My name is Arielle Galinsky; I am a rising senior at Tufts, and I am proud to serve as your Student Body President for this upcoming school year. As President, I am tasked with the responsibility of leading the Tufts Community Union Senate. Upon your matriculation to Tufts, you will become a member of the Tufts Community Union (TCU), comprising every Tufts undergrad on our campus. The TCU Senate meets regularly with Tufts administrators to voice the opinions, ideas, and concerns of the student body, those who elected us to serve. We, as a body, are also responsible for allocating the Student Activity Fee to Tufts' 300+ student organizations. Joining any of the branches of the TCU student government is a great way to become a changemaker on our campus, so I highly encourage you to come to our information session during orientation and to find us at the student organization fair to learn more. You will have the opportunity to run for TCU Senate during your first month here at Tufts, so keep your eye out for more information!
Perhaps student government does not fit your interests—and that is totally okay! With over 300 student organizations, there's a community here you are bound to love. The highlight of my Tufts experience has undoubtedly been the organizations that I joined and grew with over my four years here. Whether it be a dance team like BlackOut, an a cappella group like Essence, a culture organization like Chinese Students Association, or a preprofessional group like Engineering Without Borders, I know there is an organization that you will find your place in soon. Plus, if your interest is not currently represented in a group, you are totally able to start your own organization as well! The sky is the limit here, so I really encourage you to think big.
The last thing that I want to shout out is TCU Senate's second-annual 'Bo Buddies Program! This is an initiative dedicated to pairing incoming first-years with a current student mentor in an effort to ease the transition to Tufts. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet an upperclassman who shares a similar interest as you. All you have to do is fill out this short survey, and we will be back in touch the first few weeks of school with next steps! We're super excited for this program and hope you'll take advantage of it!
As you begin your Tufts adventure, take these words of advice: The next four years will be some of the best of your life, and they will be an absolute whirlwind. If I could rewind time to be in your position, I would! Write your Tufts story how you want to be remembered—and be bold with your decisions! You are surrounded by a loving and supportive community seeking to uplift you in the pathway that you choose. Make the most of every moment during your time here—and don't let a tough class, bad grade, or unfortunate event hinder you from being present. Trust me, it goes by fast.
I am so, so excited to meet many of you very soon! I want to be clear that, from now onwards, we are part of the same Jumbo family. If you see me around on campus, please come up and say hello. You can follow me on Instagram @ariellegalinsky and @ariellefortcu and connect with me on LinkedIn if you would like. Always down to grab a meal or coffee, so please never hesitate to reach out.
With love and excitement,
Arielle Galinsky
Tufts Community Union President
