Towson University residence government named best in central region
Organization honored by National Association of College and University Residence Halls
By Kyle Hobstetter on April 11, 2023
During the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the Towson University organizations that suffered was the University Residence Government (URG).
URG is an organization that represents all on-campus residents by hosting events, advocating for change and making the residence halls feel like home. Usually, URG is made up of an executive board and a building council for each residence hall. But during the pandemic, URG only had one member: the president Sanaya Clark.
Now more than three years later, URG—with Clark still as president—has helped Towson University win the School of the Year Award in the Central Atlantic region of the National Association of College and University Residence Halls (NACURH).
The first time TU won the award was in 2016. Now Clark is happy to prove URG is back and helping students.
“It’s been a long journey,” Clark says. “The fact that we have a board and building councils inside each building now allows our residents to have a voice and share what they want to see.
“To build the organization back up to where we can turn in a 30-page bid for the award is just incredible.”
The award was given out this past February during the Central Atlantic Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls (CAACURH) regional conference, with URG beginning the bid process in December.
TU’s bid highlighted how resident students’ voices matter on campus by showcasing URG’s programs and initiatives, like updating the emergency communication system for TU’s resident assistants.
But the key to the bid was to display the URG’s growth and the leadership opportunities it offers. URG now has more than 60 officers throughout campus.
Not bad for an organization that consisted of just one person only three years ago.
“We really wanted to focus on the last year and how we have built up URG and the good that they’ve done for the university and the students that live on campus,” says Chad Butts, URG’s adviser and residence life coordinator for Tower D.
He says a lot of URG’s success is because of Clark’s and the rest of the executive board’s hard work.
“Sanaya has such a spirit and energy that rubs off on other people,” Butts says. “I know once she sets her mind to something, everybody else will follow. When I told her URG could receive recognition for their work, Sanaya and the rest of the board were all over it.”
Clark will step down at the end of the term when she graduates with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
But she won’t be leaving TU. The New Jersey native will be entering the entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctoral program this July to become a pediatric occupational therapist.
“I’m a very focused and driven person that devoted a lot my time to my future,” Clark says. “I think Towson is one of the best schools, not only because of what it provides with diversity and things of that nature, but it allows you to have different opportunities to branch out. That’s why I’m excited about coming back for my next three years.”
Clark, Butts and the rest of URG aren’t done with NACURH. The group will be attending its national conference this May at Ball State University, where they have put in a bid to be named national school of the year.
URG is also accepting applications for officers. Those interested can email URG AT_TOWSON. Students can also follow the group on Instagram.