Charles Sturt University's Dubbo Campus is set to receive a significant boost from the University's 2001 budget.

Before construction on the $4 million Interactive Learning Centre is even complete, CSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Cliff Blake has made a commitment to provide student accommodation facilities on the new campus and appoint a Campus Manager to coordinate local operations.

Head of the Dubbo Campus Dr Peter Hodgson said this appointment is an indication of the growing level of activity for the University in Dubbo.

"We will look to this person to oversee a hectic schedule of activity and developments taking place in Dubbo," Dr Hodgson said.

"As we move into our new facility on Yarrandale Road, the Campus Manager will play a vital role in commissioning the building, in community relations and in liaison with the Western Institute of TAFE and the new Dubbo Senior College."

Having secured $5 million in Federal Government development grant funding for the first two stages of the new high-tech campus, Dr Hodgson said the University is confident funding will become available into 2003 to allow developments for Stage Three to go ahead.

Out of its own reserves, the University has initial plans to develop two eight-room cottages on the site to provide accommodation for students from outside the city attending the campus, for use by visiting academic staff, national and international visitors and for holding conferences.

"Over the past 15 years we have moved away from construction of traditional University residential colleges to the construction of more informal home-style student accommodation," Dr Hodgson said.

"Cottages on the Bathurst, Wagga Wagga and Thurgoona campuses have proven very popular with students who have their own bedrooms with individual phone and computer lines but share a kitchen, bathroom, laundry and a common living room."