Opinion

Stop pervasive homophobic speech

The recent, tragic death by suicide of Rutgers student Tyler Clementi, one of five deaths by suicide among gay youths around the country reported in the last few weeks, has stirred up conversations about the importance of tolerance on college campuses. Homophobic bullying has played a prominent role in some of the deaths, which have left some scratching their heads, wondering how homophobia and bullying are still rampant when so much energy has been dedicated to eliminating them.

Support the troops, but don't cover up for them

"Support our troops" is an American mantra. It is a phrase plastered on our SUVs and stamped on our front yards. To a politician, these three words are hallowed ground. The U.S. military defends our freedoms, protects our borders and makes sacrifices for our country: These phrases form the current U.S. military narrative.

Eat your veggies

Students at universities like Tufts have a full plate of goals and ambitions when they arrive on campus. We all know those goals well: good grades, impressive extracurricular accomplishments and the attainment of lifelong friends, to name a few.

Maintain American pressure on Netanyahu

The Obama administration yesterday desperately tried to salvage the Israeli−Palestinian peace process, calling for a 60−day extension of the Israeli settlement construction freeze that expired on Sunday. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may rebuff the administration's plea, President Barack Obama must stand strong and continue to oppose the expansion of Israeli settlements. Failure to do so will likely mark the death knell of current Middle East peace negotiations — a threat to American national security and our nation's strategic interests in the region.

Open minds SPEAC out

Have you ever talked about the Tufts hook-up culture with your friends? Have you sat around discussing how politically correct Tufts is?  Have you talked about what interracial dating looks like at Tufts and in the real world?

Sexual assault updates send positive message

After an extensive, yearlong review, the collaborative efforts of Students Active in Ending Rape (SAFER), the Tufts Community Union Senate and the administration have resulted in the crafting of Tufts' new sexual assault policy and adjudication process.

Elisha Sum | Our Genderation

Tori Amos once sang, "You say, ‘he got be strong if he wanna be a man.'"

Mitchell Geller | Makes it Rain

I used to say that Rick Ross was the worst rapper of all time. I never said that I didn't like Rick Ross, nor that he didn't deserve to be famous. All I said was that he was a terrible rapper. I said he suffered from the same problem as someone like Dr. Dre — one of my favorite rappers — who just sounds like he's trying too hard.

Hold ECOM officials accountable

"For every election we organize, we strive to ensure fairness and equality," reads the mission statement of the Elections Commission (ECOM). Unfortunately, the handling of last week's votes for freshman Tufts Community Union (TCU) senators, Freshman Class Council members and school-wide referenda on community representatives led to elections that were anything but fair and equal.

A heretic's chaplain

In the fall of 2009, Tufts Freethought Society (TFS) inquired about the need and viability of hiring a Humanist chaplain for the benefit of the Tufts community. TFS communicated with university officials and alumni and, after a series of meetings, increased the likelihood of the realization of this goal.

Conscientious and Contentious

In recent months, there has been much controversy surrounding a proposed project to bring a Muslim community center to downtown Manhattan. Within and outside New York, there have been countless demonstrations from both sides of the debate. On one side is the opposition to the building of the Muslim community center, also called the Park51 project. On the other side are those supporting the construction of this project.

Politicization of 'don't ask, don't tell' a disgrace

U.S. Senate Republicans on Tuesday blocked a defense-spending bill that included a repeal of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, in a disgraceful move that placed partisan politics above the rights of gay Americans and the strength of the U.S. military.

Thawing Tufts' Hiring Freeze: An Investment in the Future

The Tufts administration's gradual "thaw" of the university's two year old flexible hiring freeze has brought on 30 new faculty members and is a strategic move in a time of economic recession. Emerging from the economic crisis in an advantageous position relative to that of other universities, Tufts has been able to offer competitive salaries and benefits which have attracted professors from around the country. While budget constraints have forced the university to put projects such as renovating athletic facilities or providing need blind admissions to incoming students on hold, bringing some of the nation's best and brightest professors to campus is a worthy investment in the education of current and future Jumbos.

An investment in Tufts' future

The Tufts administration's gradual "thaw" of the university's two−year old flexible hiring freeze has brought on 30 new faculty members and is a strategic move in a time of economic recession. Emerging from the economic crisis in an advantageous position relative to that of other universities, Tufts has been able to offer competitive salaries and benefits which have attracted professors from around the country. While budget constraints have forced the university to put projects such as renovating athletic facilities or providing need−blind admissions to incoming students on hold, bringing some of the nation's best and brightest professors to campus is a worthy investment in the education of current and future Jumbos.

The Daily Beast's crime statistics don't add up

The Tufts community was shocked last week to learn that its leafy green campus topped a list of the 50 most dangerous colleges in the country. The blogosphere, Twittersphere and local media went crazy as university officials tried to save face.

Elisha Sum | Our Genderation

Tori Amos once sang, "I don't know why in your boy's life, you become … like a bull in a china shop."

I have arrived

It is 5:29 p.m. on Thursday evening and I am standing atop the memorial for Alex Mendell — better known as Alex's Place. Overcast skies and a light rainfall result in a "tap−tap" spattering sound over the hood of my rain jacket. From here there is a view that already has me reminiscing about the day before as this unforgettable summer of 2010 comes to a close. But what makes it most memorable is my acceptance into the urban and environmental policy and planning (UEP) and civil engineering graduate programs at Tufts — for many reasons.

A forgotten victim of government belt-tightening

Targeting one's own citizens

From the Daily's Archives | Tufts commemorates a somber anniversary

Editor's note: The edited excerpts of the following article, written by then-Daily Editorial Board member Jamie Cox, originally appeared in the Sept. 13, 2002, issue of the Daily.