F - Football. Last season was a big disappointment for the entire Towson football team, but the arrow appears to be pointing up in 2011. Head Coach Rob Ambrose has rebuilt the program and appears to have the players necessary to become serious contenders in the ever-competitive Colonial Athletic Association.

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A-Z

Advising. You can pick your friends, you can pick your nose, but you can’t pick your classes until your advisor signs the hold on your account. Depending on your major, you could be advised by anyone from a dean of your college to a slightly more experienced classmate. Some students get so fed up they choose to advise themselves, others stick to Rate My Professor for tips.

Arena. While the new Tiger Arena is constructed, the existing Towson Center remains as the home of Tiger basketball and volleyball as well as special concerts and events. This year, the basketball court has been repainted with tiger stripes covering the floor.

Awkward Steps. By definitions, they’re the steps that lead to the second floor entrance to the Union. Too long for one step, too short for two. Campus folklore says the steps were built that way to aide women running from attackers, but you’d have to be a freshman to believe that.

Barton. One of the two newest residence halls on campus. The class of 2015 will be some of the first to make memories and mistakes in this hall, named for American Red Cross organizer Clara Barton.

Basketball. You wouldn’t expect much of it after a 4-26 season, but there is hope and optimism surrounding the men’s basketball team this year. Head Coach Pat Skerry appears to have his team ready to go this winter. Joe Mathews, a stalwart as the Head Coach of the women’s team, also looks to lead a resurgence inside the Towson Center.

Beach. Towson University is roughly 60 percent female. And once the weather gets warm, 100 percent of those females will don a bikini top to get a real tan on the Beach, or the grassy area in front of Cook Library. The Beach is also home to one of two bronze tiger statues on Towson’s campus.

Blackboard. Not just for chalk anymore. Blackboard is the place for professors to post grades, PowerPoints, discussion questions, assignments and more. Blackboard is especially important if you’re taking an online class, because you will use it to turn in all of your course work.

Black Student Union. They marched to the Administration Building in 1970 to demand resources to start the Black Student Union and they haven’t stopped demanding since. When they’re not trying to get a Black Studies Department added to the University, they work for equal rights for women and raise funds for underdeveloped nations.

Brick Street Café.
 If Starbucks and Green Mountain Coffee aren’t peaking your caffeine levels, grab a piping hot cup of Seattle’s Best from Brick Street before class. Brick Street’s also a WiFi hotspot, making it an awesome meeting spot for group projects (potentially the least awesome thing about college).

Burdick. A pool, a rock climbing wall and all the lax bros you could ever ask for. If you don’t mind sweating with the masses, Burdick Gym’s lifting, running and biking equipment, as well as fitness classes, are free and a great way to keep off the freshman 15.

CAA. You wouldn’t know it by the size of this university, but Towson’s athletic teams participate in a “mid-major” conference known as the Colonial Athletic Association. Some of the rivals in the conference are Delaware, James Madison and Hofstra.

Cats. You’re not allowed to have them in your room, but we wouldn’t want to. Towson’s Tiny Tigers, as they’ve been dubbed by a club of the same name that aims to spay and neuter the feral cats on campus, are as wild as the squirrels. Mostly active at night, the cats can be seen in the Glen Woods or around the buildings of Old Side.

Campus Activities Board. When they’re not hosting an open mic night or bingo tournament, CAB is planning the two biggest on-campus concerts of the year: Homecoming and Tigerfest.

Center for the Arts.
The home of all TU hipsters, the CFA is where music, theatre, art, graphic design, dance, ceramics and other artsy classes are held.

Construction. Stay clear to the right of Burdick … make that all of Burdick Field, watch out for detours around the Union and Towson Center and keep the hell away from Richmond and Newell. Construction will all be worth it someday, but that day is not today, so always plan ahead and know the best route through the concrete.

Collegetown Shuttle. If you’re looking to visit a friend at a nearby college or get into the city inexpensively, the Collegetown Shuttle is a great resource. As of this fall, Morgan State has been added to the Shuttle route, and NextBus’s GPS system will track the location of the shuttle, giving you approximate times of arrival to plan around.

Miss Debbie. Powdered eggs and stale French toast is a bleak balanced breakfast at the Glen, but a “Happy [insert day of the week]!” from Miss Debbie, or the Glen’s staple card swiper, can’t keep you down for long.

Deb Moriarty. Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Deb is a favorite administrator amongst student leaders. With trusty sidekick Teri Hall by her side, Moriarty holds focus groups on student concerns, works with the community as the president of the Towson Chamber of Commerce, and will not hesitate to write you a passive aggressive letter if you use a racial slur on the Internet.

Doc. Women want him, men want to be him and athletics wishes students loved them as much as they do him. Doc, Towson’s tiger mascot, is named for Donald Minnegan, who took Towson to the intercollegiate sports level back in the ‘30s. His big grin can be seen at games, campus events and cruising around campus, sometimes on a skateboard.

Douglass. While Richmond and Newell Halls are closed for logical renovations (“What do you mean the elevator only goes to the fourth floor? This building had six floors!”), the Honors College kids will be slumming it in one of the two newest residence halls. We feel so bad.

Dowell.
For a flu shot, free condoms or a Mucinex prescription, Dowell can take care of most minor illnesses or injuries. You can even sign up for the Student Health Insurance Plan to use Dowell as your primary care provider.

Daily Digest. Create filter. Mark as read. Send to trash. We’re kidding, of course, as the Daily Digest provides excellent information about upcoming events and campus concerns. Plus, if you’re still awake when your smartphone or computer pings to let you know the Daily Digest is in, you’re probably up too late to get a good night sleep before your 8 a.m.

Einstein Bros. Bagels.
 In an effort to apologize for the ridiculous amount of detours that construction around the new West Village Commons caused, administration planted a dispenser of circular deliciousness on the building’s first floor. This is in no way factual, but we’re not going to complain. Pass the cream cheese, please.

Elections.
Towson takes on democracy a few times a year and things get especially fierce in the spring when Student Government Association elections take place. Tickets with bright names and even brighter t-shirts battle to bring their big ideas to life. Individual club elections, University Residence Government Building Council elections, and SGA senator appointments give incoming freshmen an opportunity to get involved early.


Emergency.
 You can’t survive freshman year if you don’t play it safe. Sign up for text alerts from the Towson University Police Department and be aware of where Emergency Blue Light Phones are stationed. Your Orientation Leader is going to ask you to program numbers in your phone, but we’ll ask you to do it again: 410-704-2133.

Fraternity and Sorority Life. There are about 32 fraternities and sororities that make up Towson’s Greek life, most of which has its members take over the Patuxent for lunch during the school week. The organization has increased over the years and should expect its own housing in a few years, too.

Football. Last season was a big disappointment for the entire Towson football team, but the arrow appears to be pointing up in 2011. Head Coach Rob Ambrose has rebuilt the program and appears to have the players necessary to become serious contenders in the ever-competitive Colonial Athletic Association.

Fight Song. The University unveiled the new fight song at the Fall Sports Pep Rally in 2009. Learn “Hail Towson” to be able to sing along when the Tiger Marching Band plays it at sporting events.

Freedom Square. Don’t get used to the Freedom Square chalkboards being clean. By the end of the first week, the boards will be filled with quotes, event announcements, and possibly more vulgar art. Anything goes in the name of freedom. If you have something to say but don’t pass the boards often, voice your opinion at Freedom Square online.

Gen Eds. General Education requirements are the dreadful classes you take that you can’t opt out of. Fortunately, there are a lot of choices in each category, which may make taking a science lab or art class more tolerable. Astronomy or jewelry making, anyone?

Gold Route. Construction has become the biggest pain on campus, since it takes longer to get to most places that students want to be. So to cut the time and as a convenience for the lazier students on campus (don’t be ashamed), the Gold Route busses take students around campus – even on weekends.

Glen. Glen is the spot for students when they want a late snack or the best chicken patties on campus. You have to be lucky to get the pizza or pasta fresh out of the oven, but the cooks and staff are some of the nicest people you’ll see on a daily basis.

Hawkins Hall. One of the most confusing buildings on campus is Hawkins Hall, mostly because it connects to the Psych building and you’re not always sure where you are. The easiest way to avoid being there is not becoming an education major. If you are, good luck and don’t get lost.

Homecoming. ‘Tis the season for a concert, football and a week of Tiger pride festivities. The concert, which for the last three years has features big rap artists, kicks off the week Sunday, followed by campus group board art and concluding with the big football game Saturday.

Honors College. The Honors College that’s based in Stephens Hall offers small class sizes, seminars in specialized subjects and the privilege of a scholarship and registering for classes earlier.

Hillel. Hillel is the Jewish group on campus located in the back of Newell Dining Hall. Hillel holds Friday night services and dinner and services for Jewish holidays.

Intramural sports. Campus Recreation Services offers the intramural sports program, which allows its members to participate in sports leagues and tournaments. Stop by Burdick Hall to find out more about dodgeball, softball, track and other sports.

International housing. International housing is available on the eleventh floor of Residence Tower. They hold events for different countries’ celebrations and have an annual Around the World in 11 floors in the building.

Jamba Juice. Need we say more? Jamba Juice is one of the newest food and drink additions to campus, located in the new West Village Commons. Just in case you’ve been living in a cave, Jamba Juice offers healthy blended beverages, juices and snacks and is a convenient place to take a break for Tubman, Paca, Douglass and Barton residents.

Job. The University offers plenty of on-campus employment opportunities, including tutoring, working at a Community Center desk in the residence halls and ringing up customers at the University Store or Tiger Reels. But, those are only a few.

Jersey/New York. Warning: they’re not all from the Jersey Shore and hate when people make that assumption. New Jersey and Long Island students are abundant on campus. Not sure if you run into one? Ask if they regularly fist pump at the bars or house parties.

Johnny Unitas Stadium. The home of Tiger football, field hockey and lacrosse is named after former Baltimore Colts star quarterback Johnny Unitas. The 12,000-seat stadium is one of the largest FCS football stadiums in the country.

Karaoke. It’s OK, not all of us can sing well. But at karaoke nights, you don’t have to! CAB holds a karaoke night every year. If that’s not enough, Bill Bateman’s Bistro, which takes your OneCard, offers it every Wednesday night. Sing your hearts out.

Lacrosse. In the Mid-Atlantic, lacrosse is the superior sport in the spring, and at Towson, there’s no exception. Shawn Nadelen takes over as the Head Coach for the men’s team, and second-year coach Sonia LaMonica leads the women’s team, which fell one game short of their fourth straight trip to the NCAA Tournament last spring.

Library. The hottest spot on campus for studying, researching and mind numbing on the computers. Those looking for peace and quiet most likely won’t be disappointed here. And if someone decides to chat on his or her phone while everyone gives them dirty glances, the higher floors are waiting with open books.

Liberal Arts Building. Just in time for the new semester, the Liberal Arts Building will have its grand opening just a day before classes. It may be green friendly, but its looping maze-like structure may leave freshmen wondering why there isn’t a map for the building.

Meal Plan. Who needs money in their pocket when these are around. The tricky part is figuring out which meal plan works best. Having too many meals makes students providers to those in need. Having to few makes students the ones in need. Keeping track of meals should – actually will – become second nature.

Mall. One of the perks students have for coming to Towson. Whether students fancy walking with friends or love to shop their wallets dry, it’s nice to have a mall by the Towson Circle.

Newell Dining Hall. A great spot to eat and a quick fix for those who’d rather not travel half a mile from the library to the University Union. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in the hall. And for those who like seclusion, there are many spots to cubby in.

New Student Programs. New students will be welcomed with new programs this year. University faculty hopes these programs will help make new students feel like veterans in a short period of time. How? By letting newbies meeting with veteran students in their own major.

OneCard. Books? Not a problem. Food? Not an issue. Clearance into the residence halls? Done. The OneCard is a magic wand for Towson students. It’s a Towson debit card and saves pockets from over stuffed wallets.

Online Classes. College students are busy. Registering for classes can be a pain, especially for freshman. There’s a way to aid such a busy schedule. Online classes toss away the classroom and give tons of flexibility for schedules. After that, the concern is keeping up with due dates.

OTS. One of the few acronyms that will pass student’s ears one way or another at Towson. The Office of Technology Services is the place to go whenever tech problems arise. They’re located on the first floor of the Cook Library. It’s worth a visit even if nothing needs to be fixed. A lab with all sorts of software awaits those who venture down to the depths of the library.

Old Side. Even though Richwell is under construction, Residence Tower, Ward, West, Prettyman and Scarborough are still occupied and closest to the Dowell Health Center and Newell dining.

Points If the sports teams had more of these, they would of won more. These are the reason why the OneCard is like a debit card concerning meals. There’s more though. Each purchase with points has no sales tax and students save six percent on every purchase. It doesn’t look like much, but it might save you a meal or two in the future.

Paca. One of the dorms on what could be considered the west side of campus. For any who live there, rejoice. Instead of walking on a journey to the University Union, there will be the new West Village Commons nearby. And it is beautiful.

Psychology Building. Located just a bit away from the University’s Beach is the building where people go to take psychology classes. There used to be a short cut of sorts at the side entrance but it’s now replaced with a new stairway. There’s still that shortcut, but the hop of faith grew larger.

Parking. New students will hear all about this within their first few days on campus. It’s bad. Usually. Quick fix. Come early in the morning. Even with a new garage, there will always be parking problems. Period.

PNC Bank. Just last spring, Towson University’s Bank of America became PNC Bank. Some were happy. Some weren’t. Those who like it, congratulations. Those who don’t should look on Mapquest for banks in the area.

PTUX. Those who like Greek Life will love the PTUX. This is the Greek Life unofficial hangout. Why? Maybe because of the salads there. Green, Greek. Just a theory.

Paws. One of the nightly hangouts in the University Union. In the back there’s a giagantic television, which is perfect for watching footabll with friends. And if anyone gets hungry, they can just get food a few steps away.

PeopleSoft. Student’s means to register for classes. That said, it’s also a nightmare. Just as students register for classes and have their desired classes ready, PeopleSoft reveals that the desired classes are closed. Seeing how blaming an anonymous student won’t help, PeopleSoft takes the blame.

Queer Student Union. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students and their allies meet in the Rainbow Lounge. Other groups devoted to making students feel included no matter their sexual orientation or gender have branched off from QSU.

Roommate. If you’re lucky enough to be in a triple, you won’t only have one new best friend, but two. If you’re in the Towers or Residence Tower, your roommate(s) will get to know just how you look entering/exiting the shower. But don’t let any awkwardness at the beginning stop you and your new roommate from becoming life-long friends.

Resident Assistant. The authoritative figure knocking on your door when your XBOX is too loud is no longer your mom or dad. Your Resident Assistant will probably be more understanding of situations than your parents, but don’t think they’re going to let you drink any more than Mom and Dad did!

Recycle. Remember when Mom and Dad harped on you to make sure your bottles and cans went in the right containers at home? You’re not free of that constant voice in your head. Towson University is very keen on recycling and “going green,” so do your part and chip in whenever possible!

Student Government Association. Think back to your high school days when the popular kids dominated elections and rarely followed through on their promises. Things are completely opposite in the Student Government Association, where things get done following highly publicized and somewhat strained “political” campaigns.

Study Abroad: One of the coolest things about college is the ability to be out on your own, away from family members that you’ve spent all of your life with. But if you’re an adventurous type, studying abroad is something that can truly widen your eye for the world and give you an experience to share for the rest of time.

Starbucks. Morning classes are hard. Late-night studying is harder. Thankfully, there’s more than one chance for you to fill your sleep-deprived heads with caffeinated beverages. The Starbucks inside the library usually has a long line, but don’t let that stop you from having that venti latte that you crave so much. The other location just across the street from campus is just as accessible.

Smith Hall. If you’re lucky enough to have a science-related class this semester, you’ll get the chance to navigate one of the trickiest buildings on campus. Smith Hall has five floors that all seem symmetrical and stairwells that can substitute for a workout at Burdick Hall. The planetarium is state-of-the-art and worth going to check out.

Smoke-Free. Since August 2010, Towson University has been smoke-free and the campus has been better off because of it. The puffs of smoke outside every academic building and residence hall are gone. It’s something new students will have to get used to, because campus security will be on you in a heart-beat if you try and beat the system.

Safe Ride: Towson’s campus is as safe as any in the country, but there are times when extra precautions need to be taken. Thankfully the University offers students a free program called Safe Ride, which will pick you up from wherever you are and bring you back to your room or car safely and securely.

Swimming and Diving. If you came to Towson expecting our sports teams to be CAA contenders in every sport, bringing home championship banners year after year, you picked the wrong school. But one of the teams that constantly wins titles is the Swimming & Diving squad. Head Coach Pat Mead doesn’t get nearly enough credit for the job he and his staff do in the pools at Burdick Hall and its completely possible for the Tigers to win their 5th straight conference championship this winter.

Susq. Quite possibly the best dining hall on campus isn’t even really a dining hall at all. The Susquhanna eatery has Chick-Fil-A (a student favorite), a grill with speciality sandwiches and side orders, a sushi station, a pizza station and a salad bar for those conscious of carbs and calories. Don’t be afraid to use multiple meals and pig out at Susq!

Towers. Every campus has the ideal place for freshmen students to live. At Towson, that place is The Towers, the four high-rise buildings just off Cross Campus Drive and as close as you can get to University hotspots like Burdick Field, University Union and all of the academic buildings.

The Towerlight. Baltimore’s no. 1 college newspaper, no big deal. The official source for news on and around Towson’s campus. The best source for all of Towson’s athletic happenings. The no. 1 stop for all things arts and life. The Towerlight has it all and delivers all of this and more twice-weekly for free!

Tigerfest. Every Spring, Towson comes together for an end-of-the-year concert celebration in hopes of attracting big-name musical acts. While the product may not always be the best, Tigerfest never fails to give you a story that you’ll end up telling for the rest of your time in college. Maybe even after.

Tiger Reels. Ever wish you could have the power of a DVD-rental store in your house? Well, since Netflix and Hulu Plus and other companies formed, that seems possible for all, but if actually dealing with people who know their movies and TV shows, be sure to stop by Tiger Reels on the first floor of the University Union. All you need is your One Card to check out!

Textbooks. Remember back in high school when your textbooks were provided to you and you gave them back at the end of the class so someone else could use them? Well that’s pretty much what you’ll end up doing in college, but you’ll have to shell out your own cash for these expensive reading materials that you’ll probably use a handful of times before trying to cash in for a profit.

Towson Run. One of the few places on campus where you don’t need a meal plan to survive stands beyond the new West Village Commons. Towson Run Apartments allow for students to live by themselves, with one other person, three others or even seven others inside of one “apartment.” Just make sure you know how to operate an oven before signing up to live there!

University Resident Government. One of the more trustworthy organizations on campus has their offices just inside the walls of Tower C. University Residence Government handles exactly what their name states: residents. The elected panel of students has your best intentions in mind when they plan events, organize funds and work for a better Towson campus living experience.

Uptown. If you came into Towson from the north, chances are you drove through Uptown Towson and all the area has to offer. Towson Town Center is home to one of the area’s biggest malls and you can’t possibly go hungry with countless numbers of bars, restaurants and shops at your fingertips. Only a short walk from campus, Uptown Towson is the place to be when the sun goes down.

University Store. From textbooks to sweatshirts and notebooks to condoms, the University Store has everything a Towson student could possibly need on campus. Located on the first floor of the University Union, a welcoming staff is more than happy to help you find whatever your heart desires with a Towson logo on it.

Welsh, Marcia. The current interim president while Towson searches for its next leader and former provost.

WTMD. Broadcasted from the basement of the Media Center, WTMD was voted “Best Radio Station” in Baltimore Magazine’s 2011 readers’ poll.

Webmail. An absolute staple of your time at Towson, your Webmail represents you as a student as you grow in your career path. Time to get rid of the xoxpuppiesrsocuteomg@suck.com emails.

704-xxxx. Every office and residence hall phone number begins with 704 and ends in four extension digits.

York Road. It stretches to what seems like infinity through several college districts, reaching down to blue light districts and beyond. Always keep in mind safety while on York Road at odd hours, if not for crime, simply to avoid the stumbling drunks that you will almost guarantee to run into if you’re not watching carefully.

Zzz. Sleep. Get plenty.

By Towerlight
http://www.thetowerlight.com/2011/08/towson-a-z/