Welcome back to TU

By Kyle Hobstetter on January 19, 2020

Towson University is welcoming residential students to campus to start the spring term.

With around 2,000 students arriving arriving on campus before the start of in-person learning, the spring move-in will be smaller and different than usual, as TU continues to manage the presence of COVID-19 with reduced density in residence halls and classrooms.

Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs Kelly Hoover, and her staff in Housing & Residence Life (HRL), are ready for the change.

“We’ve been missing having the students around,” Hoover says. “It’s been almost a year since we’ve had some form of campus life. I think we’re just eager to have students in the communities, even though it's going to be small."

Move-in started Jan. 20 and concludes Jan. 24. Here is what students should expect and need to do before moving back to campus.

Prior to move-in

Students must schedule the date and time they move in prior to arrival. They must also complete the pre-move-in-process assignment on the student housing gateway to learn about safety, what to bring to campus and other useful information. 

Students are encouraged to pack light and bring other belongings as needed throughout the term. No large furniture—futons, desk chairs, bookcases, etc.—will be permitted this year, and students are allowed only two helpers during move-in.

As with fall move-in, students will choose a move-in date and time as well as a two-hour move-in time slot between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. On the day of move-in, students will arrive at the South Campus Pavilion to check in, and retrieve their room key

READ MORE: Packing for college  

Scan. Test. Report.

Students need to understand the three critical health requirements for all students, faculty and staff on campus this spring:

• Scan — Complete a self-screening every day
• Test — Get tested when requested
• Report — Disclose a COVID-19 diagnosis or exposure

These requirements are in addition to health and safety protocols for proper mask wearing and physical distancing.

Academics

The first two weeks of classes (Jan. 25 to Feb. 7) will be conducted via remote instruction, with exceptions made for some laboratories, clinical experiences, internships and experiential courses. After those first two weeks, face-to-face and hybrid instruction will begin Feb. 8. No additional changes are planned for the academic calendar.

Approximately 85% of classes during the spring term will be offered remotely, while face-to-face and hybrid course delivery will be conducted at previously determined, reduced densities in accordance with federal, state and local health and safety guidance. Faculty will continue to have the ability to determine the modality of their courses, with synchronous elements to all remote instruction highly recommended.

No changes are planned for the spring break schedule.

Other important move-in information

•  There will be no university move-in crew.
  
  
• Towson University is a mask-on campus and MASKS MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES by both the students and their helpers—including in the key pickup line.
  
  
• Keys will not be available at individual buildings and must be picked up at South Campus Pavilion.
• In order to encourage physical distancing, the following safety measures will be in place:

1. No more than eight students may sign up for a time block per building.
2. Elevator usage will be limited based on elevator size.
3. Directional signage will indicate traffic flow within buildings.
4. Doors will be designated as specific entry and exit points.
5. Hand sanitizer will be available in building lobbies.  

This story is one of several related to President Kim Schatzel’s priorities for Towson University: TU Matters to Maryland.