News

University

David Hogg on ending gun violence, building a movement and his future in activism

By Ava Autry | September 22

David Hogg, a gun control activist who survived the 2018 Parkland school shooting, visited Tufts on Sept. 19 in the first installation of this year’s Tisch College Alan and Susan Solomont Distinguished Speaker Series. At the event, Hogg discussed his path to civic engagement, the importance of putting pressure on the government and the steps that young people can take in order to support the gun control movement.

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Local

New CoHo construction set to start on Winthrop and Capen 

By Daniel Vos | September 22

Tufts announced in June that it would begin construction on two new housing properties for upperclassmen on 50 Winthrop St. and 2–4 Capen St. in Medford. In a virtual meeting with the Medford community that month, Tufts also revealed plans to demolish the buildings currently in those lots. The project is set to start construction in fall 2022 and finish in August 2023.

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University

New vegan and kosher food line opens in Dewick

By Coco Arcand | September 22

At the beginning of the fall semester, Dewick-MacPhie Dining Center opened a new food line that offers vegan kosher food. The new station increases the availability of food for students with dietary restrictions.

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University

Students, community members protest CIA recruiting event outside Cohen Auditorium

By Aaron Gruen | September 20

Students and community members staged a protest outside a Central Intelligence Agency recruitment event in Cohen Auditorium on Friday afternoon. The event, which was sponsored by the Tufts Career Center, was not disrupted by the protest.

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Local

Somerville residents hold Safe Streets rally for improved transportation infrastructure

By Madeline Wilson | September 20

Residents of Somerville gathered on Sept. 17 for a rally in support of safer streets at Seven Hills Park in Davis Square. The event was held in response to the death of Stephen Conley, a Somerville resident who was fatally struck by a car door while riding his bike on Broadway on Aug. 12.

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Local

Somerville moves one step closer to a net-zero emissions policy for new buildings

By Skyler Goldberg | September 20

In late August, the Somerville City Council unanimously passed a home rule petition creating a net-zero fossil fuel emissions policy for new construction projects and major renovations in the city. The policy was introduced by Councilors Ben Ewen-Campen and Lance Davis with support from Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantyne. 

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University

Tufts updates campus parking system, expands use of parking cameras

By Charlotte Chen | September 16

An update to parking permit regulations and parking lot access was announced to the Tufts community in an Aug. 17 email. The email emphasized that all parking lots require a Tufts University permit to park and clarified which students — 3rd and 4th years — are able to purchase these permits. Additionally, cameras have been placed in more lots and parking areas on campus to ensure that these regulations are adhered to.

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Local

The Rev. Mariama White-Hammond talks Green New Deal, environmental justice work in Boston

By Ella Kamm | September 14

The Rev. Mariama White-Hammond, chief of environment, energy and open space for the City of Boston, visited Tufts University on Sept. 8 in the first installment of this year’s Hoch Cunningham Environmental Lecture series. White-Hammond joined to discuss the ways that Boston is acting as a Green New Deal city and the importance of centering environmental justice communities in climate work. 

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Local

Somerville Community Land Trust acquires first property, aims to lessen city’s housing crisis

By Michael Weiskopf | September 14

On Aug. 17, the Somerville Community Land Trust held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its first property acquisition at 7 Summer St. By maintaining community ownership of the property, the SCLT hopes to increase the availability of affordable housing in Somerville.

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Local

Tufts community reacts to Biden administration's student loan forgiveness plan

By Aditya Acharya | September 14

Editor’s note: Trent Bunker was a former staff writer at the Daily. He did not contribute to the writing or editing of this article. 

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Local

Established Democrats defeat lesser-known challengers in Mass. primaries

By Olivia Field | September 12

Incumbent State Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven won the 27th Middlesex District Democratic primary on Sept. 6, defeating opponent Jason Mackey. Uyterhoeven, who is currently running uncontested in the general election, won with 87% of the vote and is on track to continue representing the city of Somerville in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

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University

Maintenance issue causes flooding in basement of Olin

By Ariana Phillips | September 12

A maintenance issue caused the basement of the Olin Center to flood last Thursday at approximately 10:30 a.m. The flooding was the result of an error that occurred while a vendor was testing the sprinkler system. 

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University

CIRCLE releases youth civic engagement report ahead of midterms

By Akisha Tokwe | September 12

Tisch College's Center for Information and Research on Civic Leadership and Engagement recently released a report detailing actionable recommendations for institutions and communities seeking to promote youth electoral engagement. 

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University

Rabbi Jonah Winer hired as new director of religious life at Tufts Hillel

By Coco Arcand | September 8

Tufts Hillel has hired Rabbi Jonah Winer as the new director of religious life. Winer, a Toronto native, has begun working with students and Hillel staff during his first few weeks on campus. 

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University

Eaton Hall set to undergo complete renovation

By Madeline Wilson | September 8

Eaton Hall is set to undergo a complete renovation, with preliminary work starting in November and construction beginning in 2023. The academic departments that currently operate out of Eaton have already moved to other locations for the remodel, which is set to be completed by the fall of 2024.

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University

Heather Curtis named new director of Center for the Humanities

By Aaron Klein | September 8

Heather Curtis, the Warren S. Woodbridge Professor in Comparative Religions, has been named the newest director of the Center for the Humanities at Tufts. Curtis will be the fourth director since the center’s founding in 2008.

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University

First-years housed at The Court live in the shadow of The Mods

By Daniel Vos | September 6

One hundred members of the Class of 2026 moved into their new dorms at The Court at Professors Row last week. Located on the Vouté Tennis Courts that formerly housed the modular COVID-19 isolation units known as The Mods, The Court is a complex of three buildings that will house 150 first-years and nine resident assistants this fall. 

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University

Tufts shows support for Harvard, UNC in Supreme Court affirmative action case

By Madeline Wilson | September 6

Tufts joined 32 other colleges and universities in signing an amicus curiae brief for the Supreme Court of the United States affirming the legality of race-conscious college admissions. The brief, filed by Amherst College on Aug. 1, expresses support for Harvard College and the University of North Carolina in their ongoing legal battle to maintain students’ race as a factor in college admissions decisions. 

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University

Tufts updates fall COVID-19 protocol, ends mask mandate and surveillance testing

By Amelia Colafati | September 6

In anticipation of welcoming students back to campus, Tufts announced its fall 2022 COVID-19 protocols in an email on Aug. 10. According to the email, the updated measures include the end of surveillance testing as well as the removal of a mask mandate. Infected students will also be directed to isolate in their rooms as opposed to the temporary housing on-campus students were asked to isolate in last academic year.

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Local

Simultaneous Green and Orange Line closures frustrate commuters

By Peri Barest | September 6

The MBTA announced on Aug. 5 that the Green Line Extension Medford branch — which was scheduled to be completed by the end of the summer — will not open until late November. This is the project’s third delay from the planned completion date of December 2021.

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