To be blunt, Tufts was not my first choice. If we assign even a modicum of truth to the Tufts stereotypes, this problem was by no means unique to me. Because of this, I came to question my position and my ‘belonging’ here during my first year. I convinced myself I would have been happier elsewhere. This was not so much a ‘grass is always greener elsewhere’ mentality as it was a ‘grass is always yellow here’ mentality. Yet, in my final semester, I say with conviction and candor that I’m truly glad I ended up here. This university isn’t perfect, but it possesses several idiosyncrasies for which I am deeply grateful.
One of our university’s defining traits, to me, is its radical egalitarianism. While many universities restrict practice rooms to music majors via ID swipe, Tufts leaves them open to all, like the biology major who just wants to play the piano without taking a class. We see the same common democratic thread through the Tisch Bikes program, which allows free 24-hour bike and helmet rentals (which even that one small school in Cambridge doesn’t have), as well as the availability of certain classrooms that function as theaters for group movie watching sessions.
Even our library remains open to the public during daytime hours! I understand that not every university can do such a thing, nor am I encouraging them to change their policies, but this openness is a quite pleasant feature of our campus. And on the topic of the library, our Mobile Checkout app makes it so much more convenient to borrow materials, a feature less common than one might think.
A few times a year, Tufts hosts carillon concerts. Other universities may have concerts within their chapels or even midnight organ concerts — which are awesome, by the way, and we should do them, too — but Tufts seems rather unique in these typically holiday-based events in which students can sign up and play the carillon at Goddard Chapel!
While on the topic of music, Tufts is quite unique for its Early Music Ensemble, featuring medieval and Renaissance music, one of only a few in the country. We also have terrific Klezmer, Arab Music and Javanese Gamelan Ensembles! These are just some of the many classes that comprise our wonderfully eclectic course catalog: Women of Byzantium, Music, Emotion and Therapy in the Stoic Tradition, Satire in Russian and Czech Literature, etc. You can discern my academic interests from this list, I am sure. Yet, if somehow nothing there satisfies you, you can always take a course through the Experimental College!
This ‘intellectual playfulness’ (a trite but true trait) extends to such groups as the Tufts History Society. Though I am biased as a member, the ability to engage in fun and relaxed debates about such topics as ‘Which historical figures would we want to teach each subject in a school?’ is extremely fun and, I daresay, Tufts-coded.
If you want to express yourself or your unique interests, painting the cannon is a wonderful campus tradition, too. Alternatively, if you seek something more long-term, you can apply to one of the several language-and-culture themed houses. The added benefit of these is cultural immersion, speaking practice and the ability to meet like-minded people. It really fits our ‘globally-minded’ brand well. You could also join an acapella group: there’s no “Pitch Perfect” (2012) without the Bubs! It’s a great way to literally let your voice shine.
Tufts is really deeply ingrained in the Medford/Somerville community, and it truly is a wonderful place where all can congregate for joyous times and a warm atmosphere. My favorite example is ‘Dogs on Prez Lawn,’ where every Saturday at 10 a.m. (weather permitting), Medford and Somerville community members bring their dogs to Prez Lawn. It’s a wholesome, organic tradition where you can often pet and play with the dogs. I’ve read that other universities have had similar traditions, but ours is more organic, community-oriented and consistent. Similarly, in winter, one can see hundreds of locals (not just students but rather members of the surrounding towns) skiing and sledding down Prez Lawn.
For something more idiosyncratic, even though it’s only once a year, you can take part in the ‘pumpkining’ night. On the night before Halloween, many students will receive a cryptic email containing clues that lead them to a treasure trove of pumpkins. The tradition, after solving another riddle, is to place them in high, climbable spots. The Carmichael Hall spire pumpkin remains the gold standard and probably will for a while.
We also have the Tufts University Social Collective. Free Red Sox or Boston Symphony Orchestra tickets for you and your friends? Bingo and trivia nights with prizes? They do it all and more. It’s quite fun.
Perhaps the most magnanimous way Tufts seeks to help the broader community is through the Tufts University Prison Initiative. It brings faculty and students together for college-in-prison education. Although other universities have similar initiatives, it’s particularly strong here and reflects the Tufts values of civic engagement, compassion and egalitarianism.
Now, lightning round:
- Sauna: The pool has a sauna! Now the ‘secret’ is out…
- The Boston skyline view: It used to be better before they added the glass walls, but going to Tisch Roof (or the Fletcher top floor) and dramatically surveying the landscape and the skyline of Boston truly transports one into a Rückenfigur painting.
- Late Night at Commons and Hodgdon Food-on-the-Run: Some universities have far more strict or limited dining options or hours, but not Tufts! Late Nights from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays in particular is a very fun Tufts idiosyncrasy.
- Free ice cream: I debated how to approach this, but I decided to gatekeep it. Let’s just say there is a place somewhere on campus where students are allowed to get free ice cream, popsicles, etc. at all times. Ask around (or email me) and you will discover this eighth wonder of the world.
- The Museum of Fine Arts: I almost didn’t put this here because I thought a lot of universities have something similar and many Tufts students probably already know about this, but you can get free MFA entrance at any time with your Tufts ID! How lovely!
I cannot speak to everyone’s situation, but I really think that, in most cases, the best course of action is to simply stop waiting for greener grasses elsewhere and to start tending to the beautiful grasses of your current home. And there are so many more amazing offerings unique to Tufts! These are just the ones with which I have the most personal experience.
Go find the ice cream, play the bells, join a unique club, pet the dogs, put a pumpkin somewhere and enjoy everything you can. Tufts won’t hand you a sense of belonging, but it gives you every tool you need to build one. And that is the most precious gift for which one could ever ask.
