One of the integral components of being a Jumbo is joining one of the hundreds of clubs and activities offered at the university. From the Tap Ensemble to Shir Appeal, participating in a school organization allows students to involve themselves into the Tufts community in a productive way. However, many of these clubs can be expensive to participate in. Competitive sports club teams often require more than just signing up for a club or activity. Participation in a club like Mock Trial is often contingent on a $50 to $100 participation fee that Tufts Community Union (TCU) imposes on members of clubs and activities that request funding in order to supplement costs of the groups' activities.
It is clear that the money that TCU charges is fair, and is used to benefit both the participant and the club by paying for things ranging from food and transportation to lodging and registration. However, the $50 to $100 charge can be a significant burden on some students already struggling with the substantial costs of college. Whether because of financial troubles or extenuating circumstances, some students may find themselves trying to choose between participating in extracurriculars and everything else Tufts has to offer.
The TCU Senate passed a resolution on Sunday to create an "Individual Support Fund." This fund aims to alleviate the burden of club fees on those students who may not be able to afford them. Students who receive financial aid from Tufts would qualify for assistance from the fund. The $5000 fund will come directly from the student activity fee that is included in every student's tuition. This is an important step towards school-wide inclusion.
An estimated 40 percent of students would qualify for the Individual Support Fund, and would therefore be able to request funding for the clubs and activities that they participate in. This means that the financial burden of club fees would no longer be a worry for those that count on school aid in the first place.
Clubs and organizations on campus aren't all just for fun and to build strong community values. Clubs like Mock Trial charge students $100 to participate, but the club offers more than a setting where students interested in law can convene. Students learn valuable skills like public speaking and how to form cohesive, strong arguments. Supporting students in clubs and organizations like Mock Trial will build global citizens as well as well-rounded scholars.
Being a global citizen begins by being a community citizen. Honing valuable interpersonal skills are a key asset to clubs. Most of the student body participates in the over 200 clubs and organizations. The Individual Support Fund will allow students, regardless of their financial background, to participate actively in the Tufts community and will create a more cohesive student body. This initiative is a step in the right direction towards full student body inclusion.
