Space race: TU STEM and health programs out of room, growing fast

Schatzel tells Maryland lawmakers TU needs two new buildings

March 10, 2016

Rendering of new science facility
Rendering of new science facility

Science, technology, mathematics, and health professions are the most in-demand sectors of workforce development in Maryland. They’re also the fastest-growing programs at Towson University, and right now, they don’t have the space they need on campus.

Towson University President Kim Schatzel testified to the Senate Capital Budget Subcommittee in Annapolis on March 9 about how to fix that. She will appear before a House subcommittee next Monday.

“When the current science building at Towson was built in 1964, the entire university had an enrollment of 3,537 students,” Schatzel told the Senate subcommittee. “If we fast-forward to today, the STEM programs alone at Towson University enroll over 3,800 undergraduates and graduate students.”

Schatzel thanked the members for their continuing support for a new facility for the Fisher College of Science and Mathematics. Governor Larry Hogan’s budget includes planning and construction funding for that facility—funding that is now dependent on committee approvals and floor votes.

Over the next 10 years, about a third of the University System of Maryland’s enrollment growth will happen here at TU. Every undergraduate will have to take at least two science courses. The Fisher College enrolls almost three times as many majors as it did 20 years ago. This past fall, TU had to limit enrollment in some programs because of capacity challenges, and Smith Hall’s classrooms are outdated.

With funding for the new science facility in the pipeline, Schatzel next asked the subcommittee to move up delayed capital planning funds for the College of Health Professions. The Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation says there are more than 20,000 unfilled health profession jobs in Maryland. TU’s College of Health Professions graduates more health professionals than any other school in the state, but holds classes in six buildings spread as much as two miles apart.

College of Health Professions Dean Lisa Plowfield and Fisher College of Science and Mathematics Dean David Vanko attended the testimony hearing in support of the university’s budget requests.

“These two colleges have led the state in developing an outstanding STEM and health professions workforce,” Schatzel testified. “Towson University will be relentless in its pursuit to continue its leadership in these two sectors that are so important to Maryland’s workforce development.”

There were no questions from members, but as Schatzel finished her testimony, Subcommittee Chair Sen. James DeGrange spoke up.

“You will be having a new student in the fall, when my grandson attends Towson,” he said with a smile.

No word on what the senator’s grandson plans to study.