Mike and Ron’s 10 Favorite Towson Tails Blogs

This blog may seem a little lazy and unoriginal to our loyal readers, and you’re right, it is. But give us a break it’s finals week. We could have thought of something fun and exciting for you guys but we had a lot of stuff to do and to be honest we don’t have any more ideas (KIDDING). Buckle up and lets take a trip down memory lane. Here are the top 10 Towson Tails blogs from this year, according to us, the writers…

10. Sledding Spots

On March 6, 2013 meteorologists were calling for colossal amounts of snow in the Towson area. But we weren’t scared. If anything we were too prepared. We scouted the campus, we took the pictures, and even created our own highly sophisticated algorithm to determine Towson’s top 10 sledding hills. But the snow never came…

9. Tigerfest Refund

We were all disappointed when Tigerfest got cancelled on that fateful Friday. However, unlike some who wallowed in their own pity, we came up with a plan. We’ll never know what you guys did with that $25, but we like to think at least a few Towson gnomes found new homes because of us.

8. Best Tigers

OPPA TYGA STYLE!!!:^) This blog might have seemed like just fun and games, but in reality there was actually a lot of research done. We had to make a trip to the Baltimore Zoo, spent a couple hours in the library, and watched the Tigger Movie six times (okay that was actually just for fun).

7. March Madness

After Kevin Ware’s leg injury, no one ever thought that March Madness and food would be mentioned in the same sentence ever again. But look at us now! This blog was monumental because it ended the age old debate about which diner was the best on campus. Congrats P-Tux! Or should we say Feliz Cumpleanos!

6. Intramural Sports

First off, shout out to the Hungry Melonheads for our improbable 4^th place finish in Towson’s co-ed softball league. This one was so much fun to write because, well, it was so true. We know from experience. We hope you guys found it as relevant to your team as we did.

5. Towson Rejected Mascots

No blog has been sillier than this one. Starting with a small idea, the story of Teddy Towson and his many failed attempts to finalize a mascot for our university was utter and complete nonsense; which is why we fell in love with it. We expect a statue of Teddy to be erected on campus somewhere in the near future.

4. Burdick Gym

Aww the first countdown blog EVER for Towson Tails! Isn’t it cute? Not only was this blog a huge success with readers, but it gave us the platform to do more and more funny blogs for SAM. If it weren’t for the Burdick Gym post, you guys would not be sitting here reading this blog today.

3. Rejected Towson Slogans

We’ve still yet to hear from Towson on which one of these they’ve selected to be the official school slogan, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed. In all seriousness, this not-so-serious list is one of our favorites just because it contained all the little, yet loveable idiosyncrasies Towson students enjoy poking fun at.

2. Ain’t Nobody Got Time for That

This is the first blog that we wrote as a team (excuse us while we tear up). This post was the epitome of our blog as we were able to combine pop-culture with student life, and it was something that we think students really were able to identify with.

1. Towson Pickup Lines

Have any of these worked yet for you guys? Yeah, didn’t think so… The success of this blog wasn’t in the readership, but what happened afterwards. A few days after the blog was posted, several students started tweeting their own lines using #TowsonPickupLines… and then more students did it. And then out of nowhere #TowsonPickupLines was trending in Baltimore!!! We are most proud of this blog because it represents the potential of not only Student Activities, but the potential that the whole university has to come together and be heard.

-Mike and Ron

10 Stages of Finals Week: As Told by Legendary YouTube Videos

Any college student will tell you that finals week is just about as painful as the bite of a teething infant. The test questions can be as mysterious as that strange ticking noise, making your answers at times, downright irrelevant (like THIS!) But get ready, because here are the 10 stages of finals week… as told by famous Youtube videos!                              ***Click on the titles to see the videos***

                                                           1. Ain’t Nobody Got Time For That

Studying early? NERD! Trying your best is NOT what the young go-hards are doing these days, and getting ready for exams ahead of time is way out of the question. Instead of getting nose-deep into that chemistry book of yours, you’re out on the town YOLOing or doing whatever hip #teens do to fill their time. Finals? Ain’t nobody got time for that!

2. Evolution of Dance

Your sense of neglect right now is at an all-time high. We figure this stage to go up to right about two days before your first exam and this period is filled with dance, dance, and more dance. With dance, of course meaning partying and enjoying the nice weather outdoors (and hey, why not some dance). Enjoy this craziness and excess leading up to finals week because these tests are going to headbutt you right in the chest.

 3. W.o.W. Freakout

This blog was published on Tuesday (the night before day 1 of exams) so if you haven’t lost your marbles yet….the end is near (not to be taken literally, TU Marble Club). Once you realize exactly how desperately unprepared you are for exam week, your mood is going to make a 180° turn into what we like to call the danger zone. To freak out is normal; just don’t do what this little weirdo did to his poor remote control.

 4. Star Wars Guy

Just an hour ago, all hopes of a finals week victory were depleted. But like the great J. Cole once said: “No more Mr. Nice Guy, hello Mr. Nice Watch”. Being in this stage is like you took one of those super-strengthening mushrooms from the Super Mario games because you have been studying your tail off (PS. Not the same mushrooms that your suitemate Connor has been offering you. Seriously, do not try those!) In your mind you look like a bionic study freak, but really you just look like the awkward guy in this video.

 5. David After Dentist

Oh god, you did it… the infamous all-nighter. You’ve never tried one yourself but your friends have told you plenty of rumors and tall tales about this funkadelic, sleep-deprived state. At 3am you tried to unlock your mini-fridge with your room key. This is bad. Sure, you might be feeling loopy and lightheaded, but you did manage to read the heck out of those 9 chapters for your economics class. And besides, these symptoms ain’t nothin’ another bottle of Mountain Dew can’t cure! 

6. Miss Teen South Carolina

This is you taking your test. You might have a lot of information stored up there in the old noggin, but it’s all coming out at the same time like an alphabet soup volcano. You’re mixing Geography with Government with Accounting and all the sudden you’re writing an income statement about earthquake policy in South Africa. You sound dumb and you know it. You can only hope that your professors will take mercy on you, just as the great Mario Lopez does in this video.

 7. Believe in Yourself Bike Kid

You never believed in miracles until now. Just a week ago you were sure that finals week would be the death of you. But you did it; you’re here and you’re alive and everything is beautiful! In your euphoric stupor, you type up an overly inspirational tweet alerting your friends that “no matter the highs or the lows, if you believe in yourself you can conquer anything!!!” Thumbs up for rock n’ roll everybody! 

8. Sleepy Kitten

Heaven knows we couldn’t make it through the countdown without a cat video. Your last final is over but meow is not the time for a cat nap. You still have to return your books, finish packing, and say your last goodbyes. Hold your eyes open, little tiger, you’re almost at the tail end of the year.

 9. Dramatic Chipmunk

It’s been three days since your last final and you’ve been checking PeopleSoft like a grade-hungry hockey player… but still nothing. Until that fateful moment when you log in for the 138^th time and they’re posted.. and you’re looking at them and you can’t stop looking at them…. Cue the Chipmunk. You Passed!!!!

 10. Spelling Bee Passout

Today is May 26^th. Finals are done and grades are posted and it’s time to do some summer celebrating! But oh no… here it comes….. THE CRASH!

 Getting stressed about your finals? On Wednesday May 15th from 11am-2pm come on down to Potomac Lounge in the Union for FREE gel candle making! These fresh and friendly scents will give off just the vibes you need for a calm and relaxing finals experience! Plus, they’re flame-free so you can put them in your on-campus dorm rooms!

-Mike and Ron

2013 Towson Post-Semester Awards

Just this Monday, Miami Heat star Lebron James was named basketball’s MVP (Most Valuable PLAYER, Disney fans. Not PRIMATE). In light of the NBA’s award season, plus the conclusion of the school year, we thought we’d take it upon ourselves to hand out some hardware of our own! Here are your 2013 Towson Post-Semester Awards…

MVD: Ptux

For all you award-season newbs out there, MVD stands for Most Valuable Diner, and Ptux couldn’t be more deserving this year. In our March Madness Dining Bracket blog earlier in the year, we let y’all decide your favorite diner, and Ptux won with 20% of the votes! With their hot ‘n ready crab quesadillas and irresistible paninis, Ptux was an easy choice.

Runner Up: PAWS

Elite Tiger Event: Survive Towson

We all know Tigerfest was an early favorite for this award, but a late-season injury stifled their chances at the crown. In a tough race between Survive Towson, TU After Hours, and Homecoming, the committee saw Survive Towson as this year’s standout. Not only is this zombie-infested race a crazy good time, but it even won an award for Best Campus Tradition this year. Check out the video HERE!

Runner Up: TU After Hours

Top Towson Prospect: Tiger Arena

Year after year, this award goes to a young, hotshot Towson feature in the making. With previous awards going to the likes of West Village Commons and the Burdick Bridge, Tiger Arena sure has garnered a boatload of hype this year. If you haven’t seen pictures of our new $62 million stadium, be sure to check them out HERE. Looks like a hoot!

Runner Up: West Village Bridge

Off-Campus Restaurant: Towson Best

If you haven’t been to Towson Best yet this year, you dun messed up. Disregarding any bias, Towson Best is literally, well… Towson’s best! With tasty, yet filling Asian dishes for under $10, you can’t go wrong with this spot. That’s not even mentioning their delectable sushi. Also if you go there a lot they give you free soup. You’re welcome.

Runners Up: Pizza Palace, Chipotle/Qdoba, Bahama Breeze

Comeback of the Year: Towson Men’s Basketball

This award wasn’t given by vote but is actually a fact. The Towson Men’s Basketball team had the biggest turnaround in NCAA history this year and gave us something special to get excited about. Led by forward Jerelle Benimon and superfan Bill Murray, there’s not a more deserving candidate than this year’s Tiger squad.

Runner Up: Towson Baseball

Rookie of Year:

SAM the Mouse

Alright you caught us… you caught the tater. Not to toot our own horn, but in the first year of the Student Activities Marketing branch, we think we did a pretty good job. From our On the Prowl videos, to the blogs, to our Twitter and Facebook accounts, SAM has really developed a strong personality on campus. And next year will be even better than the first… Stay tuned!

Runner Up: Newell Hall

-Mike and Ron

5 Best Study Spots For Finals

It’s the final countdown! CUE THE TRUMPETS! This is the last full week of classes, which can be both good and bad. On one hand summer is right around the corner. On the other hand, finals are even closer than ever. If you’re anything like us, you really need to start studying. Let us help you prepare by showing you the five best sticikidy-study spots for finals…and the catch for each one.

1. 3^rd & 4^th Floors at Commons

Grab yourself a BBQ Melt and hit the books! Two relatively unused floors during the weekdays, upstairs at Commons has all the hook-ups. With comfy chairs, tables, outlets, and a top-notch view, floors 3 and 4 at Commons are every Nerdy Nellie’s dream… THE CATCH? Commons has a lot of random conferences and events upstairs which could get a little bit noisy.

2. Liberal Art Classrooms

Little known fact: During finals week the classrooms in the Liberal Arts Building are left open until 2am. This option is especially appealing if you’re studying in groups because you can utilize the computer, the presenter, and the whiteboard. Also, this might be a good time to take advantage of that hide and seek option we talked about earlier in the year… THE CATCH? Now that we’ve spilled the beans everyone is gonna be flocking to Liberal Arts!

3. Cook Library

This one might seem obvious, and it is. However, it’s the only study spot on campus open 24 hours during finals week. You need computers? They got em. Books? Yes ma’am. Plenty of seats? Well that’s THE CATCH. During finals week Cook can be an absolute madhouse. Finding a seat is like a big kid version of musical chairs. Step ya game up.

4. Booth at Paws

If you think Paws is just for late night snackers and billiard-hustling hunks, you’re sadly mistaken. Their private booths make for a great study spot. You will love these booths which are “Built for Comfort” according to the Billy’s Baltimore Booth Hut guarantee. THE CATCH? If you’re there all night you may be tempted to waste all your meals on three orders of cheese fries.

5. Home

This may only be an option for our in-state students, but if you can make it home the weekend of the 18^th and 19^th why not do it? A nice home-cooked meal, your own room, and unlimited study time? Sure sounds good to us. THE CATCH? You chose the weekend your mom wants to do spring cleaning. So clean the bathroom, wash the windows, dust the TV, and then it’s back to Astronomy 101.

-Ron & Mike

Now Hiring Photographers and Videographers!

Towson University

Student Activities Office

Position Description: Photographer/Videographer

 

Student Activities and Sam are currently seeking photographers and videographers for the 2013-14 academic year. This position will partner with subject matter experts and marketing assistants to develop appropriate video blogs, commercials and event coverage that capture campus life and the student experience. This position will assist with the overall strategic planning of marketing initiatives. This position will be supervised by the Coordinator of Marketing and Social Media. Night and weekend work will be required, with advanced notice.

 

 

 

Job Duties:

• Be an active member of the Student Activities marketing team and participate in strategic planning of marketing initiatives
• Maintain plan for Student Activities internet presence based strategic plan
  • Will be expected to offer commercial ideas, video blog ideas and attend different campus events
• Ensure videos and photos are accessible from all of Sam’s social media outlets
• Respond promptly to email
• Develop daily/weekly video blogs/commercials or photo coverage that best reflect our campus and communicate the student experience
• Work at least 1 weekend a month at Destination Towson or other similar events
• Promote Student Activities and program areas at special events and throughout campus
• Actively attract and engage students to Student Activities social media
• Research strategic ways to communicate to a diverse campus population
• Outreach to various student groups

 

 

Qualifications:

 

• Current Towson student enrolled full-time. Major in broadcast journalism, EMF, advertising, PR, Marketing, eBusiness, mass communication or other related field
• Excellent grammar and punctuation
• Good photography skills
• Video or photo editing ability
• Social Media experience
• Good conversationalist, can engage with others well
• Comfortable approaching students on campus for their participation
• Own equipment recommended

 

 

Student Activities is seeking an energetic and creative individual. Must be self-motivated and can work with little supervision. This position will get credit for all work done and will be displayed on website, http://www.towson.edu/studentactivities and social media outlets such as Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.

 

 

*SA student generally require a commitment of ten hours per week, but can be adjusted to meet students’ specific program requirements. This position pays $8 an hour. The student must be available to attend a Student Employee orientation on August 27^th from 9am-4pm.

 

If interested, please email your resume and sample work (or portfolio) to Kim Ciurlino at kciurlino@towson.edu.

 

Now Hiring Social Media Specialists & Bloggers!

Towson University

Student Activities Office

Position Description: SAM Social Media Blogger

 

Student Activities and Sam are currently seeking Social Media Bloggers for the 2013-14 academic year. This position will partner with subject matter experts and marketing assistants to develop appropriate written and video blogs that capture campus life and the student experience. This position will assist with the overall strategic planning of marketing initiatives. This position will be supervised by the Coordinator of Marketing and Social Media. Night and weekend work will be required, with advanced notice.

 

 

Job Duties:

• Be an active member of the Student Activities marketing team and participate in strategic planning of marketing initiatives
• Maintain plan for Student Activities internet presence based strategic plan
  • On all social media sites: Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, WordPress, etc.
• Ensure blogs are accessible from a variety of different environments
• Respond promptly to social media comments and email
• Develop daily/weekly written/video blogs that best reflect our campus and communicate the student experience
• Work at least 1 weekend a month at Destination Towson or other similar events
• Promote Student Activities and program areas at special events and throughout campus
• Actively attract and engage students to Student Activities social media
• Research strategic ways to communicate to a diverse campus population
• Outreach to various student groups

 

 

Qualifications:

 

• Current Towson student enrolled full-time. Major in English, journalist, broadcast journalism, advertising, PR, Marketing, eBusiness, mass communication or other related field
• Good “conversational” writing skills
• Excellent grammar and punctuation
• Social Media experience
• Familiar with recent blog technologies
• Familiar with blog development
• Good conversationalist, can engage with others well
• Comfortable public speaking, on camera, or approaching students on campus

 

 

Student Activities is seeking an energetic and creative individual. Must be self-motivated and can work with little supervision. This position will get credit for all work done and will be displayed on website, http://www.towson.edu/studentactivities and social media outlets such as Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.

 

 

*SA student generally require a commitment of ten hours per week, but can be adjusted to meet students’ specific program requirements. This position pays $8 an hour. The student must be available to attend a Student Employee orientation on August 27^th from 9am-4pm.

 

 

If interested, please email your resume to Kim Ciurlino at kciurlino@towson.edu.

 

Now Hiring Designers!!

Towson University

Student Activities Office

Position Description: Graphic Designer

 

Student Activities and Sam are currently seeking a Graphic Design student worker for the 2013 – 2014 academic year. This person will report to the Coordinator of Marketing and Social Media. The selected individuals’ responsibilities will include: concepting and designing promotional posters, fliers, ads, email banners, and social media graphics; working with SA’s marketing team videographer to produce video-ready art cards and overlays; designing t-shirt graphics to promote SA and its events; resizing ads and graphics from various on-campus departments; producing press-ready files; and working with other office interns and student marketing team to support and promote the office’s signature events and programs. Signature events may include TigerFest, Involvement Fair, TU Afterhours, TU Holiday, Towson Leadership Conference, Service Fair, You In? Weekends, and more. This student will be an active and highly valued member of the Sam’s team.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Create original designs for SA promotional campaigns
• Resize posters and fliers for use in the Towerlight and other publications
• Design and submit advertisements to publication specifications
• Collaborate with Sam’s other team members to plan and implement integrated activities
• Contribute to the development and implementation of the overall SA marketing plan
• Participate in a weekly meeting with supervisors to talk about experiences
• Participate in a training session to learn various systems in event/program development and management

Qualifications:

• Currently studying graphic design as a Junior or Senior class standing
• Comfortable creating designs from scratch with minimal direction, as well as specific expectations
• Ability to meet deadlines both rush and in the future
• Familiar with graphic design theory and best practices
• Knowledgeable in Adobe Creative Suite, on both Mac and PC platforms, including:
  • Photoshop
  • Illustrator
  • InDesign (strongly preferred)
  • Comfortable creating press-ready mechanical files (including knowledge of color-space, image resolution, bleed, and other standard requirements)
  • Able to create and upload web-ready graphics
  • Detail-oriented, with strong creative thinking abilities
  • Forward-thinking, with excellent time management skills
  • Flexible with regard to office hours
  • Proficient with technology, including computers, digital cameras, and video recording devices
  • Independent, also with the ability to work well in groups
  • A highly motivated, go-getter willing to self-start and initiate communications with other team members
  • Ability to manage online publications and websites

*SA student generally require a commitment of ten hours per week, but can be adjusted to meet students’ specific program requirements. This position pays $8 an hour. The student must be available to attend a Student Employee orientation on August 27^th from 9am-4pm.

If interested, please email your resume and sample work (or portfolio) to Kim Ciurlino at kciurlino@towson.edu.

On of the designs done by this years student designer, Paige Robinson!