A combined University Roadshow is on the final leg of a five-week tour of high schools in the NSW central west next week.Charles Sturt University (CSU) prospective student adviser Ms Melinda Negus (pictured) said advisers from three regional universities – Charles Sturt University (CSU), Southern Cross University and the University of New England – will visit about 5 000 Year 12 students to provide information about higher education."Starting on Tuesday 1 March, we will meet and present to about 800 local students from 33 high schools in Bathurst, Orange, Mudgee, Dubbo and surrounding areas," Ms Negus said."By combining the resources of the three universities, we can provide excellent, accurate advice to students in one visit. The Roadshow format also means we can present a broad range of study options to students while minimising the time students are away from classes and study."The Roadshow enables local students to learn about what our regional universities can offer. Students gain insights into what university life is like, and the benefits of life and study at regional universities."This is the thirteenth year of the University Roadshow. The schedule for the Roadshow in the central west is:Tuesday 1 March in Orange9.30am Orange High School11.15am Orange Christian School1pm Kinross Wolaroi School2.30pm James Sheahan Catholic High SchoolWednesday 2 March in Dubbo9.15am Dubbo College (Senior Campus)10.45am Dubbo College (Senior Campus)2pm St John's CollegeThursday 3 March in Bathurst9.30am MacKillop College11.30am Bathurst High School (Denison College)2pm St Stanislaus CollegeFriday 4 March in Mudgee9.30am Mudgee High School

A second book of verse by Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic and poet Mr David Gilbey (pictured) will be launched in three locations – Sydney, Wagga Wagga, and Melbourne – in February and March.The volume, Pachinko Sunset, was written by Mr Gilbey an adjunct senior lecturer in English at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at CSU in Wagga Wagga."Writing and publishing poetry can be seen — financially-speaking — as a heroic task, fuelled primarily by passion and a fine sense of irony," Mr Gilbey said. "That's why the support of readers is so important!"My writing is both influenced by, and influences, my teaching English at Charles Sturt University. So whatever I'm teaching, from Beowulf through Paradise Lost to Patrick White and the literature of 'drugs and alcohol', for example the Beat poets of the USA, the 19th century hash poets from France, and the 'grunge' writers of urban Australia, it all affects my writing. I'm particularly influenced by confessional writers such as Robert Lowell and Sylvia Plath, and, among Australian poets, Kenneth Slessor, Les Murray, Kate Llewellyn, to name but three from many."Like many contemporary poets Mr Gilbey writes mainly a kind of 'free verse' in which 'the line is the unit of semantic meaning', rather than more traditional forms of rhyming, rhythmically regular stanzas.Pachinko Sunset is published by Island Press, one of the oldest surviving Australian poetry presses, and he is one of the five 2016 Island Press poets.The Pachinko Sunset launches and readings are:Sydney, from 2.30pm Saturday 27 February, to be launched by Dr Peter Kirkpatrick at the Friend in Hand Hotel (upstairs), 58 Cowper St, Glebe;Wagga Wagga, from 2pm Saturday 5 March, to be launched by Dr Lachlan Brown at the Wagga Wagga City Library, at the Civic Centre, corner of Baylis and Morrow Streets; andMelbourne, from 2pm Saturday 19 March, with a reading at the Dan O'Connell Hotel (The Home of Poets) 225 Canning Street, Carlton.

The excitement of starting their higher education will hit 153 new students when they commence 2016 Orientation Week (O Week) at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange next week.CSU Dean of Students Professor Julia Coyle welcomes all students to O week and said it is a fun and hectic time for all involved."The shift from school to university means students become adult learners and this transition may be more difficult for parents, who need to shift from strong engagement as a parent of a school student to only being involved in discussion with lecturers if their young adult gives permission," Professor Coyle said."For the students, there is much to learn as they consider their new lives in higher education. It is vital that they meet the people and find the resources that will make their studies at CSU a success, while also enjoying a rewarding and eventful life, often in a new town."Our students can use a wide range of services to improve their chances of success. For example, we have free after-hours and weekend tutors ready to help students in a various areas," Professor Coyle said.The start of O Week at CSU in Orange is officially marked by the Commencement Ceremony to be held in the Templers Mill at 10am Monday 22 February.This will be followed by a Market Day on the library lawn to promote clubs, services and businesses in Orange, with information sessions for parents and students run concurrently. A welcome lunch for all will be provided on the library lawn from 12pm.Other activities during the week include formal introductions and orientation to Faculties and Schools, with tips and requirements for effective and successful studying at university. Social activities during the week include a Scavenger Hunt at the library lawn from 6pm Tuesday 23, The Amazing Race from 5pm Wednesday 24 at Robertson Park, a Mini Olympix at the campus oval from 10am Thursday 25, followed by ten pin bowling from 5.30pm. On Friday 26 there will be a barbeque at Lake Canobolas from 11.30am.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Dubbo will welcome approximately 87 new undergraduate students for the start of 2016 Orientation Week (O Week) on Tuesday 23 February.CSU Dean of Students Professor Julia Coyle said O Week is a happy and hectic time for all involved, and there is much for students to learn as they consider their new lives in higher education."The shift from school to university means students become adult learners," Professor Coyle said. "This transition may be difficult for parents who need to shift from strong engagement as a parent of a school student to only being involved in discussion with lecturers if their young adult gives permission."For the new students, it is vital that they meet the people and find the resources that will make their studies at CSU a success, while also enjoying a rewarding and eventful life, often in a new town. Students can use a wide range of services to improve their chances of success, such as the free after-hours and weekend tutors who are ready to help students in a range of matters."The start of O Week at CSU in Dubbo is officially marked by the Commencement Ceremony at The University Cafe at 9.30am Tuesday 23 February.This will be followed by a Market Day from 10am to 12pm in the University courtyard to promote clubs, services and businesses in Dubbo, with a welcome barbeque from 12pm.Other O Week program activities in Dubbo include formal introductions and orientation to Faculties and School, and tips and requirements for effective and successful studying at university.Social activities will include a mature age students 'Meet and Greet' at the University Cafe at 2pm Tuesday 23, and a Trivia Night in the cafe from 6pm to 10pm. There will also be ten pin bowling at the Dubbo Ten Pin Bowling Centre from 7pm Wednesday 24, a 'Toga Night' at the Pastoral Hotel at 8pm Thursday 25, and a 'Pool Recovery' at the Dubbo Aquatic Centre from 11am on Friday 26 February.Returning students will commence the following week when the 2016 academic year begins on Monday 29 February.

Bathurst will feel a surge of activity when approximately 923 new students arrive in town for the start of the 2016 Orientation Week (O Week) at Charles Sturt University (CSU) next week.CSU Dean of Students Professor Julia Coyle said O Week is a fun, happy and hectic time for new students, their parents and carers, and CSU staff as there is much to learn as students consider their new lives in higher education."For our new students, it is vital that they meet the people and find the resources that will make their studies at CSU a success, while also enjoying a rewarding and eventful life, often in a new town," Professor Coyle said."The shift from school to university means students become adult learners. This transition may be difficult for parents who need to shift from strong engagement as a parent of a school student to only being involved in discussion with lecturers if their young adult gives permission."Professor Coyle said students can use a wide range of services to improve their chances of success, such as the free after-hours and weekend tutors to help students in various areas.The start of O Week at CSU in Bathurst is officially marked by the Commencement Ceremony to be held in the CD Blake Auditorium (building 1220) at 10.30am to 11.30am Monday 22 February.Mr Ardin Beech, on-air presenter at radio 2BS (Bathurst) will deliver the 'Reflections of a Graduate' address to new students and their families. Other special guests include CSU Pro-Chancellor Ms Carole McDiarmid, the Mayor of Bathurst Councillor Gary Rush, Wiradjuri Elder Aunty Gloria Rogers, and Reverend  ̀̀Oto Faiva from the Uniting Church in Bathurst.A morning tea for parents and supporters will follow at 11.30am, concurrent with a Market Day on the library lawn promoting clubs, services and businesses in Bathurst, including a welcome barbeque from 12.30pm.Other activities during the week include formal welcomes, introductions and orientation to Faculties and School, and sessions providing tips and requirements for effective and successful studying at university.Social activities during the week include a 'UV Party' at the Rafters Bar from 8pm Monday 22, a trivia night from 7pm Tuesday 23, a 'Horror Party' from 8pm Wednesday 24, a Moonlight Cinema on the library lawn from 8pm Thursday 25, and a Dag Night at the Rafters Bar from 9pm Friday 26 September.The Bathurst campus will see the return of continuing students the next weekend with the formal start of the academic year on Monday 29 February.

An official commencement ceremony on Monday 22 February will mark the start of Orientation Week at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga for 2016.Head of Campus at CSU in Wagga Wagga Ms Miriam Dayhew will welcome the 900 new undergraduate students who will be studying on campus in Wagga Wagga and their parents during the ceremony from 10am in Joyes Hall.Orientation Week runs from Monday 22 February until Friday 26 February. It involves a wide range of academic, social and information sessions to help new students settle into university life.The commencement ceremony will be followed at 11am by the colourful Market Day near Joyes Hall.Highlights include the Official Commencement Ceremony, Market Day, Library Tours, social events including BBQs and live bands.  Students will move into their accommodation at CSU in Wagga Wagga from 12.30pm on Saturday 20 February.The full Orientation Week schedule is available here: http://www.csu.edu.au/oncampus/events/o-week/on-campusClasses for all new and continuing students start on campus from Monday 29 February.

More than 480 new students are set to join Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury Wodonga next week for the start of the 2016 academic year, for courses in allied health professions, business, environmental sciences, nursing and teaching. CSU Dean of Students Professor Julia Coyle said, “Orientation Week is a fun, happy and hectic time for all involved – new students, their parents and carers, and our staff – as there is much to learn as students consider their new lives in higher education”. Students from around Australia will take part in important learning as well as fun activities from Monday 22 February to help them settle into their new home. “For our new students, it is vital that they meet the people and find the resources that will make their studies at CSU a success, while also enjoying a rewarding and eventful life, often in a new town,” Professor Coyle said. “Students can use a wide range of services to improve their chances of success. For example, we have free after hours and weekend tutors ready to help students in a various areas.” Students will learn about their courses and resources to assist their learning, including the 24-hour / seven-day-a-week Learning Commons, learning and teaching rooms, residential facilities, student counselling and recreational opportunities, all on the award-winning environmentally friend campus site. Activities of note during Orientation Week include: ·        Monday 22 February: Dam Day commences at 11am at Lake Hume Boat Club, Bellbridge, for new students in the School of Environmental Sciences to meet fellow students and School staff in a relaxed environment. Team water action starts at 11.45am. ·        Tuesday 23 February: Official Welcome to new student at 10am and Market Day on Albury-Wodonga Campus runs from 10.30am to 2pm, including bull riding competition. ·        Wednesday 24 February: Enrolment day for most students, commencing at 9.30am and includes the lunchtime Big BBQ. The first academic semester starts Monday 29 February.

Charles Sturt University students will be on hand to help competitors through the City2City Run/Walk on Sunday 21 February. The University’s Community Engagement and Wellness Centre, or CEW, will demonstrate the podiatry and physiotherapy services it offers the Albury-Wodonga community, with students providing assistance to runners and walkers as participants finish the course. The CEW provides a practical clinic that trains allied health students at the Albury-Wodonga campus, particularly those enrolled in the podiatry and physiotherapy degree courses. The University is also entering a large team for the event, with the ‘CSU Living it’ team already counting more than 40 staff and students and more entries expected to wear the team’s bright red livery. CSU is a bronze sponsor of the 2016 City2City Run/Walk.

Staff at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst will be treated to a special house-warming and inspection of the new CSU Engineering building on Thursday 18 February.Foundation Professor of Engineering Euan Lindsay said the house-warming will give CSU staff the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the academic program and dynamic new teaching space that has been created at CSU in Bathurst."I'm immensely proud that this wonderful facility has been developed on time and on budget in just 10 months since the builders were appointed," Professor Lindsay said. "The house-warming and inspection will give staff insight into and pride in the new Bachelor of Technology/Master of Engineering (Civil Systems) program that commences with the first intake of 32 students on Tuesday 29 February."CSU Engineering students will be taught by 10 academics including three engineers-in-residence, with support from a laboratory manager and administration staff. The formal opening of the facility will be in June and will coincide with an exhibition of the first projects developed by the new students.