The Towerlight, September 23, 2002

tl20020923-000 "The roilierlitulibi Baltimore's #1 College Paper - Published Twice-Weekly - www.thetowerlight.com Monday, 9/23/02 Program teaches safety awareness 5 Fire sparks in Residence Hall 5 Coffeehouse to bring diverse acts 12 `Sisters:' more than a chick flick 13 Departments News Campus Briefs 5 6 Arts 12 Sound Bites 14 Backstage Pass 15 Entertainment Briefs 15 Sports 20 Athlete of the Week 17 In This Corner 20 Classifieds 15 Opinion 2 Kirwan visits TU; talks future USM Chancellor says Towson has 'potential' as well as 'enormous challenges' ahead of it Sarah Breitenbach The Towerlight Amid an economic recession and the search for a new university pres-ident, University System of Maryland Chancellor William Kirwan spent last Thursday visiting Towson's campus in a series of stops to all USM institutions. Kirwan, who assumed his post on Aug. 1, spoke Thursday afternoon from acting President Dan Jones' office about the impression he got from his in-depth visit. He said he aims to help recruit TU's next pres-ident and improve Towson's resources. Kirwan also warned of an inevitable tuition hike for the entire USM system. As part of his visit, Kirwan met with various deans, vice presidents, senate members and other officials of the University to discuss his plans as chancellor and to hear con-cerns voiced by the TU community. He concluded his visit with a cam-pus tour, which gave him a chance to meet with students and staff. ""Although I've lived in Maryland for 34 years, I've never really been on the campus quite like I was today. I came away very impressed by the dedication of people here,"" Kirwan said. ""There is a commit-ment to the University. I know that it's been in some ways a difficult time for Towson, given all that tran-spired last year. It's hard to be here and not feel that Towson hasn't got-ten its fair share in resources."" The chancellor intends to be an active participant in the search for Towson's new president. ""I will be a very enthusiastic and effective recruiter once we identify the final candidates for the posi-tion,"" he said, adding that in the meantime Jones is a more-than-qualified leader. ""The campus was obviously shak-en by the events of last year and to have one of its own step up I think has done wonders for the morale and the spirit on the campus,"" Kirwan said. ""I think that there is a Vanessa Carlton rocks out for concert Greg Aycock The Towerhght Vanessa Carlton, singer of the hit 'A Thousand Miles' performed at the Towson Center Saturday evening. Carlton was joined by opening local band Woodswork and fan-favorite Howie Day. See article, page 12. good case for investment, going for-ward in Towson. The message I left with people was I am a great believ-er in what Towson is and what Towson can be, and I want to be as helpful as I possibly can in realizing those aspirations."" While impressed with Towson's attitude, Kirwan recognized that there are issues the University needs to address. ""Towson has an awful lot to be proud of, but what I find exciting is that I think it has enormous poten-tial,"" he said. ""It's one thing.to be good and that's all you can ever hope to be. That's not the case with Towson; there is enormous poten-tial here [as well as] enormous chal-lenges. There are resource problems, obviously a need for an investment in new facilities and a need for improvement in [existing] facili-ties."" Kirwan also addressed the cur- See KIRWAN, page 8 Today High 76 Low 58 Tuesday High 77 Low 57 Wednesday High 76 Low 60 Thursday High 77 Low 57 Friday High 74 Low 62 "