With real estate running out, Tufts will soon move from its building spree to a self-improvement stage. When this time comes, the University should consider using its deferred maintenance monies and other available funds for more than just plugging holes.
The past ten years have seen this campus grow into a dynamic academic environment replete with quality students, improved facilities, and expanded program offerings. But with little physical land on which to build, Tufts must better utilize its existing facilities.
That Tufts will eventually run out of expansion room is inevitable. The University has an obligation to protect what little green space remains to maintain the suburban feel that is a major draw for prospective students. The surrounding communities, furthermore, are by no means spirited supporters of the Brown and Blue, and are unlikely to let the University creep much further into their territory _ they are pesky enough already.
Within these spatial limitations, however, the avenues of improvement are plentiful. A new dorm, for example, will alleviate some of the housing crunch, but not address the changing desires of students in terms of their residential experience. Currently, there are few apartment style buildings on campus, with a meager spattering of four person suites in Lewis and Latin Way, and a larger offering of six person co-ops in Hillsides. Res. Life has done its best to make the dorms attractive places to inhabit, but with limited budgets for renovations, it will be unlikely to make significant improvements.
But when renovating the older dorms, especially those that already lend themselves to apartment style living - Wren and Haskell, prime among them - the University should seek to make them more desirable for their residents. This could easily be done with the addition of kitchens in areas that now serve as common rooms and by installing locking doors between the suites. It's a relatively easy task, considering that these buildings need work anyway, but the additions would make an appreciable quality of life difference.
Tufts also owns space at the end of Boston Avenue _ the buildings near the Science Technology Center _ which could easily be made into an apartment complex for upperclassmen. The building is currently leased to local companies, but Tufts could transform it into a living facility when the leases run out. The commute would be a hike, but it has several advantages: It's close to engineering and science labs and the facility would not require a dining hall, as each apartment would be equipped with a kitchen. If constructed with two or three person suites, many juniors and seniors might flock to the building - despite its location - because of the real world appeal.
As resident halls are improved, Tufts can turn its attention to the other services that campus housing makes readily available. Dining options, for example, could also benefit from renovated space. Additions to Hotung, the Commons, and Trios have been helpful, but nothing compared to the well-known names that could be brought to a food court. Such a place would alleviate the incredible wait in the Commons during peak hours and add badly needed food options.
NYU has a food court that would fit ideally into the Tufts campus. Its facility accommodates about 250 people at a time, and has more than five vendors in a relatively small space: Pizza Hut, Burger King, a salad bar, a deli and a pasta station. Would Paige Hall, which should be vacated with the opening of the psychology building, not be the perfect space? There is currently no dining facility in that area of campus and a food court this size could certainly fit into Paige.
While making food options more numerous and housing more sprightly, Tufts might also consider improving its social spaces _ the last of the major services areas that requires attention. True, the campus center already has two ATMs, a ping-pong table and a pool table, but the space could be made into a real center of campus _ a place where people actually want to hang out after their lunch or dinner.
If Hotung, for example, added more televisions _ how a sports pub only has one TV is beyond comprehension _ and maybe a couple of stools for the bar-type tables, more students might actually spend time there. The selection of alcohol should be expanded, as well, as a "pub" typically offers more than a few beers. And some of the silly decorations _ field hockey and lacrosse sticks _ should be replaced with a score ticker or sports pub paraphernalia.
The campus center lounges themselves could have a bit more appeal, with extra pool tables, better decor, and even a bit of music. Because of its not very attractive appearance, few people use the campus center as a base of social interaction. Deferred maintenance and other funds would be well spent in this area.
With building space running out, there are many improvements that warrant attention and funds. Over the past ten years Tufts has done an incredible job turning this campus from a sleepy New England school into one of the premier learning environments on the East coast. If funds are used wisely, students will reap the full benefits of this remarkable transformation.
