# Tufts university
Mosquitoes: Debunking myths and offering effective bite prevention tips
Get the Facts from Tufts University Expert on Mosquito Prevention. As the summer heat continues to draw us outdoors, there's one tiny creature that manages to put a damper on our outdoor festivities: mosquitoes. These pesky insects not only cause discomfort with their itchy bites but can also transmit diseases like West Nile virus and Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE). We've all heard various advice on how to prevent mosquito bites, but what's true and what's fiction? We looked to the research of Sam R. Telford, III, a professor at Tufts University, to get the facts straight and learn effective ways to keep these bloodsuckers at bay.
Tufts announces construction of new residence hall
Boston Avenue, the location for the new residence hall, is pictured on Dec. 5.Photo by(David Kim / The Tufts Daily) Tufts has announced a plan to begin construction on a new residence hall on Boston Avenue next year, with hopes of completing it by fall 2025. The new seven story building will be open to juniors and seniors only and will house 398 Tufts students in apartment-style units.
‘Gender as a Show!’ combines drag with deeper reflection
Local drag performers are pictured at the Gender is a Show! event in Curtis Hall on Nov. 29.Photo byBowie Bello / The Tufts Daily. Local drag artists Briar Blush, Rusty Hammer, Arabella LaDessé and Hal Apenyo joined the Tufts community in Curtis Hall on Nov. 29 for “Gender as a Show!,” an afternoon of drag performances followed by a panel on the role of gender in drag. The event was sponsored by the Tufts Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies with support from the LGBT Center. WGSS instructor Matisse DuPont moderated the panel in the role of Monstera Délicieux and also offered an introductory performance to start the show.
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University President-elect Sunil Kumar tours campuses, speaks to students
University President-elect Sunil Kumar is pictured visiting a class at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts on Nov. 18.Photo by(Courtesy Alonso Nichols / Tufts University) Tufts announced on Nov. 17 that Sunil Kumar will be the 14th president of Tufts. Kumar will succeed current University President Anthony Monaco, who has held the office for 12 years, beginning in July 2023. Kumar was welcomed to Tufts’ campuses on Thursday and Friday to celebrate the announcement and meet members of the community.
After Tufts denied request for union recognition, here’s what’s next for RAs
Resident assistants and supporters marched to Ballou Hall on Nov. 9, calling on Tufts to voluntarily recognize their union.Photo by(Aaron Gruen / The Tufts Daily) Tufts administrators on Wednesday declined to recognize the United Labor of Tufts Resident Assistants (ULTRA), setting back the RAs’ push for benefits like wages, a meal plan and more scheduling flexibility. Within hours, ULTRA responded by filing a petition with the National Labor Relations Board for an election to become the certified bargaining representative of Tufts RAs.
Upperclassman housing is a complicated endeavor for many Tufts students
Photo by(Graphic by Casey Park) After a year of adjusting to life on the Hill, Tufts undergraduates return to campus as sophomores with a greater sense of familiarity — and obligations. As they settle into a new dorm, it’s not long before they are confronted with the task of planning where to live the following academic year.
Sunil Kumar to succeed Monaco as university president
President-elect Sunil Kumar is pictured.(Courtesy Alonso Nichols / Tufts University) Sunil Kumar has been chosen as the next president of Tufts University. Kumar will be the 14th president of Tufts and the first president of color. He will succeed current University President Anthony Monaco — who has served as president for 12 years and announced his upcoming departure in February — beginning July 1, 2023.
Strong women’s soccer season stubbed by William Smith in NCAA second round
Huskins Field is pictured on Aug. 28, 2020.(Ann Marie Burke / The Tufts Daily) Following a NESCAC tournament run that came to a close with a double overtime 1–0 loss to No. 8 Amherst in the semifinals, the women’s soccer team was excited to see just how well it could perform in the NCAA tournament. In Saturday’s first-round matchup, the No. 22 Jumbos took down Denison 1–0 in about as comfortable fashion as that score allows, but the squad fell to No. 6 William Smith 1–0 on Sunday despite a valiant effort. Since William Smith was the highest seed in the bracket region, the team hosted in Geneva, N.Y. at Cozzens Field. With the addition of this weekend’s performances, the Jumbos finished the year with an overall record of 11–6–2, a conference record of 4–4–2, a trip to the NESCAC semifinals and a run to the NCAA second round. Yet, the stories of success in the tournament and the season are not fully understood by those numbers.
RA union leads protest on academic quad, calls for university recognition
Resident assistants rally outside Ballou Hall on Nov. 14.(Aaron Gruen / The Tufts Daily) A group of Tufts resident assistants who have collectively organized to form a union — citing no wages, limited benefits and ambiguous contracts among other factors — held a protest on the academic quad on Nov. 14, calling for the university to voluntarily recognize their union. Students gathered outside Packard Hall and then marched to Ballou, where they delivered a petition with 1,000 signatures to university administrators.
The Tufts Cannon: A long-standing tradition of student activism
The Tufts cannon is pictured on Feb. 21.(Natalie Brownsell / The Tufts Daily) Situated between Goddard Chapel and Ballou Hall is the Tufts Cannon, a reigning symbol of the Tufts community and its deeply rooted traditions. The cannon dates back to 1956 when it was gifted to the university by the city of Medford and the Medford Historical Society. The cannon is a replica of “Old Ironsides,” an original cannon from the USS Constitution.
Tufts appoints Cigdem Talgar for new role as vice provost for education
Ballou Hall is pictured on Oct. 18, 2020.(Ann Marie Burke / The Tufts Daily) Tufts announced the appointment of Cigdem Talgar as the vice provost for education, a new position within the Office of the Provost, in an email to the Tufts community on Nov. 3. Talgar’s official start date is Dec. 1.
Tisch College hosts renowned civil rights lawyer Sherrilyn Ifill
The Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life sign outside of Barnum Hall is pictured on Nov. 6.(Samantha Pokorny / The Tufts Daily) The Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life closed its 2022 Solomont Speaker Series on Nov. 9 with a lecture by Sherrilyn Ifill, a preeminent civil rights lawyer. Ifill gave an overview of the state of American democracy and discussed the urgent need to fight for it.
Sex health vending machine arrives to campus
The sex health vending machine is pictured in the Mayer Campus Center on Nov. 6.(Samantha Pokorny / The Tufts Daily) Tufts’ sex health vending machine opened on Oct. 7. Located on the lower level of the Campus Center, the machine is fully stocked with free condoms, lubricant and dental dams, in addition to $15 Plan B.
Tufts RAs declare intent to form union, ask university for voluntary recognition
20 Professors Row, the former home of the Office of Residential Life and Learning, is pictured on Oct. 22, 2019.(Ann Marie Burke / The Tufts Daily) Tufts Resident Assistants are unionizing following months of planning. In a letter to University President Anthony Monaco and Director of Residential Life and Learning Christina Alch, members of United Labor of Tufts Resident Assistants said that over 80% of the RAs have signed union authorization cards, declaring their intent to form a union and requesting that the university voluntarily recognize it.
Tufts admissions dean accused of discrimination by employees
The Tufts admissions office is pictured on Oct. 23.(Natalie Brownsell / The Tufts Daily) An external law firm is investigating the Tufts admissions office following complaints from employees who allege discrimination on the part of office leadership, according to current and former admissions officers and emails obtained by the Daily.
Tufts offers first Southeast Asian history course in two decades
East Hall on the is pictured on March 20, 2021.(Mina Terzioglu / The Tufts Daily) While perusing SIS this fall, you’ll find HIST80: Introduction to the History of Southeast Asia. Taught by Professor Mesrob Vartavarian, the course examines the region’s geography and socio-political development, early European colonization, Western-led globalization and more. However, what the details do not reveal is that HIST80 is the first Southeast Asian history course offered at Tufts in approximately 25 years.
Howard Woolf announces retirement from ExCollege after 40 years
The home of the Experimental College at 95 Talbot Ave is pictured on Oct. 23.(Natalie Brownsell / The Tufts Daily) Director of the Experimental College Howard Woolf announced his retirement on Oct. 5. The university is currently in the process of conducting their search for the next director of the ExCollege, which they hope to announce in the spring of 2023.
Tufts rowing makes school history at the Head of the Charles Regatta
The Tufts men's crew team is pictured during the Men's Club Eights event at the Head of the Charles Regatta in 2018.(Anika Agarwal / The Tufts Daily) Tufts rowing competed in the iconic Head of the Charles Regatta this past weekend, finding success for both the men’s and the women’s teams. On Saturday, the men’s and women’s 3V8 boats raced in the Club Eights event, with opponents spanning from top Div. I schools to Div. III. They placed 21st and 28th, respectively, each moving down from their original bow by four and six places respectively. On Sunday, Tufts men’s and women’s 1V8 and 2V8 boats competed in the Collegiate Eights event against predominantly other Div. III competition, club teams and lower level Div. I schools. Both men’s and women’s 1V8 boats made history for the Jumbos, placing 6th and 3rd respectively, both beating last year’s performances by two places. The men’s and women’s 1V8 boats were second to only one other Div. III school. The men’s and women’s 2V8 boats finished 33rd and 12th, compared to last year’s 41st and 14th place finishes. Senior rower from the women’s 3V8 boat Astrid Larson described the environment of the Head of the Charles regatta.
Tufts administration reports offensive graffiti on campuses
The front of Dowling Hall is pictured on Oct. 5, 2021.(Michelle Li / The Tufts Daily) Dean of Student Affairs Camille Lizarríbar disclosed the presence of offensive graffiti around Tufts campuses in an email sent to the Tufts community on Wednesday.
Department of Public Safety announces updated mission and values, creation of new positions
TUPD patrol cars are pictured in the Dowling Hall Garage on May 8(Mina Terzioglu / The Tufts Daily) Executive Director of Public Safety Yolanda Smith shared updates on the Department of Public Safety’s efforts to support the University’s anti-racism initiatives in an email to the Tufts community on Wednesday.