News

University

New labor relations specialist position posted, casting doubt for upcoming contract negotiations

By Amelia Sammons and Arinze Ezem-Osakwe | January 30

Recently, Tufts created a job posting for a labor relations specialist who would serve as an expert intermediary between the university and its employees regarding labor disputes and union-related issues, including attending contract negotiations and ensuring consistent labor relations leadership across the university.

---

Local

Copper Mill Development submits application for 25-story tower in Davis Square

By Anika Parr | January 30

Copper Mill Development submitted an application to the state of Massachusetts on Dec. 22 seeking approval to build a 25-story, primarily residential, tower in Davis Square. Many residents have raised concerns about the limited time allotted for public comment on the development. In response, the Davis Square Neighborhood Council voted on Monday to urge the city to ask Copper Mill to withdraw the proposal and resubmit only once a neighborhood plan has been made.

---

University

White House expands list of nations included in total and partial travel bans

By Carly Hope and Niki Wang | January 30

President Donald Trump signed a proclamation strengthening entry restrictions for foreign nationals from countries that are deemed a potential danger to national security on Dec 16. Seven nations were added to a full travel ban, while another 15 are now subject to partial restrictions, adding uncertainty to the process of applying for and renewing student visas.

---

Local

Somerville and Medford residents protest Citizens Bank for links with privately-owned ICE detention centers

By Amelia Sammons and Anika Parr | January 28

Residents gathered at the Somerville and Medford branches of Citizens Bank on Saturday to protest the bank’s links to private prison companies that own and operate immigration detention centers under government contracts, including with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The protests were part of three dozen similar demonstrations taking place across the Northeast, organized by the de-ICE Citizens Bank Coalition. According to the coalition, Citizens Bank continues to be a major lender to private prison companies CoreCivic and The GEO Group. They added that other banks, including JPMorgan and Barclays, have distanced themselves from the prison companies.

---

University

Federal immigration enforcement activity reported near Tufts, university says

By Amelia Sammons and Anika Parr | January 27

Federal immigration enforcement activity has recently been reported in areas surrounding Tufts’ Medford/Somerville campus, according to an email sent to the Tufts community from the Office of Public Safety. The office and the municipalities of Somerville and Medford are coordinating efforts to monitor the situation.

---

University

Potential changes to RA position could overhaul role, end free housing as university, RAs enter contract negotiations

By Eli Brigham | January 26

Resident assistants have not yet received reappointment forms as the university considers changing aspects of the role in order to reduce RA responsibilities. The yet-to-be-announced changes come as the United Labor of Tufts Resident Assistants prepares to bargain for a new contract, as the existing one expires this summer.

---

---

University

Tufts’ ELEVATE initiative begins, aiming to advance inclusive excellence

By Theo Weller | January 26

Last fall, Tufts entered the next stage of its ELEVATE strategic visioning initiative, aiming to promote “institutional inclusive excellence,” according to the project’s website. Following its official launch in Oct. 2024, the ELEVATOR Ambassador program was rolled out after a year of community sessions and feedback to create specific plans for Tufts’ improvement.

---

University

BREAKING: University to close through Monday due to major winter storm

By Julian Glickman | January 24

All university campuses will be closed from Sunday at 12 p.m. through Monday due to a winter storm expected to blanket much of North America this weekend, the university announced Saturday evening.

---

University

Tufts Community Union Senate holds first regular meeting of semester

By Alex Boyle and Shayna Levy | January 22

On Jan. 19, the Tufts Community Union Senate met for its first meeting of the spring semester, in which it held internal elections for Parliamentarian and Diversity Officer, presented data from the TCU Senate Student Experience Survey, and voted on proposed changes to the Treasury Procedures Manual. 

---

University

TCU officers discuss lack of resolutions in fall semester

By Shayna Levy | January 22

The Tufts Community Union Senate did not pass any resolutions last semester, which marks a difference from previous semesters that can be attributed to changes in how the Senate approaches student feedback. Resolutions are formal lobbying tools often used by student groups and individuals to necessitate Senate action on an issue.

---

University

Tufts considers overhaul of heating, cooling systems as part of decarbonization plan

By Josh Litvak | January 22

Tufts administrators are evaluating a potential overhaul of the university’s heating and cooling systems as part of a broader plan to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The proposal under consideration involves adopting ground-source heat pumps, an all-electric technology that administrators say could significantly reduce emissions while lowering long-term energy costs.

---

University

Appeals Court upholds decision to block NIH funding rate caps

By Carly Hope | January 20

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit released a decision on Jan. 5 reaffirming the lower court’s move to block funding limitations that the National Institutes of Health proposed last year. The circuit court placed a permanent injunction on the proposed policy.

---

University

Students form gun violence prevention group as Tufts reaffirms campus safety following Brown shooting

By Carlos Del Cañal Fernández and Katherine Kelton | January 20

Tufts officials reaffirmed existing campus safety protocols after the December shooting at Brown University that resulted in the death of two students.Yolanda Smith, chief of police and executive director of public safety at Tufts, said the university would continue to review its safety protocols after students returned to campus this month.It was not immediately clear whether specific changes were made over winter break.

---

University

Fresh at Carmichael Dining Center reopens following fall semester closure for repairs

By Lucas Berman | January 16

The Fresh at Carmichael Dining Center reopened for service on Jan. 14 following a required closure due to flooding toward the end of the fall semester. The dining hall first closed on Nov. 11 after a backup in the drainage system caused flooding in multiple areas. Many food items were thrown out, and much of the center needed to be sanitized.

---

Local

Medford signs contract with Cataldo Ambulance Service, ending 25-year deal with Armstrong Ambulance

By Evan Vezmar | January 16

Medford will enter a three-year contract with a new ambulance provider, Cataldo Ambulance Service, on Jan. 19, ending a 25-year agreement with Armstrong Ambulance. Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn ultimately decided to switch services due to contractual and performance concerns with Armstrong. 

---

Local

Jake Wilson begins term as mayor following monthslong transition team transparency efforts

By Anika Parr | January 15

Following his swearing-in as mayor of Somerville on Jan. 3, members of Jake Wilson’s transition team say that his administration will prioritize community input and collaboration following months of outreach and preparation.

---

University

Private music lessons to resume this spring after fall semester suspension

By Amelia Sammons | January 15

Private music lessons will resume this spring after a semester-long hiatus due to a staffing vacancy in the director of applied music position. Mawunyo Kobla Titiati is taking over as program administrator of applied music.

---

Local

Medford mayor, City Council, School Committee sworn in for two-year term

By Julian Glickman | January 15

Medford Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn and a new City Council and School Committee were sworn in on Jan. 4 as the city prepares to move forward with its rezoning project and build a new Medford High School.

---

University

Office of Public Safety issues temporary card-access restrictions in Medford/Somerville, Grafton campuses following Brown shooting

By Josué Pérez | December 15

The Office of Public Safety announced temporary “security enhancements” for buildings on the Medford/Somerville and Grafton campuses in an email to the Tufts community Monday afternoon.

---

University

BREAKING: Judge orders government to reinstate Rümeysa Öztürk’s SEVIS record

By Julian Glickman | December 8

U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper granted Tufts graduate student Rümeysa Öztürk’s motion for a preliminary injunction Monday afternoon, ordering the government to immediately reinstate her Student and Exchange Visitor Information System record retroactive to the date it was terminated — March 25. 

---