News

University

Protests continue over Tufts’ use of contractors accused of wage theft

By Gus Gladstein | September 5

The North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters demonstrated in front of the Joyce Cummings Center for a third time on Aug. 31, protesting Tufts’ use of general construction contractors who hire subcontractors accused of wage theft and other labor law violations. Currently, six Tufts buildings are under renovation: 123 Packard Avenue, the East Wing of the Science and Engineering Complex, Eaton Hall, Halligan Hall, Blakeley Hall and Bacon Hall.

---

University

Tufts sees drop in racial diversity for Class of 2028 after affirmative action ban

By Estelle Anderson | September 3

Tufts reported a decline in the racial diversity of its incoming first-year class, who represent the first wave of students to be admitted after the Supreme Court’s ruling last year to overturn race-based affirmative action in college admissions. 44% of the Class of 2028 identify as students of color, down from 50% last year.

---

University

Carpenters' union protests against wage theft as first-year students check in

By Aaron Gruen | September 3

Workers claiming wage theft protested outside the Joyce Cummings Center on Aug. 23 and 28, as incoming first-year students arrived on campus. Throughout the demonstrations, organized by the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, protesters handed out flyers accusing Tufts of hiring contractors who exploit construction workers at Eaton Hall, Blakely Hall and Halligan Hall.

---

Local

Somerville City Council endorses November ballot question legalizing psychedelic-assisted therapy in Massachusetts

By Nicholas Prather | September 3

The Somerville City Council passed a resolution on July 11 to endorse the “Natural Psychedelic Substances Act,” an upcoming proposition on the November ballot that would legalize the usage of psychedelics in Massachusetts. If enough voters vote “yes” to the act, which will appear as Question 4 on their ballots, it would allow adults 21 and older to legally grow, possess and use specific amounts of psychedelics that have been shown to have therapeutic benefits for certain mental health conditions.

---

University

Tufts modernizes its laundry system with new mobile app

By Josué Pérez | September 3

In an effort to make the process of doing laundry on campus more efficient, Tufts has installed a new laundry system in its residence halls that allows students to track and pay for their loads through a mobile app. Over the summer, the university replaced all old laundry machines with new ones from the commercial laundry service provider CSC ServiceWorks,which provides millions of laundry machines to colleges, hotels and other locations throughout North America and Europe.

---

Local

Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven to face off against challenger Kathleen Hornby during Sept. 3 primary

By Estelle Anderson | August 30

Just days ahead of the Sept. 3 primary, former legislative staffer Kathleen Hornby is entering the final stretch of her campaign to unseat Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven, in what has become a heated battle for Somerville’s 27th Middlesex District. Uyterhoeven, a self-described Democratic Socialist who has served on Beacon Hill since 2021, represents an area that includes parts of Tufts’ lower campus, Davis Square, Magoun Square and Spring Hill.

---

---

University

BREAKING: Kelly Sims Gallagher appointed as next dean of The Fletcher School

By Estelle Anderson | August 29

Kelly Sims Gallagher will serve as the 15th dean of The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, the university announced on Thursday, over a year after appointing her interim dean in July 2023. An expert in climate policy who has taught at Fletcher since 2009, Gallagher said she plans to grow the school’s financial position, increase extracurricular opportunities for students and explore new approaches to how Fletcher addresses global challenges. Her appointment as dean is effective Sept. 1.

---

News

Former Tufts professor charged with secretly working as agent for South Korean government

By Estelle Anderson | August 13

Ex-CIA analyst and former Tufts professor Sue Mi Terry was indicted for secretly working for South Korean spies in exchange for luxury goods and nearly $37,000 in funding for a public policy program she controlled. A Fletcher School graduate, Terry taught an Experimental College class called “U.S. Intelligence and Foreign Policymaking” in spring 2022, while allegedly serving as a foreign agent to benefit the South Korean government.

---

Local

SMFA students to receive unlimited MBTA access for two years

By Estelle Anderson | July 4

Undergraduate students at Tufts’ School of the Museum of Fine Arts will receive free, unlimited rides on local subways and buses beginning this fall. Tufts is the first school to partner with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority for this two-year pilot program, called the “University Pass.”

---

University

Colleen Ryan appointed as vice provost for faculty

By Estelle Anderson | May 24

Colleen M. Ryan will assume the role of vice provost for faculty on July 1, Provost Caroline Genco announced in an email on Thursday. Ryan currently serves as associate vice provost for faculty at Indiana University Bloomington, where she is a professor of Italian and an affiliate faculty member in the Department of Gender Studies.

---

University

Chairman Dolan to step down from Board of Trustees in November

By Estelle Anderson | May 22

Culminating an 11-year leadership tenure, chairman of the Board of Trustees Peter R. Dolan will step down this November. The board has elected Jeffrey M. Moslow, the current vice chair, as his successor.

---

University

Tufts holds 2024 Commencement; protesters walk out in solidarity with Palestine

By Estelle Anderson and Rachel Liu | May 19

Undeterred by rain, families and guests of the Class of 2024 turned out to Tufts’ 168th commencement ceremony on Sunday. After opening remarks by University President Sunil Kumar, students heard from this year’s keynote speaker, Durham University chancellor Fiona Hill. Shortly after the start of the ceremony, around 100 students walked out and assembled outside the event gates, leading chants and demanding that Tufts disclose its financial holdings and divest from Israeli companies.

---

University

Q&A: University President Kumar talks future of budget, admissions, campus speech

By Matthew Sage and Rachel Liu | May 19

Nearing the close of his first year in office, University President Sunil Kumar sat down with the Daily on April 29 to discuss all matters Tufts and reflect on the year marked by student activism and the university’s future.

---

University

Cover to cover: The Class of 2024’s four years at Tufts, reviewed

By Chloe Courtney Bohl | May 19

Look back on the highlights of the Class of 2024's time at Tufts.

---

News

The Daily Class of 2024, in their own words

By Estelle Anderson, Ishaan Rajiv Rajabali, Shannon Murphy, Michael Onysko, Teagan Mustone, Matthew Sage, Rebecca Barrie and Josué Pérez | May 19

As Tufts’ newspaper of record, the Daily sees many students contribute to its black-and-white newsprint pages, but not all work their way up to its masthead. The Daily staff spoke with eight members of the Class of 2024 who have all served on the newspaper’s managing or executive board and left their mark on the organization’s history.

---

News

Incoming TCU President Joel Omolade champions inclusivity

By Almer Yu | May 18

“If you’re not on the table, you’re on the menu,” Joel Omolade says. “And I really want to make sure that more students are able to be a part of that table, to be a part of the conversations that are happening.”Omolade will serve as president of the Tufts Community Union Senate for the 2024–25 academic year. In an interview with the Daily, he looked ahead to his term as president, pledging to embody the ethos of his “Better Starts Now!” campaign and prove his commitment to bringing meaningful change to the community.

---

University

Timeline of 2023–24 student activism for divestment from Israel

By Almer Yu and Josué Pérez | May 18

Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel and the subsequent bombing and ground invasion in Gaza sparked widespread protests and activist demonstrations on campuses across the country, including at Tufts University. Throughout the last eight months, students have urged Tufts to divest from its Israeli connections and acknowledge a genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. The following article provides an overview of recent activism on campus.

---

University

SMFA professors of the practice hold first contract negotiations

By Samantha Eng | May 17

Professors of the practice at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts held their first-ever bargaining session with the university on April 24, seeking a contract that would guarantee wage increases, enhanced research support and more transparent employment policies, among other negotiations. This marks the first time that SMFA professors of the practice have initiated a bargaining agreement since Tufts merged with the SMFA in 2016.

---

University

Search underway for new dean of the School of Arts and Sciences

By Shannon Murphy and Carly Cohen | May 17

Tufts has begun the search for a new dean of the School of Arts and Sciences to succeed Dean James M. Glaser. Glaser, who has been the dean of the School of Arts and Sciences since 2014 and a Tufts faculty member since 1991, will assume the position of executive vice president and provost at Santa Clara University in July.

---

University

Historically Black sorority Zeta Phi Beta establishes Tufts chapter

By Rose Hollander | May 17

This semester, Incorporated, the Delta Chi chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority — a historically Black sorority — opened at Tufts. The chapter currently has just five members and the Zetas will seek new sisters in the fall. 

---