Explore Academic Resources offered by the StAAR Center | July 22, 2025

Hello Jumbos,

This week, we're introducing the academic resource hub for Tufts undergraduate students in the School of Arts and Sciences (including the SMFA at Tufts) and School of Engineering—the Student Accessibility and Academic Resources (StAAR) Center!

The StAAR Center offers all Tufts students free, personalized academic support that promotes engaged, collaborative learning. We aim to help you identify and build on your strengths while addressing challenges, concerns, and questions so that you can reach your full potential while at Tufts. Our programs include:

The Academic Success Coaching program provides individual support for developing academic skills, habits, and mindsets for academic success. We help students develop and improve college-level strategies for time management, reading, note-taking, test-taking, work/life balance, setting and working towards goals, and navigating academic life at Tufts. 

Our Peer Tutoring program provides one-on-one and group drop-in tutoring for students taking courses in the natural sciences, mathematics, economics, computer science, foreign languages, engineering, and statistics.

Our Writing and Communication Support programs aim to demystify academic writing and communication and to engage writers in a more robust process. We work collaboratively with you on papers for any class, at any stage in your process—from brainstorming to drafting to revising. If you're working on a presentation, we can help you develop and practice it. We also offer reading strategies, English language support, and co-working sessions.

In addition to one-on-one support, our Academic Skills Workshops provide group settings for students to explore a wide range of strategies for studying, time management, test anxiety, note-taking, reading, and writing.

The StAAR Center Accessibility team works with students with documented disabilities to implement accommodations for academics, housing, transportation, and dining. Through an interactive process, our Accessibility Specialists work individually with you to develop solutions that address your access concerns and honor your unique experiences with your disability. 

Writing consultations, academic coaching, peer tutoring, and workshops begin in September. To book an appointment or register for a workshop, log into our booking system, Tutor Finder, with your Tufts username and password. 

StAAR encourages students with disabilities to begin the registration process. Once we receive your information, we will reach out to schedule an intake appointment with one of our Accessibility Specialists.

The StAAR Center administrative and accessibility offices are located in Dowling Hall and open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Appointments for writing and communication support, academic success coaching, and peer tutoring are held in Tisch Library and other locations designated through the Tutor Finder booking system.

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).

Overdue 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 now 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 

July 1: Mandatory Pre-Entrance Health Requirements due

July 31: Waive health Insurance (if you already have health insurance that meets Massachusetts state requirements)

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

August 11: Complete the Hazing Prevention training

August 11: Complete the alcohol and drug survey

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 2.

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 2029 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.