Opinion
Primary Sources return to campus welcome
October 27The Primary Source is returning to Tufts, and Tufts should be thankful for that.
Opinion
Opinion
Op-ed: Some course considerations for mechanical engineers at Tufts
October 27This article is meant to inform mechanical engineering students at Tufts, particularly freshmen, as to some useful course options available to them. All information is given from the perspective of a Class of 2013 graduate but should still be applicable. (This may change with changes in curriculum.)
Editorial
Building positive community relations
October 23On a campus where students and faculty are constantly in pursuit of opportunities for learning and research, it is no wonder that the need for more space is also pressing. At Sunday night's Tufts Community Union Senate meeting, University President Anthony Monaco mentioned a number of construction projects that the university is considering, one of which would be located at 574 Boston Ave. This address is the site of a four-story, 96,000-square foot Tufts-owned warehouse that was previously inhabited by Somerville artisans, and is now under consideration to receive some serious renovations. Althought the use of the space at 574 Boston Ave. will undoubtedly be beneficial to the university community, Tufts should do more to aid those artists who previously utilized this building.
Editorial
'Take Back the Night' fosters campus dialogue
October 22There are few topics so dislocated from daily life as that of sexual assault. Despite the numerous statistics thrown at us - there were 63 cases of sexual misconduct reported at Tufts last year - or the comic performances of a group like Sex Signals at Orientation, it is always difficult to fully come to grips with the dark reality of this form of violence. It is therefore imperative that the university provides a platform for discussion of sexual violence, which is often not at the forefront of campus discourse. It is equally important for students to take advantage of the opportunities to engage in meaningful dialogue about sexual assault and misconduct.
Opinion
Financial aid initiatives show promise
October 21Since the admission of the Tufts Class of 2014, wherein 1,317 students matriculated, the number of matriculating students has fluctuated between 1,310 and 1,317. However, as the cost of the academic year at Tufts has gone up, approaching $60,000 for the 2013-2014 school year, students who qualify for financial aid require more every year. Dean of Undergraduate Admissions Lee Coffin stated that, despite growing financial need, the number of students receiving aid has remained relatively constant.
Opinion
Online component as complement to classroom
October 20The Office of the Dean of Arts and Sciences is currently deliberating over the inclusion of massive open online classes (MOOCs), based on the summertime report of the Arts and Sciences Online Learning and Education Working Group. This is an important step toward cultivating a better online presence, but Tufts must take steps to ensure that MOOCs are used to aid students and professors and not as replacements for necessary time spent in a classroom.
Opinion
Op-ed: Civic engagement among students necessary, lacking
October 20We Americans are in a bad mood about our nation and our public life. Three quarters say the country is on the wrong track. Some of us may be especially angry at the current Congress, at President Obama - or both - but the roots of our discontent go deeper than that.
Opinion
Why you should dress up as Harry Potter, and not Cho Chang, for Halloween
October 16Racially and culturally insensitive Halloween costumes have become a ubiquitous presence in the United States, and Tufts is in no way an exception. For many members of marginalized communities, Halloween has become a moment in which to prepare ourselves for insensitive and willfully ignorant portrayals of ourselves and our communities as stereotypes and simplistic, violent images. This costumed appropriation of culture, race and identity causes a kind of psychological violence when you see someone wearing you as a costume. As we approach Halloween, I write this in hopes of engaging all members of our community in a dialogue on representation, violence and empathy.
Opinion
Center fosters critical research and discussion
October 16Today, 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.
Opinion
A welcome boost to campus safety
October 15In 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.
Opinion
Why Tufts needs The Primary Source
October 14My name is Austin Berg, I want to bring back the Primary Source and I am not stupid, crazy or mean-spirited.
Opinion
Forum merits reconsideration of approaches
October 14Last 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.
Opinion
Campaign offers insight into drinking culture
October 9There 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 dont 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 dont 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.
Opinion
Op-ed: What you need to know about TTAM
October 8President 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.
Opinion
Curbing pedestrian accidents on campus
October 8Over 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.
Opinion
Op-ed: Stay true to Tufts principles: Divest major fossil fuel holdings
October 8We 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).
Editorial
Ethical but not yet practical
October 7Proponents 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.
Opinion
Op-Ed: Vote yes to divest!
October 6Think 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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