The TCU Senate Executive Board developed a list of top priorities for student government to work on during the 2008-2009 school year. This list is to be edited and updated for the 2009-2010 school year. Please feel free to send us your thoughts as we compile them!
Community Relations
Situated between the two vibrant residential communities of Medford and Somerville, Tufts students, particularly those living off-campus, must inevitably interact with our local neighbors. Both Tufts students and Medford and Somerville residents are part of the local community and must live and work in harmony. Senate this year will continue working to foster positive relationships and a sense of community between Tufts students living off campus and their neighbors who live in the area, including on issues such as dealing with landlords and noise violations. Senate will also sponsor a Community BBQ to bring students and neighbors together in a friendly atmosphere.
Alumni Relations
Tufts has a strong network of successful alumni who can serve as a major resource for current students. Senate aims to help more Tufts students successfully utilize the intellectual and professional talents of alumni, from career mentoring to general networking.
Curriculum and Instruction
As always, the Senate will play an important role in the tenure evaluation process. We need to make sure that professors respect our campus values and are able to balance research and instruction. The administration is open to more creative ideas on how to involve students more in that process.
Greek Life
Though at Tufts there is a relatively small Greek population, it undeniably has a large affect on campus life. Thus, Senate will work to improve the Greek image on campus by working closely with Greek institutions and the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs. Issues such as the Greek judicial process will be examined along with improved Greek programming for non-Greek students.
Government Reform
Each branch of TCU government operates somewhat independently of the other branches. While in some respects this is healthy, there is a general lack of communication and understanding between Senate, the Judiciary, and the CSL. We must work with other student leaders to make sure we’re all moving in the same direction.
Costs on Campus
Tufts has the opportunity to step into the next great generation of universities that embraces class diversity as a core value. The last two classes were admitted need blind, and a record eleven percent of freshmen for the past two years attend Tufts on Pell grants to families who earn less than $40,000 annually. We need to have a richer conversation about what life on campus is like in the context of our changing socioeconomic realities. For example, the Senate budgeted groups to bring in $90,000 in ticket income for on-campus programming for fiscal year 2009. With soaring costs on campus, how can we ensure that all students can take advantage of the opportunities offered here?
Improved Programming
Senate is and always has been a resource for students to develop the best campus programming. We will expand that role by helping group leaders collaborate on innovative projects that offer the best to the campus. We will also work to make the intellectual component of extracurricular activities even richer.
Support for Students of Color
Just because we have a lot of diverse people on campus doesn’t mean that we have a diverse community. Senate this year will work with other students and the administration to create learning opportunities across perceived boundaries, to provide support for students of color in programming and in the curriculum, and to engage the campus in a healthy conversation about diversity.
Security and Public Safety
Students pay over 50,000 dollars a year to attend Tufts. This fee does not only cover an education, but the fundamental right to feel safe at this place that we all call home. One attack is one too many, as students should always feel safe at Tufts. This security must extend to students who live on and off campus. We will work closely with Public Safety to make sure student concerns are heard.
Dining Services
One of the major costs on campus is food. Better service and later hours would be more convenient, and cheaper options would make it easier for students to eat and enjoy going out on the weekends. We need to work with Dining Services to adapt their business model to better suit student needs.
Health and Wellness
Security of mind and body are central to a healthy college experience. The Senate will work to clarify Tufts’ policy on health and alcohol issues, expand the Health Service, and advertise existing opportunities designed to make students more health-conscious.
Residential Facilities
The residential facilities that Tufts provides its undergraduates are not adequate. It is understandable that the University has priorities beyond new dormitories. But aging dorms can be upgraded with interior facelifts to common rooms, wireless Internet access, and better recreation equipment. We will work with the administration and residential assistants to intelligently direct existing funds to make students feel more at home on the Hill.
