28-year-old junior Anne Stevenson's son was about nine months old when she transferred to Tufts from UMass-Boston.
In her case, as an older student, her Tufts experience was different than the "normal" one - but there were a number of similar people she could interact with.
The RSO (REAL Student Organization) is an entirely student-run group for those enrolled in the Resumed Education for Adult Learners (REAL) program. The RSO gives these older students a network to meet and connect with people on campus and a community of friends.
"For people in an already vulnerable situation, it's important to have people you can associate with," said Stevenson, president of the RSO and a political science major.
Without the RSO, these students would not see much of each other, since they come from all courses of study throughout the University. The group helps to keep the students in touch by organizing events.
Bonnie Chou, a 26-year-old computer science major and mathematics minor, said that RSO plays a key role in the social networks of older students.
"RSO means a lot to every REAL student," Chou said. "It's a very diverse background of people, and it holds a place for us to be together and to encourage each other."
The REAL program has a history that began in 1970, when it was created for women who could not attend college or who started a family while in school. In 1976, the program was expanded to include male applicants as well.
REAL is open to students above the age of 25, and most of its current members have transferred to Tufts after two years at another school. In addition, most of the group's members, who number about 60, are single mothers, work and have families.
Associate Dean of the Colleges Jean Herbert is the academic dean for the REAL program. She oversees their initial seminar, is involved in their admissions process and interviews most of the older students who apply. Since most applicants have taken courses at another institute, they are placed in the transfer applicant pool.
"The [REAL] program is simply a way for non-traditional age students to get a Tufts education," Herbert said. "They go through the same rigorous admissions process as all other undergraduates, and they have all the same graduation requirements."
This year, however, the RSO has suffered a setback due to an error by the board's previous leadership.
"Last year, our board did not submit a budget, and this year we have an all new board," Stevenson said.
New groups in the Tufts Community Union (TCU) are capped at $1,000.
Stevenson said the TCU Senate did not recommend the full $1,000, however. Through the treasury, the TCU Senate oversees the distribution of the Student Activities Fee to various student groups on campus.
TCU Treasurer Jeffrey Katzin said the Allocations Board itemized the group's expenses and recommended $749.80 in funding.
Though TCU's funding decision was standard, it has caused problems for Stevenson and other REAL members.
"Our usual budget was anywhere from $2,000 to $3,000," Stevenson said. "The only event we've had was at my house and was paid for out of my own pocket."
"I'm a single mother - I can't dish out money," Stevenson added. "We pay the Student Activities Fund, and for most of us, this is the only group we're in, so it's like we're paying and getting nothing back."
REAL's board members were told they could apply for additional buffer funding this fall, Stevenson said, but were then told that this was an error and that they could not apply for additional funding until the winter.
This year, REAL's focus is on increasing visibility on campus and creating a more supportive environment, according to Stevenson. She also said that REAL plans on submitting the budget proposal for next year in February, and that they will be applying for buffer funding in the spring.
"I've been given such a great gift to come to Tufts," Stevenson said. "I just want to give back to those in my position."
