Tufts University - Jumbo Yearbook (Medford, MA)

Page 16 text:

Photo R. Beck ccompanied by America’s conserva¬ tive political fever came a shift to¬ ward more traditional social values. But that did not keep Tufts from con¬ tinuing its traditional inclination to end a strenu¬ ous week of academia with a weekend that began on Thursday night. Be it fraternity parties or Eaton parties, the Hong Kong or the Jumbo, we never stopped having fun. Even when they out¬ lawed Happy Hour in the Hub, we kept it up. When the administration revamped the Social Policy and became stricter with campus regula¬ tions, we still managed to party. Somehow Tufts successfully struck a balance between competi¬ tive academics and an active social life. In short, we worked hard but we partied hard. If the con¬ servative trend of the 1980’s has not changed that yet, it never will. he 1970’s was often called the decade of the “me” generation. This emphasis on individual appearance, achieve¬ ment and the quest for superiority car¬ ried into the eighties and nurtured the competitive spirit characteristic of college stu¬ dents. It often seemed as though we were overly obsessed with looking out for Number One. However, at Tufts we did not allow our self- interest deny us the friendships and comradery which are an integral part of campus life. With¬ out these friends, all the success possible would have meant nothing, no matter how special we thought we were. And the pain of failure was softened by peers who cared. The fashion industry also underwent a revolu¬ tion during the eighties and what better place was this illustrated than on campus? The latter half of the seventies was renowned as a time when students were dressing in predictable, “col¬ legiate” gear. Preppie was in. In the eighties, however, “funky” took over where preppie left off. Students were once garbed in similar styles, but in the early eighties anything went. These fashion trends suggested that despite the shift toward tradition, individuality was still an inher¬ ent institution within our society and our campus embodied this spirit. Photo S. Wilner

Page 18 text:

N o one can argue that the 1980’s did not take on a face of its own. The country changed drastically and in¬ stead of staying behind, Tufts changed with it. We rejected any negative influ¬ ence and eagerly welcomed positive impact. The 1980’s glorified the role of modern-day college students who have a responsibility to participate in all aspects of campus life. Gone are the days when students submitted to decisions and poli¬ cies determined at the administrative level. In¬ stead, we took action on problems and issues we found important. In doing so, we grew when we could have shrunk, we improved when we could have digressed, we united when we could have been separated. When the nature of the national mood changes as sharply as it did in the 1980’s it is of great value to assess how these changes were translated on campus. If the first half of the eighties left such noticeable changes, it will be interesting to follow the path of the latter half of the decade. And beyond that, what will the 1990’s mean to America, to students, and to Tufts? One thing is certain: if the 1980’s did not successfully uproot Tufts University, no other era in the future will be able to shake the founda¬ tions upon which this school is built. ■