Since former MIT Chancellor Lawrence S. Bacow became Tufts' 12th president almost four months ago, he has spent most of his time listening to the students, faculty, and staff that comprise his new home.
"If I am going to be an effective leader, I need to know Tufts well," Bacow wrote in a Daily viewpoint Sept. 6. "I have spent the past few months visiting with faculty, staff, trustees, and students to get their perspective on the challenges we face."
After spending most of his time on Tufts' campuses, Bacow embarked on his first lengthy road-trip as president in November. In one week, he visited London, New York, and Atlanta to meet alumni, donors, and others connected to the University. He began another tour to meet alumni in other US cities after Thanksgiving.
As he became more intimate with his new home, Bacow started to develop a mission for the University. At the meeting with the Board of Trustees, he said Tufts needs to generate more support for faculty salaries, increase financial aid for undergraduates and graduate students, and better integrate its seven schools, which are dispersed across three Massachusetts campuses.
