Dear Towson University Faculty, Staff, and Students:
The holidays are here and I wish you all a pleasant, relaxing, and peaceful time with your families and friends.
To the faculty and staff, as the New Year approaches, please know how much I appreciate your support and the dedicated work you do for our students. Towson University is a special place where student success has always been our focus and where we all have the opportunity to spend our lives doing the work we love.
To the students, it is such a joy to be your president and work with our faculty and staff to nurture your success. Thank you for being wonderful students and for choosing Towson University. It is our pleasure to help you shape your futures.
It is a pleasure to serve you. Thank you and have a great holiday.
Maravene Loeschke
President
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November 19, 2012
On Friday afternoon, I received the final report of the Athletics Task Force. After spending hundreds of hours collecting and analyzing data, budgets, rosters, and Title IX regulations, exploring 13 alternative options, and listening to concerns expressed in open forums and emails, the task force has endorsed the athletics leadership’s proposed recommendations.
The task force concluded that the discontinuation of men’s soccer and baseball is the most viable way for Towson University to achieve compliance with Title IX requirements, long-term financial stability and competitiveness. The report includes a minority opinion expressing concerns that are counter to the majority recommendation. The full report can be found here.
I thank the members of the task force for their time and thorough review of this issue. I also appreciate and respect the leadership of Athletics Director Mike Waddell and his team. Their work began more than 18 months ago and they have worked diligently to provide information and clarification to the problems identified several years ago.
I have carefully reviewed the Task Force Report and determined that I will not be making a decision this week as originally anticipated. I require more time to review all of the information put forth to carefully render this important decision for the university.
Over the next several weeks we will reconfirm all data, facts and budget projections used in the athletics proposal and task force report. It was, and remains, my intention to put this matter to rest in a timely manner. It is my hope to issue a final decision as soon after the winter break as possible.
Title IX compliance and whether the athletics program has serious short and long-term financial challenges is not open for debate. The reality of the serious financial state of affairs facing our athletics program will require tough decisions to be made.
It has been reported that Towson does not have Title IX challenges. This is completely inaccurate and I will address this misperception, as well as others, in my final decision.
I want to say directly to our student athletes that I am distressed by the continuous upheaval and disruption our current situation has placed on you. You have behaved admirably. I realize that the extension of a final decision makes transferring difficult. I am committed to move forward as quickly as possible and do what is in the best interest of Towson University.
Maravene Loeschke
President
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November 14, 2012
The Athletics Task Force is now in its final deliberations on the athletics leadership’s proposed recommendations.
After speaking with the student athletes, it is critical we make a timely decision. With that in mind, I have closely followed the task force’s progress while simultaneously conducting my own extensive review. We have an efficient timeline in place. I anticipate their final assessment within days, which I will review carefully. I will then move quickly to announce my final decision shortly thereafter.
Thank you for your respectful participation in this process and your continued understanding of the complex nature of achieving the three goals: long-term financial stability, proportionality and increased competitiveness. We will keep all of you posted as soon as there are new updates.
Maravene Loeschke
President
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November 8, 2012
Dear Towson University Faculty and Staff,
This is an update on several issues we have been addressing for Towson faculty and staff. I want to keep you informed about the many developments on our campus as well as within the University System of Maryland in the past few months. In January and February, I will visit each college to discuss issues of interest to the college. On February 6 at 4 p.m., I will give a campus address to report on the state of affairs for the university.
THE BUDGET
The preliminary budget discussions for FY14 look favorable for covering mandatory costs, but it is still early. As part of the process to prepare for discussions with the Governor, each institution was asked to identify an enhancement request. Towson requested additional funding for academic transformation, closing the graduation and retention gap, off-site nursing programs, workforce development, and STEM.
SALARIES
On alternating years the USM Classification and Compensation Committee conducts a study on either the Exempt or Non-Exempt Pay Program. The Exempt Pay Program was reviewed in the fall of 2011. The study resulted in a recommendation to adjust the minimum and maximums of the salary structure by 15 percent. Towson had 61 Exempt employees whose current salaries were below the minimum and thus received adjustments to their salaries. The total salary adjustment cost for Towson University was $149,115. The Non-Exempt Pay Program is currently being studied by the USM Classification and Compensation Committee.
There is also greater university flexibility with regard to retention. The opportunity to retain faculty and Operationally Critical Staff was expanded in the Chancellor’s FY2013 Salary Guidelines. The option gives universities not only the ability to make a counter offer for an employee being actively recruited, but also allows the opportunity to adjust a salary for retention or equity purposes without requiring the employee to have another job offer. There is a maximum of 5 percent of the institution’s full-time equivalent workforce that can be adjusted. The Provost and Vice Presidents are continuing to review salary data and retention cases.
The Provost and I will be conferring to determine if there is a way to increase the lowest salaried assistant professors and to review the salaries of the other ranks such as lecturers, clinical faculty, and adjuncts.
Additionally, the Provost and I are awaiting the final report of the Provost’s Task Force on Faculty Salaries. The preliminary results confirm the perceived need for faculty salary adjustments. There is noticeable compression in the assistant professor rank and possible compression at the full professor rank. The preliminary results did not reveal serious compression at the associate professor rank.
The final report of the task force will give us the opportunity to be proactive by having a plan in place to guide us when funds become available for merit and faculty salary increases. We look forward to the final report and will review and consider all of the recommendations.
FACULTY LOAD
Considering that Towson University is a comprehensive university with a major emphasis on teaching, the 2005 TU Workload Policy, approved by the BOR, sets an expected workload for full time faculty at the equivalent of 7-8 course units/academic year. With the hope to provide more autonomy for colleges and to encourage the sharing of department load over a period of time, this semester we established a pilot program for two years that allows faculty loads to be assigned by each chairperson with approval of the dean.
Under the pilot, chairpersons work with the deans to set a strategy to meet credit hour expectations for each department and the provost grants final approval. Credit hour expectations are determined by the total amount of credit hours expected for the number of full-time faculty in each department. USM has agreed to the pilot as long as department credit hour production meets the expected production for the department’s number of full-time faculty. The pilot process does not address load equity across colleges. We will continue discussions on this topic.
NEW PROVOST/ SEARCH FOR VICE PRESIDENT OF ADMINSTRATION & FINANCE
Our new Provost Dr. Timothy Chandler will join us on January 14, 2013. Dr. Dilisio and I are in regular contact with him and I look forward to a smooth transition.
The search for the Vice President of Administration and Finance is on track to be completed next semester. The candidate pool looks strong.
FACULTY DEVELOPMENT
We have placed more funding in professional and leadership development for both faculty and staff. For faculty development, the provost, in consultation with the deans, will determine how best to use the funds.
The USM Board of Regents approved the creation of a USM Center for Academic Transformation at its meeting last Friday. Towson now plans to move forward with the creation of its own Office of Academic Transformation. A major part of the mission of this office will be to more effectively channel faculty development efforts at Towson to include the use of new technology, course redesign, undergraduate research, supporting teaching excellence, and supporting faculty professional development events such as the January Conference. Foundation funds will be part of these efforts as requests are approved by the President.
Faculty development opportunities that support and enhance undergraduate research will also be prioritized. As such the Office of Undergraduate Research, which now resides in the Honors College, will support undergraduate research activities such as the on-campus annual spring research expo and travel to regional undergraduate research conferences.
STAFF DEVELOPMENT
The President's Task Force on Staff Professional Growth and Development presented a series of recommendations to me to ease and increase access to development opportunities for faculty, staff, and students. The recommendations included promoting and enhancing supervisor training in best practices and the creation of an online hub for professional development for all members of campus. We will conduct a staff development pilot program next semester.
The President’s Leadership Institute class created a mentoring program that engages transfer students one-on-one with key staff mentors to enhance their connection to campus, facilitate a supportive, professional network, and improve leadership skills. The Towson Foundation has already generously seeded the beginnings of this program.
ATHLETICS TASK FORCE
In late September, athletics leadership made a recommendation to reinstate men’s tennis and discontinue the university’s NCAA Division I sponsorship of the men’s soccer and baseball programs, in order to address three issues currently facing the university: establishing long-term financial stability of the athletics program; increasing the competitiveness of the athletics program; maintaining compliance with federal law concerning female-to-male athlete proportionality.
For the past month, an Athletics Task Force comprised of 13 members, chaired by Mr. David Nevins, has conducted an external review and received public input through public forms and through the special Athletics Task Force website on the proposed athletics changes. Throughout this process, I have delivered weekly updates to the campus and general public and provided answers to as many frequently asked questions as possible. I continue to be impressed with our student-athletes, particularly their civil, and respectful participation in this process. The task force will soon make a recommendation to me for my final decision this month.
WORKPLACE SURVEY
Finally, at one of the busiest times of the academic year, about 1,000 faculty and staff were randomly selected to participate in the Baltimore Sun Top Workplace survey by Workplace Dynamics. Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey as it gives us important insight to areas where our organization and leadership excel as well as areas in which we can improve. The survey results revealed much that is positive, but also that we have progress to make in salary and compensation. An executive summary of the survey results will be posted on the President’s website in December.
In conclusion, I want to thank you all for the excellent work you do everyday to deliver the best services and education to our students. I am pleased that we have been able to accomplish a great deal in a short amount of time, but there is still more to do. I look forward to continuing our progress together and sharing more positive updates with you.
Maravene Loeschke
President
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November 2, 2012
On Thursday, November 1, nearly 150 people were in attendance as the Athletics Task Force heard public commentary for two hours on the recommendation to discontinue men’s soccer and baseball.
I want to thank all of the parents, alumni, hall of famers, student-athletes, community members and friends of Towson University who attended the Athletics Task Force’s public forum last night. Your comments were thoughtful, creative, passionate, and most of all respectful of the complexity of three issues facing the university: financial stability, competitiveness and compliance. I am appreciative that many commented on the long-standing academic excellence of our student athletes and their exemplary behavior through this difficult process.
The university’s Board of Visitors, my senior advisory board, also met yesterday prior to the public forum to discuss the recommendation, ask questions and provide guidance.
The task force convened immediately after the public forum to continue their discussions and review the plethora of information received in the last month. They will meet again next week and move toward their final deliberations.
Thank you for your scheduling flexibility during this week’s weather-related delays. We will do our part to keep you informed through the Athletics Task Force website, where you may continue to provide input.
Maravene Loeschke
President
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October 31, 2012
Dear Towson University Community:
I want to express our deepest gratitude to the staff in facilities, public safety, landscape services, housing and residence life, marketing and communications, dining services, and so many others who spent many hours in preparing and securing the campus during the hurricane. While many of us were in our homes weathering the storm, several dedicated staff were on campus both day and night to ensure our safety. I also want to thank our students for their cooperation and patience while our staff worked diligently. We are fortunate to have such committed staff who work tirelessly in emergencies such as this one. On behalf of all of us, we thank you.
Maravene Loeschke
President
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October 26, 2012
This week the Athletics Task Force made significant progress in their independent review of the recommendation from athletics leadership, and they continue to be on track to make a final recommendation to me by mid-November.
I was pleased to see the students attend the student forum earlier in the week. Both the task force and I appreciated hearing directly from them and listening to their own creative ideas and solutions in the context of the three issues facing the university in athletics: establishing long-term financial stability, achieving proportionality, and increasing competitiveness of the overall athletics program. I want to thank all of the students who attended for expressing their concerns and comments with both civility and respect. I respect how difficult this time is for many student-athletes, parents, alumni and coaches.
The public forum is rescheduled for Thursday, November 1 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Minnegan Room of Unitas Stadium Field House. The format and guidelines will be the same as the student forum. More information is available on the public forums page. Anyone unable to attend either of the forums may submit their comments on the website which we are continuing to monitor.
Thank you again for your respectful participation in this important process. I will continue to deliver updates on a weekly basis as new information becomes available.
Maravene Loeschke
President
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October 19, 2012
This week the Athletics Task Force gathered independent information on Title IX, financial data, and the overall competitiveness of the athletics program. The task force also met with the coaches and student-athlete representatives of the men’s soccer and baseball teams and heard their concerns and their proposed solutions to the three challenges facing the university: establishing long-term financial stability, achieving long-term proportionality, and increasing the competitiveness of the overall program. Any solution must resolve all three challenges.
The task force will hold open forums on Tuesday, October 23, and Monday, October 29. These forums will allow interested parties to voice any concerns they have regarding this recommendation to the members of our task force. These forums are meant only for comments, and those with questions should refer to our newly updated Frequently Asked Questions section of the website [www.towson.edu/president/athleticstaskforce]. More information about the forums can be found in the Public Forums section of the website.
Please continue to submit your general inquiries and comments through the form on the website. We will be responsive and disseminate new information through the website as it becomes available.
I appreciate and respect the wide array of perspectives and opinions on the athletics recommendations. Many of you understand the complexity of addressing not one, but all three of the challenges before us. I am confident that the task force will be thorough in their analysis, but will also move swiftly for an outcome that is in the best interest of all students and student-athletes for the long-term.
Thank you for your continued input and involvement as we work together to shape the future of Towson’s athletics program.
Last week, I shared the news of an athletics recommendation from Director of
Athletics Mike Waddell to reinstate men’s tennis and discontinue men’s soccer
and baseball.
In the past week, I have heard from a number of groups and individuals,
faculty, staff, students, alumni, parents, coaches, Hall of Fame members,
donors, community members and friends.
But most importantly, I’ve heard directly from the student-athletes impacted
directly by this recommendation. I had the chance to talk with members of the
men’s soccer and baseball teams to hear their concerns, frustrations, and hopes
for the future.
I am most respectful of the young men on our men’s soccer and baseball teams,
and how they have conducted themselves. They have behaved with civility and
respect during an extremely difficult week.
To each of those young men, I’m proud of how you are representing yourselves,
your team, and this university.
Over the next weeks, the task force will receive feedback and review the
recommendations.
Please continue to send your input directly to our comments form. The
comments will be reviewed by the task force and by me.
Maravene Loeschke
President
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October 2, 2012
On Wednesday, September 26, 2012 the President’s Council and I received a report from Director of Athletics Michael Waddell recommending a reconfiguration of the intercollegiate athletics program currently offered at Towson University. The recommendation considered three guiding principles:
1. Establish long-term financial stability of the athletics program;
2. Increase the competitiveness of the athletics program;
3. Maintain compliance with federal law concerning female-to-male athlete proportionality.
After a great deal of discussion and examination by Mr. Waddell and his senior leadership team, the report recommends the reinstatement of the men’s tennis program, the discontinuation of the University’s NCAA Division I sponsorship of the men’s soccer and baseball programs, and roster expansions for select women’s teams. No other teams were recommended for discontinuation or reinstatement.
I respect the thought and care Mr. Waddell and his team put into this recommendation and its alignment with the economic challenges that institutions of higher education across the nation continue to face.
I have asked Mr. David Nevins ’76, chairman of the Towson University Board of Visitors, to lead a task force charged to provide an external review of the recommendation and receive input from on and off-campus constituents. The task force will include the Faculty Athletics Representative, student and alumni representatives, and additional members of the community. All input will be reviewed in the context of the three issues facing the athletics program: financial stability, competitiveness, and compliance.
The task force will host a public session. The date, time, and location will be announced soon. There will also be a forum for those in athletics and a session for students to share their comments.
Over the next month, I will keep the university community updated on the progress of the task force on a weekly basis. A special website [www.towson.edu/AthleticsTaskForce] has been created to accept public input on how we can continue to ensure a healthy athletics program for now and into the future. I will be monitoring all of the comments and concerns that are being shared in our community and through the website. I assure you, I am listening.
The task force will make their recommendation to me and I will announce my final decision by mid-November.
Our Towson University community holds a great deal of pride for our baseball and men’s soccer student-athletes and the legacy they have established with Towson University. I recognize how disappointing and difficult these discussions are for our student-athletes, alumni, families, supporters, and the entire campus community. In these challenging economic times, it is sometimes necessary to recommend approaches that, although troubling to many, may be in the best interest of long-term stability.
Maravene Loeschke
President
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September 18, 2012
At Towson University no recognized student group is permitted to discriminate against anyone. Our policy clearly states:
“Towson University has a process in place by which student groups are able to form recognized organizations. The institution has established viewpoint neutral guidelines for recognition based on objective criteria and national best practices. Active membership of all student organizations shall be chosen without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation or gender.”
It is also important to note that Towson has specific criteria that must be met in order for a student group to form and to date, there is no established or recognized “White Student Union” on Towson University’s campus.
The exchange of opinions and debate is a core principle of higher education and is supported by Towson’s commitment to the First Amendment. Unfortunately, this freedom on occasion allows for ideas that are offensive and hurtful to many and runs against the grain of the values of Towson University.
Accordingly, the President's Task Force Against Bias, Discrimination, and Bullying and other campus leadership groups will continue our work to ensure this continued exchange of ideas upholds the institution's mission and commitment to diversity and non-discrimination.
I extend my deepest gratitude to all of those who have worked so diligently these past six months on the magnificent inauguration week and ceremony. Hundreds of Towson University staff, faculty, students, and administrators have given countless hours to make this past week a glorious celebration for our campus community.
The Inauguration Committee, co-chaired by Teresa Hardin and Dan Leonard, has worked together to oversee every detail:
Dirron Allen, Student Life
Alison Armstrong, President’s Office
Cassy Bennett, President’s Office
Jeri Bielas, Development
Tom Cascella, Theatre
Mary T. Casterline, Alumni Relations
Marina Cooper, President’s Office
Jim DiLisio, Provost’s Office
Carol Dunsworth, University Relations
Tracey Ford, Development
Jennifer Gajewski, President’s Office
Gail Gibbs, International Student and Scholar Office
Teri Hall, Campus Life
Mike Harris, Athletics
Catherine Horta-Hayden, Dance
Bobbie Laur, DECO
Jim McTygue, Events and Conference Services
Louise Miller, University Marketing
Pam Mooney, Parking and Transportation Services
Bill Murphy, Events and Conference Services
Robert Novak, University Police
Krystle Ongaco, Events and Conference Services
Joe Oster, Auxiliary Services
Rick Pallansch, Design Center
Rod Petrocci, Black and Gold Catering
Frank Rankin, Events and Conference Services
Bill Reuling
Warren Riefner, Facilities Management
Tony Rosas, Theatre Arts
Dana Rothlisberger, Music
Thom Ruby, Bursar’s Office
Ron Santana, Office of Technology Services
Matt Sikorski, SGA
Heather Sorensen, College of Fine Arts and Communication
Tim Sullivan, Economics
Matt Wynd, CIAT
Toyia Younger, Provost’s Office
Many staff and faculty including those in Events and Conference Services, facilities, campus police, student musicians, the Marriott, Black and Gold catering services, the President’s Office, Student Affairs, University Advancement, Marketing, Alumni Relations, Athletics, Board of Visitors, and our academic departments have contributed to the success. The collaboration is yet another example of Towson University at its best.
Thank you to you all and now let us speed into a sparkling future for Towson.
Maravene Loeschke
President
On a bi-weekly basis, President Loeschke will keep the campus community updated on the latest happenings and highlights.
Be sure to check back often for updated information.
Office of the President
Administration Building, Room 331
8000 York Road | Towson, MD 21252 | 410-704-2000
