• Charles Sturt University orientation week, also known as Zero Week, to commence on Monday 22 February
• University welcomes more than 2,500 commencing on-campus students and almost 5,000 commencing online students for first session of 2021
• COVID-19-safe events to be held at each campus to educate and welcome students

Charles Sturt University will this week welcome more than 2500 commencing students to its campuses during orientation week, also known as Zero Week.

From Monday 22 to Friday 26 February campuses will host a welcome event, tours and a range of social events and informative sessions to integrate students into university life and prepare them for classes, which commence the following week.

Interim Vice-Chancellor Professor John Germov said commencing students join the ranks of more than 200,000 past and present Charles Sturt students already thriving in their careers and making valuable contributions to their communities.

“I want to congratulate and welcome Charles Sturt University’s commencing students, and assure them that their decision to study with us will offer knowledge, skills, opportunities, connections and friendships that will be invaluable in their careers and lives,” he said.

“Our courses continue to be sought after: applications to study with Charles Sturt University in this session are higher than in 2020, with a notable increase in demand for our health and teaching courses and for post-graduate IT qualifications in particular.

“We are excited to welcome commencing students to our campuses, as well as close to 3500 continuing on-campus students who will return in the coming days and weeks, and we look forward to seeing them all working towards creating a world worth living in.”

There were more than 26,000 applications to study with Charles Sturt in 2021, an increase of six per cent on 2020.

The University is taking all necessary precautions for a safe return to campuses by asking staff, students and visitors to comply with the Department of Health check-in system, and continue to follow COVID-19 safe principles, including practising hand hygiene, maintaining physical distancing, staying away and getting tested if experiencing symptoms, and downloading the COVIDSafe app.

This year the University is continuing its commitment to a policy of zero tolerance for inappropriate behaviour and sexual harassment by taking part in the Subject Zero program, which is focussed on ensuring students are informed, supported and empowered from their first day.

Professor Germov also encouraged new students to take the time during the week to familiarise themselves with the University’s services, programs and clubs, including the LGBTIQA+ Ally Network and Student Representative Council.

In 2021, online students will attend more than 430 residential schools in Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Dubbo, Goulburn, Orange, Port Macquarie, Wagga Wagga and Wangaratta.