Closing Notes

December 8, 2006

As the semester nears its end, the Observer wishes to leave its readers with a few reflections. What follows is a selection of commentary on our accomplishments, both on and off the Hill, and the work we must undertake as the New Year begins.

Learning to Build

While the plethora of construction projects we’ve seen around campus this semester is laudable, the Observer notes that there is still much work to be done. Sophia Gordon is a nice addition for the 126 seniors who are lucky enough to live there, the new parking garage is helpful for commuters and a handful of upperclassmen, and the boat house will certainly be welcomed by the university’s crew teams. Besides some minor landscaping and much needed “classroom renovations,” however, the only current facilities projects on the Hill that will have widespread impact are the ongoing renovation of Hotung and the nearly-completed music building. The Observer hopes that the powers that be will give these projects the attention—both mental and monetary—that they deserve. In addition, completion of campus-wide wireless internet coverage, restoration of the exterior of Carmichael Hall, and the construction of a sidewalk between South Hall and Dewick are all necessary tasks that the university should undertake in the near future. Lowering the temperature in the campus center to a reasonable level would also be a welcome and cost-effective change.
h4. Speaking in Tongues

The recent demand for a Hindi language track at Tufts deserves attention. Tufts offers courses in Swahili, with an estimated population of native speakers of only five million. However, there are currently no Hindi courses taught. If Tufts wishes to produce students capable of functioning around the globe, surely it must pay more attention to a language spoken natively by over 180 million. Hindi is the official language of India, one of the fastest-growing countries in the world, both in population and economic power; such a fact bears consideration when planning the curriculum of a university that considers itself a global leader.

Doing the “Rights” Thing

Robert Meeropol’s lecture on November 29 was insightful. After the late-night celebrating on November 7, it may be easy to forget that a Democratic Congress is not necessarily a productive or virtuous one. As Meeropol noted, there is no mention of restoring even one of the civil liberties we enjoyed prior to the passage of the Patriot Act and its successors. As those we’ve elected move in to their new offices, we must demand of them the fulfillment of platforms for which we elected them.

A Holiday Toast

The Observer is excited about the upcoming renovations of Hotung. The transformation of the Café to a pub is a healthy way to support legal, responsible alcohol use. The change, however, is merely the first step in a broader improvement to Tufts’ struggling nightlife. Students interested in the possibility of a less dysfunctional drinking dynamic can look to the example set by schools like Williams College, where authorities sponsor and monitor parties, complete with kegs, ID-checks, and safety personnel. The ongoing tension between students and campus police is not productive and must not continue.

A Little Night Run

In celebration of the coming holidays, The Observer encourages its readers to join the staff in a little jog the night of Monday, December 11 on the Residential Quad. We hope to see you there.