CHARLES Sturt University has a new logo with the school dumping the flower that has been central to emblems since the institution opened 30 years ago.
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The new symbol features a shield divided into three parts filled with different shaped lines and replaces a stylised Sturt Desert Pea.
It was unveiled on Wednesday at the university's Wagga campus by vice-chancellor Andrew Vann.
"Our old logo was often seen as too corporate looking, so we've gone for a traditional look with a shield," Professor Vann said.
"The top part is a nod to the four rivers (Murray, Murrumbidgee, Macquarie and Hastings), the left-hand side can be read as pages of a book or wheat or trees and the right-hand side can be a ploughed field, valleys or an open book.
"It suggests a strong sense of landscape, of Wiradjuri country."
The move follows an aborted attempt to change the university's name, with Professor Vann saying a new moniker would have been unveiled alongside the fresh logo if it had been supported by the community.
Professor Vann said the desert pea would remain on the university's crest but it was felt it would "complicate" the new logo and was more a geographical symbol of South Australia rather than the school which has principal campuses at Thurgoona, Bathurst and Wagga.
The new logo appeared on the university's digital properties on Wednesday and is expect to began emerging in physical form at Thurgoona from end of this week.
Professor Vann said the new look had more versatility online and would catch the eye.
"We need to make sure we're memorable and stand out for people," he said.
The logo is by Sydney firm the Houston Group and is part of a $7 million rebrand.
"It's a lot of money but our university turnover is about $600 million a year, so it's a small part of what we do," Professor Vann said.