We remember Jodie Nealley, and we were even Facebook friends with Ray Rodriguez until he (apparently) deleted his account. They were fun and funny, though clearly they were keeping something from us that we did not learn about until years later in these very pages. We were saddened and disappointed when we heard the news of the embezzlement, but we congratulate the university administration for the quick and fair manner in which it has dealt with the legal matters, the internal staff shuffling and the remuneration of funds to the Tufts Community Union (TCU). Now it is up to the TCU Senate to demonstrate the vision and leadership necessary to use these funds effectively. The Senate has already allocated funds to student groups and created a savings trust for future student activities. We believe that the funds in the savings trust should be allocated toward need-blind admissions.
Many of our members in the Tufts Progressive Alumni Network (TPAN) have been watching this story closely and with interest, both because the scandal affects our recent graduates directly and because the sudden positive cash balance during a national depression creates an enormous opportunity. They stole our money, too. But the question now is: Where can we make an impact?
There is no single correct answer to this question, and we do not agree even among ourselves. However, there is a firm sense that need-blind admissions, or some variant thereof, is a strong, viable and important direction to take. This proposal commands a prominent place in this discussion. Here are a few reasons why:
1. Directing money toward need-blind admissions is not charity — it is an investment. A diverse student body is essential to a good learning environment. How can Tufts students expect to succeed if the faces walking through the halls of Carmichael do not reflect the faces walking through the halls of the White House? Diversity is not simply something that liberals do out of guilt. Many businesses have harnessed the creativity that comes from collaborations between people with vastly different life experiences and perspectives. It is not enough to simply be smart and have skills anymore. We want Tufts undergraduates to be competitive with other students who are just as good and have been challenged by a diverse array of people early and often. The sooner and the longer you have those experiences, the better a problem-solver you become.
2. With many sources of funds dwindling, the economic crisis has threatened the ability of many students to attend Tufts. The TCU Senate can demonstrate sister and brotherhood in these exceptional times by designating these funds to tuition assistance. Should need-blind admissions become a reality at Tufts, all students will be assured that their admittance was based on the merits of their application. Need-blind admissions will improve Tufts' competitive standards, ensuring that each student is surrounded by the best among their peers. An accomplished and diverse student body will benefit all students equally. Contrary to some arguments that have been put forward in this discussion, supporting need-blind admissions contributes to a meritocracy rather than detracting from it.
3. As you can see by the interest that alumni have shown recently, such as Danika Kleiber (LA '02) in her Feb. 11 Op-Ed "The art of giving," alumni and donors are watching. The windfall funds give the TCU Senate a rare opportunity to lead by example. The choice to highlight the issue of need-blind admissions could inspire future donations in a way that an endowment for student activities will not.
Former and current students have contributed to these student activity funds for the benefit of the student body. There is no reason why donating money to financial aid qualifies as inconsistent with this mission ipso facto. We understand that the TCU Senate is attempting to address the financial crisis through both an ad-hoc committee and collaboration with the Tufts Fund for Arts, Sciences and Engineering and the Office of Financial Aid through the Tufts Student Fund. While we commend these efforts, we also urge this committee to direct funds toward students with financial need. The windfall funds are an unparalleled opportunity to support students with financial need, and it is certainly not too late in the process to reallocate funds.
Need-blind admissions will enhance the student experience by ensuring a diverse and qualified student body. This is a tremendous opportunity for the TCU Senate to encourage the university to become need blind. There are students and organizations on campus that have been actively supporting this course of action and have the knowledge and the will to work out the details of such a plan. Students who are serious about equal opportunity and effective pedagogy ought to show support for this proposal. One of the characteristics that makes us most proud of Tufts is its commitment to active citizenship and public leadership. We believe that these students exemplify the best of these qualities. We urge the TCU Senate to work with them and find a way to help Tufts remain a leader in diversity and active citizenship.
--
Louis Edgar Esparza graduated from Tufts in 2003 with a degree in sociology and peace and justice studies; he is the co-founder of the Tufts Progressive Alumni Network. Eva Skillicorn graduated from Tufts in 2006 with a degree in peace and justice studies; she is an executive board member of the Tufts Progressive Alumni Network.
