Residence Life International Travel Scholarships in CSU News here.

Read about Residence Life initiatives in Putting Youth in the Picture in CSU News here.