TUFTS PARENTS AND FAMILIES (TPF) NEWSLETTER | September 21, 2023

Dear Parents and Families,

It's great to be back with the first newsletter of the academic year. The arrival of your students is a welcome sight on Medford/Somerville and Fenway campuses, and there is much to look forward to in the coming weeks so mark your calendars.

The inauguration of Sunil Kumar as Tufts' 14th president is celebrated with a week of in-person and virtual events (September 30 - October 7), culminating in the Installation Ceremony on Friday, October 6 followed by a day of service in the community on Saturday, October 7.

With Parents and Family Weekend coming up (October 13 and 14), this edition includes an interview with Gina DeSalvo, director of the Parents Giving Program, to get the inside scoop on this year's line-up of activities. Also included: the Career Center and Academic Advising teams offer insight timed with the start of the semester. 

Best wishes to you this fall,

Carole McFall
Family Engagement, AS&E 
carole.mcfall@tufts.edu
Direct: 617-627-2797

In anticipation of Parents and Family Weekend next month, we talked to Director of the Parents Giving Program Gina DeSalvo, who leads the annual event, to learn more about this beloved tradition.

DeSalvo, who has been at Tufts for 17 years, says Parents and Family Weekend is indeed a long tradition, nearly 40 years old. “The energy during the weekend is palpable as parents and families get to see Tufts through their student’s eyes,” she said. DeSalvo remembers one year when the region was hit by an unseasonable snowstorm. “We moved the Avenue of the Arts student performances inside, and parents and families trudged through the snow to get there!”

What can parents look forward to this year on the Medford and Fenway campuses?

DeSalvo says the Avenue of the Arts and faculty lectures are popular every year and give parents and families a sense of the student experience inside and outside of the classroom. This year, she is excited about Tufts' new president Sunil Kumar giving the welcome address on Saturday morning. “It may be the first time for many parents to hear him speak in person and he has fantastic energy,” she said.

Other highlights include Dean of the School of Engineering Kyongbum Lee as the keynote speaker. Following President Kumar’s remarks, Lee will address “The Expectations We Have for a Transformational Experience.” And new to weekend programming this year are two sessions focused on Tufts' commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) featuring Vice Provost of DEIJ Monroe France and Associate Dean of Diversity, Inclusion, and Success Ellise LaMotte.

This year’s programming on the SMFA campus in Boston includes a reception with new faculty members and Dean of the SMFA Scheri Fultineer. “It’s an opportunity to learn more of SMFA's history, mission, and the interdisciplinary benefits of a visual arts education in the beautiful atrium space at 230 Fenway,” said DeSalvo.

DeSalvo encourages parents and families to check out the numerous panel sessions with Tufts' deans on Friday, visit open houses and exhibitions, attend a Bingo game (a popular campus activity), and cheer on Jumbo athletes at the first Parent and Family Weekend night football game under the lights at Ellis Oval/Zimman Field. “There is so much to see and do around campus, and Sunday is open for families to spend more time with their student, go out to eat, explore Boston—it’s a beautiful time of year!” she said.

A full schedule of events is available online. Pre-registration closes October 1; on-site registration is available starting at 10 a.m. on October 13 at the Sofia Gordon Hall on Talbot Avenue, Medford. NOTE: Parking on the Medford campus is free all weekend.

When a student enters college, it is a transition for the whole family. In high school, parents were integrally involved in their student’s educational lives. COVID only intensified this integration between home and school life. At Tufts, we value students’ families as essential guides, but we encourage our students to take ownership of their academic careers, including the normal challenges that are bound to come up in any college experience. Advising Deans are happy to speak with families but we want your student to be involved in these conversations. Encourage your student to reach out to their Advising Dean or the Senior Academic Advisors if they have any questions.

One way to support your student is to remind them that managing deadlines is central to their success. They should be checking the Academic Calendar at the start of every semester and regularly checking their Tufts email. Our regular reminders about important events and deadlines are communicated primarily via email.

We have enjoyed connecting with your students already and are looking forward to an exciting year!

The Career Center offers extensive resources to help your student explore career options, gain skills and experience, build a professional network, and develop strategies for pursuing goals. Here are a few of the resources and opportunities available for Fall 2023:

We look forward to supporting and encouraging your student.

Dates to Remember

Sept. 26 – First session courses only: Last time for AS&E students to drop classes without record of enrollment

Sept. 30 - Oct. 7 – Presidential Inauguration Week

Oct. 9 – Indigenous Peoples' Day (University Holiday); no classes 

Oct. 13, 14 – Parent and Family Weekend

Plan Ahead for Break Periods

Information about breaks during the academic year and related housing and operations details is available online. 

Communications Archive

Emails and other communications to parents, families, and students are archived online. 

TuftsAlert

Enroll in the TuftsAlert system to be notified directly by text, phone, and/or email in case of significant emergencies affecting the Tufts University community.

Parents and Families