Greater choice and flexibility for students and improved teaching and research times for staff are the key drivers behind Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) adoption of a uniform academic calendar of three study sessions in 2010.

 

Known as the Unified Session Model or USM, the calendar will standardise the start and finish dates of sessions across different modes of study in the University.

 

Under the proposal accepted by the CSU Academic Senate on Wednesday 24 September, Sessions One and Two will be 14 weeks long with a two week mid-session break for residential schools, plus a two week exam period. Session Three will be 12 weeks with a one week Christmas break and a one week exam period. 

 

“The University has spent considerable time examining the USM proposal and its impact on staff and students and the quality of education,” said Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Ross Chambers.

 

“Staff and student involvement and feedback were essential to the development of the model with the University.

 

“Not only will this new model give greater choice and flexibility for students to manage the pace of their own study in selected courses, the USM will also give staff more concentrated periods to engage in research,” said Professor Chambers.

 

Now that a decision has been made to adopt the USM, the University can start detailed planning on how to implement it. 

 

“The University is confident, based upon its preliminary investigation, that all issues will be addressed for a successful implementation of the Unified Session Model in 2010.