Opinion | Editorial

Editorial: TUPD incident of racial bias illustrates need for systemic change

We must start with a community-wide re-evaluation of the role that TUPD has on our campus. Tufts must defund TUPD and significantly downsize police operations. Furthermore, TUPD needs to reform its protocol for responding to nonviolent incidents and prioritize de-escalation strategies that do not subject individuals to unfair questioning techniques. 

Editorial: Tufts must recognize Indigenous Peoples Day

By putting academic scheduling ahead of observing the United States’ fraught history of colonialism, Tufts is neglecting its commitment to fostering justice and equality for all marginalized communities.

Editorial: Remote students must continue to be supported as they navigate academic, social challenges

As Tufts grapples with this new hybrid reality, it is crucial that administrators and professors alike actively support remote students by instituting flexible academic policies and finding innovative alternatives to in-person learning.

Editorial: Tufts must consider local residents’ concerns in proceeding with fall plans

As we react and readjust to the spread of COVID-19 on our campus, it is critical that the Tufts community and administration account for the concerns of our neighbors in making on-campus decisions.

Editorial: Welcome back, Tufts

Whether you are a returning student, new to Tufts, in-person or remote, welcome back, and welcome home. This semester will be a time of readjustment and uncertainty; we begin school against the backdrop of a pandemic and institutional change. It is evermore important that as a community, we remain united, resilient and critical of the world around us. This fall The Tufts Daily remains committed to this mission, using our platform to cultivate conversations about issues impacting our community and spurring our administration to take action.

Editorial: Tufts must take action to support black students

Content warning: This article references instances of police brutality against black individuals.

Editorial: Four years of action

Four years of university provide many opportunities for widespread change, both in the lives of students and the institution itself. The experiences of the Class of 2020 are no exception; throughout its time on campus, our university experienced drastic changes in favor of improving student life, preserving positive institutional values and the rights of all community members. The progress at Tufts during the Class of 2020’s college years and the class' role in advocating for these changes is worthy of pride and recognition by our entire community.

Editorial: Tufts must address deficiencies within health system exposed by pandemic

As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, it continues to highlight issues within the structures of our world, country and university. In particular, the crisis has placed increased stress on health care systems, in turn aggregating the health caredisparities prevalent within American institutions. 

Editorial: University financial support proves vital in response to COVID-19 economic crisis

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented challenges for our world, university and peers. Against the backdrop of an emerging economicrecession and widespreadunemployment, many Tufts students and families will experiencefinancial hardship. Students that did not qualify for financial aid prior to the crisis could have need in the near future, and those currently receiving aid may face holes in financial support while not on campus. Further, access to academic resources is extremely limited while confined to our homes, with cost-saving alternatives, such as selling back books to the Tufts Community Union Textbook Exchange, not available at the moment. Even after students can safely return to campus, the effects of the crisis will linger; some students may no longer be able to afford tuition, living, academic or travel costs. 

Cartoon: 2019–20 in review

Editorial Cartoon

Editorial: 2019–20 in review

As the 2019–20 academic year comes to a close, we recognize the change, passion and advocacy of our community’s responses. The Daily seeks to reflect this spirit throughout its pages and specifically within the Opinion section. We aim to capture the vibrant conversations and important issues on our campus, painting a comprehensive picture of how life on the Hill should be.

Editorial: Tufts must adopt alternatives to full-time online learning if fall semester proves unsafe

The COVID-19 pandemic plunged the world into strange and unprecedented circumstances that have demanded immense changes, including the radical transition to online learning. Given the lack of a COVID-19 cure or vaccine and the seemingly indefinite nature of the crisis, uncertainty surrounds the future, including the upcoming fall semester and prospects of returning to campus. 

Editorial: Tufts sets moral example by providing full wages amid COVID-19 pandemic

Amid the COVID-19 outbreak,wage, health and other uncertainties plague our Tufts and global communities; in consequence, supporting all community members proves more vital than ever. As a result of most universities’ decisions to move to distance learning for the remainder of the semester, an increasing number of workers on college campusesface financial uncertainty and instability. 

Editorial: Tufts must continue trend of empathy for students in face of new academic challenges

Since the university’s March 10decision to suspend in-person classes for the remainder of the semester, our community dispersed across the globe to commence online learning. As a result, our academic and social environments immensely changed, thus requiring rapid adaptations from students, faculty and the administration. As our community enters the final month of classes, we must acknowledge the university’s important work to respond to student input and efficiently move our university online while remaining empathetic to the ongoing issues of the new system. 

Editorial: Tufts must reflect on past and future needs of international students amidst crises

On the evening of March 10, our student bodyreceived an emailthat outlined the university’s response to the spread of COVID-19. However necessary, this action decimated the normalcy of college life, giving students living on campus only six days to pack their belongings and move out of their homes; with changing travel restrictions and midterms compounding already, this announcement peaked student stress. In an attempt to curb some of this upheaval, the university reassured the community in the email that “students who are unable to return to their permanent residences at this time due to travel restrictions or other significant constraints will be allowed to remain in the dormitories.” 

Editorial: Tufts community supports students in need, filling void left by Tufts administration

Clarification: This editorial has been updated to reflect the FIRST center's collaboration with Tufts Mutual Aid and role in aid efforts.

Editorial: Tufts should revamp its credit transfer system to prioritize equity, transparency

Yesterday we discussed the deficits within the distribution requirement system, drawing attention to its rigid, inhibitory nature that prevents students from pursuing passions in depth. This exhaustive requirement, coupled with the clear difficulties in the pre-matriculation credit process, affects ...

Editorial: Tufts should reassess the distribution requirement to promote equal opportunity, academic freedom

Tenets of academic freedom and exploration comprise the core of a Tufts education. Tufts aims to provide this education through the Arts and Sciences distribution requirements, which entail the completion of two three-semester-hour-unit courses in five areas of study: humanities, social sciences, natural ...

Editorial: Tufts must pursue post-graduation preparedness by adding 'adulting' courses to its curriculum

Although some regard academia as an environment detached from the pressures of the “real” world, graduation and the complex challenges presented by adult life linger on the horizon and minds of undergraduates. For many Tufts students, topics such as financial management, budgeting, taxes, retirement ...