The Princeton Review's 2007 edition of the "361 Best Colleges" shows that Jumbos are some of the happiest college students in the nation. Regardless of the weather outside or the midterm crunch, it seems that students' outlook on their time here is sunny. For all the hard work by students, faculty, staff and administration, this is high praise that reminds us that, despite our differences, we enjoy our time at Tufts.
Determined by a survey of Tufts students, The Princeton Review's recognition of Tufts as a happy place for students is the result of many factors. A vibrant campus life that offers opportunities to all kinds of people with a variety of interests is a necessary ingredient to a fulfilling college career. Fortunately, for Tufts undergraduate students this is the bedrock of four years spent here. Moreover, happy students are evident almost everywhere on campus. For all those prospective students and parents eagerly touring the campus this time of year, eager, smiling students send a good message to those considering college.
This is no accident. Tufts students and administrators are committed to keeping a constant pulse on students' feelings in order to keep campus life active and fulfilling. A nearly constant stream of surveys on almost every aspect of the Tufts experience crowds students' e-mail inboxes (at times to the point of irritation). Community dialogue, cultural events and available methods to alleviate campus conflicts keep students informed, entertained and focused on creating a better place to live, work and play. Despite Tufts' recently highlighted negatives - running the gamut from serious concerns on diversity to on-campus housing grievances to the general complaint of a less-than-satisfactory social scene - a commitment to discourse, and thus improvement, may account for Tufts' rank in the review.
Faculty, too, seem to be satisfied with their positions. A recent survey from the Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education (COACHE) at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education found Tufts to be ranked high in terms of collegiality, or goodwill among faculty. A rich and varied curriculum is only one result from the promotion of a pleasant community.
Finally, Tufts' commitment to expanded graduate programs is more good news for our graduate and undergraduate students alike. The Tufts population is large and varied, but it may certainly grow as is responsible and sustainable. It is indeed high time to address graduate education. Drawing talented, advanced students with highly specialized interests can only benefit our intellectual community.
Despite regrettable and controversial events in the past semester, we should take a moment to recognize the Tufts community's efforts to enact positive change on campus, as reflected in initiatives such as the town meeting. We should remember our happiness at Tufts in the context of some current discontent. As the snow melts, we can step into spring with a fresh resolve to make every student one of our "happiest students."
Warmer temperatures and warmer attitudes can help us to put the negative events of the past into perspective. This is not to say that we should view our shortcomings with new rose-colored glasses; it is, instead, to take a minute to give credit where credit is due - that is, the entire Tufts community.
