During my time at Tufts, I’ve developed a hobby of collecting trivia about the quirkier aspects of our school. This has led me to realize that most of us don’t really know much about Tufts outside of the four years we spend here. We get so caught up in the dining halls, problem sets, labs and studios that we forget to stop and ask ourselves: What’s the story behind all of it? So, for Daily Week, I decided to compile some of Tufts’ more entertaining quirks and hidden histories to share with you all.
1. Res Quad’s Dollar Deal
Contrary to common belief, Res Quad takes its name from the reservoir it was built on rather than the residential halls around it. But most surprising is that Tufts bought it for $1 in 1944 after Medford decided that it was too expensive to maintain. One dollar for prime campus real estate might be the best deal in Tufts history (second to admitting me, of course).
2. Bowen Gate
According to legend (by which I mean the Tufts website), if you kiss someone under Bowen gate, you’ll marry them someday. No peer-reviewed studies have confirmed this yet, though the administration is welcome to fund the research.
3. Hay Bales Mystery Solved
If you have ever wondered why there are bales of hay on President’s Lawn, I’ve got the answer for you: They are there to stop people from getting injured while sledding. Yes, Tufts — home of future doctors, lawyers and engineers — decided that the best way to stop students hurtling down an icy hill was to place some farm equipment at the bottom. Truly a top-10 engineering school moment!
4. The Naked Quad Run
Before the school banned it in 2011, it was traditional for students to strip down and run naked across the Academic Quad before finals in the fall. Nothing says ‘I’m ready for the organic chemistry finals’ like frostbite.
5. Daily Funds
You might assume that The Tufts Daily, as a college newspaper, receives funding from the university, but you’d be wrong. The Tufts Daily is entirely self-financed, operating without a single dollar from the university. It cut ties with the Tufts Community Union back in the ‘80s in order to report on it and the school without conflict of interest. Instead, it covers its costs through ad revenue and donations. Pretty impressive, if you ask me.
And there you have it — five things about Tufts your tour guide definitely didn’t mention. Whether it’s buying land for pocket change or endorsing marriage by archway, this school has more personality and history than we realize. I’d encourage everyone to take a moment between classes to look into the history of our fine school to learn more about it, because this list barely scratches the surface. Whether by talking to older staff, going down a Wikipedia rabbit hole or exploring parts of campus you’ve never really visited, there are tons of fun stories waiting to be uncovered.
