CUMU is essentially a special interest group for universities with a shared sense of mission and location.
In describing the group, Caret borrowed the term "stewards of place" â€" urban and metropolitan universities are "stewards of the region in which we reside," he said.
Caret is the vice president of the coalition, and he was formerly the chair of the program and public policy committee. Towson adopted the slogan "Maryland's Metropolitan University" when he became president in 2003.
About 90 institutions belong to the coalition. It was formed almost 25 years ago "in part because some urban and metropolitan presidents became increasingly aware of the things their campuses had in common, and of shared frustrations," a Towson press release said.
Towson was a founding member of the group, and former president Hoke Smith was a longtime committee co-chair.
"It fits what we believe," Caret said. "We've been there from the beginning, focused on the educational well-being of the region, and also on economic and social issues-On bringing the expertise of the campus to bear in solving real problems."
Several other institutions expressed interest in serving as the new headquarters for the coalition. Towson benefited in part from its proximity to Washington, D.C., Caret said.
Eastern Michigan has served as the coalition's headquarters since June 2002. Towson will hire a full-time administrative director to oversee the group; the director's office will probably be located in the Administration Building.
"The entire membership of the coalition is excited about Towson's willingness to step forward and assume this vital role," CUMU president James C. Votruba said in a press release.
What is a metropolitan university?
"Metropolitan Universities are institutions that strive to be responsive to the needs of our communities, to include teaching that is adaptable to the diverse needs of our metropolitan students, and to build close working relationships with elementary and secondary schools so as to improve the overall quality of education."
The statement continues: "Metropolitan Universities combine research-based learning with practical application and are dedicated to creating interdisciplinary partnerships and forming alliances with outside public and private organizations to resolve complex metropolitan problems. Within the university environment, our colleges and universities seek to educate students to become informed and engaged citizens who will play a role in the betterment of society."
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