COVID-19 Survey

Participant information

As part of the University’s commitment to improving the employee and student experience, and to inform the University’s return to campus planning, we are conducting a survey to understand community views on COVID-19 vaccinations. The survey is voluntary and anonymous.

We are considering whether vaccination will be a condition of entry to some facilities due to activities where there may be a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 and/or of transmitting COVID-19 to vulnerable persons. In addition, there are some areas and activities where vaccination may be required due to government and industry requirements.

If we decide to pursue this option for specific roles or facilities, the survey will inform our decisions and help us understand student and staff sentiment.

All students and continuing, fixed-term and casual staff will be invited to participate in the survey.

The survey is confidential and anonymous with only group averages being reported back to the University from the Survey administrators DBM. DBM administer the Student Voice Survey, Staff Pulse Survey and Community Pulse surveys for the University and will administer the Vaccination Survey.

Staff and students will be invited to complete the survey from Monday 11 October.

We recognise that some staff and students may be medically exempt from COVID-19 vaccination requirements.

Based on the guidelines in the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research, Charles Sturt Human Research Ethics Committee has approved this research.

The survey Protocol number is H21419.

Summary of key information from the student survey.

Frequently asked questions

  • What does this study involve?

    If you  agree to participate, you will be asked to answer a brief online survey. Fields are not mandatory and you can progress in the survey without answering all questions. The survey will take approximately 5 minutes to complete.

  • Why am I being asked to complete the survey?

    The survey is supported by the Vice-Chancellor and the Critical Incident Management Team, who want to provide staff and students an opportunity to inform the University’s planning to return to campus and our normal schedule of teaching and research activities.

  • Are my answers confidential?

    Yes, Charles Sturt does not have access to your individual survey response. All answers will be aggregated and provided in a group summary.

  • How is this study being paid for?

    This survey has been commissioned by Charles Sturt University

  • Will taking part in this survey cost me anything, and will I be paid?

    Taking part in the survey will not cost you anything and participants will not be paid for completing the survey.

  • What if I don't want to take part in this survey?

    Participation in this survey is entirely your choice. Whether or not you decide to participate, is your decision and will not disadvantage you. By commencing the survey, you are giving your consent to participate.

  • What if I participate and want to withdraw later?

    If you start the survey and decide to withdraw your consent, you can do so by not selecting the submit button at the end of the survey, in which case your responses will not be captured.  Once you submit your responses, you cannot withdraw consent as anonymously collected data cannot be withdrawn.

  • How will my confidentiality be protected?

    The survey is confidential and anonymous with only group averages being reported back to the University from the Survey administrators DBM.

    The questionnaire is anonymous and it will not be possible to identify you from your answers.

    Data will be retained by DBM/LSR for 6 months after the results are provided to the University.

  • What will happen to the information that I give you?

    Information provided will help inform the University’s planning to return to campus and our normal schedule of teaching and research activities.  The survey is voluntary and anonymous.

  • What should I do if I want to discuss this study further before I decide?

    Staff queries should be directed to pulsesurvey@csu.edu.au

    Student queries should be directed to Student Central

  • Who should I contact if I have concerns about the conduct of this study?

    Charles Sturt University’s Human Research Ethics Committee has approved this project. If you have any complaints or reservations about the ethical conduct of this project, you may contact the Committee through the Ethics and Compliance Unit via the following contact details:

    The Presiding Officer
    Human Research Ethics Committee
    Ethics and Compliance Unit
    Locked Bag 588
    Wagga Wagga NSW 2678
    Phone: 02 6933 4213
    Email: ethics@csu.edu.au

    Any issues you raise will be treated in confidence and investigated fully and you will be informed of the outcome.