A Tour of the Campus Center
On my tours, I describe the Campus Center (CC) as the “hub of student life at Tufts.” It is one of the most bustling places on campus, and a wonderful spot to hang out – just this afternoon, I met my friends Meghan and Kaycee on the patio outside to catch up and play Rummy 500. Then, Meghan and I stayed to make the most of our time by doing some work (in my case, writing a blog!) before our tap class. I predominantly use the CC as a lunch and dinner spot, but it serves so many different purposes.
First and foremost, the CC is the center of student life in that it hosts the offices for the Tufts Community Union, our student senate, as well as the treasury office that funds our clubs and student organizations.These offices are housed on the top (third) floor, where student leaders can come petition for funds, get reimbursements for club expenses, and meet with Tufts student leaders. This is also the quietest floor of the CC, where students often study. We can reserve rooms up there, which students use for diverse reasons (I’ve used them for group projects, but my friend used one to teach another tapper a dance).
If you go down the stairs in the center of the floor and take two lefts, you will be in the heart of our student-run café, The Sink. Popular for its exquisite study vibes, you need to get there early in the day if you want to get a seat. Rumor has it, if you are there when The Sink closes, they give away the day’s muffins. I’ve never experienced that, but I did get to take some extra muffins and bagels before winter break last year. If you need a study break, you can venture across the hall to our game room, complete with pool and ping-pong tables.
Go down the stairs once again and you’ll pass two or three big signs advertising upcoming events on campus that apply to the whole student body. For example, the signs right now showcase the Leonard Carmichael Society Gala, a formal run by our umbrella service organization, and the grocery shuttle, a bus service that takes students to the grocery store, courtesy of the Tufts Senate. I love passing this area to learn about new events and services the school offers, particularly any Tufts University Social Collective (TUSC) event, which often includes free food.
My absolute favorite floor is the bottom floor though, which is home to Hotung Café and Commons Marketplace, two of our eateries that accept JumboCash (money on your student ID). Commons has all of your fast-food basics, like chicken tenders, fries, and burgers, but they also have rotating meals. A few weeks ago was pasta bar week, and you could go down the line choosing your type of pasta, cheese, toppings, vegetables, and protein. This week is Mediterranean bowl week!
On the other side of the building is Hotung, which has the best pizza. The space itself is fun too, with a groovy mood set by green-tinged lights. Outside of normal hours, groups can use the space for various events. I’ve seen everything from a ballroom dance showcase, to a coffeehouse music concert, to a game night there.
And so, the Campus Center is very versatile–perfect for studying, eating, or hanging out. My Emma’s Advice today is to explore all of your campus’ resources and get out of your room! From trying a new latte flavor at The Sink, to catching as many free events as possible, you never know what you’ll find at the Campus Center, but it’s always worth the trip.