X. Other Selected University Policies
The policies below are commonly referenced by AS&E students. Additional University policies can also be found on the University's Policy website.
A. Abuse Prevention/Relationship Violence
Policy
Massachusetts law prohibits abuse by family, household members, roommates, and partners in substantive dating relationships through physical harm, fear of physical harm, or forcing to involuntarily engage in sexual relations. Massachusetts courts can issue orders protecting the victim from such abuse. Students engaging in such conduct may be arrested and subject to court proceedings and internal disciplinary actions. Tufts may take interim actions based on an arrest or incident involving such abuse.
See here for more information on Stay Away Requests (SARs) and No Contact Orders (NCOs).
A Caution about Using the Internet and Social Websites
Many students use social media. Please use caution in what you disclose about yourself on such sites. The information on these sites has been used to harass or victimize students in the past. Once the information is published, it can’t always be deleted since the pages can be printed or cached.
One other element to think about when using electronic resources: making threats against others or defaming them carries the same consequences as such behavior would if it occurred through other means of communication or interaction. Please let the Dean of Students Office know if you have any questions: 617-627-3158.
B. Computer and Technology Use Policies
Copyright Infringement
Over the years, laws have changed related to copyrighted materials, such as music, movies, and software. These laws, including the Digital Millenium Copyright Act (DMCA), have made file-sharing or downloading copyrighted material without a license, whether directly, through a website, or through file-sharing applications (BitTorrent, for example) more serious. Each day, the university receives complaints from copyright holders bringing these infringements to our attention. By law, the university is required to act upon these complaints. Upon receipt of a complaint, your internet connection will be interrupted until the matter is cleared up. For more information, please see the university’s full policy on Computer Ethics and the Appropriate Use of Electronic Resources.
Information Stewardship Policy
Tufts Technology Services has robust policies related to the use of technology, as well as privacy, security, and data. All students are expected to follow these policies and familiarize themselves with the expectations set forth therein. To learn more, please visit: https://it.tufts.edu/about/policies-and-guidelines/information-stewardship-policies.
C. Relationships with Students Policy
Policy
The Office for Equal Opportunity (OEO) has a policy outlining the expectations for appropriate relationships between employees and students. No employee of the university shall enter into a romantic or sexual relationship with any undergraduate or with a graduate, professional or non-matriculated student over whom that employee has academic or professional responsibility. Given the power asymmetry of the parties, the university regards such relationships as inherently coercive, constituting a conflict of interest and an abuse of authority under this policy. This policy applies even when the relationship is considered consensual by the parties involved and may, notwithstanding the consensual nature of the relationship, also result in violations under the sexual harassment and sexual misconduct policies. For more information, please see the full policy at https://oeo.tufts.edu/policies-procedures/other/. If you are concerned or have questions about a relationship between a student (you or someone else) and a faculty member/staff, assistance can be provided by the Dean of Students Office (617-627-3158) or the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) (617-627-3298). In addition, you may also report such conduct through the university’s anonymous hotline, Ethicspoint, at 1-866-384-4277 or online.
D. Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act
Policy
The Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act of 1998 as well as its amendments provide the Tufts University Department of Public Safety an opportunity to explain various services, policies, programs, and expectations that help contribute to achieving reasonable safety and security at Tufts University. As one of our efforts to comply with the Clery Act, an annual Public Safety brochure is made available. This publication also informs the Tufts community of campus crime statistics. A printed copy of the brochure may be requested by contacting the Department of Public Safety, 419 Boston Avenue, Medford campus.
E. Early Arrival Policy
Policy
Students participating in any Early Arrival Program (Pre-Orientation, Orientation, Peer Leader, performance group, etc.) are expected to act in a professional and responsible manner while executing their responsibilities. Early Arrival students must represent Tufts as an inclusive, healthy, and welcoming member of the community. They must act as a team player, work cooperatively, and establish effective and continuous communication with all staff members.
Students participating in any Early Arrival Program are expected to abide by the following:
- Early Arrival students must be in good standing in matters relating to academics and student conduct from the time they apply to participate in a program until the conclusion of the program.
- Early Arrival students will be required to move back to campus early at the dates set by the coordinators of the relevant program.
- Early Arrival students must be available for and must participate in any applicable training programs as determined by the coordinators of the relevant program.
- Early Arrival students will assist the coordinators of the relevant program to the best of their abilities in the execution of the entire program.
- Early Arrival students will be accountable for all first-year students assigned to them as a part of their program.
- Early Arrival students must abide by Tufts’ Student Code of Conduct and all state and federal laws. These include, but are not limited to, policies regarding alcohol and substance use, vandalism, disorderly conduct, and indecent exposure.
- Early Arrival students will not, under any circumstances, host any events for first-year students at their on- or off-campus residence prior to the first day of classes. Failure to abide by this policy may result in disciplinary action.
- From their arrival to campus and/or the start of any Early Arrival training through the entire Undergraduate Orientation program, Early Arrival students will not consume or provide alcohol as a part of any social gathering involving other Early Arrival students or first-year students. Violating this policy may result in disciplinary action.
- Early Arrival students will not prevent or attempt to prevent first-year students from attending general Undergraduate Orientation events.
The university reserves the right to decline participation to any Early Arrival candidate who does not meet the requirements above or who violates the Early Arrival Policy.
F. Email Requirements
Policy
Please be aware that the university’s primary method of communicating with students is through email. We will do our best to limit the number of emails that you receive from us, but in many cases, including information about registration, campus emergencies, special events, and Commencement, email may be the only communication used. It is your responsibility to check your Tufts email account regularly. If you use another email account, please make certain that you forward your Tufts email to the account you regularly use. For more information about the Tufts Email Policy, please visit: https://it.tufts.edu/about/policies-and-guidelines/email-standards-and-guidelines.
G. Trustee Statement on Freedom of Expression
Statement
Tufts University is an educational community that has as its paramount mission the discovery and dissemination of knowledge and the pursuit of the arts through study, teaching, and research. For this community to achieve its mission, all members must have full and equal opportunity to pursue personal and intellectual growth.
Freedom of expression and inquiry are fundamental to the academic enterprise. Without freedom of expression, community members cannot fully share their knowledge or test ideas on the anvil of open debate and criticism. Without freedom of inquiry, community members cannot search for new knowledge or challenge conventional wisdom.
Freedom of expression and inquiry are not absolute. The law, for example, provides that freedom of expression does not include the right to slander the reputation of another, to engage in specified forms of harassment, to threaten or obstruct a speaker who advances unwelcome ideas, or to incite another person to violence. Scholarly inquiry also is limited by federal and state regulation, ethical tenets, and professional standards designed to protect human and animal subjects. In addition, the University seeks to ensure the orderly function of the educational enterprise and to ensure that all members of the community have the opportunity to participate in and benefit from the discovery and dissemination of knowledge.
Members of the Tufts community owe one another the basic respect and ethical obligations of human beings engaged in a common endeavor. While not enjoying the force of law, these obligations reflect three basic community values:
- Respect for the freedom of other community members to inquire and express themselves fully;
- The need to exercise freedom of expression and inquiry in ways that respect the human dignity of others;
- The importance of a climate at Tufts that is conducive to learning and in which all community members, regardless of background, are free from behavior that interferes with their ability to study, grow, and attain their full potential. Members of the university community, including academic and administrative leaders, must hold accountable those who do not respect these values.
When community values are not respected, every member of the Tufts community has an obligation to respond. Those who are the target of such speech should not and must not bear the burden of responding alone. An affront against any member of our community is an affront to all of us. It is only by affirming our collective values that we can build a stronger, more cohesive, and more vibrant community where differences are respected and all are made to feel welcome.
It is incumbent upon all members of the Tufts community, and especially the University leadership, to educate the community about the diverse world in which we live and to support and empower members whose rights are violated. In the end, freedom of expression and inquiry is necessary but not sufficient on its own for learning to take place. Achieving our educational mission requires an environment of respect, tolerance, and civil dialogue.
Approved by the Tufts Board of Trustees, November 7, 2009
H. Good Standing Policy
Tufts University defines a student as being in “good standing” as long as they remain actively enrolled and not on Academic Probation or higher and/or not on Disciplinary Probation or higher. Students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing in order to study abroad. Be sure to check with Tufts Global Education for current enrollment requirements. See the Tufts Bulletin for an explanation of Academic Probation and the Student Conduct Resolution Procedure for an explanation of Disciplinary Probation. Transfer credit toward the Tufts degree will be accepted only from students who are in good academic and disciplinary standing at the time of enrollment. Students must be in good standing to be eligible to participate in varsity sport programs or to hold office in a student organization. Also note that some campus selection processes, including those for residential staff, peer advisers, and social Greek organizations, have defined their own eligibility criteria.
I. Human Subject Research Proposals
Policy
From time to time, students are requested by researchers of Tufts University and other institutions to take part in human subject research projects. Most of these projects provide useful information on behavioral, social, and physiological reactions. The university has designated the Institutional Review Board (IRB) to set policies and standards for the use of students, faculty members, and other personnel in these projects. Failure to obtain IRB approval or an exemption prior to beginning human subject research is considered non-compliance. The university is required to report serious or continuing non-compliance or the suspension of human subject research to the Office of Human Research Protections at the Department of Health and Human Services and to any funding agencies that may be involved. For the researcher, non-compliance can result in suspension of research, inability to publish, destruction of data, and other sanctions. For the institution, it could mean the suspension of its Federalwide Assurance (FWA), which would cause all human subject research at Tufts to stop until FWA is reinstated. Often, reinstatement requires that all studies be reviewed again before they resume. This is a serious matter for both individuals and for the community, and it is critically important that everyone follow the appropriate procedures for human subject research. For more information, click here.
J. ID Cards
Policy
Students are expected to carry with them at all times the official photo ID card issued by the ID Card office. It is required for admission to many university functions, residence halls, dining halls, and sports events, and is necessary for library privileges, etc. Upon request of the University Police or university officials, a student must present their Tufts ID.
Fraudulently obtaining, altering, or misusing a university-issued ID will lead to disciplinary action. Participation in the manufacturing and distributing of false identification cards of any type will lead to separation from the university.
Falsifying a driver’s license or possessing a false driver’s license is a crime in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
K. International Travel Safety
Overview
Tufts is committed to the safety and well-being of its students, faculty, and staff when they participate in international travel and realizes that some areas of the world present heightened health and safety risks. In particular, countries that have U.S. Department of State Travel Warnings have been identified as regions that require special efforts to mitigate risk.
- All university-related travel has to be registered with the Tufts Travel Registry in accordance with Tufts' Policy for International Travel Safety.
- All travel involving Tufts students to a country with a U.S. Department of State Travel Warning has to be reviewed and approved by Tufts (no separate travel registration upon approval is necessary).
- By registering, travelers have access to Tufts International Emergency Medical Coverage.
The Tufts Global Operations office can be reached at internationalsafety@tufts.edu.
Assistance and Emergency Help Abroad
If you are abroad and need help:
- Call the equivalent of “911”, if appropriate.
- Call International SOS at + 215-942-8226 (worldwide, 24/7/365) for additional help, including nonemergency help. You may call collect. You should identify yourself as a Tufts student. International SOS will contact Tufts on your behalf, if appropriate.
International SOS provides medical and security advice and referrals and emergency evacuation services to eligible Tufts travelers abroad. To ensure access to these services, it is crucial that all international travel be registered in the Tufts Travel Registry. International SOS will inform the appropriate parties and stakeholders at Tufts University.
Please also consider downloading the International SOS app as it will give you access to real-time alerts in your location, in addition to a “Call for Assistance” button that connects you to the closest International SOS Assistance Center. The Tufts Membership number is 11BCPS000093.
Tufts Travel Registry
The Tufts Travel Registry is a confidential and secure database for maintaining key travel information for all Tufts affiliates conducting university-related international travel. The Travel Registry is the official and authoritative source of traveler information for the university’s emergency response protocols and communications (e.g., alerts, warnings, evacuation notices) when responding to an emergency or critical incident abroad.
All students are required to register their university-related travel. University-related travel includes travel that is:
- Led by university faculty and staff.
- Promoted, organized, or endorsed by faculty, staff, and units.
- Funded by the university.
- Intended to fulfill credit or degree requirements.
Benefits of Registering
- Travelers receive free-of-charge emergency travel medical coverage.
- In the event of an emergency, this registry will enable Tufts to locate and contact Tufts travelers to coordinate help.
- The registry allows travelers to securely store a copy of their passport.
For more information, please visit the Tufts Travel Registry. If you have any questions, please email internationalsafety@tufts.edu.
Tufts Travel Review
Tufts supports and encourages international travel and collaborations and recognizes that a global perspective is essential to its academic mission. For students planning travel to :
- Any country subject to a Department of State rating of 3 (“Reconsider Travel”) and 4 (“Do not travel”);
- Any country in which a region/area is subject to a Department of State rating of 3 (“Reconsider Travel”) or 4 (“Do not travel”);
- A review process has been established to help ensure that students are adequately prepared and that necessary safety and security measures have been put in place.
- All Tufts students (undergraduate or graduate) who are traveling internationally for any Tufts sponsored, Tufts-administered, or Tufts-related activity/program to the above identified countries must have their travel reviewed and approved. Students must adhere to this policy regardless of the nature and type of their travel, whether it is as individuals or in groups, with or without university funding. University funding is contingent upon approval of the travel; no university funds will be released if the travel is not approved.
Students can check whether the travel destination is subject to review at https://global.tufts.edu/global-travel.
Student requests for travel review should be received at least four weeks prior to departure and within the published deadlines. The request for review should be submitted as early as possible to allow for any logistical changes that have to be made to travel plans. Students should not purchase any flights until after receiving written approval for their travel.
L. Minor Safety Policy
Policy
The Tufts community offers many opportunities for volunteerism and involvement both on and off the campus, both as part of the curriculum and cocurricular life. During your time at the university, many of you will become involved with programs, courses, or campus organizations that work with high school students or younger students. The university has an obligation to safeguard the safety of all of the youngsters who work with our faculty, staff, and students. Like most universities, Tufts has developed a code of conduct specific to working with young people. Please read Tufts’ Policy to Protect Children and Prevent Abuse.
M. Missing Person Policy
Policy
Tufts University takes the safety and well-being of its students very seriously and has adopted the following policy with respect to persons who are believed to be missing in accordance with the requirements of The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008.
All on-campus residential students have the option to register a confidential contact person to be notified in the event the student is determined to be missing. The confidential contact person, if one is so designated, may be in addition to and separate from the person designated by the student as an emergency contact. Only authorized campus officials and law enforcement officials will have access to this information. If a student opts to register a confidential contact person, a Missing Student Contact Registration Form should be completed and forwarded to the Department of Public Safety. This form can be found on the Tufts University Police Department’s website at https://police.tufts.edu/services/missing-student-contact-registration.
Students, employees, or other individuals must inform TUPD or the Dean of Student Life Office of the missing student’s school if it is believed that a student is missing. If a student is officially determined by law enforcement to have been missing for more than 24 hours, or if circumstances require more immediate action, the university will notify the local law enforcement agency and the student’s Confidential Contact Person or (if none has been designated) his or her designated emergency contact. If the student is under 18 years of age and is not emancipated, the university will notify the student’s custodial parent or guardian, as well as any other confidential contact person identified by the student. The Tufts University Police Department complies with the federal law known as “Suzanne’s Law.” This law requires law enforcement to notify the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) whenever a person under age 21 is reported missing. The law is intended to require police to initiate prompt investigations of young people who have gone missing.
N. Recruitment Policies and Guidelines
Tufts University is committed to maintaining a fair and equitable recruitment process, consistent with principles of academic freedom and equal employment opportunity. Tufts provides students unrestricted access to available employment opportunities so that they can freely consider and select jobs, internships and co-ops that align with their individual career goals and interests.
The university provides both on-campus and virtual interview opportunities on an impartial basis to all eligible employers. Employers may engage with Tufts University by contacting the Tufts Career Center via email at careercenter@tufts.edu or by submitting information on our contact form: Employer Newsletter Sign-Up & Employer - Tufts Connect Form.
Solomon Act Compliance
This policy also addresses the requirements of the federal Solomon Amendment, which requires universities to facilitate recruiting on campus by the United States armed services, including both ROTC scholarship opportunities and military recruiting. Federal law permits military recruiters to request student recruitment information from schools once per semester. Student recruitment information is defined by federal law to include student names, addresses, email, phone numbers, dates and places of birth, levels of education, academic majors, degrees received, and most recent educational institution attended.
In administering the fair and equitable recruitment process, the university adheres to the Freedom of Expression policy and all other conduct-related policies, codes and guidance. Consistent with those policies, students may not prevent faculty/staff from performing their duties on behalf of the Career Center or prevent students/employers from engaging in recruitment activities.
For more information on related recruitment policies and guidelines, please visit the Career Center website at https://careers.tufts.edu/resources/employer-policies/ for employers and https://careers.tufts.edu/resources/recruitment-policies-for-tufts-students/ for students.
O. Parking
Policy
Resident first-year students and sophomores are not permitted to keep or register a motor vehicle on campus. On rare occasions an exception may be made by the Dean of Students Office: 617-627-3158. Resident juniors, seniors, and students commuting from home are permitted to obtain a parking pass that allows them to park on campus.
You may not register a car for another student.
Individuals who purchase a parking permit for another student are in violation of university policy, and the matter will be referred to The Office of Community Standards for disciplinary action. Students involved in altering or misrepresentation of a parking permits will be subject to Disciplinary Probation and may lose parking privileges as well as receive a fine. Flagrant disregard of parking regulations resulting in the accumulation of multiple parking violations by an individual student (paid or unpaid) could result in loss of campus parking privileges.
For complete information, please contact the Parking & Transportation Office at parking@tufts.edu, or visit https://access.tufts.edu/parking.
P. Policy on Political Activities
Policy
Tufts University is committed to free and open discussion of ideas and opinions. As part of its dedication to active citizenship, the university encourages students, faculty, and staff to exercise their civic rights to participate as individuals in the political process. At the same time, no member of the university community should feel any institutional pressure to support a particular candidate or position.
As a tax-exempt entity, Tufts is prohibited by federal law from participating in or attempting to influence campaigns for any elective public office or any political initiative (such as a public referendum). The university may not endorse a candidate or ballot proposal, provide or solicit financial or other support for candidates or political organizations, or establish political action committees.
This policy is adopted by the university in an attempt to balance these competing considerations, based on advice of counsel and prevailing practices in the academic community.
For the full policy statement, including additional information about fundraising, student publications, and more, please visit: https://legal.tufts.edu/policy-on-political-activities/.
Q. Policies on Promotions, Solicitations, and Gatherings on Campus
Advertising
The University has robust policies related to posters, flyers, banners, chalking, and graffiti on campus, as well as related to tabling and solicitation.
For the most up-to-date information related to posters, flyers, banners, chalking, and graffiti, please visit: https://students.tufts.edu/dean-students-office/posters-banners-chalking-and-graffiti. Additional information for Student Organizations is linked from that page to the Office for Campus Life; information for posting in on-campus residential spaces is linked from that page to the Office for Residential Life and Learning.
This page also outlines policies related to solicitation, vending, and distributing leaflets and publications.
R. Religious Observances
Policy
Students are encouraged to observe their religious holy days, and instructors and coaches are asked to facilitate observance by allowing absence from classes, practices, and competitions for this purpose. Instructors and coaches should avoid scheduling exams, oral reports, or other mandatory class participation, practices, and competitions on university-recognized holy days. Some departments have established policies to address this issue. Check your syllabus or consult your professors or coaches about conflicts. More information about the Religious Accommodation Policy is available here: https://oeo.tufts.edu/policies-procedures/accommodation-policies/religious-accommodation/.
S. Residency Requirements
Policy
The Office of Residential Life and Learning maintains specific details about the Two-Year Residency Requirement. This policy requires that entering first-year students live in university housing per the University’s Two-Year Residency Requirement for AS&E undergraduate students. For the full policy, with information about the requirements, as well as requests for exemption, please visit: https://students.tufts.edu/residential-life-and-learning/housing-policies-and-guidelines, and follow to “Specifics Regarding Your Residency in University Housing”, then “Residency Requirements”.
Information about Academic Residence Requirements can be found in The Bulletin here: https://students.tufts.edu/registrar/forms-and-policies/bulletin/bulletin-general-undergraduate-policies-and-information.
T. Roof Access
Environmental Health and Safety maintains a detailed Fall Protection Program. Students are prohibited from accessing the roof of any university building or facility unless they have obtained specific written authorization from the Facilities Services Department and they follow the EHS Fall Protection Program.
U. Social Event Registration Policy
All social events hosted by students or student organizations that occur on campus, in university-affiliated housing on or off campus, or at off-campus venues when sponsored by student organizations must be registered. Hosts are required to complete the Social Event Registration Process and comply with all process guidance. Please refer to that link for the most updated information on the Social Event Registration Policy and Process.
V. Student Driver Policy
Policy
The university has several resources to help students and student organizations who have a need for transportation to locations beyond the campus for Tufts-sponsored programs and activities. However, university-owned vehicles and vehicles rented, leased, or chartered using university funds can never be used for personal reasons. They may be used only for university business, which is defined as any activity sponsored by or connected to a university program.
More information about the OCL policies and resources is available here: https://students.tufts.edu/office-campus-life/transportation-travel-student-organizations. Additional information about the Student Driver Approval Process is available here: https://access.tufts.edu/student-driver-approval-process.
Guide to Living Off Campus
All students living off campus are encouraged to read the Guide to Living Off Campus.