More than 140 new students will be welcomed to Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange at the start of Orientation Week (O Week) on Monday 20 February.Head of Campus at CSU in Orange, Dr Heather Robinson, will welcome new students and their families at a Commencement Ceremony at 10am on Monday.The formal academic Ceremony on Monday will welcome new students to Charles Sturt University in Orange but orientation will continue all week," Dr Robinson said."It is an important opportunity for students to settle in to university, find their way around and make friends."The experience of university is much more than studying a particular degree; it is about gaining the generic skills and knowledge that can be applied to all areas of life, the friends and colleagues that remain part of a professional journey, and participation in the University and Orange communities."I welcome all new students at Charles Sturt University in Orange and encourage them to make the most of this wonderful experience."The Commencement Ceremony will be followed by Market Day stalls and activities for clubs and local businesses, with academic orientation and social activities throughout the week.Classes for new and continuing students start on campus on Monday 27 February.Across the University, more than 8 700 students will begin studying at CSU in 2017, 2 800 of those on-campus and nearly 6 000 through CSU Online.

Call to reassess sentencing after Bathurst Jail riotA senior researcher from Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst has called on NSW policy makers to reassess whether prison sentences are the best way to handle low-level crime after yesterday's riot at Bathurst Jail."The riot brings to mind some of the problems that 40 years ago, led to the Nagle Royal Commission into the infamous Bathurst Jail riots of 1974," said Dr McFarlane from the University's Centre for Law and Justice."Allegations of prison overcrowding are hardly surprising, given NSW has never had so many people in jail."We know that jail often makes people worse and doesn't add to community safety. The vast bulk of people don't need to be in jail."Addressing prison sentencing and reducing overcrowding would also help relieve pressure to extend the Bathurst jail over the next five years, which will only add to the huge financial burden for NSW taxpayers."

Nearly 500 family members and friends will attend the graduation of approximately 137 students at Charles Sturt University in Orange on Wednesday 14 December.The presentation of awards will be to graduates from the Faculty of Arts and Education, Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural Sciences, and Faculty of Science at the 3pm ceremony held at the Derek Pigot Auditorium at Kinross Wolaroi School in Orange. Head of Campus at CSU in Orange, Dr Heather Robinson, said, "Graduation is one of the highlights of the academic year. I am pleased to help celebrate the achievements of graduands at Orange and wish them success as they join the professions for which they have trained."A graduate of particular distinction is Orange resident Ms Helen Margaret Barnett who will graduate with a Bachelor of Science (major in nutrition), and a University Medal. Ms Barnett is a professional opera singer who worked with Opera Australia on and off for 15 years, but with a young family in Orange found it wasn't feasible in the long-term. With health and nutrition as her other real interest and passion, she decided to go back to university to become a dietitian. Ms Barnett received the annual Deans Award each year of her CSU studies, and also received the biochemistry prize for 2015. She will deliver the student 'Vote of Thanks' address at the ceremony.Another CSU in Orange graduate of distinction is Ms Valentina Jones who will graduate with 1st class Honours in physiotherapy.CSU Council member Mr Jamie Newman will be the Presiding Officer at the ceremony, and the Occasional Address will be delivered by Professor Lesley White, Executive Dean of the CSU Faculty of Arts and Education.The ceremony will take place at the Derek Pigot Auditorium, Kinross Wolaroi School, Bathurst Road, Orange NSW.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) engineering students will develop their humanitarian engineering skills by working with Australia's least developed neighbours, Cambodia, thanks to a partnership between the federal government and international charity Engineers Without Borders.With financial support announced earlier this year through the  New Colombo Plan initiative, over $120,000 will be available over three years to support CSU engineering students to travel to and work in Cambodian communities. "This support will enable our students to apply skills and knowledge from their engineering studies to real-world situations in humanitarian engineering contexts," said coordinator of CSU's engineering course, Ms Andrea Goncher."It also reinforces important attributes we want our students to display: to be able to engage with people and communities, and to display social entrepreneurship."In addition, Engineers Without Borders will facilitate the program using their experience in managing volunteers and in-country partnerships in the Indo-Pacific regions."The initiative will be launched during an evening event hosted by CSU Global Manager, Dr Shevahn Telfser, on Wednesday 28 September at CSU in Bathurst.The support is part of $380,000 CSU is due to receive under the New Colombo Plan, which will be administered by CSU Global.In previous years, students from CSU courses such as dental science and oral health, agricultural science, physiotherapy, business studies, occupational therapy, speech pathology, environmental sciences, psychology and creative arts have taken part in overseas studies through CSU Global.

The two-week season of the student-led 2016 SPRUNG Festival at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst opens tomorrow, Wednesday 21 September.The annual SPRUNG Festival is driven by and features the work of final-year theatre/media students in the CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries.Seven productions will feature over eight nights at two University venues; the Ponton Theatre and the Creative Hub.The Festival kicks off with an opening ceremony parade for the family from 6pm at the Ponton Theatre. The parade includes fire, drumming, characters from the shows and large-scale puppets.Lecturer in theatre/media, Mr Dan Aubin said, "I am amazed at the passion, creativity and effort of the students. The entire Festival is created and organised by them; from the shows to the design and marketing. All the productions are original. We are interested in creating the new."The stories they tell give us insight into their view of the world at this interesting time in history."The first week of the Festival showcases satirical theatre, The Bachelor Wants You!; a modern comedy mystery, The House of Eden; and a comedy play on women on TV, The Glory Days.Shows during the 2nd week include Clara Jane, a view of indigenous women in the 20th century through dance and dialog; a sci-fi comedy on relationships and death in The Glass House; Relax, a short film giving a modern take on perceptions versus reality; and The Shift, a farcical comedy on 'that time of the year'.A special feature of this year's event is the 'Women of theatre/media' forum from 10am on Friday 23 September. Theatre/media women graduates return to CSU in Bathurst for a panel discussion on the current climate and future of the theatre and performance industries.The SPRUNG Festival runs until Saturday 1 October, and online bookings are recommended.Program details and bookings can be made here.

Nursing and medical students will come together to improve their health assessment skills during an inter-professional education session at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange on Wednesday 31 August.In a new initiative, Master of Nursing students from CSU will be joined by 14 Doctor of Medicine students from the University of Sydney's School of Rural Health for a four-hour session during a residential school underway this week.Associate Professor of Nursing Rachel Rossiter from the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health at CSU in Orange and Associate Professor Gabriel Shannon from the University of Sydney hope that bringing together the two sets of students will further improve collaboration between the healthcare professions and the respective universities in this region."This is a rare chance for medical students to train alongside Master of Nursing students," Professor Rossiter said."It is an opportunity for the students to develop a shared understanding of their respective roles before they enter the workplace where a hierarchical structure can exist in the busy healthcare environment."During the residential school, the nursing and medical students will participate in a series of clinical scenarios focusing on health assessment, clinical reasoning and critical thinking activities."Professor Shannon said: "Our medical students are aware that the model of care in the healthcare environment is one of teamwork and this workshop is an important initiative to strengthen that component of their learning."Inter-disciplinary learning is an increasingly important part of the medical curriculum and this workshop signals the intention of both universities to work together to their students' benefit."Several community members have agreed to attend the inter-professional session to act as 'patients' in the scenarios.The Master of Nursing is a three-year program offered through CSU Online to provide Registered Nurses with postgraduate qualifications. Read more here.

The new Centre for Law and Justice at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst will host meetings between a senior figure from the NSW courts, local law professionals and CSU students.On Wednesday 24 August, the Honourable Justice Margaret Beazley AO, President of the Court of Appeal of NSW, will meet with the Central West Law Society at an informal evening event hosted by CSU. Then on Thursday morning 25 August at 9am, the ground breaking judge will address students in the new law degree at CSU."Her Honour Justice Beazley has enjoyed a remarkable career in law, she is a real change-maker who is an inspiration to our students," said Associate Professor Alison Gerard, Director for the Centre for Law and Justice.Justice Beazley will address the students for one hour in Room 223, Building 1292 at CSU in Bathurst at 9am on Thursday 25 August before preparing to officially open the Centre and the new CSU laws degree at 11am.

An initiative to help prepare physiotherapy students for professional life will be held at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange on Thursday 18 August.Final year Bachelor of Physiotherapy students will meet with practitioners, including physiotherapists working in public hospitals and private practice in the central west of NSW.Lecturer in physiotherapy Ms Kerstin McPherson said, "This is an opportunity for our students to meet with real local physiotherapists to hear stories of transition into professional practice."The evening will be held in room 224, School of Community Health, building 1014 from 4.30pm to 7pm.The Bachelor of Physiotherapy is a four-year program offered through the University's School of Community Health in Albury-Wodonga, Orange and Port Macquarie.

Three Bathurst justice experts have laid their experiences before at least 200 law students from Charles Sturt University (CSU) to help them learn about punishment and the state in the Australian legal system.On Wednesday 20 July, Bathurst magistrate Michael Allen (left), Bathurst defence lawyer Shane Cunningham (right) and the police crime commander for Chifley region Acting Sergeant Colin Crome (centre) faced probing questions as part of an interactive panel for CSU students who are aiming to become police officers, social workers, psychologists and lawyers.Over two hours, the panellists addressed the questions of 80 students in Bathurst on the goals and strategies of punishment, particularly from the viewpoint of regional Australia.Panel coordinator Dr Kath McFarlane, who is a senior lecturer with the newly established Centre for Law and Justice at CSU, said the students in this subject were investigating, "How we punish, why we punish and the consequences for society if we get it wrong."The panellists provided unique perspectives on the practice and administration of various aspects of the criminal justice system, and exposed students to practical views and experiences they would not otherwise encounter," Dr McFarlane said.In recognition of the 150 students enrolled in the subject across Australia via distance education, Dr McFarlane has also made the forum available as an audio file to students who were unable to attend in person.