Although the Summer Trimester starts soon, it is that time of year when the regular academic school year is coming to a close. Final exams are underway on campus and final grades will soon follow.  This spring we are also concluding our campus strategic plan, Towson University 2010: Mapping the Future.

Over the last 6 years, the entire Towson University community committed to an ambitious strategic plan, TU 2010, to guide the institution’s growth and development for the future.  The plan was our roadmap to improve and enhance the University under five themes: Enrollment Management, Growth and Mix; Student Experience and Success; Partnerships Philosophy; Resources for Success; and Telling and Selling the Story.  In the last 6 years, it was not uncommon to hear faculty, staff and students refer to the “2010 plan” throughout campus, because it was not just a brochure we created and left on shelf.  Instead we actively tracked and evaluated our progress through a tracking system and annual report cards. More than 71 of the 86 action items were completed in the strategic plan. The remaining action items will be reevaluated according to our mission and, if relevant,  transitioned into a new plan that will debut this fall. 

This week, I was pleased to reveal the final report card and the  final overall grade for the 2010 plan to the campus. Using an average of all of the grades assigned to each of the 23 goals over the last five years, the final overall grade resulted in an A-.  The grade fairly recognizes the tremendous strides we have made in a short amount of time, but also acknowledges that there is still more work to do.

We are concluding the strategic plan on a high note with the motivation and momentum to continue Towson on its path to excellence.  Stay tuned to see what is in store as we move into the next decade of Towson University’s evolution.

In less than 90 days, on August 1, 2010, Towson University will become the first  four-year institution in Maryland to become a smoke-free campus.

The development, communication, and implementation of the new smoke-free policy is the result of collaborative efforts of many groups and individuals across campus who are committed to ensuring that every visitor and member of our community has the right to clean air.

Check out Towson’s Smoke-Free website to see a map of affected areas on campus, frequently asked questions, and as well as cessation resources available to students, faculty, and staff. While the new policy will provide a noticeable change for our continuing students, faculty, and staff, this fall’s entering freshmen class will be the first to experience a completely smoke-free institution, and according to research be less likey to pick up the habit while at Towson. According to this report by the American Lung Association, a national study administered in 2007 found that 13% of students started smoking in college. According to this report by the American Cancer Society, 28% of college smokers began to smoke regularly at or after age 19, at which point most were already in college.

Over the past two years, the campus has been gradually moving toward the goal of becoming smoke-free, but ultimately this new policy cannot succeed without your participation and support.    I look forward to embarking on this new era for Towson University with you.

My virtual study breaks in Second Life are just like the ones I host with SGA in real life. You can ask me anything about Towson.  We’ll meet in the same place we met last April at TU Innovation Lab Island’s media center.

If you have never used Second Life before, there is a rookie workshop scheduled Tuesday, April 13th in Cook Library (CK404) from 11 a.m. -12 noon.

OR, if you’d rather just tune in and watch the break on a big screen from the proxy theatre and ask your questions through an avatar moderator,  report to Cook Library (CK404) on April 15th at 3:30 p.m.

For more details about the Second Life study break, look for the Daily Digest announcement. Looking forward to seeing you “in world.”

The White House asked The Huffington Post to contact student journalists from more than 20 schools to find out what their readers want to know about education reform and the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act. Towson University’s submission featuring TU sophomore Matt Sikorski, was chosen as one of the TOP 13 videos and is now being featured on The Huffington Post.  Matt, who is currently paying for 80 percent of his education, asks an important question about student debt.

Vote the TU video as No. 1 NOW (and before 12 am Wednesday) to help get TU into the White House and the chance to interview White House officials in a live broadcast.

Today I appeared as guest blogger on the People.Partners.Projects blog to talk about social media and the gadgets I can’t live without. Check it out!

 (photo credit: Patrick Smith, The Towerlight)

When they enter the Super Bowl on February 7, for the first time in history, the New Orleans Saints will be led by a pair of former Towson Tigers.  Assistant Head Coach/Linebackers Joe Vitt and left tackle Jermon Bushrod have helped propel the Saints to the top.

Vitt played four years at linebacker for Towson, where he was part of a squad that went undefeated in 1974.  Today, in his fourth season with the Saints, Vitt has been coaching a defensive unit that ranks near the top of the NFL in turnovers generated.

A four-year starter at Towson, Bushrod’07 was drafted by the Saints in 2007.  In his first season as a starting left tackle, Bushrod has helped the Saints in their most memorable season.  As part of the Saints offensive line, Bushrod has contributed to the most prolific offense in the NFL.

Towson salutes our two Tigers as they enter the Super Bowl on February 7!

Once again this year Towson University held the “Stuff-A-Bus” campaign to benefit the MD Food Bank and Marine Corps Toys for Tots. Last year students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members collected 850 pounds of food and 2,000 toys for these great causes. This year’s goal was 25,000 items for distribution in the local community and judging from these pictures, I think we did pretty well.

And just for fun, the Towson University Student Ambassadors filmed a fun little holiday message with the help of many divisions across campus, including some of the staff from my office.  Check out the video to see how the holiday spirit is catching on all over campus. 

Towson University has yet another reason to celebrate. The Towson University TIGER Marching Band is the only university marching band in the nation to claim one of 11 coveted spots to perform in the nationally televised 83rd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Be sure to tune in on Thursday, November 26, 2009 at 9 a.m. (specifically around 11:43 a.m.) to see our talented, spirited students perform live in New York City before 50 million viewers on NBC and more than 3 million parade spectators.

Our Tiger Marching Band keeps us energized and motivated during countless games and events throughout the year , and now it is our turn to cheer them on as they represent the university on this prestigious stage.

Don’t miss the TU Marching Band Send-Off Celebration on Monday, November 23 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Johnny Unitas Stadium. Please join students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends  as we celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our marching band.

There will be free popcorn, drinks, and giveaways including a Wii, iPod touch, portable DVD player, and a 32″ flat screen. Plus the first 100 people will receive a gift card to local retailers.

Admission and parking is free in stadium Lots 20 and 21.

To make a gift or support the band call 410-704-3375 or go to www.tigertracks.com/band.

Looking forward to seeing you there! Go Tigers!

 

Did you know it’s International Education Week?

A joint initiative between the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education, International Education Week, which runs this year from November 16-20, aims to promote s and celebrate multiculturalism and international education.

Towson University’s Study Abroad Office sponsors several International Education Week activities, including foreign film screenings,  a cultural quiz, chalking flags outside of Cook Library, and international bingo.  Check out this year’s schedule at www.towson.edu/studyabroad/iew2009.asp for more information.

Did you know that you can study abroad at any time during your academic career at TU?

Here are some quick facts about Towson University Study Abroad.

• 2008-2009 academic year, the TU Study Abroad Office awarded $112,000 in scholarships to 150 undergraduate and graduate students.
• In 2008-2009 the top study abroad destinations by Towson students were the United Kingdom, Spain, and Australia.
• More than 500 TU students study abroad each academic year.
• TU has more than 50 study abroad programs in more than 25 countries.
• TU students can choose programs than range in length from one week to one year abroad.
• All financial aid and scholarships can be used for study abroad and special scholarships are available for study abroad students.

Take some time this week to stop by the study abroad office in the Administration building to get more information about enhancing and expanding your student experience to an international destination!