Opinion

Opinion

Center fosters critical research and discussion

October 16

Today, Tufts launches the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy (CSRD) after its 2012 establishment by founding Director Peniel Joseph, a professor in the Department of History. The center is a dynamic addition to the Hill, as it will foster dialogue on poignant, race-related issues and offer various research opportunities for both students and faculty. The racial, social and political issues brought to light by the center are important subjects to explore, especially for a research university such as Tufts.

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Opinion

A welcome boost to campus safety

October 15

In light of the numerous reported instances of violence on college campuses over the past few years, the Oct. 7 announcement of the Tufts Threat Assessment Management (TTAM) program was not a moment too soon.

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Opinion

Why Tufts needs The Primary Source

October 14

My name is Austin Berg, I want to bring back the Primary Source and I am not stupid, crazy or mean-spirited.

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Opinion

Forum merits reconsideration of approaches

October 14

Last week, the administration hosted an open forum for students and faculty to discuss and ask questions about the most recent draft report from the university-wide Council on Diversity. The report, now a year and a half in the making, is meant to acknowledge the concerns of students on campus, as well as seriously evaluate Tufts’ current position and future direction with regards to how we approach the diverse, intersectional identities on campus.

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Opinion

Campaign offers insight into drinking culture

October 9

There has been buzz around the Hill surrounding the posters plastered all over campus presenting statistics about the drinking habits of the Tufts student body. The recently launched “We Are Tufts” ad campaign, initiated by a group of health administrators and undergraduates, explains that not all students drink, and of those who do, very few let alcohol affect them academically. The posters have featured claims including, “93% of students don’t let alcohol affect their academics,” and, “the majority of Tufts students limit their alcohol intake or choose not to drink.” The campaign delivers an important message: Students don’t need to drink to have a good time or because they see others doing so. It also clarifies that, despite that students may think drinking is a necessary weekend pastime, many students in fact do not drink at all.

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Opinion

Op-ed: What you need to know about TTAM

October 8

President Monaco issued an anti-violence policy statement two days ago and introduced the Tufts Threat Assessment and Management program (also known as TTAM, pronounced "Tee Tam"). The announcement may cause some confusion around campus. 

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Opinion

Curbing pedestrian accidents on campus

October 8

Over the course of the last several years, the Department of Public and Environmental Safety (DPES) launched an extensive effort to improve pedestrian safety measures at Tufts. Campus has been treated to new signage, freshly painted crosswalks, safety videos and even an entire Safety Awareness Week. DPES, in collaboration with the Tufts University Police Department (TUPD) and the university administration, hired Nitsch Engineering, a safety consulting firm, to analyze problematic campus intersections, collect data and provide recommendations on how to make them safer for pedestrians and motorists alike. However, the department has not stopped there — this year they have continued to work with TUPD and external agencies to implement even more safety measures. DPES should be praised for its tireless attempts at keeping the Tufts community safe and sound.

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Opinion

Letter to the Editor

October 8

To the Editor,

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Opinion

Letter to the Editor

October 8

 To the Editor,

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Opinion

Op-ed: Stay true to Tufts principles: Divest major fossil fuel holdings

October 8

We write today as just a few of the hundreds of alumni who have signed a petition in support of divesting Tufts' endowment from fossil fuel holdings. The petitioners graduated from nearly every Tufts program and have followed very different paths, today working as religious leaders, financial professionals, political leaders, renewable energy scientists, environmental advocates, EPA officials, climate policy researchers, resource management professionals, lawyers, teachers, healthcare professionals and more. In addition to the five coauthors, twelve other alumni cosigned this letter, including Rebecca Batorsky (GSAS '12), Joelle Biele (LA '91), Sara Carnahan (LA '11), Rose Chaffee-Cohen (LA '03), Daniel Coplon-Newfield (LA '96), Matthew Heberger (GSE '03), Adam Joyce (LA '08), Lauren Jubelirer (LA '86), Meg Luthin (LA '07), Ryan Clapp (LA '12), Benjamin M. Smith (LA '02) and Daniel Wong (LA '09).

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Editorial

Ethical but not yet practical

October 7

Proponents of divestment from fossil fuels, notably Tufts Divest, have made a compelling argument for their stance. From the teach-ins to rallies to numerous op-ed submissions during the past few semesters, social activists have made an argument on behalf of our university's environmental, social and ethical responsibilities vis-??-vis the investment of its endowment. However, what these arguments are lacking is a realistic and viable alternative to investment in specific corporations.

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Opinion

Op-Ed: Vote yes to divest!

October 6

Think about how much money you and your parents pay in tuition for a semester at Tufts (or don't think about it, if it makes you feel sick). If you are a typical first-year student and do not receive financial aid, you are paying approximately $58,780 for this semester. 

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Opinion

Transgender student housing a worthwhile project

October 6

Last week, the Tufts Community Union Senate voted unanimously in favor of the continued reexamination of Tufts’ policies related to transgender students, specifically regarding living arrangements. The resolution aims to ensure that transgender students feel comfortable and included on the Hill and that the university is appropriately addressing their needs and desires.

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Opinion

Our humanity transcends constitutions

October 2

This week, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia spoke as a guest of the Snyder Presidential Lecture Series — a privately funded initiative “intended to invigorate the intellectual environment on campus by providing a forum for the presentation of provocative points of view.” While Justice Scalia’s personal success as a lawyer and judge, his familiarity with the law and judicial procedure and his insight into landmark cases of our time cannot be denied, neither can his personal involvement in the adjudication of cases that have had dire consequences for the quality of life of millions of people. Simply put: the fact that Tufts hosted this man on the same campus as thousands of students whose bodies and communities have been targeted by his decisions is indefensible, and speaks volumes about this institution’s disregard for students of marginalized social identities and the communities they come from.

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Editorial

Opportunity amid justified anger, controversy

October 2

Yesterday, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia spoke on the Hill for the 17th annual Richard E. Snyder President's Lecture Series. His lecture, "Interpreting the Constitution," drew over one thousand members of the Tufts community. Appointed by President Ronald Reagan, Scalia is the longest-serving sitting member of the court, and his originalist interpretation of the Constitution has been influential in many controversial decisions in cases related to marriage equality, gay rights, abortion and affirmative action. Consequently, the selection of Scalia as this year's speaker was not without backlash among members of the Tufts community.

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Opinion

Op-ed: Fund your weekend: five ways to keep your bank account afloat

October 1

Between your SoHi, Chipotle and The Woods habits, all the money you made this summer might seem like it's seeping into a black hole. So for those of you looking to put some weight back in your wallets, kick back for a minute and jot a couple of notes down. Without further ado, here are "Five Ways to Fund Your Weekends."

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Opinion

Op-ed: An excessive attachment

October 1

Perhaps one of Dartmouth's greatest strengths is its sense of community. Students have a propensity to make strong and lasting connections over their undergraduate careers. Some of this may be borne out of necessity - the limited opportunities to escape our tiny campus both facilitates and necessitates plentiful intercommunity interaction. Alternately, we may just get close as a way to keep warm.

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Opinion

Benefits of new room reservation system

October 1

The once infuriating process of making a room reservation on campus has finally been made simple thanks to the implementation of the new Tufts Space and Resource Management System. The new system this summer replaced Tufts’ outdated R25 room reservation system, which was limited in functionality and full of glitches. Students and faculty alike often complained of rooms getting double-booked and appearing available when they were not. The system change, which took under a year to complete, represents the university’s efforts to improve the efficiency of its many services for students.

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Opinion

Evidence shows divestment is the smart and right thing

October 1

In 1978, when Columbia University became one of the first major universities to divest from companies profiting from apartheid South Africa, the trustees gave part of their reasoning as "to maintain educational leadership," which demanded "ethical and humane positions that give effective expression to our highest national ideals."

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Opinion

Take advantage of flu shots this week

September 30

With leaves changing color and the weather getting chillier, many students eagerly anticipate the arrival of fall. But for Tufts Health Service, these indicate a different type of change: the flu season is upon us.

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