University

New financial report shows Tufts University experienced significant increases in research funding

By June Myint | February 10

Tufts University’s research expenses have grown significantly over the last five years despite cuts in federal funding posing serious challenges to research across academia. According to Tufts’ 2025 Annual Financial Report, research expenses increased by $43.3 million, or 24.5%, over the past five years. This growth was accompanied by an $11.7 million, or 4.2%, increase in sponsorship revenue — including grants, contracts and gifts — from the prior fiscal year.

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Local

Medford considers new requirements for vacant buildings

By Carlos Del Cañal Fernández | February 10

The Medford City Council’s Planning and Permitting Committee is reviewing a proposed update to the city’s Vacant Building Ordinance, aiming to reduce long-term commercial vacancies. Sponsors argue that such vacancies harm neighborhood vibrancy and stifle local business activity.

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University

NEW: Government appeals preliminary injunction reinstating Rümeysa Öztürk’s SEVIS record

By Julian Glickman | February 6

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Sauter filed an appeal on Friday on behalf of the federal government of U.S. District Court Judge Denise Casper’s preliminary injunction reinstating Rümeysa Öztürk’s Student and Exchange Visitor Information System record.

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University

New ‘JUMP-IN’ program aims to provide pre-professional programming for first-year students

By Josh Litvak | February 6

Tufts is piloting a new initiative this spring break designed to bridge the gap between undergraduate education and professional careers. The Jumbo Undergraduate Mission for Personal Insight and Navigation program, spearheaded by Elise LaMotte, associate provost for student success, will offer approximately 100 first-year students hands-on experience across four different academic tracks, connecting them directly with the university’s graduate and professional schools.

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Local

Somerville police department continues investigation of recent overdose spike in the city

By Anika Parr | February 6

The City of Somerville saw a recent spike in overdoses, prompting the Somerville Police Department to publish an overdose warning on Jan.19. Five overdoses occurred on the weekend prior to the warning, three of which were fatal.

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University

BREAKING: Department of Education launches investigation into potential Tufts data privacy violation

By Amelia Sammons | February 5

The U.S. Department of Education launched an investigation on Thursday into whether Tufts University’s National Study of Learning, Voting and Engagement has contributed to the illegal sharing of college student data to influence elections. The Student Privacy Policy Office, which is a part of the Department of Education, says it opened the investigation in response to several allegations that the NSLVE has violated the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act by sharing data with third parties.

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University

Analysis of Epstein files reveals frequent communication between Steve Tisch and Epstein

By Evan Vezmar and Julian Glickman | February 5

Steve Tisch, a Tufts alumnus and donor whose name appears on several campus buildings, was revealed last Friday to have communicated frequently with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein about women, dinner invitations, football games and Epstein’s private island.

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Local

Local and state officials push back against federal immigration enforcement efforts

By Katherine Kelton | February 5

Elected officials in Medford and Somerville, as well as state leaders across Massachusetts, are ramping up efforts to curb the effects of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s presence in the state.

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Local

Medford Square rezoning project commences

By Evan Vezmar | February 5

The city of Medford restarted its rezoning project last month with a primary focus on rezoning Medford Square. It is the first proposal heard in the new City Council term, and the first since the city signed a contract extension with Innes Land Strategies Group — the consulting group that provides analysis and recommendations for the city’s rezoning.

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University

BREAKING: Tufts professor Fiorenzo Omenetto interacted with Jeffrey Epstein via email about research, offered to meet in-person, files show

By Grace Nelson and Sadie Roraback-Meagher | February 4

Fiorenzo Omenetto, a professor in the biomedical engineering department, wrote to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein after an associate of the financier put them in touch, according to the newest batch of files released by the Department of Justice on Friday.

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University

TCU Senate discusses upcoming Tuition Transparency event, outreach initiatives

By Alex Boyle | February 4

At the Tufts Community Union Senate meeting on Sunday, members discussed the tuition transparency town hall, upcoming outreach initiatives and expanding relations with members of the Tufts administration.

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University

Department of Earth and Climate Sciences adds two new courses this year

By Hannah Rajalingam | February 4

The Department of Earth and Climate Sciences added two new classes to their department this year. Professor Noel Heim began teaching Geology of National Parks in the fall of 2025 and Professor and ECS Department Chair Jill VanTongeren began teaching Natural Disasters in Movies this semester.

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Local

Somerville School Construction Advisory Group delivers final recommendation for PK–8 school following Winter Hill School closure

By Alexandra Tse | February 3

Following over a year of deliberation, the Somerville School Construction Advisory Group delivered its final recommendation to the mayor for a new PK–8 school building, addressing the absence of the Winter Hill Community Innovation School. In June 2023, a piece of concrete collapsed from the ceiling of the Winter Hill School after prolonged maintenance issues, forcing it to close.

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University

Q&A: President Kumar discusses Beyond 175 plan

By Julian Glickman and Josué Pérez | February 2

The Daily spoke with University President Sunil Kumar on Friday about his Beyond 175 plan, a blueprint for the university following its 175th anniversary in 2027. The plan was first announced in October of last year with a final working draft released in January. 

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University

TCU Senate implements new dining feedback survey

By Alex Boyle and Dariush Raissi | February 2

Tufts Community Union Senate has implemented a survey form to allow students to rate meals and provide feedback in both the Fresh at Carmichael and Dewick-MacPhie Dining Centers. The program is running from Jan. 26 to Feb. 6 and aims to increase student input in dining experiences.

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Local

Organ transplant technology leader TransMedics to move headquarters to Somerville

By Jessica Michael | February 2

Organ transplant technology leader TransMedics, a medium-sized company that brings in hundreds of millions in revenue annually, recently announced it will be moving its headquarters to Somerville in 2028. Somerville anticipates the move will add 900 jobs and $75 million in tax revenue over the course of six years. The city of Somerville, along with the state of Massachusetts, provided TransMedics with tax breaks to encourage the move.

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University

BREAKING: Tufts alumnus Steve Tisch, namesake of several campus facilities, implicated in Epstein files

By Julian Glickman and Josué Pérez | January 30

Steve Tisch (A’71), a Tufts alumnus and donor, is mentioned several times in a newly released batch of files related to the convicted sex offender and financier Jeffrey Epstein. The Department of Justice released an additional three million pages earlier today as mandated in the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

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