Southern Cross University

{{Infobox university

| name = Southern Cross University

| image_name = Southern Cross vertical.png

| image_upright = .7

| caption =

| latin_name =

| former_name = {{Collapsible list|{{ubl

|Lismore Teachers College{{br}}(1970–1973){{Cite web |title=The early years |url=https://www.scu.edu.au/about/our-history/the-early-years/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528113441/https://www.scu.edu.au/about/our-history/the-early-years/ |archive-date=28 May 2024 |access-date=10 November 2024 |website=Southern Cross University |language=en-AU |publication-place=Lismore, New South Wales}}

|Northern Rivers College of Advanced Education{{br}}(1973–1994)

}}}}

| motto = Transforming tomorrow{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://www.scu.edu.au/about/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241026145801/https://www.scu.edu.au/about/ |archive-date=26 October 2024 |access-date=10 November 2024 |website=Southern Cross University |language=en-AU |publication-place=Lismore, New South Wales}}

| established = 1970 (tertiary college){{br}}1994 (university status){{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Our history |url=https://www.scu.edu.au/about/our-history/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241026145808/https://www.scu.edu.au/about/our-history/ |archive-date=26 October 2024 |access-date=10 November 2024 |website=Southern Cross University |language=en-AU |publication-place=Lismore, New South Wales}}

| motto_lang = eng

| mottoeng =

| type = Public research university

| visitor = Governor of New South Wales (ex officio){{Cite web |date=30 September 2024 |title=Southern Cross University Act 1993 No 69 |url=https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/whole/pdf/inforce/2024-11-16/act-1993-069 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241115144232/https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/whole/pdf/inforce/2024-11-16/act-1993-069 |archive-date=15 November 2024 |access-date=15 November 2024 |website=NSW Legislation |publisher=Government of New South Wales |language=en-AU |publication-place=Sydney, New South Wales}}

| chancellor = Sandra McPhee

| vice_chancellor = Tyrone Carlin{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Chancellors and Vice-Chancellors |url=https://www.scu.edu.au/about/our-history/chancellors-and-vice-chancellors/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240613204854/https://www.scu.edu.au/about/our-history/chancellors-and-vice-chancellors/ |archive-date=13 June 2024 |access-date=10 November 2024 |website=Southern Cross University |language=en-AU |publication-place=Lismore, New South Wales}}

| address =

| city = Coffs Harbour, Lismore and Gold Coast

| coordinates =

| campus = Urban, parkland and regional with multiple sites

| campus_size =

| colours = Blue Gold

| state = New South Wales and Queensland

| postalcode =

| country = Australia{{Cite web |title=Explore our campuses |url=https://www.scu.edu.au/experience/explore-our-campuses/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241026145426/https://www.scu.edu.au/experience/explore-our-campuses/ |archive-date=26 October 2024 |access-date=10 November 2024 |website=Southern Cross University |language=en-AU |publication-place=Lismore, New South Wales}}

| academic_staff = 310 (FTE, 2022)

| administrative_staff = 644 (FTE, 2022)

| total_staff = 955 (FTE, 2022)

| students = 17,729 (2023){{Cite web |date=22 April 2024 |title=Annual Report 2023 |url=https://www.scu.edu.au/media/scu-dep/about/documents/SCU-Annual-Report-2023.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240602044814/https://www.scu.edu.au/media/scu-dep/about/documents/SCU-Annual-Report-2023.pdf |archive-date=2 June 2024 |archive-format=PDF |access-date=10 November 2024 |website=Southern Cross University |language=en-AU |publication-place=Lismore, New South Wales}}

| undergrad =

| postgrad =

| doctoral =

| other =

| accreditation = TEQSA{{Cite web |title=Southern Cross University |url=https://www.teqsa.gov.au/provider/southern-cross-university |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241015122443/https://www.teqsa.gov.au/provider/southern-cross-university |archive-date=15 October 2024 |access-date=10 November 2024 |website=Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency |language=en-AU |publication-place=Melbourne, Victoria}}

| academic_affiliation = {{hlist|

|RUN

|OUA

|UA

}}

| endowment =

| budget = {{AUD}}321.84 million

| sporting_affiliations = {{hlist |UniSport |EAEN }}

| sports_nickname =

| mascot =

| logo = Southern Cross University Logo.png

| logo_size = 125px

| website = {{url|https://www.scu.edu.au/|scu.edu.au}}

| footnotes =

| image =

}}

Southern Cross University (SCU) is an Australian public university, with campuses at Lismore and Coffs Harbour in northern New South Wales, and at Coolangatta, the most southern suburb of the Gold Coast in Queensland. In 2019, it was ranked in the top 100 young universities in the world by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.{{cite web |title=Times Higher Education World University Rankings |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2019/young-university-rankings#!/page/0/length/25/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/stats |website=Times Higher Education World University Rankings |date=20 June 2019 |publisher=Times Higher Education |access-date=21 April 2020 |archive-date=26 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626213556/https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2019/young-university-rankings#!/page/0/length/25/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/stats |url-status=live }}

History

The initial predecessor institution to Southern Cross University was the Lismore Teachers' College, which commenced operation on 23 February 1970, at what is now the Northern Rivers Conservatorium site.{{Cite web|url=http://scu.edu.au/history/|title=History - SCU|website=scu.edu.au|access-date=12 August 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807194109/http://scu.edu.au/history/|archive-date=7 August 2016}}Jordan, M. A Spirit of Learning: The Jubilee of the University of New England. University of NSW Press, Sydney. p.244. On 1 September 1971, the Lismore Teachers College became a College of Advanced Education, under the Higher Education Act 1969, with the institution soon renamed Northern Rivers College of Advanced Education in 1973. Dr (later Professor) Rod Treyvaud was appointed principal in 1984, and oversaw an extensive building programme and the introduction of six new degree courses.

Following the publication of the Commonwealth Government's White Paper on Higher Education in 1988 and its emphasis on the development of larger tertiary education institutions in Australia, Northern Rivers College of Advanced Education agreed to an association with the University of New England (UNE).{{Cite web|url=http://scu.edu.au/history/index.php/15|title=Professor Rod Treyvaud - SCU History - SCU|website=scu.edu.au|access-date=12 August 2016|archive-date=20 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920090522/http://scu.edu.au/history/index.php/15|url-status=live}} On 17 July 1989 the Northern Rivers CAE thus became part of network University of New England, with some 1800 staff and some 9500 EFTSU (effective full-time student units).Jordan, M. A Spirit of Learning: The Jubilee of the University of New England. University of NSW Press, Sydney. p.236.

There was however dissatisfaction with the new network university,Jordan, M. A Spirit of Learning: The Jubilee of the University of New England. University of NSW Press, Sydney. pp.236-254. and on 29 June 1993 the federal and state ministers for education jointly announced that a new university would be established in the North Coast of NSW, which would consist of campuses at Lismore (formerly UNE - Northern Rivers) and Coffs Harbour (formerly UNE - Coffs Harbour Centre). It was subsequently announced that the new institution would be called Southern Cross University. Appropriate legislation was passed by both houses of the New South Wales Parliament in October 1993, and received the Royal Assent on 9 November 1993. Southern Cross University was formally established on 1 January 1994.

In 2010, Southern Cross University opened a new campus in the southern Gold Coast area of Queensland, at Coolangatta just 400 metres from North Kirra Beach and adjacent to the Gold Coast International Airport. Views of the Pacific Ocean can be seen from many vantage points in the campus' buildings. The Foundation Building was opened in 2010 and a second 10-story building opened in February 2013.{{Cite web|url=http://scu.edu.au/history/index.php/13|title=2009 - 2013 - SCU History - SCU|website=scu.edu.au|access-date=12 August 2016|archive-date=20 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920085252/http://scu.edu.au/history/index.php/13|url-status=live}}

In 2019 a new health sciences building was opened at the Coffs Harbour campus funded from the Australian Government’s Community Development Grants program. Degrees in nursing, midwifery, occupational therapy and sport exercise science are offered in the new space.{{cite web |title=Southern Cross University's $12 million Allied Health Building officially opened |url=https://www.nbnnews.com.au/2019/11/20/southern-cross-universitys-12-million-allied-health-building-officially-opened/ |website=nbnnews.com.au |publisher=Nbn News |access-date=21 April 2020 |archive-date=20 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191120114416/https://www.nbnnews.com.au/2019/11/20/southern-cross-universitys-12-million-allied-health-building-officially-opened/ |url-status=live }}

Campuses and buildings

= Lismore =

Lismore is a regional city located in the Northern Rivers region of NSW. The Lismore campus is set on more than 75 hectares, and houses specialist training teaching facilities including a science and engineering precinct, environmental laboratories, contemporary music and visual arts studios and the SCU Health Clinic. The Learning Centre, at the centre of the campus, features individual and collaborative learning spaces. As of 2021, 1,805 students study on campus at Lismore.{{cite web | url=https://www.scu.edu.au/staff/business-intelligence-and-quality-biq/statistics/ | title=Statistics - Southern Cross University }}

= Gold Coast =

The Gold Coast campus is the only Australian university campus located at an airport not requiring local government planning permission. The campus is at Coolangatta, in Queensland, close to North Kirra Beach and adjacent to the Gold Coast Airport. The campus includes general teaching facilities, as well as specialist teaching facilities for nursing and midwifery, and allied heath disciplines such as occupational therapy, podiatry, pedorthics and speech pathology. Tourism, business, information technology, law, education, arts and social welfare are also taught at the Gold Coast. As of 2021, 5,592 students study at the Gold Coast campus.

= Coffs Harbour =

The Coffs Harbour campus is located on the mid-north coast of New South Wales, and consists of general teaching facilities, and specialist nursing laboratories, teaching spaces for education students, a biosciences laboratory, and psychology research facilities. The campus is shared with a senior high school and a technical college and hosts 1,259 on-campus students as of 2021.

= National Marine Science Centre =

Southern Cross University operates the National Marine Science Centre (NMSC) in Coffs Harbour on the northern side of the city. The NMSC is an international leader in a range of marine research fields, conducting research projects around the world. Research at the National Marine Science Centre (NMSC) addresses critical challenges to the future of the marine environment across four broad areas: Biodiversity, Ecological Interactions, Aquaculture and Sustainable Fisheries. Facilities at the NMSC include a flow-through seawater system that supplies labs, tank farm, aquarium room and hatchery. The Centre also operates the Solitary Islands Aquarium which is open to the public.

= Sydney and Melbourne =

Southern Cross University operates The Hotel School Sydney and The Hotel School Melbourne in partnership with Mulpha Australia. Both The Hotel School Sydney and The Hotel School Melbourne are located in the central business districts of their respective cities and have executive offices and teaching facilities. Southern Cross University also operates branch campuses in Sydney and Melbourne, delivering business and accounting degrees to undergraduate and postgraduate international students.

Governance and structure

= University Council =

The University is governed by a Council, to which the Chief Executive Officer (the Vice-Chancellor) reports. The Council is responsible for the management of the University's affairs. The major academic body providing advice to Council on academic matter is the Academic Board. The Council has 15 members, including the Chancellor, the Vice Chancellor, the Chair of the Academic Board, two members appointed by the Minister, six members appointed by Council, three elected staff members and one elected student member.

== Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor ==

The current and fifth Chancellor of the University since July 2021 is Sandra McPhee AM. Ms McPhee is the NSW Public Service Commission Advisory Board chair and has broad experience as a director of companies and other organisations including Tourism Australia, AGL Energy, Westfield, Perpetual, the Coles Group, Fairfax Media, Australia Post, South Australia Water and Kathmandu.{{cite news|url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/sandra-mcphee-will-be-the-new-chancellor-at-usc/news-story/3559c967a0ccc264d51f07b15b2c4f6d|title=NSandra McPhee will be the new chancellor at SCU |work=The Australian|date=1 June 2021|access-date=11 February 2022}} The current Vice-Chancellor and President of the University since September 2020 is Professor Tyrone Carlin.{{Cite web|title=Vice Chancellor|url=https://www.scu.edu.au/about/vice-chancellor/|access-date=15 December 2020|website=Southern Cross University|archive-date=21 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121025437/https://www.scu.edu.au/about/vice-chancellor/|url-status=live}}

= Faculties and departments =

The University offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate academic programs and is organised into four academic Faculties and two colleges.

Faculty of Business, Law and Arts
Faculty of Education
Faculty of Health
Faculty of Science and Engineering
Gnibi College of Indigenous Australian Peoples
SCU College

Academic profile

Staff and students at Southern Cross University undertake research in a wide range of areas, including civil engineering, crop and pasture production, complementary and alternative medicine, ecology, education, environmental science and management,{{Cite journal | doi=10.1021/acs.est.9b03565| title=Effect of Desalination Discharge on the Abundance and Diversity of Reef Fishes| year=2020| last1=Kelaher| first1=Brendan P.| last2=Clark| first2=Graeme F.| last3=Johnston| first3=Emma L.| last4=Coleman| first4=Melinda A.| journal=Environmental Science & Technology| volume=54| issue=2| pages=735–744| pmid=31849222| bibcode=2020EnST...54..735K| s2cid=209409835}} fisheries sciences, forestry sciences, geochemistry, human movement and sports science, human rights research, information technology, nursing, oceanography, policy and administration, philosophy and ethics, resources engineering and extractive metallurgy, tourism, and zoology.

A priority for SCU is community engagement. For example, SCU has played a leading role in the development of a regional strategy to improve freight and supply chain services across the Northern Rivers, under the title From Roots to Routes A ground up approach to freight and supply chain planning for the Northern Rivers NSW.Project Report by Northern Rivers Joint Organisation. https://www.northernriversjo.nsw.gov.au/Documents/Projects/from-roots-to-routes-freight-and-supply-chain-strategy.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200315131844/https://www.northernriversjo.nsw.gov.au/Documents/Projects/from-roots-to-routes-freight-and-supply-chain-strategy.pdf |date=15 March 2020 }}. Retrieved 8 January 2020.Project Report from Southern Cross University. https://www.scu.edu.au/engage/news/latest-news/2019/freight-strategy-launched-for-northern-rivers-region.php {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125044656/https://www.scu.edu.au/engage/news/latest-news/2019/freight-strategy-launched-for-northern-rivers-region.php |date=25 November 2020 }}. Retrieved 8 January 2020.

= Research divisions =

The research centres provide research and solutions that allow students to gain knowledge and learn alongside people in a wide range of research fields.

Centre for Children and Young People
Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry
Centre for Organics Research
Centre for Peace and Social Justice
Forest Research Centre
National Centre for Flood Research
Marine Ecology Research Centre
National Marine Science Centre
Southern Cross GeoScience
National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine

= Academic reputation =

{{Infobox Australian university ranking|QS_W==576|USNWR_W=1132|QS_W_year=2025|THE_W=501–600|THE_W_year=2025|USNWR_W_year=24/25|ERA_N=31|ERA_N_year=2018|QS_N=30|QS_N_year=2025|THE_N=34–35|THE_N_year=2025|USNWR_N=38|USNWR_N_year=24/25|AFR_N=34|AFR_N_year=2024|type=University}}

; National publications

In the Australian Financial Review Best Universities Ranking 2024, the university was ranked #34 amongst Australian universities.{{Cite web |title=Best Universities Ranking |url=https://www.afr.com/lists-and-awards/best-universities-ranking |website=Australian Financial Review |publisher=Nine Entertainment |language=en-AU |publication-place=Sydney, New South Wales}}

; Global publications

In the 2025 Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings (published 2024), the university attained a tied position of #576 (30th nationally).{{cite web |title=QS World University Rankings 2025: Top Global Universities |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/world-university-rankings |website=QS World University Rankings |publisher=Quacquarelli Symonds |language=en-GB |publication-place=London, United Kingdom}}

In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025 (published 2024), the university attained a position of #501–600 (tied 34–35th nationally).{{cite web |title=World University Rankings |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings |work=Times Higher Education |publisher=Inflexion |language=en-GB |publication-place=London, United Kingdom}}

In the 2024–2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities, the university attained a position of #1132 (38th nationally).{{Cite web |title=Best Global Universities Rankings |url=https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/rankings |website=U.S. News & World Report |language=en-US |publication-place=Washington, D.C., United States}}

= Student outcomes =

The Australian Government's QILT{{Efn|Abbreviation for Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching.}} conducts national surveys documenting the student life cycle from enrolment through to employment. These surveys place more emphasis on criteria such as student experience, graduate outcomes and employer satisfaction{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://www.qilt.edu.au/About |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250102224528/https://www.qilt.edu.au/About |archive-date=2 January 2025 |archive-format=PDF |access-date=14 January 2025 |website=Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching |publisher=Australian Government |language=en-AU |publication-place=Canberra, Australian Capital Territory}} than perceived reputation, research output and citation counts.{{Cite web |last=Bridgestock |first=Laura |date=19 April 2021 |title=World University Ranking Methodologies Compared |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings-articles/world-university-rankings/world-university-ranking-methodologies-compared |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250102224525/https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings-articles/world-university-rankings/world-university-ranking-methodologies-compared |archive-date=2 January 2025 |access-date=14 January 2025 |website=Quacquarelli Symonds |language=en-GB |publication-place=London, United Kingdom}}

In the 2023 Employer Satisfaction Survey, graduates of the university had an overall employer satisfaction rate of 88.8%.{{Cite web |date=May 2024 |title=2023 Employer Satisfaction Survey |url=https://www.qilt.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/2023-ess-national-report.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250102224527/https://www.qilt.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/2023-ess-national-report.pdf |archive-date=2 January 2025 |archive-format=PDF |access-date=14 January 2025 |website=Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching |publisher=Australian Government |language=en-AU |publication-place=Canberra, Australian Capital Territory}}

In the 2023 Graduate Outcomes Survey, graduates of the university had a full-time employment rate of 82.8% for undergraduates and 92.6% for postgraduates.{{Cite web |date=May 2024 |title=2023 Graduate Outcomes Survey: National Report |url=https://www.qilt.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/2023-gos-national-report.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241220062418/https://www.qilt.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/2023-gos-national-report.pdf |archive-date=20 December 2024 |archive-format=PDF |access-date=14 January 2025 |website=Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching |publisher=Australian Government |language=en-AU |publication-place=Canberra, Australian Capital Territory}} The initial full-time salary was {{AUD|72,500}} for undergraduates and {{AUD|110,000}} for postgraduates.

In the 2023 Student Experience Survey, undergraduates at the university rated the quality of their entire educational experience at 69.2% meanwhile postgraduates rated their overall education experience at 76.9%.{{Cite web |date=May 2024 |title=2023 Student Experience Survey |url=https://www.qilt.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/ses-national-report.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250102224530/https://www.qilt.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/ses-national-report.pdf |archive-date=2 January 2025 |archive-format=PDF |access-date=14 January 2025 |website=Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching |publisher=Australian Government |language=en-AU |publication-place=Canberra, Australian Capital Territory}}