Over 75 Community Neighbors Attend Towson Master Plan Review--Student Housing Takes Center Stage

"A vibrant university is good for everybody, but we have too many 18-22 year-olds with nowhere to live," commented Wiltondale resident Brian Murphy responding to the presentation of the updated Towson University Master Plan on Wednesday night at the Minnegan Room at Unitas Stadium. Towson architects and planners fielded questions from neighbors and gathered feedback from surrounding communities in attendance including Rodgers Forge, Knollwood, Burkleigh Square, and Wiltondale. The 2010 plan was written in 2003 and is required to be revisited by the University System of Maryland every five years.
"We are willing to deal with the ones {students}we have but we are at maximum capacity," Knollwood resident Terry West said. "There aren't enough beds for these students and we can't handle any more students living in our communities."
Currently, according to University statistics, 85 percent of first-year students live on campus. After gaining junior status, students are no longer guaranteed on-campus housing. Housing issues were clearly the focus of neighbors concerns as residents lined up at the microphone to tell their stories and offer suggestions or solutions until 9:45pm. the meeting began at 6:30pm.
"I saw no surprises on the Master Plan, which is a relief," commented Rodgers Forge Community Association President Janice Moore. "I was encouraged by their willingness to consider using the space in the West Village of the campus reserved for possible faculty and staff housing for student housing. We will be glad to take the faculty and staff in the neighborhood!" While it was encouraging to see Towson representatives so open to suggestions and solutions, the proof will be in the reality that we live out in the community. Unfortunately, our collective experience has been one of disappointment in the University not living up to it's promises and seeing solutions put into place that simply do not have any teeth or staying power. Frankly, the communities do not need more solutions. How about putting substance behind the existing ones? That would be a good first step toward building trust in the surrounding communities.