Stay updated with President Kumar’s messages to the Tufts community, remarks at public engagements, and other news from his office:
An update on Tufts student taken into custody
March 26, 2025—We are writing to provide an update following President Kumar’s message yesterday evening. We have recently learned and verified that Rumeysa Öztürk, the student who was detained by federal immigration authorities yesterday, is currently being held in Louisiana.
Read an update about a Tufts student taken into custody
Message about a Tufts student taken into custody
March 25, 2025—We have received reports that an international graduate student was taken into custody this evening by federal authorities outside an off-campus apartment building in Somerville. The university had no pre-knowledge of this incident and did not share any information with federal authorities prior to the event, and the location where this took place is not affiliated with Tufts University.
Read a message about a Tufts student taken into custody
Announcing Our 2025 Commencement Speaker and Honorary Degree Recipients
March 24, 2025—I’m delighted to share with you that Dr. Freeman A. Hrabowski III, one of America’s most accomplished higher education leaders, and the former longtime president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, will be our Commencement speaker this year.
Read a message about the 2025 Commencement Speaker and Honorary Degree Recipients
Update on Efforts to Address the Impact of Federal Actions
March 11, 2025—This has been an extremely turbulent time for higher education, as actions in Washington impact our university. It is important for our community to understand the steps we have taken and our thoughts on the path forward.
Read an update on efforts to address the impact of federal actions
Tufts to challenge NIH funding cuts
February 10, 2025—We are writing to let you know that Tufts University has joined with numerous American Association of Universities (AAU) institutions, the AAU itself, the American Council of Education, and the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities to challenge the administration’s decision, announced Friday night, to cut the NIH facilities and administrative costs to a flat rate of 15 percent. We believe that these changes were not made in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act and, therefore, are in violation of the law.
Read the message about Tufts to challenge NIH funding cuts
Summary of Investigators’ Report on the Men’s Lacrosse Workout
January 31, 2025—As you know, this fall, following a workout overseen by a Tufts alum and recent graduate of the BUD/S Navy SEAL training program, multiple members of our men’s lacrosse team developed rhabdomyolysis, a potentially severe medical condition. Though we are pleased that all the students recovered and returned to normal activity, it is critical that we understand what led to this situation and to take steps to develop better and safer training practices for our student- athletes.
We are sharing with you today the executive summary of the independent investigation conducted by D. Rod Walters II, a nationally recognized expert in the care and prevention of student-athlete injuries, and Randy Aliment of the law firm Lewis Brisbois.
Read the summary of investigators' report on the men's lacrosse workout
Friedman School Receives $10 Million for Student Scholarships
January 30, 2025—We are excited to announce that anonymous donors have pledged $10 million to the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy for student scholarships. This tremendous philanthropy will provide students with new avenues for graduate studies in nutrition and transform the Friedman School into a more accessible and inclusive institution. This is the second largest gift in the school’s history, the largest being its $20 million naming gift.
Read the announcement about the Friedman school receiving $10 million for student scholarships
Presidential Award for Civic Life: Call for Nominations
January 27, 2025—For more than 25 years, in partnership with Tisch College of Civic Life, Tufts University presidents have honored our most inspiring graduating undergraduate, graduate, and professional students with the Presidential Award for Civic Life. These students are recognized for their outstanding achievement in civic leadership during their time at Tufts. We would like your help to identify exceptional nominees from across the University for this prestigious award.
Read the announcement for the presidential award for civic life: call for nominations
Distinguished Speaker Remarks at the University of Pavia's 1200th Anniversary
January 20, 2025—Days, such as today, of high ceremony are not merely meant to celebrate past accomplishments or simple longevity. Rather, they are meant to reaffirm commitment, with renewed vigor, to uphold the values that have sustained this university over the past centuries, to be steadfast in the search for knowledge, to educate future generations to be productive and responsible citizens and leaders in society, and to make a positive and material difference in addressing some of the most pressing problems facing humanity today.
Read the full distinguished speaker remarks of President Kumar at the University of Pavia's 1200th Anniversary
Renaming the Science and Engineering Complex (SEC)
November 13, 2024—We are excited to announce that Loring Tu, a professor in the Department of Mathematics, has made a substantial gift to name the Science and Engineering Complex (SEC) in honor of his late grandfather, Tsungming Tu, who was a renowned medical scientist and expert on pharmacology, toxicology, and medical education. Going forward, the SEC will be known as the Tsungming Tu Complex (TTC).
Read the announcement about renaming the Science and Engineering Complex (SEC) to the Tsungming Tu Complex (TTC)
Tufts Beyond 175: Looking to the future past 2027
October 8, 2024—I am writing today to share the launch of a process of grassroots listening and prioritizing to form a new plan for the future of Tufts University called Tufts Beyond 175: Looking to the future past 2027.
Read the announcement of launching Tufts Beyond 175: Looking to the future past 2027
Looking ahead to the 2024 election
September 17, 2024—As we approach the official start of the fall season, we are also looking ahead to the 2024 election. Election Day is Tuesday, November 5, and today is National Voter Registration Day!
Read a message about looking ahead to the 2024 election
Matriculation Address – Class of 2028
August 29, 2024—And welcome: Tufts University Class of 2028! It is great to have you here. I know that the next four years of your lives will be transformative. Some of you will tell me that when I run into you a decade or two from now, as the alumni do today.
Read the full remarks of President Kumar's matriculation address to the Class of 2028
Reaffirming Our Values and Community Expectations
August 22, 2024—We write to you today to reaffirm the mission of our institution as a student-centered university where we dedicate ourselves to the creation and application of knowledge through teaching, research, and service in our community and society.
Read the message about reaffirming our values and community expectations
Jeff Moslow elected as Board of Trustees chair-designate
May 22, 2024—At the board of trustees meeting last week, the trustees elected the board’s vice chair Jeffrey M. Moslow, A86, A16P, A18P to be the next chairman of the board of trustees starting in November 2024. He succeeds Peter R. Dolan A78, A08P who will step down after 11 years as chair.
Read the announcement of Jeff Moslow elected as Board of Trustees chair-designate
President Sunil Kumar Addresses the Class of 2024
On May 18, President Kumar spoke to the Class of 2024 at the annual Baccalaureate Ceremony in the Gantcher Center on the Medford/Somerville campus.
“It has been a privilege to start my time at Tufts with such an inspirational class of graduates. I am confident that you all will do well and do good. That guided by your values and principles, you will sail through this uncertain year and beyond with ease.”
Read the full remarks of President Kumar at the annual Baccalaureate Ceremony to the Class of 2024
Update on Efforts to Restore the Academic Quad
April 30, 2024—In an effort to continue to seek a voluntary resolution to the situation on the academic quad, James M. Glaser and Kyongbum Lee, our deans of the School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Engineering, met on two separate occasions today with student representatives from the protest and a faculty member they selected.
Read the update on efforts to restore the academic quad
Restoring the Academic Quad for Commencement
April 28, 2024—Tufts has a time-honored tradition of civil protest. Consistent with that tradition, and throughout this academic year, we have balanced our students’ right to protest with enforcing our conduct policies. Students have been sanctioned when protests affected public safety, were a clear violation of our conduct policies, or interfered with normal university operations.
Read the message about restoring the academic quad for commencement
Update on University Finances
April 11, 2024—We write today with updates on the university’s finances. We are providing this information because the central administration and the schools are engaged in detailed budget planning for the next several years, and we believe it is important for members of the community to have broad understanding of the fiscal environment in which budget decisions are being made.
Read the update on university finances
Congratulations to the 2024 recipients of the Presidential Award for Civic Life
April 10, 2024—For more than 20 years, the Presidential Award for Civic Life program has recognized remarkable graduate and undergraduate students with Tufts University’s highest honor for outstanding civic leadership and service. This year, we are proud to recognize 14 extraordinary individuals from across the university for their achievements.
Read the congratulatory message to the 2024 recipients of the presidential award for civic life
Fiona Hill to Deliver Commencement Address to the Class of 2024
March 27, 2024—I’m delighted to share with you that Fiona Hill, the chancellor of Durham University and a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, will be our Commencement speaker this year.
Read the announcement of Fiona Hill to deliver commencement address to the Class of 2024
Message on TCU Senate Resolutions
March 4, 2024—As you may know, the Tufts Community Union Senate earlier this morning passed three resolutions, initially proposed by the Coalition for Palestinian Liberation, related to the Israel-Hamas war.
Read the message on TCU Senate Resolutions
Welcome to the Spring Semester
January 16, 2024—View President Kumar's beginning-of-semester message to the Tufts community.
Watch the video or read the transcript of President Kumar's welcome to the spring semester message
Announcement Regarding Arts and Sciences School Leadership
December 20, 2023—We are writing to share that after 33 years of service to the university, James “Jim” M. Glaser, dean of the School of Arts and Sciences (A&S), will be leaving Tufts at the end of this academic year to become the next executive vice president and provost of Santa Clara University.
Read the announcement regarding arts and sciences school leadership
Joshua Else Appointed SVP of Advancement
November 13, 2023—It is my pleasure to share with you today the appointment of Joshua Else as the next senior vice president of advancement at Tufts University and will assume his role on February 5, 2024.
Read the announcement of Joshua Else appointed as SVP of advancement
Preventing Hate and Upholding Policies on Campus
November 8, 2023—Over the past few weeks, many members of the Tufts community—students, faculty, staff, alumni, and parents—have raised concerns related to the climate on campus.
Read the message about preventing hate and upholding policies on campus
A personal note
October 11, 2023—As more reports and details emerge about the atrocities committed by the terrorist organization Hamas in its attack on Israel this weekend, and I see the harrowing and painful pictures of the suffering of innocent civilians, I feel obliged to write to you again to share my personal thoughts on the situation.
Read the personal note from President Kumar
Statement regarding violence in Israel and Gaza
October 10, 2023—I am writing to you today regarding the recent surprise attacks on Israel and the subsequent violence in Gaza and the surrounding region.
Read the statement regarding violence in Israel and Gaza
Inauguration Address
October 6, 2023—President Kumar delivered the following address at his Installation Ceremony on October 6, 2023.
Read the full remarks of President Kumar's inauguration address
Eric Johnson to transition to new role
September 12, 2023—I am writing to you today regarding the transition of Eric Johnson, our current Senior Vice President of Advancement, into a new role as a Senior Philanthropic Advisor to me.
Read the announcement of Eric Johnson to transition to new role
Matriculation Address to the Class of 2027
September 5, 2023—President Kumar delivered the following address to the Undergraduate Class of 2027 at the matriculation ceremony on August 30, 2023.
Read President Kumar's matriculation address to the Class of 2027
Appointment of Provost and Senior Vice President
July 31, 2023—I am very pleased to write today and announce the appointment of Caroline Genco as the provost and senior vice president of Tufts, effective August 1.
Read the announcement of Caroline Genco as the provost and senior vice president of Tufts
Looking forward
July 5, 2023—It is my privilege to write to you today as the 14th president of Tufts University for the very first time.
Read President Kumar's first announcement as Tufts University president
Today’s Supreme Court decision
June 29, 2023—As you know, the Supreme Court today ruled in favor of Students for Fair Admissions in their case against Harvard University and the University of North Carolina.
Read information about the Supreme Court decision