Editor’s Note: Antonia Toro is a staff writer for the Daily. Toro was not involved in the writing or editing of this article.
On Thursday, students walking into the Mayer Campus Center lobby during the early afternoon were met with a surprising sight: blue balloons, an Italian ice stand, free T-shirts, succulent-pot painting stations and cupcakes galore. What could be the reason for all the pomp and circumstance?
“Today we are celebrating the 40th birthday of the Campus Center, just to get as many people packed in here to have a good time, to remind us of why we love the campus center and what a great joy it is for our students,” Sydney Grant, operations coordinator for the Office of Campus Life, said.
That’s right — the CC recently celebrated entering her 40th year as what Grant described as the “beating heart” of Tufts.
“Her,” indeed — the building was not named after former Tufts University President Jean Mayer, as one might assume, but rather his wife, Elizabeth Van Huysen Mayer. According to her 2006 obituary, Mayer frequently gave back to both the Tufts and the Greater Boston community. Mayer’s passion was celebrating extracurricular activities and student life. Now, Tufts celebrates Mayer’s legacy with a proper birthday party for the building named in her honor, complete with cake and ice cream. The frequency and spontaneity of pop-up events like these are part of the CC’s enduring charm.
“There’s always something going on … in the vicinity of the Campus Center,” first-year Joseph Neusner said. “Sometimes you just wander into random events and notice cupcakes.”
Each student at the event had something unique to say about why they love the CC.
“I think the Campus Center is such an amazing place for students to get together and have a lot of good laughs and memories,” sophomore Lyla Sowder-Yuson said. “It’s so homey over here.”
“It’s so vibrant, there’s so many people around and good vibes,” sophomore Yuyang Xu said.
“I feel like it’s just such a center of activity and socialization,” first-year Jonin Morgan said.
“I like how central on campus it is, especially with some classrooms being down[hill], some classes being up[hill] and then a lot of dorms being around here as well,” junior Alex Fial said. “A lot of people come to study and quickly get something [to eat] before they have to go to class.”
A key theme in students’ comments was, of course, the wide range of dining options in and around the CC, including Pax et Lox Glatt Kosher Deli, Hotung Café, Commons Marketplace and The Sink.
“There’s so [many] dining options, and I feel like it’s a really good place to gather around food and … hang out with your friends,” Morgan said.
Sophomore Antonia Toro expressed her love for The Sink, Tufts’ only entirely student-run cafe. The Sink is beloved among the student body for its stylish baristas, lively playlists and aesthetic lighting. Right now, the cafe is collaborating with the Tufts Association of Latin American Students to offer a specialty menu of Latinx-inspired drinks. The cafe frequently collaborates with clubs and affinity groups to promote initiatives.
“I think my favorite thing about [the CC] is probably The Sink and all the nice drinks that they have, especially now, because it’s Hispanic Heritage Month,” Toro said. “They have a collaboration with ALAS, and they’re doing a horchata and a lot of different drinks, so I think that’s really interesting and important for Tufts.”
While The Sink is arguably the most popular cafe in the CC, the other options still have their fair share of devoted fans.
When asked about his favorite CC dining option, Xu responded, “It’s got to be the Commons. … They just have food you can’t get anywhere else on campus.”
Sophomore Tim Chung is patiently awaiting for the return of Late Night at Commons, when the retail dining location accepts meal swipes from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. In the meantime, his go-to spot in the CC is Hotung.
“I like their açaí bowl,” Chung said.
Many students also appreciate the CC for its variety of study spaces, whether it be the quiet tables on the top floor or the frequently-rambunctious seating area near the Commons.
“I really like coming here to study,” Toro said. “It’s not [as] serious as the library, [but] you can still get things done.”
“It [can be] different for what you need. [There are] the group study spots and also the solo lock-in areas,” sophomore Ryan Yoo said. “Hotung is my favorite place to study on campus.”
Despite acknowledging the squeaky metal chairs in Hotung — a common grievance among Jumbos — Yoo remained firm in his commitment to the café.
Of course, the CC would not be as amazing as it is if not for the dedicated students and staff who keep it running. Tufts Dining student employees like Fial are essential to the success of the retail locations.
“I’m working to celebrate her birthday,” Fial said. “I’m keeping her running.”
Joe Golia, director of campus life and official birthday party organizer, emphasized the importance of Office for Campus Life workers in an email to the Daily.
“[The CC is] open seven days a week approximately 118 hours and is always active and a wonderful place for students to eat, relax, meet or unwind. I think a lot of students past and current can reflect on positive memories from the Campus Center,” Golia wrote. “While I love it all, my favorite part is the OCL Office because of the staff, and especially our student employees.”
One of Golia’s responsibilities as OCL director is to advise the Tufts Community Union Senate, the office of which is housed in Room 215 of the CC. Junior Luc Brown cites the TCU office as one of the CC’s many highlights. As the treasurer for Pen, Paint and Pretzels, Brown frequently depends on the designated space for TCU Treasury meetings.
“I also spend a lot of time here as a [club] treasurer,” Brown said. “Shout out the TCU Treasury and all the fun stuff that they do for all the clubs on campus.”
Considering all the reasons Jumbos love her, the CC is clearly worth celebrating, and what could be more Tufts-esque than throwing a building a birthday party? As she enters her early forties, the CC has plenty of exciting events to come. Next time you walk by, consider popping into the CC and seeing what new things she has to offer.
