Charles Sturt University (CSU) Vice-Chancellor, Professor Andrew Vann, has expressed disappointment at the failure of the government to negotiate a fair higher education reform package through the Senate.

Professor Vann said it was plain that students, the community and the Parliament were unconvinced about the proposed reforms.

"Charles Sturt University is concerned that there is still no certainty for our students, staff and communities on the future of federal funding for universities," he said. 

"The University strongly supports the need for sensible and mature reform of higher education funding, and has been consistent on this point.

"We have always been prepared to support sensible reform proposals by the government that ensure that students are not financially excluded from going to university, and where there is a commitment to an appropriate level of investment by government to ensure that regional universities can continue to grow for the benefit of their communities.

"The University has raised serious concerns during the course of the debate with the Minister about various aspects of the reform, many of which were addressed.

"However, the University continues to be concerned about the proposed 'scholarship scheme' advanced by the government as part of this package, in particular its distorting effect on university selection.

"The University has also made very clear that any package of investment for regional universities must be exclusively available for regional universities. 

"We have seen government commit to specific investments in regional universities in the past, only to see those funds defrayed into major cities and outer metropolitan areas.

"We would want to take some time to understand what implications this might have for our communities and higher education in rural New South Wales and Victoria."