Of the many things Tufts is known for, its commitment to civic engagement and public service is certainly near the top of the list. At first glance, it appears that the university's recent appointment to the 2009 President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll would serve as confirmation of this aspect of its reputation. Indeed, with Tufts' extensive array of organizations, events and courses that claim to facilitate active citizenship and public service on campus, it seems only natural that the university should garner such a prestigious award.
The President's Honor Roll, which features over 700 institutions, is divided into three categories: Presidential Award Winners — the top six schools — followed by the second level, Honor Roll with Distinction and then finally, the Honor Roll. Tufts, along with the majority of the institutions chosen, falls into that third category. Last year the university made the second-tier category, Honor Roll with Distinction.
Though the Daily recognizes the honor and significance of this year's award, we have to wonder why, when Tufts proclaims its commitment to public service and civic engagement, it falls into the lowest rank of those institutions honored and has even fallen from its previous status.
Though there is no public release about how each institution was rated, the award takes into account the amount of student participation in community service and the level of the institution's projects' impact on the local community, as well as special programs and endeavors. While it may be unclear in exactly which areas Tufts was deficient, it is apparent that we can better live up to our reputation of a university committed to public service.
The university puts admirable emphasis on hosting speakers, symposiums and lectures on the ideas of civic engagement, public service and active citizenship. But Tufts' hands-on, community-focused volunteer opportunities need to be equally available.
Even if such opportunities do exist, community activities can get lost in the flood of information on TuftsLife.com or the flyers around campus. The current system, while it is not broken, clearly needs to be revitalized.
Additionally, while discussing why the university achieved a spot on the Honor Roll, Robert Hollister, the dean of Tisch College of Citizenship and Public Service, cited organizations like Jumpstart and the Tisch Scholars program. It is important to note, however, that both programs, which are certainly beneficial and valuable, require an application process, meaning that students who don't get in are automatically cut off from those specific avenues of engagement.
Whatever the reason for the university's apparent move off the Honor Roll with Distinction, Tufts needs to be aware that, if it's going to bill itself as an institution that emphasizes public service and civic engagement, it should ensure that those values are represented consistently in practice.
