Division of Student Diversity and Inclusion | July 09, 2024

Hello Jumbos!

We’re excited to introduce you to the Division of Student Diversity and Inclusion (DSDI), led by Associate Dean Ellise LaMotte, who is featured in this week's video.

DSDI's eight identity-based centers offer myriad resources for students to succeed academically, engage socially, and build community. While each center supports specific populations, the centers are for all students interested in thinking about social identities and how they impact our lives and our world. Get to know each of the centers.

Founded in 1969 in the wake of student protests at Tufts University, the Africana Center has been committed to helping students of the African diaspora succeed at the university while also preparing them to take leadership roles in their chosen fields. The Africana Center offers culturally focused experiences, workshops, and events that reflect, celebrate, and continue the intellectual legacy of Black students at Tufts.

The Asian American Center (AAC), founded in 1983 as a result of student activism, is a resource for the Asian and Asian American communities at Tufts University. The AAC fosters a supportive environment for the personal and social development of students through its programs and resources. The center recognizes the complex identities that individuals have, and we seek to support you in your identity journey. We hope to cultivate an experience that allows you to celebrate and reflect on the unique experiences of the Asian diaspora. We aim to help you to find a sense of belonging at Tufts, as well as connect you with other centers and resources to support your overall wellness and advocate for your needs to ensure a successful and meaningful college experience.

Established in 2008, the Center for STEM Diversity (CSD) intentionally cultivates an equity-minded and justice-oriented community to promote the academic success for those historically excluded in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). By developing student centered spaces, research opportunities, and academic supports that encourage STEM students in their academic pursuits, the CSD fosters a campus culture and environment that is both inclusive and accessible for students from historically excluded backgrounds by inviting and celebrating the rich culture and ideas of diverse lived experiences.

The FIRST Resource Center was founded in 2018 to create a community of support and to develop a network of academic and financial resources for Tufts' first-generation, low-income, and undocumented populations. FIRST centers the experiences of students who identify with any aspect of the first-generation, low-income, or undocumented student experience. However, all students, regardless of their backgrounds, are welcome. By strengthening the bonds between our community members and bridging the gap between Tufts' resources and the FIRST community, we aim to ensure that students are empowered to achieve their full social, professional, and academic goals.

The Indigenous Center was founded in 2022 to provide a "home away from home" while centering Indigeneity in the Tufts community. The Center serves as a community gathering area for programming, studying, breaks, meetings, and socializing to support, encourage, and develop student voices, helping students navigate their higher education journey.

The LGBT Center, founded in 1992, offers a space for all students to explore their unique relationship to gender and sexuality through personal, activist, and/or academic lenses. The LGBT Center provides programming, support, and personal and educational resources that aim to affirm the experience of LGBTQIA+ people at Tufts. We believe that LGBTQIA+ experiences are not a monolith as we understand that race, gender, ability, and class background play a huge role in access and privilege. We are committed to community accountability and justice.

Tufts Latinx Center was founded in October 1993 as a space and resource for Tufts students and community members to gather, learn, share experiences, and show support and appreciation of Latinx identities. It's a welcoming community to engage in celebration, collaboration, and dialogue to inspire advocacy, retention, appreciation, and social change within the Latinx community. The Center offers academic and personal advising, mentorship, and guidance for all students.

The Women's Center was founded in 1972 to provide a dedicated community open to all students interested in topics and issues broadly related to the experience of women and gender. The Center is particularly engaged in exploring gender at the intersections of other identities such as race, sexuality, socioeconomic status, and citizenship status. While the Women's Center's primary purpose is to serve undergraduate students, it also offers information, events, and resources for graduate students, faculty and staff, alumni, and parents and families.

Thanks for continuing to check your New Student Checklist regularly! Following are some of the important deadlines this month: 

July 1: Provide “Invited Viewer” access for others to view or pay your bill when it’s available and/or to waive health insurance in SIS (see below for deadline).

July 1: Complete the Academic Integrity Tutorial (AIT module). It takes approximately 45 minutes and is required for all first-year and transfer students. If you haven’t completed the tutorial by the deadline, you will have an enrollment hold placed on your account. An enrollment hold will prevent you from changing your class schedule or registering for next semester’s classes.

July 1: Upload your Photo for your ID Card. Please note ID Cards will be available for pick up during move in.  

July 1: Mandatory Pre-Entrance Health Requirements due

July 12: Pre-Orientation Payment due

July 31: Waive health Insurance (if you are covered by comparable health insurance)

 Aug 1: Send your official AP, IB, and/or A-Levels scores to Tufts

Consider enrolling in optional Tuition Insurance: Tuition Insurance protects financial commitments if you elect to take time away from your studies through a Medical Leave. Enrollment in the Tuition Insurance Plan will be open until the first day of classes, September 3.

Invited Viewer Access
If you would like to enable your parents or family to see your academic record, pay your tuition and fees, and/or waive the university's health insurance if applicable, give them "Invited Viewer" access to your Student Information (SIS) account. Grant them access to both Bills and Balances and Insurance Waiver. For more information, please visit the Registrar’s Invited Viewer Access web page.

Learn about upcoming events, get reminders about dates and deadlines, and stay in touch with all things Tufts! Follow Orientation on Instagram and join the Class of 2028 Facebook group!

No worries! All webinars have been recorded and posted to our Orientation Programs and Communications web page. You'll find an archive of all of this summer's messages there too!

Please contact Student Services at 617-627-2000 or StudentServices@tufts.edu.