Opinion | Editorial

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Editorial: 2019–20 in review

As the 2019–20 academic year comes to a close, we recognize the change, passion and advocacy of our community’s responses. The Daily seeks to reflect this spirit throughout its pages and specifically within the Opinion section. We aim to capture the vibrant conversations and important issues on our campus, painting a comprehensive picture of how life on the Hill should be.

Editorial: Tufts must adopt alternatives to full-time online learning if fall semester proves unsafe

The COVID-19 pandemic plunged the world into strange and unprecedented circumstances that have demanded immense changes, including the radical transition to online learning. Given the lack of a COVID-19 cure or vaccine and the seemingly indefinite nature of the crisis, uncertainty surrounds the future, including the upcoming fall semester and prospects of returning to campus. 

Editorial: Tufts sets moral example by providing full wages amid COVID-19 pandemic

Amid the COVID-19 outbreak,wage, health and other uncertainties plague our Tufts and global communities; in consequence, supporting all community members proves more vital than ever. As a result of most universities’ decisions to move to distance learning for the remainder of the semester, an increasing number of workers on college campusesface financial uncertainty and instability. 

Editorial: Tufts must continue trend of empathy for students in face of new academic challenges

Since the university’s March 10decision to suspend in-person classes for the remainder of the semester, our community dispersed across the globe to commence online learning. As a result, our academic and social environments immensely changed, thus requiring rapid adaptations from students, faculty and the administration. As our community enters the final month of classes, we must acknowledge the university’s important work to respond to student input and efficiently move our university online while remaining empathetic to the ongoing issues of the new system. 

Editorial: Tufts must reflect on past and future needs of international students amidst crises

On the evening of March 10, our student bodyreceived an emailthat outlined the university’s response to the spread of COVID-19. However necessary, this action decimated the normalcy of college life, giving students living on campus only six days to pack their belongings and move out of their homes; with changing travel restrictions and midterms compounding already, this announcement peaked student stress. In an attempt to curb some of this upheaval, the university reassured the community in the email that “students who are unable to return to their permanent residences at this time due to travel restrictions or other significant constraints will be allowed to remain in the dormitories.” 

Editorial: Tufts community supports students in need, filling void left by Tufts administration

Clarification: This editorial has been updated to reflect the FIRST center's collaboration with Tufts Mutual Aid and role in aid efforts.

Editorial: Tufts should revamp its credit transfer system to prioritize equity, transparency

Yesterday we discussed the deficits within the distribution requirement system, drawing attention to its rigid, inhibitory nature that prevents students from pursuing passions in depth. This exhaustive requirement, coupled with the clear difficulties in the pre-matriculation credit process, affects ...

Editorial: Tufts should reassess the distribution requirement to promote equal opportunity, academic freedom

Tenets of academic freedom and exploration comprise the core of a Tufts education. Tufts aims to provide this education through the Arts and Sciences distribution requirements, which entail the completion of two three-semester-hour-unit courses in five areas of study: humanities, social sciences, natural ...

Editorial: Tufts must pursue post-graduation preparedness by adding 'adulting' courses to its curriculum

Although some regard academia as an environment detached from the pressures of the “real” world, graduation and the complex challenges presented by adult life linger on the horizon and minds of undergraduates. For many Tufts students, topics such as financial management, budgeting, taxes, retirement ...

Editorial: Tufts must champion student health by improving non-varsity athletics facilities

In 2012, Tufts finished construction on the Steve Tisch Sports and Fitness Center. Although undergraduate enrollment has increased over the past eight years, the university has not expanded its facilities to accommodate the fitness needs of the growing student body. Thus, the limited resources in the ...

Editorial: Tufts must prioritize student wellness by increasing free fitness class offerings

For many students, college inspires new starts, new academic investigations and new personal growth. During this time of change, many students begin to focus on personal health, often starting to incorporate fitness into their lifestyles. While the Steve Tisch Sports and Fitness Center ideally provides ...

Editorial: Tufts must preserve academic and financial freedom in response to TUSM lawsuit

On July 1, 2017, Tufts implemented a new compensation policy at the Tufts University School of Medicine (TUSM) that requires tenured faculty to support 40% of their salary through external research funding; faculty who do not meet these standards may face potential appointment reductions. In response, ...

Editorial: Tufts must improve humanities facilities in order to preserve equity among academic disciplines

Over the weekend of Jan. 25, part of the ceiling in Eaton Hall Room 202 collapsed, causing the temporary relocation of the room’s classes. Jeff McKay, the director of building operations on the Medford campus, noted that the damage was in the ceiling itself and not related to the structural integrity ...

Editorial: Tufts must value student wellbeing by revising health accommodations system

Being a college student entails living in close-quarters, experiencing much stress and often getting less-than-ideal amounts of sleep. These characteristics of university life lead waves of sickness to move through campuses, often causing students to miss classes in order to recover. Although perhaps ...

Editorial: Health Services must expand hours to meet student demand

Health Service is an essential resource for our campus, providing care for students in their most vulnerable moments, whether it be a sudden flu infliction before midterms, a trip to pick up Plan B or a busted knee from walking down the Memorial Steps with too much vigor. Health Service doesn’t just ...

Editorial: Tiered housing threatens values of financial accessibility, inclusivity

This past fall, Tufts implemented a tiered housing system for sophomores, juniors and seniors, transitioning from a flat housing rate to a range of rates that vary by type of living arrangement.According to a Tufts page announcing the new system, these changes were instituted in order to enable the ...

Editorial: As the divestment review process begins, Tufts must stay true to the movement's values

For the past seven years, Tufts student groups, such as Tufts Climate Action (TCA), have ceaselessly advocated for the university to address the climate crisis through the divestment of fossil fuels, which means liquidating all investments in the fossil fuel industry. Their adamant efforts include weekly ...

Editorial: Tufts must value transparency, pursue LEED certification for Cummings Center

Last September, the Daily reported on the Joyce Cummings Center, which is currently under construction at the corner of Boston and College Avenues. According to Director of Strategic Capital Programs Ruth Bennett, the new building will not be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rated. ...

Editorial: Tufts must reassess credit distribution to reflect goals of SHU system

In June 2018, Tufts moved away from its traditional “1 class = 1 credit” credit-hour system, implementing a new system involving a more nuanced version of class units, known as semester-hour units or SHUs. It aims to allow easier credit transfer between institutions and a fairer allocation of credit ...