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Towson University

Undergraduate School

Mailing Address
8000 York Rd
Towson, Maryland 21252
Phone
(410) 704-2000
Email address
admissions@towson.edu
School Information
"Some of the best students in America pursue 64 undergraduate majors, 46 master’s programs and four doctoral degree programs at Towson University. Founded in 1866 as a teacher’s college, today's students can also study majors like business administration, psychology, mass communications and nursing. TU's educational experience also branches out to off-campus locations throughout Maryland and a number of online options." The university enrolls over 22,900 students. (Source: https://www.towson.edu/about/ataglance/)
General Information
Towson University is providing Critical Race Theory resources to its students. The university has officially sponsored and hosted speaking events with Critical Race Theory in Education experts. No Critical Race Training is yet required of students. See developments below:

Actions Taken

Admissions Policies
  • Towson's 2020-2025 Diversity Strategic Plan states that it would asses the "impact of admissions criteria and financial aid on underrepresented students."
  • Towson's 2020-2025 Diversity Strategic Plan states that it would "[c]reate collaborative programs across the DC/MD/VA region to increase campus exposure to underrepresented populations."
Anti-Racism, Bias, and Diversity Training
  • TU’s Dialogue Program is offering Level 1 of the 3-part training and certification program for staff and faculty.
  • The university allows faculty and staff to request additional training sessions on "Gender Discrimination and Title IX," "Diversity, Equity and Inclusion," "Accessibility, Disability and ADA," and "Hate Crimes and Bias Incidents."
  • Towson's 2020-2025 Diversity Strategic Plan states that for the Inclusion & Institutional Equity, Student Affairs, and Student Government Association departments, the university would provide "[m]andatory interactive education and training for all students on hate/bias, cultural intelligence, unconscious bias, anti-racism and other anti-oppression concepts."
  • Towson's 2020-2025 Diversity Strategic Plan states that it would "[p]rovide annual professional development training on unconscious bias for members of search, hiring, promotion/tenure and award selection committees."
Disciplinary Measures
  • Towson outlines its bias reporting protocols and states, "Acts of destruction or violence which are motivated by animosity against a person or group because of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, disability, national origin, or homelessness, or which infringe on the rights and freedom of others will not be tolerated at TU." Towson also states, "If you have been a victim, or have witnessed or learned of a hate crime or bias incident, you can file a report using the Hate Crimes and Bias Incident Report Form."
Faculty/Staff Requirements
  • Towson's 2020-2025 Diversity Strategic Plan states that for the Inclusion & Institutional Equity, Human Resources, and Academic Affairs departments, the university would provide "[m]andatory interactive education and training for all staff and faculty on hate/bias, cultural intelligence, unconscious bias, anti-racism and other anti-oppression concepts."
Program and Research Funding
  • The Urban Education Justice Project at Towson is "devoted to understanding the work of teachers in urban schools advocating for racial equity and social justice" and " includes teachers, school workers, union officers, education activists, and university faculty who are in conversation together trying to understand the challenges and successes as these teachers organize to gain power and fight for racial equity and social justice in their schools and communities."
  • Diversity & Inclusion Faculty Fellows at Towson "infuse diversity and inclusion into the curriculum, support social justice in the classroom, and create scholarly work to advance equity, access, inclusion, and institutional practices." Fellows are expected to "[a]ttend monthly workshops during the academic year 2023-2024" and "[i]mplement the newly developed diversity initiative in the spring of 2024." 
  • Towson's Diversity and Difference courses "explore relationships of distinctiveness and interdependence, conflict and cooperation, between and among people with varying cultures, beliefs, identities, and capabilities."
Resources
  • In 2017, Towson University’s Office of Inclusion and Institutional Equity (OIIE) hosted a Courageous Conversations Conference, which included a session presented by Marci Watson-Vandiver, Ph.D., Department of Elementary Education, called Using critical race theory as a theoretical and analytical framework, this study examines both student engagement and school disaffection through the lens of Black student “positionality.”
  • The university hosted a CRT in Education professor as the 2019 commencement speaker
  • The university's Office of Inclusion & Institutional Equity web page has provided students with "Anti-Racism Resources," including book recommendations.
  • Towson's "EdPrepLab" has created a "Racial Justice Clearinghouse" for educators which states the following in its introduction: "The Racial Justice Clearinghouse was created on a simple premise: that education is a fundamental right, and that all people, with diverse identities and circumstances, are entitled to an equitable and just education in order to see their potential realized. At EdPrepLab, we are committed to building a reality where individuals have their needs met for well-being, unimpeded by bias, hate, and oppression that exist in society."
  • Towson Library provides resources for Equity, Diversity & Inclusion in the Arts which includes links to the "Association for Critical Race Art History," "BLM: An Open Letter to Art Educators on Constructing an Anti-racist Agenda," and "Black Arts Matter."
  • On November 10, 2023, Towson University President Mark Ginsberg sent a communication to TU stakeholders regarding the war between Israel and Hamas which stated the following: "Although there are rising instances of hate-based discrimination and campus violence across the U.S., that cannot take place at Towson University. Violence and hatred will not be tolerated on our campus or allowed to become part of TU’s climate. Our university is wholly committed to the safety of every person who calls TU home.”
Symbolic Actions
  • Towson's Vice President and President state in the introduction to the 2020-2025 Diversity Strategic Plan that the "completion of this plan has taken place during a time where the nation is addressing and focusing on the issues of institutional and systemic racism, inequality and social justice using an anti-racist lens."
Last updated January 26th, 2024
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