Yesterday afternoon, a panel of administrators had a conversation with approximately 50 students in the Sophia Gordon Hall conference room.
The dialogue, the first of a planned series of Arts and Sciences town meetings, focused on the intellectual experience of freshmen at Tufts.
Dean of Arts and Sciences Robert Sternberg began this series as a "good way to hear different points of view" about life around campus, he said. Both students and faculty were encouraged to attend.
The panel included Sternberg, Dean of Undergraduate Admissions Lee Coffin, Dean of Undergraduate Education James Glaser, and Dean of Student Affairs Bruce Reitman.
While the deans were largely the authorities on issues raised, conversation went back and forth between faculty and students attendees, who were primarily upperclassmen reflecting on their experiences as freshmen.
Concerns discussed ranged from admission numbers for students of color to the freshman advising program.
Attendees grappled with how best to create a cohesive first-year experience. Junior Steve McFarland said that "programming is not the right paradigm, there needs to be something more" to help like-minded freshmen connect within their class.
Reitman addressed these concerns, pointing out that currently "we program around theme houses," citing language houses and common interest houses, such as the Crafts House, as examples. He acknowledged, however, that buildings like these are of a smaller scale than the large residence halls.
"Could we incorporate themes into the larger halls?" Reitman said. "I think we absolutely could."
Sophomore Padden Murphy said intellectually inclined people might have an easier time connecting in what he called a "natural academic splurge spot," using the Tower Cafe as an example.
Murphy also raised the question of a possible "advancement in how freshmen are assigned advisors," and if it would be better to place freshmen with advisors who teach in their stated field of interest.
Coffin countered this concern, saying that he felt "ongoing advisor groups are a great strength at Tufts," but that when it comes to choosing an advisor for a major, "we encourage that you make that match as early as possible."
He then asked the students present if they had expected to receive an advisor in their anticipated field. Answers suggested they didn't.
Still, McFarland questioned whether current methods are as effective as they could be, explaining a "disconnect between Exploration classes and advising."
Other questions dealt with changes in the application for the Class of 2011 as well as efforts to recruit African American students.
Coffin also fielded these questions, referring to the Telescope program, which each year brings prospective students of color to campus and seeks to increase minority admission rates.
He also spoke briefly about changes made to the Tufts supplement to the Common Application. An optional section that gives students a choice of "one out of seven essay topics designed to tease out creative, practical, or analytical skills," was added for the class of 2011, he said.
A number of students also raised questions over the pervasive issue of increased police action, and the subsequent problems in students' social life.
As senior Eli Cohn put it, there are "not enough social outlets at Tufts." While most of those present acknowledged this as a pressing issue, Reitman requested that those present "let this conversation focus on intellectual life."
Reitman did however say that a meeting on the social life at Tufts would be forthcoming shortly.
Overall, both faculty and students viewed the meeting as a success, and, as junior Amanda Richardson said, "a good opportunity to brainstorm."
According to Tufts Community Union (TCU) President Mitch Robinson, the event was an example of effective communication.
"We should focus more on the commonalities we can develop here, rather than those we come here with," Robinson said.
