Local

Local leaders heighten calls for release of Rümeysa Öztürk

By Julian Glickman | April 17

Local Medford and Somerville leaders, as well as Massachusetts state leaders, have strengthened their response to the detainment of Tufts graduate student Rümeysa Öztürk. Elected officials released a joint statement, and the Medford City Council passed an official resolution for her release.

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Local

Somerville Mayor Ballantyne announces reelection bid for 3rd term

By Anika Parr | April 17

On March 24, Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantyne officially announced her reelection bid. She is seeking a third term since her initial election in 2021, facing declared challengers including Somerville City Councilors at-Large Jake Wilson and Willie Burnley Jr., as well as Somerville resident Jason Mackey.

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University

‘A risk no matter what’: Professors discuss Kumar’s affidavit supporting Rümeysa Öztürk

By Michael Onysko | April 17

The Office of the President sent a declaration signed by University President Sunil Kumar in support of Tufts graduate student Rümeysa Öztürk, in an email to the Tufts community on April 2. Executed on April 1, Kumar’s declaration was filed as an affidavit in a motion for her release ...

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University

Cost of attendance rises to $96,078 for 2025-26 year

By Josué Pérez | April 16

The new full cost of attendance for Tufts University will be approximately $96,078 for incoming undergraduate students for the 2025–26 academic year. The estimated total cost of attendance has gone up by $3,911. The cost of attendance for the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences has surpassed $100,000 for international students, reaching a total of $100,682.

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University

TCU Senators hear supplementary funding appeal and new graduation robes resolution

By Spenser Walsh | April 16

The Tufts Community Union Senate debated an appeal on supplementary funding and broader bylaws changes during their meeting on Sunday.

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University

Tufts issues declaration supporting lawsuit against the Department of Energy’s new rate cap policy

By Josué Pérez | April 15

On Monday,Tufts issued a declaration supporting a lawsuit filed by several universities against the Department of Energy over its decision to implement a 15% cap on indirect costs for existing and future research grants to universities and colleges. The Department of Energy announced its decision on Friday.

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University

Federal government appeals permanent injunction in NIH case

By Josué Pérez | April 15

On April 4, U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley ordered a permanent injunction on the National Institutes of Health,preventing the cuts on indirect medical research costs from taking effect nationwide. However, four days later, the United States Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the NIH, filed a Notice of Appeal. The case is now in the Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.

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University

Tufts confirms second student visa terminated by federal government

By Samantha Eng | April 14

The visas of two Tufts graduate students have been terminated by the federal government, including the visa of Rümeysa Öztürk. As of April 11, seven post-completion Optional Practical Training participants at Tufts have had their SEVIS records or F-1 visa status terminated.

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University

BREAKING: 2025–26 TCU Senate election results announced

By Josué Pérez | April 12

The Tufts Community Union Elections Commission announced the incoming senators for the 2025–26 academic year on Saturday, shortly after voting concluded at 12 p.m. According to junior Luca O’Neil, the treasurer of the Election Commission, approximately 16.2% of students voted in the election, down from last year’s approximately 20%.

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University

Rümeysa Öztürk describes detainment, poor conditions at ICE detention center in declaration

By Samantha Eng | April 11

On Thursday, Rümeysa Öztürk’s legal counsel filed a motion to the United States District Court for the District of Vermont for her immediate release or, alternatively, her return to Vermont. The government’s counsel argues that Öztürk’s petition remains improperly filed and that the only court with the proper jurisdiction over her case is in Louisiana, where she is currently detained. In a Vermont hearing on Monday, the district court will consider its jurisdiction over Öztürk’s case.

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University

ECOM hosts meet-and-greet with TCU Senate candidates

By Zoe Herrmann | April 11

On April 9, the Tufts Community Union Senate Elections Commission hosted their annual meet-and-greet event with candidates running for seats on the Senate, the Judiciary and the Committee on Student Life. The event offered Tufts students the opportunity to speak with candidates prior to TCU elections, which are occurring from April 10 to Saturday at noon.

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University

Tisch College hosts Rep. Seth Moulton

By Amelia Sammons | April 11

On Monday, the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life hosted Democrat Seth Moulton, the representative forMassachusetts’s 6th congressional district. This event was co-sponsored by the Department of Political Science, Tufts ACTION, the Tufts Federalist Society and the Tufts Democrats.

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University

Russian, Slavic and Central Asian Culture House to pause next year

By Marlee Stout | April 10

The Office of Residential Life & Learning notified students on Feb. 25 that the Russian/Slavic and Central Asian Culture House will pause for the next academic year.“ Interest in the house is very low and Residential Life isn’t able to offer the Russian, Slavic, and Central Asian Culture House next year,” ResLife wrote in an email to students who had been offered a place in the house next year.

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University

Tisch College welcomes Cong Tony Sun as first executive administrative dean

By Anika Parr | April 10

On March 3, the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life welcomed Cong Tony Sun as the new executive administrative dean. As the first executive administrative dean of Tisch College, he is at the forefront of developing the institution’s administrative and financial policies.

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University

Tisch College hosts conservative economist Oren Cass

By Hannah Rajalingam | April 9

The Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life hosted Oren Cass, conservative economist, author and founder ofAmerican Compass, to give a talk cosponsored by the Tufts Federalist Society and Tufts Republicans on Tuesday.

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Local

Medford officials continue zoning overhaul after approving Salem Street rezoning

By Evan Vezmar | April 8

The City of Medford’s plans to revise and modernize zoning laws across the city recently resulted in rezoning in the Salem Street Corridor District. Medford City Council is planning new zoning with the help of consulting group Innes Associates and feedback from councilors and residents. Adopted by Medford City Council on March 11, the process followed the standard four-step procedure of proposal, review and recommendation by the Community Development Board and commentary from residents. 

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Local

JumboVote hosts discussion with Medford City Council leaders about role of local politics

By Zoe Herrmann | April 8

On April 2, JumboVote hosted an event in collaboration with Medford City Councilors Zac Bears and Kit Collins to discuss the role of local politics during periods of political uncertainty. The event was largely overseen by JumboVote Outreach Chair sophomore Teagan Mustone, who hoped to further educate students on the role of local government.

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University

Tufts confirms second student visa terminated by federal government

By Samantha Eng | April 7

The visas of two Tufts graduate students have been terminated by the federal government, including the visa of Rümeysa Öztürk. The university confirmed on Monday that the federal government terminated the visa of a second graduate student on Thursday but did not disclose their identity.

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University

Tisch College holds annual symposium on restorative justice, higher education

By Varya Karpinskaya | April 7

Tufts University Prison Initiative of Tisch College held its fourth annual symposium on restorative justice and higher education on March 31. The event featured formerly incarcerated students, graduates and Tufts undergraduate students who work as teaching assistants in prisons and as program assistants in the Tufts Education Reentry Network program. The speakers addressed the importance of revolutionizing higher education, as well as the vulnerability and healing process that happens in the classroom.

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Local

Job Creation and Retention Trust Fund Board of Trustees holds meeting regarding potential federal funding cuts

By Eli Brigham | April 7

On March 25, the Somerville Job Creation and Retention Trust Fund Board of Trustees held a meeting to begin brainstorming funding strategies to alleviate potential burdens for organizations that receive such money in the event that federal funding cuts occur.

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