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It has been an exciting week at Towson University. On Monday, I updated the University Senate on the important work being done by Margrave Strategies CEO Ken Ulman and his team to develop a comprehensive approach to guide the university’s off-campus presence and cement TU’s role as an anchor institution for Greater Baltimore. The data and research findings underscore the strong demand for student housing on our campus, especially among our juniors, seniors, transfers and graduate students. We currently have a 2,500 to 3,000-bed shortage that we need to quickly address. This demand for student housing aligns perfectly with our TIGER Way presidential priority, which offers a strategy for providing more housing and academic support for all students -- especially our transfer and graduate students. In my upcoming Spring Address on April 13, I will provide more specifics on the Margrave research findings and what those findings will mean for our campus community.
This past Wednesday, Baltimore City Public Schools CEO Sonja Santelises and I discussed the state of public education in the United States, and the significant opportunities that lie ahead, at the University System of Maryland-sponsored Edulab conference at Light City Baltimore. One such opportunity is the demographic shift that will allow us to prepare students in an increasingly diverse environment, providing them with the highest quality education while also equipping them with competitive advantages they need in the world of work. Recognizing and valuing the variety of backgrounds, perspectives and beliefs held by members of the Towson University community, to better prepare them for success in a global economy, is a cornerstone of our commitment to diversity.
As the 2017 Maryland legislative session winds down to Sine Die this Monday evening, we are grateful for Governor Hogan’s and the General Assembly’s continued support of Towson University and higher education in Maryland once again.
I look forward to seeing many of you at my April 13 Spring Address to hear more about the great things ahead!
Kim Schatzel, Ph.D.
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