More brown, blue, and elephants to be added to campus

In an effort to increase campus unity and spirit, the Tufts Community Union (TCU) Senate is working on heightening the visibility and frequency of the University seal and colors around campus.

Senate Historian Alison Clarke, who is leading the effort, thinks students should be "excited and proud to go here." By adding Tufts' signatures, such as images of Jumbo, around campus, the University can "show that it appreciates itself so that students can appreciate it as well," Clarke said.

The idea behind the initiative is to strengthen University identity so that "you could randomly land on Tufts' campus and [immediately] be able to tell where you are" Clarke said. She plans to do this by furnishing the Medford campus with more directories, University seals, and images of the School's mascot, Jumbo.

Dewick-MacPhie Dining Hall is one location Clarke thinks needs more Tufts insignia. "In Dewick, you can't tell you're in a Tufts dining hall," she said. She has discussed adding a Tufts seal to the blank wall behind the stage area with Director of Dining Services Patti Lee Klos.

Clarke has reviewed her ideas with Director of Medford Facilities Ron Esposito and plans to talk with the Vice President of Operations, John Roberto.

Her plans also include increasing Tufts' visibility off-campus with the installation of signs to Tufts in Davis Square and other neighboring areas. It is not uncommon for people coming from the T-station in Davis to get lost looking for Tufts, Clarke said.

Clarke hopes that when the Mayer Campus Center is re-landscaped next summer, two campus directories will be installed on the premises. She also wants to add blue identification signs to important buildings, such as the Campus Center, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, and Tisch Library to help visitors on the campus.

A Tufts seal was recently added above the stage in Cohen Auditorium, but it is not exactly what Clarke would like. The Senate was not involved in installing the crest, and members are dissatisfied with its colors: red and gold, which makes it look "like a Harvard seal," Clarke said. She plans to talk to Cohen Manager Bob Cardoza to see if the colors can be changed.

Senator Randy Newsom, who is working with Clarke, especially wants to work with the Athletic Department. The initiative's approach to the school colors should "mainly use blue with brown as an offsetting color," as the bookstore has done with its Tufts merchandise, because "that's what the students want," Newsom said.

Although Clarke and other senators have brainstormed a number of ideas, their project is still in the planning stages. "It's all speculation now," Newsom said. He calls the initiative a "year-long goal," but Clarke hopes to see some changes made soon.