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General Information about the Albury-Wodonga Campus

Introduction

Albury-Wodonga, on the Murray River, is Australia’s largest inland regional centre. This thriving region provides a wide range of employment, sporting, leisure, cultural and entertainment opportunities - a great place to live, as well as to study.

The Albury-Wodonga campus is located in the City of Wodonga, with the City of Albury just over the Murray River in NSW. Situated adjacent to the Hume Freeway, with easy access to train, plane and bus services, the campus is ideally located on the Melbourne-Canberra-Sydney corridor.

The campus caters for approximately 1100 students on an attractive 26 hectare site adjacent to the Wodonga Institute of TAFE, with which it shares some resources and facilities. The student cohort is diverse, with many non-school leavers and international students from a range of countries.

The campus has excellent, modern facilities, including the David Mann Library and additional computer labs, an Environmental Science complex and international-standard soccer/sporting grounds. A new gymnasium for students and staff was constructed in 2007, the first stage of a $900,000 fitness centre and facilities upgrade at the Student Association building. A new bookshop/café complex was completed in July, 2008, and planning for additional accommodation for La Trobe students is underway.

The campus offers a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate courses. All five faculties of the University deliver courses on the campus, with some courses being unique to the campus. Studying at Albury-Wodonga offers personalised support and tuition from dedicated academic and support staff, along with access to the resources of the wider La Trobe network.

The campus is home to significant research expertise in areas such as freshwater ecology, resource management and policy, and issues around ageing in regional communities. La Trobe University is now also a joint venture partner in The Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre, with CSIRO and the Murray-Darling Basin Commission, giving La Trobe University enhanced capacity to increase research in freshwater ecology for the benefit of the whole Murray-Darling Basin.

The Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre

The Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre (MDFRC) is an unincorporated joint venture between CSIRO (through its Division of Land and Water), the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, and La Trobe University. Additional investment is provided by the Australian Government through the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and Arts.

The MDFRC is a multi-disciplinary centre which undertakes research into environmental flows, biological and chemical monitoring, nutrient ecology and algal blooms, fish and invertebrate ecology, macro- and micro invertebrate taxonomy, and water quality assessment. MDFRC operates two regional laboratories, strategically based in the Murray-Darling Basin, at Albury-Wodonga (established for 23 years) and Mildura (established for 13 years). Both laboratories are co-located on the campuses of La Trobe University. MDFRC employs over 50 scientific and support staff and has within its structure: an established NATA accredited chemical laboratory, an invertebrate taxonomy voucher collection housing approximately 2500 species, an interactive guide and resource for the identification and ecology of Australian freshwater invertebrates, a microbiological laboratory (enumeration and identification of bacteria using both traditional and molecular techniques) in aquatic ecosystems, and waste treatment plants.

The Centre’s Director is Dr Ben Gawne, and further information can be obtained from the website at www.mdfrc.org.au/.

Access

A range of schemes is available to applicants to ensure equitable access to the University. Contact the Admissions Officer on (+61 2) 6024 9790 for further information or visit the website: www.latrobe.edu.au/access.

Access by public transport

A bus service operates from the Wodonga town centre to the Albury-Wodonga Campus and vice versa, with regular connections to the Albury town services. Further information is available from Dysons Bus Services on (+61 2) 6056 3100. Three train and coach services per weekday, to and from Melbourne, are operated by V/Line. Trains to and from Sydney operate from the Albury Railway Station.

Language and Academic Skills Unit (LASU)

The LASU assists students with academic concerns in areas such as essay writing, effective reading, examination preparation, note-taking, and time management, both on an individual or group basis. ESL support is provided to students from non-English-speaking backgrounds. During second semester of each year, the unit runs a University Bridging Program for mature-age students who are intending to commence a University course in the following year. Places in this program are available for Indigenous students. Other short-term preparatory programs are conducted from time to time.

For further information contact, LASU, tel: (+61 2) 6024 9772.

Accommodation

On campus: Information regarding on-campus accommodation can be obtained by contacting (+61 2) 60 556389.

Off campus: Students wishing to find off campus accommodation in the Albury-Wodonga area should check the Accommodation Database on the La Trobe University Albury-Wodonga Campus Website.

Computing facilities

The campus computer laboratories are well equipped with modern facilities and are refurbished every three years. Both black-and-white and full-colour laser printing are available and all students are provided with email and Internet access for study-related purposes. The laboratories are open for extended hours during the teaching semester and for office hours during the breaks. One laboratory is always reserved for students’ occasional use.

Kids on Campus

Kids on Campus offers students, staff and the community access to quality childcare through a 60-place facility providing part-time, full-time and pre-school sessions for children aged between six weeks and six years. The Centre is open from 7.30 am to 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday for 50 weeks a year and operates on a fee-for-service basis. All government subsidies are available. For further information, tel: (+61 2) 6055 6653 or visit the website: www.latrobe.edu.au/aw/childcarecentre

Careers and Employment

Through Student Services you can access a range of resources and services to help you plan your career. The service is also available to prospective students who would like to assess the potential career possibilities of a particular course. For further information or an appointment, phone (+61 2) 60249 9627 or 04005 83779.

You can also access a wealth of careers information and a jobs board via the Careers and Employment website www.latrobe.edu.au/careers.

Chaplaincy

An ecumenical Christian chaplain is available to assist students and staff. The chaplain will refer students to clergy of other faiths on request. Tel: (+61 2) 60 249753, Mob: 0431664505 or email chaplain.aw.@latrobe.edu.au.

Counselling service

Confidential counselling is available to all students regarding any issues which arise and present difficulties during a course of study. Counselling services include personal counselling and educational counselling. The service is free to students and staff. Issues, which may arise, include adjustment to living away from home, personal and relationship problems, health issues, study motivation and financial stress. Tel: (+61 2) 6024 9627 for an appointment.

http://www.latrobe.edu.au/students/aw/counselling.html

Equality and Diversity Centre

The principal role of the La Trobe Equality and Diversity Centre is to promote full and equal participation of all students and staff of La Trobe University and to foster an environment free of discrimination and harassment. http://www.latrobe.edu.au/students/aw/equality.html

Equity Officer

Discrimination and harassment of people on the basis of irrelevant characteristics is unacceptable at La Trobe. Students should feel free to contact the Equity Officer if they feel they are being subjected to any unfair or unreasonable behaviour. All matters discussed will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Disability Liaison Officer

The Disability Liaison Officer is able to assist students by assessing their needs and providing support to ensure they are able to participate fully and to the best of their ability. The Disability Liaison Officer is able to provide information, support, advocacy and resources to students with disabilities, and look at the effects of the disability on study and determine the adjustments required. Adjustments should aim to cancel out, as much as possible, the limitations created by the disability. Maximising student independence is a key goal. Tel: (+61 2) 6024 9628, e-mail dlo.aw@latrobe.edu.au or visit

http://www.latrobe.edu.au/students/aw/equality.html

Indigenous Student Services Officer

The Indigenous Student Services Unit at Albury Wodonga is:

Support and guidance is available to students who are Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders. Please refer to the Office of the Director, Indigenous Education entry in this Handbook for details.

Library

The David Mann Library supports the teaching and learning of students and staff of La Trobe University and Wodonga Institute of TAFE, as well as the research interests of the staff of the Murray Darling Freshwater Research Centre.

Students have access to computer workstations, photocopying and printing, group study rooms and private study carrels. A wide range of digital, print and audiovisual resources are available and students can request resources held at other campus libraries. The Library website provides 24/7 access to the ever-increasing collection of information resources in digital format to students at all campuses.

Required material held at other campus libraries can be obtained through the inter-campus loans and document delivery service. Approved borrowers can also access resources held by national and international libraries via the Library’s document delivery service.

Library staff provide assistance with finding and evaluating scholarly information, using databases and the Library catalogue and developing effective information searching skills. This assistance is provided in person at the service desks, via training sessions, tours and online via email and a live chat service.

Police checks

Some courses require applicants to undergo police checks and Working With Children checks before undertaking placement. Details are available from course coordinators.

Scholarships

Check the website at www.latrobe.edu.au/scholarships/ for information for the following year.

Student Association

The Association organises social and sporting activities and student support services. The Student Association has its own building adjacent to the campus in University Court, tel: (+61 2) 6055 6641 or visit the website: http://www.wsawodonga.com.au/

Student Welfare Service

Student Services aims to assist students to maintain a healthy and productive lifestyle. Assistance includes information on Austudy and Social Security, student loans, on- and off-campus accommodation, health promotion and referrals to appropriate welfare agencies, tel: (61 2) 6024 9627 or visit the website:http://www.latrobe.edu.au/students/aw/welfare.html

Uniforms

Nursing students are required to purchase uniforms to wear while attending hospitals and other health agencies. Details of requirements are given to students at the start of the course.

University Co-operative Bookshop

The bookshop has a large range of texts, stationery, and academic, resource, and general books. Computer software is also available, some of which can be purchased at academic prices, tel: (02) 6024 9899 or visit: www.coop-bookshop.com.au/

Programs of study at Albury-Wodonga

The programs offered at the campus are controlled by the faculties of the university and are delivered, in most instances, by staff located at the campus. In some cases visiting staff from other campuses deliver lectures, tutorials and other programs for students. In the following sections the programs offered at the campus are listed under the relevant faculties and schools. The names of contact people at the campus are provided for those seeking information about particular courses.