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Proposed legislation would require Tufts to pay more to host communities

By Emily Thompson | May 10

A recent bill,H.3080, filed in the Massachusetts State House by State Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven, a Democrat representing the parts of Somerville in which Tufts' Medford/Somerville campus is located, would require Tufts University and other nonprofits with property valued over $15 million to pay 25% of the tax amount that would be paid if they were not exempt from taxation. 

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Green Line Extension Medford branch testing to begin this summer, Medford/Tufts station to open in December

By Jack Hirsch | May 7

According to the “Notice of Project Change” document, the Green Line Extension is also expected to have a significant positive effect on the communities it is about to serve. It explained that the Green Line Extension would reduce vehicle trips and air pollution, provide service in areas that historically have been without reliable public transit and support over 50,000 trips per day.

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City of Somerville pilots Mass. contact tracing software

By Alexander Janoff | May 7

The technology, developed by Apple and Google in April 2020 as the Exposure Notifications System, utilizes Bluetooth technology to determine if an individual has been in close physical proximity for more than 15 minutes to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. The system protects user privacy by exchanging random codes between participating devices via Bluetooth.

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In abrupt reversal, Tufts will allow February, summer and remote graduates to walk in departmental ceremonies

By Jessica Blough | May 6

After several weeks of inconsistent messaging, Tufts University announced in an email on April 8 that it will allow February, summer and remote graduating students to participate in the in-person ceremonies for their departments. Students who are not currently enrolled in surveillance testing are able to request free tests from the university to be eligible for these ceremonies. 

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Alumni Association honors 12 graduating seniors in annual awards ceremony

By Marianna Schantz | May 6

The Tufts University Alumni Association held the 2021 Senior Awards ceremony on April 10, virtually honoring 12 graduating seniors from the Schools of Arts and Sciences and Engineering and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts for their academic achievement, leadership and participation in campus and community activities. 

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Tufts reports 351 COVID-19 cases in spring semester

By Alexander Janoff and Alex Viveros | May 5

A total of 351 COVID-19 cases were reported on the Medford/Somerville campus since the Daily started tracking the number of cases on Jan. 16.

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Dental school professor sues Tufts, alleges gender discrimination and retaliation

By Mariel Priven | May 5

Melissa Ing (D’89), an associate professor at the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, filed a lawsuit earlier this year accusing the university of gender discrimination and retaliation for complaining of alleged sexual harassment. Ing is currently awaiting trial by jury. 

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BREAKING: Gantcher Center to serve as regional vaccination clinic

By Alexander Janoff | May 4

In an email to the Tufts community on Tuesday, University Infection Control Health Director Michael Jordan announced that the Gantcher Center would serve as a public vaccination site for all eligible Massachusetts residents.

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Racial, ethnic inequities apparent in Medford and Somerville vaccine administration

By Alex Viveros | May 4

The cities of Medford and Somerville reported that 37.01% and 33.36% of their residents, respectively, have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to data released by both cities last week. When broken down by race/ethnicity, both cities show that white residents are the most vaccinated group per capita.

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Tufts Action Group publishes response to anti-racism workstream reports

By Peri Barest | May 4

Members of the Tufts Action Group, a collective of faculty, staff and students committed to grassroots anti-racism efforts within the university, met in April to discuss and respond to the five recently published anti-racism workstream reports. TAG’s response acknowledged the progress made by the “Tufts as an Anti-Racist Institution” effort and called for increased transparency, accountability and community presence in its implementation.

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Tufts students evicted from ZBT house after Walnut Hill repeatedly failed to make repairs

By Chloe Courtney Bohl | May 4

In April, the three residents of the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity house were told to move out due to maintenance issues that began in September 2020 and that Walnut Hill, a Tufts real-estate subsidiary, repeatedly failed to resolve. 

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Tufts secures $250 million in bonds, will use to build new housing, dining infrastructure

By Madeleine Aitken | May 3

Tufts University announced it has issued $250 million in bonds that will be used to fund on-campus development projects including the construction of a high density, on-campus residence hall for undergraduates on the Medford/Somerville campus and the expansion of dining capacity and infrastructure, among other capital projects. The new residence hall is part of a push to increase the percentage of students living on campus. Though the details have not been finalized, the university will be conducting a study to help them determine the optimal location and number of residents.

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Outdoor mask mandates lifted in Medford and Somerville, guidelines remain on Tufts' campus

By Liza Harris | May 3

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker announced that as of April 30, masks would no longer be required in outdoor public spaces where social distancing is possible. Face coverings are still required in indoor and outdoor spaces where people cannot be less than six feet apart. Tufts is not changing any university policies in response to the announcement. 

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Jane Goodall talks conservation science in last Distinguished Speaker Series event of semester

By Zoe Kava | May 3

Jane Goodall, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and a United Nations messenger of peace, spoke to the Tufts community about her research on chimpanzee behavior and her experience in conservation science at a live virtual event on Wednesday.

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BREAKING: Two incidents of hate occur within a week

By Madeleine Aitken | May 2

According to an email sent from President Monaco early Sunday morning, several Asian students were verbally assaulted by the occupants of a passing vehicle, who were verbalizing anti-Asian rhetoric in a hateful manner. Additionally, members of an athletic team found a large swastika painted on the shed at Bello Field.

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Amma Agyei elected TCU Senate president, makes history as first Black woman to hold the position

By Jack Adgate | April 29

Amma Agyei was named the winner of the Tufts Community Union Senate presidential election by the Tufts Elections Commission (ECOM) on April 24. She will serve as the TCU Senate president for the 2021–22 academic year.

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Prior to vaccination requirement announcement, TCU Senate called for increased vaccine accessibility

By Ava Autry | April 28

University Infection Control Health Director Michael Jordan announced in an email to the Tufts community on April 25 that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will be available to all students, faculty and staff between April 28 and 30 at the Gantcher Center. Prior to this announcement, students in the Tufts Community Union Senate attempted various efforts to call for a vaccination mandate and heighten accessibility to the vaccine for the Tufts community.

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Wellness center resolution receives support from TCU Senate, lacks tangible response from administration

By Sam Klugherz and Colton Wolk | April 28

The proposed wellness center would provide a dedicated space for mindfulness and offer wellness programming, mental health resources and stress-reduction activities, according to Alswanger. Collins, however, echoed Bowdler’s concerns surrounding the resources needed to realize the center, and emphasized that the COVID-19 pandemic is Tufts’ priority at this time.

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Tufts acquires Pfizer doses, will require virus vaccine for students this fall

By Madeleine Aitken | April 26

The announcement, sent via email and signed by University Infection Control Health Director Michael Jordan, also said that all students will need to be vaccinated before participating in on-campus classes or activities. The deadline for vaccination for students in the School of Medicine, School of Dental Medicine and the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine is July 1, and the deadline for students in all other schools is the beginning of the fall semester. 

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Somerville City Council calls for removal of hostile architecture in Davis Square MBTA station

By Michael Weiskopf | April 26

The MBTA, which installed the benches, asserts that the architecture is designed to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act to provide easier access to seating for people with mobility challenges. However, the Council’s resolution argues that the benches have had the effect of preventing people — namely the homeless community — from lying down.

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