I'd like to begin by taking the time to thank and congratulate the class of 2011. I count many of you as my friends, peers and mentors, and while I am sad to see you end your time on the Hill, I know that you will make those of us still at Tufts proud with whatever you choose to do next in your lives. Know that we at Tufts will always be here to support you in your endeavors and hope to remain connected into the future. It is my goal as the newly elected Tufts Community Union (TCU) president to continue the extraordinary effort and work that each of you has put into this university.
Right now, we are students at a first-rate institution with third-rate facilities. However, with a new university president comes a new presidential taskforce and an opportunity to address some of the largest problems facing our campus. When University President Lawrence Bacow arrived, his task force on the undergraduate experience addressed the issue of professor-student relations, resulting in the creation of The Tower Café and other programs. I will advocate that long-term physical investment in facilities be the subject of the next presidential task force. The class of 2011 has seen all that Tufts has to offer academically; I would like the facilities for future graduating classes to match this standard of excellence.
While a more transparent long-term capital plan will benefit future generations of Tufts students, we should also take short-term steps to make our campus feel more like a collegiate institution. They say a new coat of paint isn't much, but it's a start. Under leadership from the class of 2011, this year's TCU Senate has worked to prioritize campus spaces. Beginning next year, for example, a campus kitchen that provides a new space for students to learn and cook together is set to begin construction.
Every graduating senior should look back on the past four years with pride. We do many things incredibly well at Tufts, but there are quite a few things that we could do better. I will seek to keep costs low and increase academic opportunities on campus.
This year, the Senate has gone to great strides to reduce costs for students. Every Tufts student can relate to not being able to handle all of the expenses of college life. We introduced textbook rentals through the bookstore, and worked to create the option of performing community service in place of a monetary fine for noise violations. I plan on extending the choice of performing community service as an alternative to all monetary fines on campus, not limited to just noise violations.
We need greater academic opportunity on this campus. After a large push from the student body calling for the option of allowing entrepreneurial leadership studies as a secondary major, the Senate put forth a resolution asking for exactly that. The Senate this year also passed a resolution supporting the establishment of Africana studies at Tufts. I plan on continuing to push for the addition and expansion of academic opportunities for students at Tufts. Every student on campus should be able to follow their passions, whether in the classroom or out.
When you visited Tufts for the first time you were likely told how Tufts enrolls over 5,000 unique undergraduate students who come together to form a greater Jumbo identity. However, I sometimes feel as if this sense of common identity is absent from our campus. We need to take pride in one another, both who we are and what we do.
The stands should be packed during sports games. There shouldn't be such a thing as an empty seat in the Balch Arena Theater during a student performance. When the Bubs are on "Glee," a watch party should be taking place in the Mayer Campus Center. At the end of the day, it's about coming together and taking pride in each other.
When it comes down to it, each and every one of us makes up this school. The class of 2011 has made great strides in advocating on behalf of the entire student body. As TCU President, I will fight to represent every single one of us to the administration, with the goal of improving every student's day-to-day life on this campus in some form or another.
Seniors, thank you and congratulations once again. As you move forward into your lives beyond the Hill, know that we will miss your leadership and direction, and wish you well. I hope that you remain connected with your fellow Jumbos who remain behind, continuing to guide us ever onward.
