New Student Programs
Welcome to Towson - sample schedule
Below is a sample of the Welcome to Towson New Student Orientation schedule from 2011. The 2012 schedule will be posted in the early summer (tentatively June 2012). Please note, traditionally the Welcome to Towson program is a four-day program but the 2011 program was shortened due to inclement weather.
Freshman Orientation Packet Pick-Up
8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m., University Union 3rd Floor, Chesapeake Rooms
Students begin the Welcome to Towson program by picking up a welcome orientation packet that includes a copy of their class schedule, a campus map with directions to the FYE/OL meetings, and other fun giveaways. Meet other new students and the Orientation Leaders in this energetic environment. Light refreshments will be served throughout the day. Please note – this is a student only event.
Commuter students are encouraged to pick up their packets at 3:00 p.m., so that they can attend the Commuter Cookout beginning at 4:00 p.m..
Please note: Transferring students do not pick up a welcome orientation packet.
Transferring Student Welcome Center - TRANSFERRING STUDENTS ONLY
8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., University Union 3rd Floor, Conference Room 305
Transferring students are invited to come by our Welcome Center to pick up campus maps, giveaways for new students, and have their questions answered.
Freshman Resident Move-In
9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Residence Halls
All freshmen resident students move in to their residence halls.
Welcome to Towson Resource Fair
9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., University Union, 2nd Floor Lobby
Campus Tours
11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Departing every 30-minutes from the University Union 2nd Floor
Sponsored by New Student Programs and Undergraduate Marketing
Students and families who want to learn more about campus or have not yet had the chance to go on a campus tour are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity.
“TU, What’s Missing” Photo Hunt
11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., University Union, 2nd Floor Lobby
How long would it take to find 15 missing items from two nearly-identical images? One minute? Two? If you have a strong power of observation, prove it! Be the fastest person to find what’s missing in this fun, drop-by activity inspired by the popular children’s magazine, Highlights.
“Tattooed Campus: A Second Look at Towson University” Photo Exhibit
11:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m., University Union, Loch Raven Room
“The Tattoo Project” was started in 2008 and features portraits of Towson students, faculty, and staff who have tattoos. The photographs celebrate this form of body art and represent the people of this campus who express their creativity and individuality with ink. Over 200 participants have been photographed for this project so far, and everyone on Towson’s campus is encouraged to participate until December 2011, when the project will be complete. The photographer is a graduating senior at Towson.
The exhibit will be open for additional viewings on Tuesday, August 30, from 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. An open photography session will take place on Tuesday, August 30, from 6:00-9:00 p.m. for students that want to have their picture taken to be added to the exhibit.
Back to College Tour – Mix 106.5
12:00-1:00 p.m., University Union, PAWS Patio
WWMX and Comcast are teaming up to provide Towson with a unique back-to-school experience. Meet station personalities, their promotions team, and have several opportunities to win giveaways courtesy of WWMX and Comcast, including an iPad 2.
Parent Drive-In
3:00-5:30 p.m., Stephens Hall Auditorium
Sponsored by Campus Life
Parents will have the opportunity to learn about some of the key transitional issues incoming students face, as well as talk with TU staff about the support available on campus.
The Center for Student Diversity’s Coffee House
3:00-5:00 p.m., University Union, CSD (UU 313) and Rooms 314-316
Sponsored by the Center for Student Diversity (CSD)
Relax, listen to music, and enjoy cold refreshments and delicious desserts while learning about the Center for Student Diversity. The CSD offers scholarships, leadership and mentoring programs, and a variety of fun events to help students get involved, meet new friends, and make a difference in Towson’s community.
Disability Support Services Orientation Meeting
4:00-5:30 p.m., University Union 2nd Floor, Patuxent Room
Sponsored by Disability Support Services
Meet the staff and learn more about the services offered at Towson University for students with disabilities. There will be a meet and greet, a workshop for new students, and an information session for parents. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Disability Support Services at 410-704-2638.
Commuter Cookout
4:00-6:00 p.m., Lot 14, adjacent to Johnny Unitas Stadium
Sponsored by New Student Programs and the Office of Student Activities, Off-Campus Student Services
Students interested in learning about where to park, how long it takes to get to and from classes, and what it means to be a commuter should attend this FREE dinner. You will meet other commuters and staff who will help with the transition to Towson. Commuters are encouraged to park near the University Union, pick-up their Welcome to Towson packet at 3:00 p.m. and stay for the cookout that kicks-off your first night at Towson.
Tiger Pride Event
4:30-6:00 p.m., Lot 14, adjacent to Johnny Unitas Stadium
As you head to the New Student Convocation, several student organizations will set up grills and outdoor games to host the Tiger Pride event. Expect fun, food, music, and smiling faces. Experience what it is like to be with your fellow students who bleed black and gold!
New Student Convocation
6:00-7:00 p.m., Towson Center Arena
New Student Convocation marks the official beginning to the student academic experience and is a required event for all new students. Several prominent campus administrators including Towson’s Interim President, Dr. Marcia Welsh, as well as the Student Government President, Mr. Matt Sikorski, will offer their welcome remarks to you.
PLAYFAIR
7:00-8:00 p.m., Towson Center Arena
PLAYFAIR is unlike anything else you have ever experienced. It’s entertainment! It’s fun and the perfect way to make new friends on campus. Come see what all the hype is about.
New Student Motivational Speaker Bertice Berry
8:00-9:00 p.m., Towson Center Arena
Sociologist, and award winning lecturer Bertice Berry, Ph.D., is one of the most sought after speakers in the country. She combines her skills as a sociologist and researcher with her ability to make her audiences think and laugh at the same time. She is the best-selling author of the inspirational memoir I'm On My Way, But Your Foot Is On My Head, four novels, and two humor books. You’ll laugh, you’ll feel, you’ll be inspired, and one thing is for certain--- you’ll leave much differently than you came.
V.I.P. Casino Transfer Social – TRANSFERRING STUDENTS ONLY
8:00-11:00 p.m., West Village Commons, 3rd Floor Lobby, 4th Floor Lobby, Ballroom A
We want to personally invite you to our kickoff event, the first-ever VIP Casino Transfer Social. Play blackjack, roulette, or slot machines, and compete in our poker tournament. We’ll create Las Vegas at Towson, complete with giveaways, free food, mocktails, and live jazz music. Dress for the event is smart casual.
Acoustic Sound Lounge and Jam Session
9:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m., University Union, Patuxent Room
Bring your own instruments to play or just come to listen and meet other music enthusiasts under the summer night sky in this intimate and relaxed setting. A gourmet coffee and tea bar will be set up for your enjoyment.
TU PostSecret: Your first week at College
9:30-1:00 a.m., University Union, Severn Lounge
Sponsored by New Student Programs and the Office of Civic Engagement
Inspired by Frank Warren’s PostSecret project, an ongoing community art project, we invite you to drop-by and share your first thoughts and experiences now that you have arrived on campus. Orientation Leaders have created their own cards reflecting on their first years at Towson, sharing their hopes and advice for you. In keeping with the spirit of the original project, you will decorate “postcards” completely anonymously and portray a secret that you have never previously revealed. No restrictions will be made on the content of the secret; however, it must be completely truthful and must have never been spoken before.
TU Minute-to-Win-It Round One
9:30-11:30 p.m., University Union, 2nd Floor Lobby
Sponsored by New Student Programs
Join your Orientation Leaders enjoy, participate in, and watch our second annual installment of TU’s Minute-to-Win-It. Sixty seconds, one challenge – do you think you can handle it? Test yourself, win some stuff, and become a TU legend!
ThinkFast Game Show
9:45 p.m., & 10:30 p.m., PAWS Lounge (two-shows; each expected to last approximately 75 minutes)
Voted as one of the most successful entertainment shows on college campuses, ThinkFast returns again to Towson as part of our welcome program. This highly interactive show incorporates pop-culture trivia with mainstream media. Audience participation is a must, with the grand-prize winner (or team) walking away with a $200 cash prize.
Midnight Dessert Buffet, Game Night, and Bingo
11:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m., West Village Commons Dining Room (2nd Floor), 1st Floor Lobby
Sponsored by New Student Programs and Fraternity and Sorority Life
After an exciting first-day on campus, come lounge in Towson’s newest building, the West Village Commons. Enjoy a sample of desserts while playing your favorite board games including Apples-to-Apples and Would You Rather. Games of bingo will also take place with prizes going to the winners of each round.
Fast and Furious: TU Grand Prix
11:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m., University Union, Potomac Lounge
Compete against others in this high-speed obstacle course. With the right combination of moves and power, you will be named Towson’s first grand prix champion!
Late Orientation Packet Pick-up
7:00-9:00 a.m., University Union, 2nd Floor Lobby
For students who did not pick up their packet on Monday, August 29
Freshmen FYE/OL Meeting
9:00-11:30 a.m., Meeting location listed on student course schedule under ORIE 305.
All freshmen meet in their First-Year Experience group (FYE) with their FYE faculty adviser and Orientation Leaders. A review of your first term class schedule and other important academic information is presented..
Transferring Student Welcome Center - TRANSFERRING STUDENTS ONLY
9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., University Union 2nd Floor, New Student Programs Office (Room 217)
Transferring students are invited to come by our Welcome Center to pick up campus maps, giveaways for new students, and have their questions answered.
Personalized Campus Tours – TRANSFERRING STUDENTS ONLY
10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., University Union, 2nd Floor Lobby
Orientation Assistants will lead new transferring students on personalized tours of campus departing every 30 minutes. Bring a copy of your class schedule and leader where your academic buildings are, as well as the closest parking, places to eat and study, resource locations, and campus landmarks. These tours will conclude in the Cook Library with a presentation on what it takes to be academically successful at Towson.
Involvement @ TU Info Sessions – TRANSFERRING STUDENTS ONLY
10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., University Union, Potomac Lounge
Sponsored by the Office of Student Activities
During the Transfer Program Part I, your Orientation Assistants told you several times to “get involved.” At 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., we will hold sessions on the various avenues of involvement that you can participate in at Towson. Throughout the day, we will host hour-long interest sessions around the following thematic areas: leadership, service, sports/athletics, and fraternity and sorority life. Attend these sessions and begin to take your next steps to create the campus experience you want! It is our goal to show you that there is so much more to involvement at Towson beyond basic membership in student organizations (though you can and should do that too). Be sure to check the Welcome to Towson Information Desk for the final presentation schedule for each thematic area.
Back-to-School Rally
10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Towson Town Center Mall, 825 Dulaney Valley Road: Level 1 Grand Court. (Shuttle services will be offered from Towson University to Towson Town Center every half hour beginning at 10:00 a.m. Board the shuttle bus at the bus stop on Cross Campus drive behind the University Union and board at the C1 Garage at Towson Town Center to return to campus.)
Sponsored by the Towson Town Center Mall
TU students are personally invited to attend Towson Town Center’s Annual Back to School Rally! There will be shopping incentives from retailers, refreshments, giveaways, prizes and a live fashion show at 3:00 p.m. Plus, be one of the first 300 students to show your student ID and receive a FREE gift bag! Need another reason to start your back to school shopping at Towson Town Center? Spend $75 on Aug. 30th and redeem your receipt(s) for a $10 mall gift card, while supplies last. Limit one reward per person.
“Tattooed Campus: A Second Look at Towson University” Photo Exhibit
11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m., University Union, Loch Raven Room
Lunch and Success Starts Here Educational Sessions - FRESHMEN STUDENTS ONLY
11:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m., Campus-wide – see the highlighted location on the class schedule you received at check-in.
Learn what it means to be a successful student at Towson by attending these required educational sessions with your orientation group. Your Orientation Leader (OL) will meet and lead you to your meetings around campus, as well as answer any questions that you have about the student experience. This is information that you will definitely want to know for your first-year at Towson. In addition to the various presentations, you will have time to get to know the other members of your group over a lunch in one of the many on-campus dining halls.
On Campus Job Fair
1:00-3:00 p.m., University Union, 2nd Floor Lobby
Sponsored by the Career Center
Don’t miss your best chance to find an on-campus job! Campus departments looking to hire students will be present to share information about their opportunities. Bring your resume and be prepared to make a good, professional impression.
Set It Off!
4:00-6:00 p.m., PAWS Patio and Lawn
Sponsored by Campus Recreation Services and the Center for Student Diversity
Join us for food, music, performances, games, and prizes for all new and returning students! Meet some new friends, reconnect with old ones, learn about TU's sports clubs and multicultural student organizations, all with getting some sun and kicking off the new year.
College of Liberal Arts Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
4:00-7:30 p.m., College of Liberal Arts Building
Come join the campus community and be part of Towson's history as we unveil our newest academic building.
Residence Hall Floor Meetings
6:00-8:00 p.m., Residence Halls
Exact times vary. All freshmen resident students should check with their Resident Assistant upon moving in to clarify exact times.
Welcome to Towson Patio Party and TU Minute-to-Win-It Round II (tentative)
6:00-8:30 p.m., University Union, Potomac Patio
Sponsored by New Student Programs and Housing and Residence Life
As you wrap up your floor meetings, join your Orientation Leaders, Resident Assistants, and HRL staff in the first-ever Welcome to Towson Patio Party! Bring out your inner kid with carnival-style attractions including a mechanical bull, skeeball, and possibly a dunk tank featuring some of your OLs. You can also participate in round two of TU’s Minute-to-Win-It.
Welcome Concert
8:00-10:00 p.m., Speaker’s Circle
Sponsored by Campus Activities Board
Bring a blanket and hang out on the hill for this free concert featuring Cheap Thrills. Covering genres ranging from rock to pop to hip hop, Cheap Thrills delivers it all. They will have you singing and dancing to songs by artists such as Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, John Mayer and tons more. This band can entertain any crowd; they have a love and passion for music that is evident during every performance. Members of Cheap Thrills have shared the stage with some big acts, such as Destiny’s Child, N*E*R*D, Ashanti, and Chris Brown. Full of energy and hype, this band will leave you wanting more.
Wednesday Night Movie
8:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m., University Union, Chesapeake Rooms
“71% of the Earth’s surface is covered by water. That’s a lot of space to find one fish.” Can you identify the tagline? Come relax after your first day of classes and enjoy this CGI classic.
Thursday Night Movie Double Feature
8:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m., University Union, Chesapeake Rooms
“Watch your back.” “An epic of epic epicness.” Can you identify the taglines from these popular movies? Come to our double-feature to see if you’re right. The first 100 attendees will be eligible for a giveaway.
Target After-Hours Shopping Event (Postponed)
Sponsored by Target
This Shopping Event has everything essential for a great start to college: music, refreshments, shopping, free giveaways, great prizes and a few thousand of your new best friends. We'll even get you there and back: all you need to do is show up!
Spirit Cruises – Seadog Inner Harbor Tour (Postponed)
Be one of the first members of your class to experience Baltimore’s only high-speed excursion boat ride around the Inner Harbor. This 50-minute tour includes a narration that points out some of Baltimore’s historic sites. Space is limited (100 participants).
Hot Air Balloon Ride (Postponed)
What better way to see your new home-away-from-home than by getting a bird’s-eye view of Towson’s campus and the neighboring areas? Weather conditions will determine when flight times occur and we hope to accommodate as many passengers as possible over a three-hour duration between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Each flight should last approximately 5-minutes.
New Student Programs
University Union, Room 217 (map)
Phone: 410-704-2309
Fax: 410-704-3930
E-mail: newstudentprograms@towson.edu
|
