FAQs

Image
Rainbow colored banner with text: Lighting the Way

FAQs

Inaugurations are key milestone events in the life of a higher education institution. Tufts invites everyone in our global community to join us in celebrating the inauguration of President Sunil Kumar and experience these moments of inspiration, renewal, pride, and shared purpose together.

We look forward to welcoming you at events throughout September 30-October 7 across our campuses and online. 

Information on the events and logistical details are below. If you have additional questions, please reach out to the Tufts Inauguration office at inauguration@tufts.edu.

The entire Tufts University community (students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, friends, and neighbors) is invited to attend the Installation Ceremony and participate in other inauguration events, including the Community Reception following the ceremony.

Tickets are not required, but we ask that you register for the event.

The ceremony will take place on Friday, October 6, 2023, at 2:00 PM, on the Residential Quadrangle of Tufts University’s Medford/Somerville campus. Seating will begin at 1 PM and will be open to everyone on a first come, first served basis.

The reception will follow on the Academic Quadrangle at approximately 3:30 PM.

The ceremony is scheduled to last approximately 90 minutes.

Yes. The ceremony will be livestreamed here.

Please check the events calendar for watch party details by campus.

The program will be available at the ceremony, with additional material available online.

The procession includes members of the Board of Trustees, the faculty, and delegates from other institutes of higher learning, learned societies, and other organizations.

The installation of a new president is one of the most significant occasions for a university. As such, those participating in the procession will wear academic regalia. Audience members should dress in order to be comfortable outdoors as it may be cool at the beginning of October.

The ceremony will be held on the Residential Quadrangle, rain or shine. Both the audience and the platform party will be seated under a tent. If the decision is made to move the ceremony indoors, or if it is postponed or cancelled due to severe weather, we will communicate plans to do so here.

  • Parking on Installation Day will be available in all university parking areas on a first-come, first-served basis. Some parking areas will be reserved for support or emergency vehicles and equipment. For more information on where to park, see the Medford/Somerville campus map.
  • Campus shuttles will follow the usual Friday schedule, including the Davis Square Shuttle. See the schedule at https://access.tufts.edu/davis-square-shuttle.
  • We recommend taking public transportation whenever possible. Please be mindful of the service disruption planned for the Green line, which impacts the Medford/Tufts stop at College and Boston avenues.

There are many places to stay near Tufts University. We suggest you search for accommodations in or near Medford/Somerville. You may want to refer to the university’s travel page for suggestions. Always ask if there is a preferred rate for visitors to the university. See the list of hotels near campus on the travel page at campustravel.com/university/tufts-university.

Yes. When you arrive on campus, choose “Tufts Guest” from the list of wireless networks available. Read the Acceptable Use Policy, and then choose “Accept” to be connected to the network and “Continue” to access the internet.

Disability Services

If guests require access accommodations at the Installation Ceremony on Friday, October 6, please email the Inauguration Office at inauguration@tufts.edu or call 617-627-3636 by Saturday, September 30. Requests made after this date may impact the university's ability to effectively provide reasonable accommodation. If you require accommodations or have questions about any other events, please contact the event sponsor using information on the Inauguration Week event calendar.

Every Tufts parking lot has designated accessible parking spaces. The Tufts University Public Safety will allow curbside drop-off for those needing special assistance at any time before the Installation Ceremony. Please note that Installation Ceremony procession starts promptly at 2:00 PM, and traffic is expected on roadways surrounding the ceremony site.

The recommended drop-off point for the Installation Ceremony for guests with mobility issues is on Packard Avenue, across from the Olin Center.

Service animals—as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)—are allowed at the Installation Ceremony. All other animals are prohibited.

For questions regarding disability services during the Installation Ceremony, please contact the Inauguration Office at inauguration@tufts.edu.

The university does not provide wheelchairs nor transportation for them. A list of wheelchair rental companies is available below. Pick-up and drop-off of wheelchairs should be arranged directly with the rental company.

Belmont Medical Supply
185 Belmont St.
Belmont, MA
(617) 484-3888

Scoot-Around
(888) 441-7575

Gary Drug Co.
59 Charles St.
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 227-0023

Boston Orthopedic and Respiratory Equipment
175 Main St.
Boston, MA  02129
(617) 337-5133

There will be sign language interpreters at the Installation Ceremony on Friday, October 6. Please ask an usher for special seating.

The Installation Ceremony on Friday, October 6, will be webcasted and livestreamed with closed captioning and will be accessible to view on personal mobile devices.

Assistive listening devices will be available with advance notice. Those who have made previous arrangements should check with an usher upon arrival at the tent.

Accessible restrooms are located in Barnum Hall, the Cabot Intercultural Center, Dowling Hall, the Olin Center, Packard Hall, and the Tisch Library. The Tufts Accessibility Map designates these accessible restrooms on campus.

For additional information about campus accessibility, contact the Tufts Office of Equal Opportunity at 617-627-3298 or visit oeo.tufts.edu. If you are using a TTY phone, the number is 866-797-6881. This number only serves callers within the United States.