Dear Parents and Families,
The Undergraduate Orientation team is excited to welcome your student to Tufts in just a few short weeks. We wanted to use this opportunity to share a few details and reminders regarding orientation, the Matriculation Ceremony, and upcoming virtual programs.
Information and registration details for virtual programming can be found on the Parents and Families page of the Undergraduate Orientation website or on the sidebar of this email. All programs will be recorded and posted on the Undergraduate Orientation website.
Arrival Information
Students participating in a Pre-Orientation program will arrive and move in on the start date of the specific program they are participating in. For students residing on the Medford/Somerville campus, arrival/check-in is 9 a.m.–3 p.m. at the Joyce Cummings Center, 177 College Ave., Medford. For BFA students living in Boston, arrival/check-in is 9 a.m.–3 p.m. at 230 Fenway, Boston. Students must check in first prior to moving into residence hall rooms.
Students participating in Pre-Orientation will receive information from program leaders regarding the logistics for their specific program. If you have questions regarding Pre-Orientation, please contact preorientation@tufts.edu.
Students not participating in a Pre-Orientation program will arrive and move in on Wednesday, August 31. For students residing on the Medford/Somerville campus, arrival/check-in is 8 a.m.–12 noon at the Joyce Cummings Center, 177 College Ave, Medford. For BFA students living in Boston, arrival/check-in is 8–11 a.m. at 230 Fenway, Boston. Students must check in first prior to moving into residence hall rooms.
Matriculation Ceremony
Wednesday, August 31, 1:15 p.m. EDT
This year’s Matriculation Ceremony will be in-person on the Academic Quad. We welcome parents and families to join us at this annual ceremony as President Monaco officially welcomes and matriculates new students into Tufts.
There will also be additional programming, including welcome remarks and a Student Life presentation, Lunch on the Lawn, and open houses to meet campus partners. (If you have dietary questions about the lunch, contact Tufts Nutrition Specialist Kelly Shaw at kelly.shaw@tufts.edu.)
A full schedule for parents and families is available online. Students will begin their Undergraduate Orientation at 4:30 p.m., which is when parents and families should plan to depart campus.
Note: Parents and families coming for Pre-Orientation arrival/move-in are welcome to come back to campus on August 31 to participate in the day's activities but are not required to. For parents and families not able to attend in-person, the Matriculation Ceremony will be live-streamed and also recorded and posted on the website.
Undergraduate Orientation
Undergraduate Orientation is required for all new students, including new transfer students. Orientation will run from Wednesday, August 31 to Monday, September 5; classes begin on Tuesday, September 6.
During orientation, students participate in a wide range of programs designed to familiarize them with campus resources, build community and connection, and establish skills for independence and responsibility. We divide our goals for orientation into four categories: Intellectual Engagement and Inquiry, Meaningful Inclusion, Community and Belonging, and Health and Wellness.
Last week, students were sent introductory information about Undergraduate Orientation. Updated information will be sent to them over the next few weeks and included on the Undergraduate Orientation web page. A preliminary Orientation calendar will also be posted and updated on the website throughout August. Upon arrival and check in, students will receive a final orientation schedule and other detailed information to help them navigate the selection of programming.
On behalf of the Undergraduate Orientation team, we are looking forward to student arrivals and this year’s Undergraduate Orientation program!
Best Wishes,
Joe Golia
Director of Campus Life