Charles Sturt University (CSU) Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Goulter said there is advantage to CSU in the concessions and wins gained in the Senate last night which saw support for the Higher Education reform package.

Citing the amendments that have come through the Senate, Professor Goulter said that it is the most important reform to the sector in recent times.

• There is gain for CSU in that we are now to be more realistically funded for our course profile, taking into account high cost courses that the University is successfully providing such as physiotherapy and pharmacy. Professor Goulter cited this as an important first step in addressing the under funding of Australian universities.
• The University welcomes the extended equity scholarships and provisions. CSU has one of the highest proportions of equity based students amongst Australian universities – 60 % of Commonwealth funded students at CSU are from equity groups. 
• Additional funds to CSU from the Regional Loading Grant will be beneficial to the University’s multi-campus structure and will help maintain and enhance quality.
• The University commends the raising of the HECS threshold to $36 184 in 2005/06.
• The ability to progress industrial relations within specific institutional circumstances is seen as a major acceptance of the need for University autonomy.
• CSU applauds the announcement of a review of indexation for University funding stating longer term strategic decisions will be impacted if funding is not indexed in the future.

Speaking from Canberra Professor Goulter said, “This legislation will take our universities through to a new era. It is critical to our key role in Australian society that we are now allowed to move forwards distinctively and with flexibility to embrace this legislation.

“The challenge is now with us, as universities, to manage the change. This reform process has given us refreshing and much needed debate on higher education. CSU has stood firm on its core focus, that of teaching, learning and research and our need to be responsive to our regions.”