Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange is embracing NSW Bike Week this week, encouraging its staff and students to jump on their bikes for the health and environmental benefits. CSU staff will celebrate the week with a Ride to Campus event, starting at Bill’s Beans on McLachlan Street, Orange, on Wednesday 18 September. Staff will gather at the coffee shop from 8am for an 8.30am departure and a gentle, five kilometre ride to campus finishing at Banjo’s Bistro for a free breakfast. Other CSU campuses are also rolling into Bike Week, with events set for CSU in Wagga Wagga, Bathurst, Dubbo and Albury-Wodonga. Bikes and helmets are essential and there is a chance for CSU participants to win a bike and helmet valued at $600. To register for any of the NSW Bike Week events at CSU, email CSU Green here.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) will present a free seminar on small business finance, in Orange on Thursday 12 September, as part of a series of Small Business Management Foundation Seminars. Course director for CSU’s Graduate Certificate in Small Business Management, Dr Lan Snell will chair the seminar and said while small business funding options included venture capital and government grants, most operators looked to the bank. “This seminar provides participants with a greater insight into how banks assess risk,” she said. “It will give you hints and tips on how to mitigate these risks. It will also cover best practice in terms of cash flow management and other financial management issues.” NAB business banking executive Mr Will Armstrong will be a guest speaker at the seminar which is presented in conjunction with the Orange Business Chamber, NSW Business Chamber, Orange City Council and Orange Ex Services Club. “The Seminars will be short, sharp, and engaging sessions that address the challenges in small business management,” Dr Snell said. The topics include marketing, finance, and human resources.

Participants from Charles Sturt University (CSU) recently returned from a three-day OzGreen YouthLead workshop in Sydney. Thanks to sponsorship from CSU Green, one student and one trainee attended the conference “to gain leadership training and learn more about eco-social projects that forge pathways to sustainable futures,” said CSU Green manager Mr William Adlong. Ms Lucy Denniss-Arnold, a trainee at CSU, attended the workshop and was impressed with the calibre of young people who also took part. “Never have I been in the presence of a more compassionate, kind, welcoming group of people. They made the workshop a joy.” Ms Denniss-Arnold found the course inspiring and moving. Mr Adlong said that CSU Green may look to continue offering the sponsorship in future years. “It engages participants deeply with sustainability issues and builds commitment to take actions that make a difference.”

Students on the NSW North Coast can look forward to increased options and opportunities in higher education when TAFE NSW North Coast Institute and Charles Sturt University (CSU) sign a formal Memorandum of Understanding in Port Macquarie on Friday 23 July. CSU’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Ross Chambers said the arrangement focuses on academic collaboration, including integrated programs that combine TAFE and university qualifications. “The agreement will increase the number and range of formal study pathways and articulation arrangements between the two institutions, which will allow students to complete a university degree without moving away from home,” he said. Institute Director for TAFE NSW North Coast Institute, Ms Elizabeth McGregor said that the MOU would support Commonwealth Government initiatives aimed at developing a more highly qualified population in regional Australia. “The local Education and Skills Forum is developing a collaborative approach to expand tertiary education on the North Coast, and TAFE NSW North Coast Institute and other forum members welcome Charles Sturt University’s decision to join us in these efforts,” she said.

Residential students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange raised more than $2 000 for the Orange and District Early Education Program (ODEEP) with a “Great Gatsby’ themed ball recently. The ODEEP centre is a community based, not for profit early childhood intervention service for young children with disabilities or delays in their development. Earlier this year the students presented the centre with $2 500 in funds raised through chocolate sales and other activities. Residential Coordinator Terri-Lee Duffy said the students were supported in fundraising for the ball through many local businesses offering prizes for the night and items to auction. “The major sponsor for the night was Harvey Norman Electrical who generously donated a flat-screen television. The Orange business community, and the community in general, have been very supportive,” she said. The ball raised more than $2 000, bringing the students fundraising efforts for the centre this year to nearly $5 000.

A $7.7 million dollar development at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange will see the campus with restructured roads and a brand new Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Science teaching facility constructed for the School of Community Health. With the Bachelor of Physiotherapy course established at the Orange Campus this year, CSU will continue its development of the campus with a new purpose-built facility including academic offices, and simulated health spaces such as a rehabilitation gym and practice clinic. Head of the School of Community Health, Associate Professor Julia Coyle says, “Both the students and academics are very excited about the construction beginning in September, and the introduction of the Bachelor of Health and Rehabilitation Science degree which starts in Orange in March 2011.  The new Health Rehabilitation students will learn in the new facility alongside the Physiotherapy students.”

Charles Sturt University (CSU) continues to expand with construction of new student residences in Orange almost complete. Joss Construction began civil works associated with new residences at CSU in Orange in January 2009 and are working hard to ensure the building is complete prior to new students arriving on Monday 22 February. “Student numbers are constantly increasing at Charles Sturt University,” Head of Campus Professor Kevin Parton said. “With the introduction of physiotherapy this year, and more courses planned for the future, the new accommodation will be an important addition to the campus.” New accommodation includes kitchens, common rooms and male and female bathrooms. “We are fortunate to have plenty of space for even more accommodation in future and look forward to offering all first year students the opportunity to live on campus.”

The challenging issue of the sexualisation of girls will the subject of discussion at a public lecture in Griffith on Wednesday 23 June. Lecturer in Philosophy and Ethics at Charles Sturt University (CSU) Dr Emma Rush will give an overview of what researchers and experts have to say about the risks associated with the sexualisation of girls and explain the government’s response. Dr Rush will also identify resources for parents and professionals who work with girls. “As a society we must strive for the development of healthy and happy girls,” Dr Rush said. “Yet we are now seeing miniature celebrity fashion magazines, lip gloss and padded bras being sold for everyday use by girls from the age of eight. The increasing pressure on girls to meet very narrow appearance ideals at younger and younger ages is of significant concern to experts in child health and welfare.” The free lecture will be held from 6pm in the Burley Griffin Room, Griffith Regional Theatre in Neville Place, Griffith on Wednesday 23 June. CSU wine and cheese will be served after the lecture.

Staff and students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange will benefit from a wellness and wellbeing conference and expo on Wednesday 26 March. The CSU 2014 SGE Credit Union Wellness and Wellbeing Conference and Expo is an initiative to enhance staff health, productivity and happiness. Dr Heather Robinson, the Head of Campus at CSU in Orange, said the University recognised and valued the importance of staff and student wellness and wellbeing. The Wellness and Wellbeing Expo aims to make staff and students more aware of and engaged with the services available to them in our communities. The Expo will provide participants with information and the opportunity to participate in workshop activities such as yoga, and Pilates. This will help individuals to make better decisions about health behaviours which lead to better general health and wellness. "We also hope this will help students to fulfil their academic potential and enjoy their student experience, and ensure our graduates are resilient well-rounded individuals," Dr Robinson said. The CSU 2014 SGE Credit Union Wellness and Wellbeing Conference and Expo at CSU in Orange is from 9.30am to 4.30pm Wednesday 26 March. More information about it can be found here, or email healthyu@csu.edu.au