Get Ready to Explore Boston, Somerville, and Medford

Your arrival on campus is just a few days away.

Hello Jumbos,

Your arrival on campus is just a few days away. Everyone is very much looking forward to welcoming you and helping you begin this new phase of your adult life. In today's message, we highlight our host communities and also share some information about campus resources. See you soon!

Boston is one of the oldest cities in the United States, and it has one of the country's richest histories. The Freedom Trail is likely the city's most popular attraction, and Boston also boasts a large number of museums and theaters, several professional sports teams, and a number of attractions that are free to the public—especially if they have a Tufts ID!

Last year, the MBTA's Green Line extension opened with a station just steps from our Medford/Somerville campus, giving you easy access to everything the city offers. You can now take the T to and from the SMFA Boston campus, as well.

Boston also has dozens of colleges and universities that call it home. Meet some of your neighbors!

Our Medford/Somerville campus is split right down the middle by these two cities. The City of Medford is just north of Boston and was founded the same year, 1630. The City of Somerville was founded in 1842 and is also just north of downtown; it has tons of popular restaurants and attractions, many of which are located just down College Avenue in Davis Square!

Here's a quick list of key places that you're likely to visit when on campus:

Joyce Cummings Center – Check out the Joyce Cummings Center. This is where you will first arrive on campus!
Tisch Library – Tisch Library not only has the books, periodicals, and databases you'll need for coursework, but also it's filled with tons of study spaces.
Mayer Campus Center – Hungry? Thirsty? Looking for a place to relax, have a meeting, or connect with friends? The Mayer Campus Center is a central meeting space for students on the Medford/Somerville campus.
Tufts Dining – Let's eat! There are numerous dining centers on campus. Explore them all!
Student Support – Running into challenges is a normal part of life. When personal, health, family, or any other concerns come up, Student Support can help you access resources, understand your options, and figure out a plan. Come talk to us!
Dean of Students Office – We are a central resource that can help you out when you're not sure where to start. We support an inclusive and safe community for all students and promote leadership development in partnership with many other campus offices. Come visit us in Dowling Hall. (We have free snacks!)
SMFA Art Store – Ranked one of the top five art stores in Boston, the store is special not just because of the breadth of supplies offered and the deeply discounted prices but also because of the knowledgeable staff.
Steve Tisch Sports and Fitness Center – Students enjoy access to exercise equipment, a pool, and places to practice a large variety of club sports.
Health Service – Located on the Medford/Somerville campus at 124 Professors Row across from Fletcher Field, Health Service is your place for primary health care. The services provided are completely confidential. In-person and telehealth visits are available, and students have access to medical advice after hours and on weekends.
Counseling and Mental Health Service – Counseling and Mental Health Service offers consultation and time-limited individual and group counseling. All services are confidential. The office is located at 120 Curtis Street on the Medford/Somerville campus, and SMFA students are also able to receive mental health services on site at 230 The Fenway.

There are more than 360 student organizations at Tufts, and about 93% of your peers participate in one or more of them. JumboLife, our student organization engagement platform, is your one-stop shop for everything student organizations and events. You will be utilizing JumboLife during Orientation in the fall, so feel free to check it out now. We have organizations for arts and performance, media and publications, pre-professional and academic, just to name a few, plus a vibrant club sports program and plenty of leadership opportunities with our student government. Attend the Student Organization Fair on Friday, September 6, at 12 noon–3 p.m. on the Academic Quad to meet the student organizations.

The Office for Campus Life (OCL) supports all student organizations, and its team manages events and works closely with student leaders. The Tufts University Social Collective (TUSC) is a student organization that plans both large- and small-scale events for students. Join TUSC for everything from Goat Yoga to Open Mic Nights to the Spring Fling Concert and Senior Week. TUSC has also compiled a list of their favorite places in the Greater Boston area for those interested in venturing off campus.

For questions about student organizations or campus events, contact OCL anytime: ocl@tufts.edu.

At Tufts University, we are all working to become an equitable, thriving community that advances global sustainable development. There are many ways to join this effort through classes, clubs, and other programs where students engage in inclusive community building and problem-solving.

Get in touch with the Office of Sustainability to find where your interests intersect with sustainability. Visit the Office of Sustainability website, follow along on social media, or attend sustainability events during orientation to learn more!

Timed with its 40th Anniversary, Tufts' Environmental Studies Program is offering a new collaborative course: Climate Action (ENV 12) geared toward first-year students for Fall 2024 registration that draws from several disciplines. Intro to Environmental Studies (ENV 1) is recommended for students interested in learning more about the field and potentially pursuing an Environmental Studies major. Other courses include Environmental Studies Lecture Series (ENV 5) and Sustainability in Action (ENV 100); and the Department of Earth and Climate Sciences offers intro-level courses including Dynamic Earth (ECS-1) and Climate Science (ECS-3).

August 31 (optional): Enroll in the Monthly Payment Plan for your student bill
September 1: Add your Social Security Number (SSN) in SIS
September 3: Consider Optional Tuition Insurance

Find out everything you need to know about moving into your residence hall.

Remind your parents and families of Parents and Families Orientation programming.

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.

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!