tl20020401-000 "Th ThwerIihb Baltimore's #1 College Paper - Published Twice-Weekly - www.thetowerlight.com Monday, 4/1/02 Construction on garage halted 3 Towson expands, adds new program 5 Dutton donates new building 1,1 Tigers play game without turnovers 17 Departments News 8 Campus Briefs 9 Nation 9 Taking Stock 10 Arts 13 Entertainment Briefs 16 In a Theater Near You /6 Sound Bites 17 Sports 19 In This Corner 19 Bank Shots 21 Athlete of the Week 23 Classifieds 24 Opinion 26 Spring Break extended one day All Monday classes canceled, says Perkins following flight cancellation Adam S. Reisinger The Towerlight After Dr. Mark L. Perkins' flight back from his Spring Break vaca-tion in Cancun was cancelled, the University President made a sur-prise decision, extending Towson's break by one day, with classes resuming Tuesday, April 2. ""If I can't be at campus on the first day back, no one should have to be there,"" Perkins said from his suite at the Flamingo Cancun Resort and Plaza. ""It just doesn't seem fair."" By presidential mandate, all classes on campus are cancelled for today, and will not be made up. The announcement was made to students late last night via an all-campus e-mail. However, Perkins admitted that some students may be surprised upon showing up to an empty campus this morning. ""If you know anyone who doesn't have access to e-mail, or is like me and just can't figure the dang thing out, then just let them know: no classes until I get back,"" he said. Some teachers were outraged upon hearing of the cancellations, having scheduled pop quizzes for Monday's classes. ""If the 'Towson Promise' is about promising students extra vacation time so they'll overlook major tuition increases, then I don't know if I want to be a part of it,"" said one professor who asked to have his name withheld. However, USM Chancellor Donald Langenberg supported Perkins' decision, calling it ""an example of the kind of leadership we expected when we brought in Dr. Perkins to take this fine institu-tion to the next level."" Early student reaction was mixed. While most students sup-ported the move, some said they wished they'd known about it earli-er. ""I could still be partying in Jam-aica,"" senior James Williams said. � See APRIL FOOL'S, page 6 Photo Illtstraton by Saul Stoogenke The Towerhght Dr. Mark L. Perkins enjoys a relaxing spring break vacation in Cancun, Mexico. However, his return trip to Towson was delayed, resulting in a decision to allow Spring Break to be extended through April Fool's Day. Towson to host 2006 NCAA Tourney Towson Center to be renamed, renovated before next season Matt Papuchis The Towerlight ATLANTA � Recent criticisms of the Towson Center struck a nerve with University officials, particular-ly the athletics department, leading to yesterday's shocking announce-ment that the Towson Center would be renamed, renovated and play host to the 2006 Final Four. ""We figured, why not?"" a spokesperson for the NCAA said from this year's Final Four at the Georgia Dome. ""We were all talking one night and we figured it was a good idea."" While many students and faculty are surprised by this decision, Towson Athletics Director Dr. Wayne Edwards feels with serious refurbishing, the new multi-million dollar sports complex will be a facil-ity worthy of such an honor. ""We think it's great,"" he said. ""I was thumbing through The Tower-light when I saw Hector [del Castillo]'s column about the poor condition of the complex, and I tell you, I thought to myself, 'He's right."" The Towson Center will be razed this summer, and TU teams will temporarily play at the Baltimore Arena. The new arena, which will be named ""Tiger Arena presented by Pepsi"" will feature 27,000 seats, more than 100 luxury boxes, includ-ing a presidential suite for Dr. Mark L. Perkins and locker room and office facilities for the teams that will call the arena home. The athletics department is also optimistic that hosting the Final Four will lead to great things for Towson's basketball future. See FINAL, page 4 Today an High 78 (4y11A Low 57 Tuesday High 70 Low 44 Wednesday High 54 Lou) 30 Thursday High 34 Low 17 Friday High 10 Lou' -24 "