TL20050317_001 "Baltimore's #1 College Paper - Published Twice-Weekly - www.thetowerlight.com Thursday, 3/17/05 Faculty fellows to upgrade College 5 O'Malley marches band into Recher Exhibit tells Irish story with photos ?K 10 'Ring' sequel fails to match intensity Departments Opinion 3 News 5 Police Blotter. 6 Arts 10 Scheer Cinema 11 Sports 16 In This Corner. 16 Bank Shots 15 Classifieds 12 State approves MBA degree Neighboring schools express opposition as commission grants TU-UB joint program Brian Stelter The Towerlight """"This is to inform you that I have approved your proposal for a Master of Business Administration (MBA) to be jointly offered by Towson University and the University of Baltimore."""" Towson University has waited six months to read those words. After a lengthy approval process, marred by objections from several colleges and universities, the secretary for the Maryland Higher Education Commission approved the joint MBA degree proposal on Tuesday. MHEC Secretary Calvin Burnett informed TU and UB of his decision in a letter. President Robert Caret received word of the approval around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. """"It's very exciting,"""" Caret said. """"I felt that it was going to be approved, but there's always that doubt in your mind, so I was really happy to hear the news."""" Tuesday afternoon, College of Business and Economics Dean Shohreh Kaynama didn't try to hide her elation about the anticipated news. """"You could have written me a check for a million dollars today, and it would not have made me this happy,"""" she said. """"This is a dream come true."""" UB President Bob Bogomolny said the joint degree would benefit both schools. """"This provides the possibility for growing the graduate degree, in terms of numbers and also quality and strength, that we couldn't do alone,"""" he said. The two institutions must clear one more hurdle: State schools will have 30 days to appeal Burnett's decision to the full commission. Some University officials have speculated that Morgan State University could object to the decision. See PROGRAM, page 7 Event springs students into early break Berrek Windsor/The Towerhght Derrick Washington, a senior business major, serves drinks at Tower A's """"Ho Ho Hos and Eskimos"""" table during Monday evening's """"Spring Into Break"""" event in the Potomac Lounge. For story, see Page 5. Towson mourns loss of beloved peer Mike Fila The Towerlight No one is sitting at the desk in Room 407. On the fourth floor of the Administration Building, light leaks into the office through closed blinds, illuminating objects left behind. A memorial has amassed since Ronald Garrison, associate vice president for fiscal planning and services, left his office for the last time. Three red roses that wilt in a skinny vase are coupled with pictures strewn about his desktop. Memorabilia from Garrison's 60tn birthday party is propped up in an armchair. There is a journal in his office, open, inviting people to come and sign or reflect. A wreath is mounted on the door, yellow lilies bursting out from behind black ribbon that collects in a bow. Yellow and black, for the school he loved. Down the hall, five women are wearing simpler versions pinned to their blouses. It is Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. and they have gathered to talk through tears, tissues and fond memories about the man they so dedicatedly worked for. Garrison was killed in a car accident in York County, Pa. Saturday. His 1991 Acura was hit head-on by a 1996 Buick Roadmaster driven by Christopher DeVier, whose girlfriend Sandra Crouse and granddaughter Amber Grider were also in the car. See GARRISON, page 7 """"Ron was always your friend before he was your boss."""" Donna Auvil budget analyst Photo courtesy Administration & Finance Ron Garrison was killed Saturday. The Towerlight is on Spring Break next week. We will return March 28. Today High 47 Low 32 Friday High 52 Low 30 Saturday High 48 Low 38 Sunday High 53 Low 37 Monday High 54 Low 36"
