Calling the times we’re living in crazy seems like an understatement, calling them unprecedented almost seems cliche. Each day, we seem to face a new political scandal, a new way artificial intelligence might try to take our jobs or a new vegetable trying to make us sick.
Yet however amorphous and far-reaching the political discourse appears, it continues to encircle university institutions, college students and student journalism. One moment, the Trump administration restricts access to student loans for specific academic programs whose graduates repeatedly fall below earnings benchmarks. Next, they’re revoking Title IX protections for LGBTQ+ students, faculty and staff. Perhaps you’re still reeling from President Donald Trump’s description of colleges as being “infested with radicalism.” Maybe you’re concerned at the notion of federal money being withheld from universities on the grounds of failing to “advance the President’s policy priorities” or promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion or “anti-American values”.
The speed with which information is being thrown at us feels breakneck. It can feel exhausting or even impossible to keep up with it all — and that’s by design. Trump’s notorious “flood the zone” strategy seeks to overwhelm and undercut any semblance of understanding — let alone questioning or opposition — by releasing a nonstop stream of attention-grabbing stories. And that’s on top of the full course loads, student organizations, internships and jobs students take on that are contributing to rising levels of burnout.
But I’ve always been an optimist. I love the Tufts community, and I have full confidence in the motivated, intelligent and capable students who surround me. However, students have priorities, and following every twist and turn of the media cycle typically ranks below succeeding in school, getting a job and making the most of an experience that we’re all privileged to have.
That’s where, I hope, the Daily’s Editorial Board can help — by providing consistent institutional analysis, breakdown and judgment of the issues (in Medford, Somerville, Boston and beyond) that affect all of our lives.
The Tufts Daily, as both a collection of students and an over 45-year old institution, prides itself on abiding by values like honesty, authenticity and transparency with its readership. These values, which seem increasingly rare in today’s media landscape, will anchor every piece the Board publishes and form the foundation of every opinion and judgment we share.
As journalists, we strive to pursue truth and share information. The Editorial Board — with its range of perspectives and opinionated voice — could be a platform to speak up on important issues, advocate for real change and genuinely serve the community we call home. I look forward to working toward that goal.
We aim to serve our campus as a source of candor and sincerity for the semester to come.
I’m extremely excited for the semester ahead. The Editorial Board will provide Tufts communities with regular reflections on the issues that matter most to our community. We look forward to commentary on campus life, the university administration and institutions, education policy and whatever else floods into our zone in the near future.
We look forward to sharing!
Max Lerner
Editorial Board Chair, Fall 2026
