Dear Tufts community members,
Welcome to the start of a new academic year. We hope your summer was restful and rejuvenating. Many of our professional school students are already back, and we look forward to our undergraduates arriving on campus in a few days.
We write to you today to reaffirm the mission of our institution as a student-centered university where we dedicate ourselves to the creation and application of knowledge through teaching, research, and service in our community and society. For nearly 175 years, Tufts has been a place that has pushed the boundaries of academic excellence and intellectual exploration while also welcoming a diverse population from across our globe to our campuses. In doing so, the university has become renowned for creating and fostering a community of respect, empathy, and kindness.
Clarifications on Time, Place, and Manner Policies
As we return to campus during an uncertain time globally, we want to reiterate that there is no place on our campuses for antisemitism, anti-Arab, anti-Palestinian, anti-Israeli sentiment, Islamophobia, singling out our peers because of their political beliefs or affiliation, or hate and discrimination in any form.
The university champions the principles of academic freedom to pursue ideas and issues wherever they may lead without undue interference. A commitment to these values also means that rather than pursue uniformity of thought, we challenge each other constantly. That challenge can come in many forms including conversation and debate but also in the form of advocacy and protest. However, if we are to stay true to our mission, we must remember that how we challenge each other matters. Therefore, we are sharing with you today clarifications to our Time, Place, and Manner policies (PDF) with respect to protest and advocacy, which will be strictly enforced and upheld to maintain an environment conducive to learning and research on all our campuses. Advocacy and protest must not disrupt the operations of the university, resort to name calling or discrimination against a group or an individual, or intimidate or harass others. No person or group’s right to protest takes precedent over another community member’s right to conduct research, learn, or express their points of view. True advocacy also includes listening and inviting others in rather than pushing them aside.
Continuing Support, Educational Programs & Open Dialogue
Last year, we were deeply affected by the attack of October 7, the subsequent war in the Middle East, and the pain these events caused—and continue to cause—for so many members of our community. The university worked together to provide support for those in need as well as educational programs and opportunities for dialogue for the entire community. We intend on continuing and expanding those for this academic year. A series of sessions that began last year will continue to be organized for students around antisemitism, anti-Arab, anti-Palestinian, anti-Israeli sentiment, and Islamophobia beginning with undergraduate orientation and continuing throughout the year. There will also be monthly offerings for faculty and staff on anti-bias, microaggression, and inclusive dialogue, including those offered by the newly relaunched Generous Listening and Dialogue Center.
The Tufts Talks Openly series will continue with faculty panels around central topics that we expect to encounter this fall. The provost’s office will pilot an online learning module around having difficult conversations. The Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching will be organizing multiple sessions for faculty to help foster learning environments that are welcoming and safe for students to engage in difficult conversations that include opposing perspectives. Finally, we will expand our work with the Scholars-at-Risk program and host scholars from regions that have seen a disruption of higher education opportunities and facilities.
The mission of the university, and the purpose for which we are all here, can only be realized if we stay united in our commitment not only to the principles of free speech and free inquiry but also to the principles of collegiality and compassion towards each other. We look forward to partnering with you to continue to make Tufts a welcoming place for all.
With all our best wishes for a successful and productive academic year ahead,
Sunil Kumar
President
Caroline Attardo Genco
Provost and Senior Vice President
Mike Howard
Executive Vice President
Denise Bates
Dean, University College
Helen W. Boucher
Dean, School of Medicine
Chief Academic Officer, Tufts Medicine
Bárbara M. Brizuela
Dean ad interim, School of Arts and Sciences
Alastair Cribb
Dean, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
Dayna L. Cunningham
Pierre and Pamela Omidyar Dean, Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life
Christina D. Economos
Dean, Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy
Scheri Fultineer
Dean, School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts
Kelly Sims Gallagher
Dean ad interim, The Fletcher School
Nadeem Karimbux
Dean, School of Dental Medicine
Kyongbum Lee
Dean, School of Engineering
