Tufts University - Jumbo Yearbook (Medford, MA)

Page 15 text:

T ufts has always prided itself on its ability to change with the times and meet the demands and needs of the student body. During the 1960’s, in reaction to conventional cur¬ ricula, the Experimental College was established. The ExCollege offered a creative and diverse environment which coincided with the liberal movement of this decade. An extension of the Ex- College was the creation of the College Within in 1971. This program had no structured classes or grades. Despite its original success, the College within was dissolved in 1976 due to lack of support from the faculty and students. The Ex- College however remains a successful program and continues to offer innova¬ tive courses. Many of these courses have been incorporated into the curric¬ ulum of the university itself. The physical and academic standards of Tufts have matured in conjunction with the student body. What started out as a local hill top college soon expanded into a metropolitan school. Later, it di¬ versified into a regional and then na¬ tional university. It is only in the last decade that Tufts has reached interna¬ tional recognition as one of the most prominent universities in the nation. Tufts programs abroad, in London, in Paris, in Madrid, in Tubigen, and in Talloires helped further Tufts world¬ wide reputation. This expansion has given Tufts a larger selection of student body to choose from. Instead of admit¬ ting students strictly on board scores and grades, the “Calculated Risk Stu¬ dent” category was integrated under President Wessell. This concept incor¬ porates students artistic ability, leader¬ ship potential, and musical inclination as considerations in the application process. n

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T ufts has flourished in the last de¬ cade under the direction of Pres¬ ident Mayer. Mayer has been in¬ strumental in the renewed emphasis on raising capital for the university. Since his inauguration, Tufts has expanded from two to four campuses. In his early years, Mayer raised enough money to finance the building of the much need¬ ed additional dormitory space. In 1977, more students accepted Tufts than had been planned. This was labeled the “bulge class” as it was too large to be housed on campus. The Sheraton Com¬ mander Hotel in Cambridge served as temporary housing until the Latin Way and Hillside Apartments complexes were completed in the early 1980’s. The idea for a Campus Center was first expressed in 1917. It was not until 1971, that definite proposals were filed. The Elizabeth Van Huysen Mayer Campus Center was finally realized in the Spring of 1985. The Campus Center is now geographically and symbolically the center of life at Tufts University. The three story building is located next to the Provost’s house on the sloping hill which had previously been the site of Brown House. This 2.7 million dollar center serves as a meeting place for stu¬ dents and faculty alike and improves the intimate atmosphere on the hill. A snack bar, pub, bar cafeteria, kitchen, student lounges, study space, and cam¬ pus organizations’ offices are all com¬ bined, creating a united environment on c ampus. It is here that the light on the hill shines brightly and the progress and strength of Tufts University has be¬ come a reality. 13