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TCU Senate budgets over $2 million to student organizations for next fiscal year

By Chloe Courtney Bohl | April 12

TCU Senate then allocated over $2 million to fund more than 200 TCU-recognized student organizations for the 2022 fiscal year. Rather than voting on each of the organizations’ budgets individually, the Senate divides them into 10 groups, called councils, in addition to a final category for umbrella organizations. Each council represents a specific type of student organization.

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Tufts professor Brian Schaffner conducts policing surveys in Medford, Somerville

By Yiyun Tom Guan | April 9

Brian Schaffner, Newhouse professor of civic studies, conducted surveys last October and November of Medford and Somerville residents on their experience and perception of policing in their respective communities, as well as their opinions on future reforms. The survey reports, released on March 15, state that while residents of both cities are “somewhat satisfied with policing,” they see inequalities in how different populations are treated by the police, and they overwhelmingly support the creation of a civilian review board.

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Tisch Council for Philanthropic Leadership announces fundraising plans

By Ava Autry | April 9

With the grant focus in place, TCPL’s goal is to eventually select a specific organization to donate the proceeds of its fundraising efforts. According to Tisch College's official description of the organization, TCPL “function(s) as a foundation board that allocates funding to nonprofits in Tufts' surrounding communities.” In addition to its grant-making efforts, the council also “organizes service projects, coordinates a philanthropic leadership speaker series, and promotes conversations about the social sector.”

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Office of Sustainability and Eco Reps launch Earth Month programming with Zero Waste Week

By Rebecca Barker | April 8

Woolston explained that the public nature of Zero Waste Week — in which one’s trash is easily visible to others through the bags provided by the Office of Sustainability and Eco Reps — allows for participants to reevaluate their relationship with trash. Woolston further noted that one of the biggest challenges for those who have engaged with Zero Waste Week in the past has been the embarrassment that people feel about their waste. 

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University Chaplaincy hosts the Rev. Adam Russell Taylor for annual James A. Russell Lectureship

By Emily Thompson | April 8

Taylor, a Baptist minister, began by extending his lecture on community building to those outside of the Christian community. He then reflected on the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., emphasizing his commitment to building a community rooted in faith and love and commenting on how to utilize that lesson in current times.

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Milo Koretsky to assume McDonnell Family Bridge Professorship

By Jack Adgate | April 7

Koretsky will act as a bridge between the Tufts School of Engineering and School of Arts and Sciences, and will assume the position this month. Before his appointment as bridge professor, Koretsky taught for nearly 30 years in Oregon State University’s Department of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering. There he led the Engineering Education Research Group, and is a fellow of the Center for Lifelong STEM Education Research at Oregon State University and a fellow of the American Society for Engineering Education.

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In response to workstream recommendations, TUPD aims to increase transparency with updated website

By Peri Barest | April 7

“The Department of Public Safety should develop a comprehensive digital strategy that utilizes social media and the department website to increase visibility, better engage the university community, proactively share information to build trust, and promote the department’s mission and values,” the report says.

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European study abroad programs remain on track for fall, could still change

By Sarah Sandlow | April 7

Despite the conditions of the pandemic in many countries in Europe, Tufts Global Education currently plans to continue with its fall semester study abroad programs, but will reconsider if necessary. Mala Ghosh, associate dean of Tufts Global Education, said that the Tufts Global Education department is working with each director abroad on planning for classroom spacing and necessary accommodations, as well as preparing for quarantine, vaccination and testing protocols.

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Carmichael Dining Center to be rebranded as gluten, peanut, tree nut-free establishment

By Alex Viveros | April 6

In addition to a complete menu redesign to accommodate those with a gluten, peanut or tree nut allergy — the three most common food allergies on the Medford/Somerville campus — the dining center will also undergo a complete rebranding and unspecified name change, according to Kelly Shaw, Tufts Dining nutrition specialist. Shaw has been conducting focus groups with students with food allergies and using their feedback to determine what the menu of the new dining center will look like.

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Tufts research lab aids states with redistricting process

By Matt Chen | April 6

The MGGG Redistricting Lab, which is affiliated with the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life, grew out of an informal research collective called the Metric Geometry and Gerrymandering Group. The lab is led by Moon Duchin, an associate professor in the mathematics department and director of the Science, Technology, and Society program at Tufts.

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Tufts alumnus and former adjunct professor Ben Downing running for governor of Massachusetts

By Alexander Janoff | April 5

Downing said that a major goal of his as governor would be to reduce the vast economic inequities in Massachusetts, which he believes are hidden under an aggregated high standard of living across the Commonwealth. Downing ran for the Massachusetts state Senate at 24, while he was a master's student at Tufts in urban and environmental policy and planning.

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Tufts forms Bias Education Response Teams for all campuses

By Flora Meng | April 5

“BERT’s specific purpose is to address the community impact of bias and hate events by providing support to everyone — students, faculty, and staff," Mack said. "As we first envisioned how these teams should work, we identified an unmet need for centrally supported, team-based efforts focusing on supporting the community by providing education and resources.”

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Tufts medical students match into residencies, handle pandemic-influenced process

By Alex Viveros and Mariel Priven | April 5

Becca Bell, a fourth-year medical student who recently matched at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center for otolaryngology, explained how TUSM’s Maine Track program guided her career choices. As part of the Maine program, Bell did her third and fourth years of medical school at Maine Medical Center.

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TUPD to form mental health working group, TCU senator advocates for student representation in the group

By Yiyun Tom Guan | April 2

Coletta explained that the mental health working group’s creation came in accordance with recommendations presented by Tufts’ Working Group on Public Safety and Policing, which was formed last July as one of the five “Tufts as an Anti-Racist Institution” workstreams. It released its report in February, in an email from Monaco to the Tufts community.

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Tisch College Distinguished Speaker Series hosts Michael Steele

By Madeline Mueller | April 2

Steele disagreed with the practice of blindly following the leader of the party you support. "This is not about one man, nor should it be," Steele said. "It's not about the party. It's about the country I live in." Steele said he believes there is an existential crisis in the Republican Party right now. “I’ve been advocating for 20 plus years … we have to recognize where this trend line is going," Steele said. 

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Tufts Chaplaincy, religious organizations modify spring holiday celebrations

By Skyler Goldberg | April 2

Tufts University’s faith communities are experiencing their first on-campus observances of Passover, Easter and Ramadan since the COVID-19 pandemic began. To celebrate the holidays, various small-group, in-person events and Zoom events have been occurring, with more planned for the coming weeks.

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TCU Senate unanimously passes TREE resolution on private prison divestment, university will not take action

By Sara Renkert | March 31

The resolution is not binding for the university. Patrick Collins, executive director of media relations at Tufts, said that Tufts will not be taking action in response to the Senate's unanimous vote, citing the university's small percentage of indirect investments in private prisons.

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City Councilor Katjana Ballantyne joins Somerville mayoral race

By Jack Hirsch | March 31

The office is currently held by Joseph Curtatone, the city's longest-serving mayor, who announced earlier this month that he is not running for reelection after nearly 20 years. Katjana Ballantyne has previously served as board president of the Somerville Community Corporation and was elected twice as City Council president. 

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Tufts announces decision to close Confucius Institute

By Emily Thompson | March 30

In the statement, Glaser and Chigas highlighted the reasons for the decision and the future of Chinese language and culture learning at Tufts, noting that moving on from the CITU will allow the university to expand its relationship with BNU. Others interviewed expressed relief at the decision and explained the dangers of the institutes on college campuses.

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TUPIT pushes for program allowing incarcerated individuals to obtain Tufts bachelor’s degree

By Zoe Kava | March 30

The Tufts University Prison Initiative at Tisch College introduced a resolution that was passed unanimously by the Tufts Community Union Senate. The resolution calls on the university to allow currently and formerly incarcerated individuals who are taking Tufts courses through the TUPIT program, which is taught by Tufts professors, to earn a Tufts bachelor’s degree in civic studies.

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