Founded in 2015, the Towson University Retired Faculty Association (TURFA) fosters relationships among retired faculty and librarians, helping them remain connected to both the university, and the larger Towson community.
TURFA is a collaborative venture of retirees and the Office of the Provost. See the About page to learn more of our history, our governing structure, and where you might fit in and feel most comfortable. TURFA provides opportunities for members to share information, experiences, scholarship, service, and engage socially. In addition, TURFA is the chief advocate for the privileges and benefits afforded all retired faculty and librarians by Towson University.
TURFA advocates for TU retirees. We work with the University to advocate for retiree benefits on campus and beyond. Over the last few years, TURFA represented retiree interests to save our State prescription benefits. However, the State will terminate the prescription plans for State retirees on December 31, 2024. This means that you will lose your state prescription benefits, and you will have to choose a Medicare Part D prescription plan during the Medicare special enrollment period from October 1 through December 24, 2024. Please look at the following resources that will help you understand the transition to a Medicare Part D Prescription Plan. The TURFA Fall Forum this year focused on making the transition to Medicare Part D. You can view the video of the Fall Forum here (embed the link to the Panopto video and the PowerPoint presentation for the Forum here. The handout for the Fall Forum provides an easy guide to the steps you need to take to select a new Part D plan. The State hired a contractor, Via Benefits to help you choose a new Medicare Part D prescription plan. For more information, please see the website for the Maryland Department of Budget & Management Retirees.
TURFA membership is open to all retiring full time faculty, adjunct faculty and librarians as well as those who have a long-term association with the university or are partners of members. The fee is nominal.
Membership Information
TURFA actively works to expand and codify the benefits of TURFA membership
Benefits of TURFA Membership
Activities include trips to local sites, special interest discussion groups, speakers, bike rides, happy hours, and dinner get-togethers, etc.
Events & Activities
Four standing committees are responsible for organizing most TURFA's activities. Members are encouraged to serve on these committees.
Committees
Members can mentor students and do volunteer work in the Towson community and beyond.
Volunteer Opportunities
Seminars and videos offering information on enhancing the retirement experience. Also become involved in activities that allow you to grow your mind and body.
Retirement Resources
Watch video interviews of retired faculty at the archive for the Towson University Retired Faculty Association Oral History Project.
Watch Videos
TURFA’s biannual newsletter, TURFA Matters (formerly The Advocate), provides articles written to inform and entertain. It includes in-depth interviews with retirees and others from TU, updates about issues of concern, information about recent activities and current initiatives, and brief In Memoriam notices.
Towson University is the first University System of Maryland institution to join the Association of Retirement Organizations in Higher Education (AROHE). AROHE advocates for and serves campus-based organizations for retired faculty and staff. Through its network we share TURFA successes and initiatives and learn about those of sibling organizations.
AROHE offers recorded webinars that may be of interest to retired or retiring faculty.