Tiger tips for the start of the fall 2016 term

After three months of quiet, Towson University is ready for the start of the 2016 fall term, with classes starting on Monday, August 29.

Towson University President Kim Schatzel is more than happy to see all of the students back on campus.

“We have an exciting fall semester ahead together, and I want to wish everyone great success,” Schatzel said. “This is my very first fall here at TU, and I am so looking forward to the events on campus, welcoming everyone back and getting to know our new students.”

 

Dining options

All Towson students — residents and commuters alike — can choose from more than 20 dining locations on campus. These include full-service all-you-care-to-eat facilities at The Glen and West Village Commons; grab-and-go options such as Einstein Bagels, Chick-fil-A and Jamba Juice; and three convenience stores. All dining locations accept VISA, MasterCard, OneCards and cash.

Dining locations offer traditional choices, ethnic and international cuisine, and a wealth of vegetarian and low-fat options. Select locations offer kosher and halal menus as well.

Students can choose from a number of dining plans, designed with options to suit their schedules.

View the plans and dining costs for resident students and commuters.

Learn more about dining at Towson University at the official site for TU Dining.

Campus construction

Towson University continues to grow to provide the best accommodations for the students, faculty and staff. That means that parts of the campus will be under construction throughout the semester.

The biggest construction on campus is Burdick Hall, home to TU’s Campus Recreation programs and services. Burdick Hall is getting a 94,000-square foot addition to accommodate the growing student population.

Burdick Hall will remain open during construction, with programming continuing in the gymnasiums and pool. Currently, students can only access Burdick Hall through the entrance immediately off of University Ave.

The Newell dining facility, including both the Den and the upstairs dining hall, will be closed until January 2017 for renovations that include a new roof and windows and updated dining rooms and bathrooms.

When the building reopens, the upstairs dining hall will have a full-service bakery, an open-late retail deli serving premium quality meats, and expanded action stations serving additional made-to-order food options. The Den will be updated with a new made-to-order salad and soup area.

The Starbucks in Cook Library will double in size when it reopens this October, serving a full food menu, including hot breakfast sandwiches and wraps. The expanded café will feature late-night hours, more seating for customers and an additional register to reduce wait times.

­Accommodations have been made for students regarding closures of both Starbucks and Newell Dining Hall.

The Glen bridge is being replaced after an annual inspection resulted in recommended maintenance. Considering the cost of maintenance and the age of the existing bridge, replacing the bridge entirely was the most efficient long-term solution.

The existing bridge will not be available for use during the fall semester. It will be deconstructed in October and replaced with a new, wider bridge that will accommodate more pedestrian traffic. The bridge will look similar to the one between the Union Garage and patio. It will be custom-fabricated off-campus this fall and erected in the winter, opening for the spring semester.

Part-time and on-campus job fair

Towson University students often need to earn extra income for the term. That’s where the Career Center’s Part-Time and On-Campus Job Fair comes in.

The Part-Time and On-Campus Job Fair will be held on Tuesday, August 30 at the Potomac Lounge in the University Union.

“The Towson University work ethic is well-known and demonstrated daily by the large number of students engaged in on- and off-campus employment during the academic year,” said Lorie Logan-Bennett, director of the Towson University Career Center. “To help our hard-working students connect with new opportunities, the Career Center is hosting its annual Part-Time and On-Campus Job Fair on the second day of classes.

“Connecting with potential employers early is important as many positions are filled at the beginning of the academic year. The early bird catches the worm, but the timely Tiger captures a job!”

Students can meet with local and on-campus employers who are offering flexible part-time employment at the fair.

Towson Tiger Athletics

Towson Tiger athletic events are well underway already. One of the benefits of being a Towson University student is that you are given a free ticket to all TU athletics events.

The Towson University football team's first home game of the season comes on September 10 against Saint Francis (Pa.). It is the annual “Gold Rush” game, and students in attendance will receive a free shirt.

Keep up-to-date on TU Athletics.

Helpful links for students

• Current Towson University students give their tips to “New Tigers”
• Know the important dates for the year with TU academic calendar
• Learn more about President Kim Schatzel’s inauguration
• Follow Towson Unviersity’s social media accounts: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.