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Indigenous Education Strategies in Higher Education 2001-2003

Charles Sturt University

Charles Sturt University (CSU) continues to promote access to higher education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from regional locations, through the activities of the Aboriginal Education Unit (AEU) and its Aboriginal Education Centres (AEC) at Bathurst, Albury and Wagga Wagga. The strategy for 2000 ­ 2002 includes current, continuing and planned activities over the triennium.

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Objectives

The Aboriginal Education Strategy (AES) has a strategic focus on regional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who desire to undertake tertiary studies. The AEU is mindful of two significant issues affecting access, participation and retention of any prospective or current Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students. First, the substantive issues associated with regional disadvantage ­ including reduced government funding to regional universities. Second, and compounding the first, the overarching social, cultural, economic and political inequities that continue to disadvantage the majority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. As a result, the AEU will continue to concentrate on policies and activities that attempt to reduce or alleviate this twofold disadvantage. However, given an inadequate financial base for the AEU to research and develop new initiatives, the AES is essentially focused on ensuring current and continuing objectives are met. In summary, these objectives are:

  • increased consultation between the University, its faculties and departments to maximise financial and other resources invested in Indigenous education;
  • increased consultation with regional Aboriginal communities to promote and enhance educational opportunities and decision-making;
  • refinement of practices and procedures to further enhance delivery of services and programs to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students; and
  • continued development of strategies to inculcate knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and societies within the University environment and of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives across Faculty curricula.

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Consultative Mechanisms

CSU continues to support the involvement by the AEU in the following consultative mechanisms that promote and enhance Indigenous participation in higher education:

  • The Vice Chancellor’s Aboriginal Education Advisory Committee;
  • Faculty Board Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Monitoring committees;
  • The Director AEU has membership of CSU’s Academic Senate and Faculty Board Committees. As well, the Director is a member of the Indigenous Australian Directors Higher Education Committee (IADHEC) and Riverina Regional Aboriginal District Education Committee.

Community consultation is achieved through AEU representation on the following:

  • Local AECG’s,
  • Local Aboriginal Inter-agency Committees,
  • the NSW/ACT Higher Education Network Aboriginal Corporation (HENAC), and
  • Campus Aboriginal Advisory Committees at Wagga Wagga, Albury, Bathurst and Dubbo.

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Current and Continuing Activities

Current Activity

Major Achievements to Date

1 (a) Recruitment & Marketing of CSU courses to Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people in regional locations

  • Increased awareness of and access to CSU courses in 2000.
  • 117 ATSI students commenced studies in 2000 and 215 continued studies.
  • CSU ATSI Health Courses (x 2) successfully enrolled 70 students in 1st Semester 2000.

1 (b) Improved access to CSU programs through the Koori Admissions Program.

  • 33 (65%) students successfully completed the Koori Admissions Program with 25 (71%) enrolled in CSU courses in 2000;
  • KAP review completed in 1999.

2. Aboriginal Tutorial Assistance Scheme (ATAS)

Employment of a full time ATAS Co-ordinator within the AEU; 88 students accessed tutorial assistance.

3. Curriculum:

(a) ADEPT

(b) Cultural perspectives incorporated into mainstream subjects.

(a) ADEPT scheme revised - position is currently vacant. Cultural Awareness Officer has written the Aboriginal studies subject for ADEPT. Proposal to offer ADEPT at the 4 main campuses and by DE.

(b) Is currently under negotiation through working party established within the Faculty of Arts.

- MA Indigenous Health Aboriginal Studies program approved by the Academic Senate; to commence 2nd semester 2000 - ongoing.

4. Development of the AEU Database for;

  • Enrolled Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander students, ATAS & KAP students
  • Consultant was employed for ATAS database and has started on KAP database - ongoing.
  • Increased monitoring and tracking of Aboriginal students through the University's system by AEU staff.

5. Cross Cultural Awareness
  • Cross-Cultural Awareness Officer engaged. Development of Package near completion.
  • Renaming of 4 CSU Convention Centre rooms with Wiradjuri names.
  • Reconciliation Committee supported by AEU staff and 4 Campus Aboriginal Advisory Committees active.
  • Community members deliver guest lectures

6. Indigenous Research Unit, Student Support Centre and Aboriginal Advisory Committee at Dubbo campus

  • Establish Dubbo Aboriginal Community Advisory Committee re consultation with CSU and AEU.
  • Investigate funding strategies
  • Achieve funding for .5 Learning Skills Advisor for student support - ongoing funding issues.

7. Production of AEU Promotional Video

A 16-minute video produced for use in the AEU's marketing and recruitment activities and educational sessions with high school students.

8. Consultation

Consultation with all campus committees and various Aboriginal communities and organisations has increased.

9. Student Support

AEU staff maintain support for 215 continuing students, and 117 commencing students in 2000. Increased levels of participation, retention and success.

38 students graduating in different faculties in 2000.

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Aboriginal Education Unit - Planned New Activities

Goal/Outcomes

Activity to

Achieve the Goal

Monitoring/Evaluation

1. Development of AEU promotional course material

  • Liaise with CSU Printery and Marketing staff to develop materials depicting Indigenous students and graduates to promote education and career choices to Years 7 -10 high school students.
  • Produce culturally appropriate CSU promotional material
  • Survey Instrument to be developed to assess promotional value of brochures.

2. Employment of ADEPT Assistant

  • To assist the offering of internal bridging courses and administrative support of ADEPT.
  • Continuing negotiations with CSU to settle salary, conditions and duties.

3. Increase technological support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students studying at CSU to improve computer literacy skills.

  • Investigation of net based video conferencing within AEU Centres.
  • Link with other Education providers, TAFE, Homework Centres.
  • Investigate alternative funding options
  • Set up negotiated time-line with AEU staff, and CSU's Information Technology and Equity Committees.
  • Network with TAFE and private providers to increase pathways

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Performance and Review

  1. A prerequisite for increased access of rural Aboriginal students to tertiary education, is the retention of Aboriginal students to year 12. Consequently, AEU staff aim to work with key educational groups, schools, teachers, students, and their communities to develop strategies for motivating year 7 to 10 students to complete year 12.
  2. KAP, an annual evaluation program for prospective Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students (mature age and Year 12 school-leavers), enables this group to gain entry into tertiary courses at CSU. The week-long alternative entry program increases access and participation for rural Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. An increase is evident between 1994 and 1999 (last year, 203 people attended KAP and 167 successfully completed the program).
  3. ADEPT is a program which is conducted by correspondence (with a residential component) over one semester. It attracts mature age students in isolated and remote communities and inmates from Correctional Centres throughout NSW. The ADEPT program gives those who successfully complete the program access to tertiary courses at CSU.
  4. The AEU negotiates advanced standing or credit points for CSU courses on behalf of Aboriginal students seeking access to academic, vocational and professional advancement.
  5. ATAS provides a quality tutorial program through administrative and academic support as well as for the employment of Indigenous staff and Learning Skills Advisers in each of the AEC’s.
  6. The TAFE Tertiary Preparation Course (TPC) is available at Bathurst, Wagga Wagga and Albury Colleges of TAFE. An agreement guarantees admission for successful applicants of the TPC to a number of courses offered at CSU.

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Performance Indicators

%

CSU

1996

NAT

Avg

CSU

1997

NAT

Avg

CSU

1998

NAT

Avg

CSU

1999

NAT

Avg

NSW

Avg

CSU

2000

Access

1.82

1.37

1.77

1.5

1.63

1.73

1.81

1.80

1.51

1.12

Participation

1.38

0.78

1.28

0.65

0.92

0.76

0.97

0.78

0.78

335

Students

Success

0.84

0.78

0.80

  

0.85

0.74

0.83

  

0.85

  

Retention

0.82

0.77

0.83

0.78

0.856

0.75

0.955

0.767

0.846

0.829

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Report on Expenditure

Total Income Expenditure  
     
$674,000    
Salaries 495,120
Salary reserve 12,647
Promotion expenses 11,247
Books & periodicals 3,014
Fees for service 39,852
Heating and lighting 0
Buildings & site development 0
Motor vehicle expenses 0
Communications 25,617
Insurance 0
Stores & provisions 50,249
Travel 35,050
Staff appointments 1,204
Contingency/miscellaneous 0
 

Total Expenditure

$674,000

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Contact

Dr Ian Barnard
Director
Aboriginal Education Unit
Charles Sturt University
Locked Bag 588
WAGGA WAGGA NSW 2650
Tel: (02) 6933 2185
Fax: (02) 6933 2906

Mr John Williams-Mozley
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Student Support)
Charles Sturt University
Locked Bag
WAGGA WAGGA NSW 2650
Tel: (02) 6933 2877
Fax: (02) 6933 2066

 

 

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