Greeting Students Near And Far

Press release from Towson University:

By Kyle Hobstetter on January 28, 2021

Over the next two weeks, Towson University students will be able enjoy socially distant
events as part of Welcome to TU. (Photo by Nick Sibol)

How do you build a campus community when the members aren’t in one place?

That’s the challenge that faced Towson University’s Office of Student Activities and New Student and Family Programs before the spring 2021 term.

Their solution: Welcome to TU, a slate of events running from Jan. 28 to Feb. 6 that all have in-person, drop-off/mail-in
or virtual elements.

“We know that students want to be back together and meet other TU students,” says
Katie Murray, director of New Student and Family Programs. “We wanted to provide that
opportunity and keep student safe. But in-person programming should continue to increase
as the term progresses and the weather gets warmer.”

Some of the Welcome to TU events include:

• TU After HoursFriday, Jan. 29 from 7:30 – 10 p.m. in West Village Commons. There will also be virtual
  watch parties via Zoom & Facebook Live.Kick off the spring term with a night of prizes, excitement and entertainment from
  Magician Kid Ace and comedian Ronnie Jordan.
• TU TakeoverSaturday, Jan. 30, with one-hour sessions from 6 – 9 p.m. inside West Village Commons,
  with drop-off element.Celebrate your Tiger Pride by making a stuffed tiger, letter art, lava bead bracelet
  and mini Zen garden. There are four in-person sessions and a residence hall drop-off
  for on campus residents (all limited capacity and quantities).

• Virtual Escape RoomsSaturday, Jan. 30, with The Engagement at 8 p.m. and Dead Lift at 9 p.m.
• Leadership Lunch: The Inclusive Mindset - Head to Heart with Justin Jones-FosuFeb. 3, 12 ­–1 p.m., in person and virtual.Join the first Leadership Lunch of the term to explore how to become a more inclusive
  leader. Professional speaker and author Justin Jones-Fosu will lead the discussion,
  and students who attend will receive at $10 Chipotle gift card.

• Vision BoardsFriday, Feb. 5, 6 – 9 p.m. in West Village Commons with in-person, pick up and mailing
  elements.Craft your dream year with a vision board! Pick up a vision board packet and complete
  it in your own space or join in at the WVC for snacks and physically distanced crafting.
  You can also pre-register for a vision board kit to be sent directly to your home;
  complete the form by Friday, Jan. 29.
• Black History Month Double FeatureFriday, Feb. 5 and Saturday, Feb. 6. Watch Malcom X and Do the Right Thing with on all-day streaming access. Check out Involved@TU for the streaming links.

“Our goal was to find different things that worked for students,” says Liz Purswani,
assistant director of programming for Student Activities. “There are over 95 programs
from the start of classes through mid-February. It has been nice to plan things to
try and build a community, even from afar.”

For more information on Welcome To TU, check out the newly updated website. The Office of Student Activities will also be doing events throughout the term.
Check out Involved@TU and the Student Activities Twitter and Instagram for all the latest information.

This press release was produced by Towson University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.