Towson University: Welcoming Students (Back) To Campus

Press release from Towson University:

Kyle Hobstetter

June 21, 2021

New Student Orientation at TU will be a mix of virtual, in-person programming

Each summer, the Office of New Student and Family Programs (NSFP) welcomes hundreds of new students and their families to the Towson University community
through Freshmen and Transfer Orientation.

Last summer, the staff had to move its entire orientation program virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With restrictions loosening, this summer’s orientation
will be a mix of virtual programming—mandatory for all incoming students—and in person,
which will be optional.

NSFP Director Katie Murray says,  "It's beautiful outside; people want to be outside.
They want to be around people. I think this year we have that opportunity to blend
that virtual aspect from last year with returning to campus. To see that energy transformed
from the virtual space to in person is going to be really refreshing and reenergizing
for us too."

Over the summer, Towson University will host 55 orientation sessions. Freshmen and
transfer students, and their families, will attend a virtual session, which runs twice
a day from June 14 to July 16.

Then students can attend a two-and-a-half hour, on-campus session that runs from July
19–30. These sessions allow students to meet each other, take care of tasks like paying
bills and meeting with financial aid, get their OneCard and tour campus.

On Aug. 26–29—move-in weekend—Welcome to TU events will introduce students to their new campus home, along will the academic
and social resources they need.

NSFP staff members are excited to welcome students to a TU campus full of changes—including
a new Science Complex, an updated University Union and a several other new and renovated spaces.

"Being able to say, 'You're welcome here, and we want to enthusiastically welcome
you back,' or for the first time since some of them have never set foot on campus,
will be really exciting," Murray says.

Helping the NSFP staff will be 60 student and alumni orientation leaders. These students
will lead discussions, virtually and in person, and serve as the “first face” to TU’s
newest students.

"This will almost feel like a dream fulfilled for those students who are returning
from last summer," says Kathryn Knauss, NSFP assistant director. "They all came back
because in-person is what they want to do. They’re chomping at the bit to see students."

Many departments across campus will be assisting with orientation, including the Bursar’s
Office, housing & residence life and financial aid.

"Orientation is where this becomes real," Murray says. "We provide [students] the
tools and information through a program that helps get them connected, feel affiliated
and start to develop that sense of belonging. We want them to experience the Towson
University they signed up for."

Along with opening up campus for Orientation, the campus will be open again for campus tours for prospective students. Those interested in checking out TU can now take a student-led campus tour, which
includes a brief information session with an admission counselor, followed by a 90-minute
walking tour of campus. Register now for a summer campus tour. 

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