Tufts Blogs

 

As a transfer student, I came into Tufts at a disadvantage, because I didn’t know any of the “Tufts lingo.” On several occasions, I was in a panic trying to decode texts I received, like: “Want to get Hodge or Dew and take it to CC or Pres?” … um … what? If that sentence meant nothing to you, don’t worry! In this blog, I’m going to break down the essential Tufts shorthands and acronyms so you can fall easily into conversations without being stuck Google-ing “Hodge?” and “CC Tufts.” This is not a comprehensive list; I’m sure there are words I’m missing or new phrases that will come up after this is posted. I tried to compile the main terms that I’ve heard brought up most often during my time at Tufts! 

First, let’s establish: lower campus vs. upper campus… Tufts is essentially built on a big hill, so students often reference buildings in terms of the lower/upper parts of campus. I’ll be using these terms in my definitions.

Dowling elevator: I’m going to let you in on a little Tufts secret here… there is a way to avoid the hike uphill from lower to upper campus: the elevator located in Dowling Hall (you’re welcome). 

Next, let’s talk about SMFA students. The arts students at Tufts are part of the SMFA program (sometimes pronounced “Smi-fuh”). SMFA is short for the School of the Museum of Fine Arts. Some students are dual-degree, meaning they’re pursuing both a SMFA and a BA/BS degree. Students can get to SMFA’s Fenway campus using the Joey (see: transportation). 

Dorms:

SoGo: Sophia Gordon, an upperclassman dorm on campus. Located on lower campus, near the CC (see: academic buildings).
Carm: short for Carmichael, one of the main freshmen dorms. Located on upper campus.
Lew: Lewis Hall, a suite-style dorm located on lower campus; mostly houses sophomores.
CoHo: Community Housing — Tufts off-campus living for upperclassmen.

Food on campus: 

Dew: Dewick-MacPhie Dining Center, one of the main dining halls. located on lower campus.
Carm: We’ve established it’s a dorm, but Carm also houses one of the main dining halls on campus. It’s known for accommodating all food restrictions: nut-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, etc. Located on upper campus.
Hodge: Hodgdon Food On-the-Run — the to-go dining hall (meal swipes can be used here). Hodge is located on lower campus (near Lewis, behind Dew). 
Commons (and “late night”): To-go food in the CC (see: academic buildings), can use Jumbo Cash.
Hotung: Cafe in the CC (see: academic buildings) — a good spot to study or go to if you’re in the mood for pizza, an acai bowl, or Starbucks. 
Kindelvan (or “Kindie”): To-go dining located in SEC (see: academic buildings). Famous for its smoothies (also takes meal swipes). Pro-tip: order the tropikale smoothie (a Tufts classic). 

Places to hang out:

Pres lawn (or “prez lawn”): The big lawn in the middle of campus, where Tufts students flock when the weather is nice. Named because the Tufts president resides in a house on the lawn. Pres lawn also becomes an iconic sledding hill during Winter (but be safe! It’s steep!). 
The Sink: Student-run coffee shop in the CC (see: academic buildings). 
Tisch roof: The flat roof of the library, located in the center of campus, next to Pres lawn. Tisch roof is the most beautiful lookout spot on campus — you have the clearest view of Boston from here. 

Academic buildings:

Cummings (or JCC): Joyce Cummings Center, a newer building on campus right by the new Green Line stop. Students will quickly discover the magic of ordering-ahead at the JCC Starbucks! Make sure to check out the view of campus from the fifth or sixth floor of the JCC.
CC: The Campus Center, located (conveniently) in the middle of campus, on the lower campus side. There’s always something happening in the CC, whether it be a bake sale, holiday event, or friend speed dating! A great spot for studying or hanging out. There are several food spots located in the CC: Hotung, Commons, and the Sink. The bookstore is right next door, as well (where you can get your textbooks, supplies, and Tufts merch). 
Memorial steps: leading from lower campus to upper campus, passing through Pres lawn. A great way to get a quick workout in (it’s a mini hike). 
Tisch: The main library on campus, located next to Pres lawn, in the middle of campus.
Crafts Center: Student-run arts & crafts space — located in Lewis basement, on lower campus. Open to any students!

Science buildings:

574: Tufts Collaborative Learning and Innovation Complex (CLIC), whose address is 574 Boston Ave.
Sci Tech: Science and Technology Center, located on the Medford side of campus; about a ten-minute walk from central campus. 
SEC: The Science and Engineering Center, located on lower campus. A great study spot — and you can grab a Kindlevan smoothie!

Campus events: 

Note: many campus events are planned by TUSC: The Tufts University Social Collective (pronounced: “tusk” like an elephant! Get it?)
FDOC and LDOC: First and last day of classes! You may be asked: “How was your FDOC?” (pronounced: the first letter, then “dock,” so: “eff-dock” and “elle-dock”). 
Pre-O: Pre-Orientation groups, which run for the week before O-week. 
O-week: Orientation week, which includes events for incoming students and performances by Tufts groups.
Hoco: Homecoming, a weekend in Fall. Think: football game, food trucks, alumni coming to visit. You may hear “‘Sko ‘Bo’s!” (short for “let’s go Jumbos,” of course).
Tuftonia's Day: A celebration on Tufts’ birthday, marking the end of the Spring semester, before finals. Kind of like a big fair on upper campus (food trucks, fair games, rides). Also the name of Tufts’ fight song, often performed at Tufts events, like graduation. 
Spring Fling: The most anticipated event of the Spring semester; a concert on the Academic Quad! In the past, Spring Fling has featured performers like Flo Rida, Bia, and Ella Jane (who is also a former Tufts student!). 

Transportation:

The T: Tufts subway system — Tufts has a green line (which goes into Boston) located on campus, next to Cummings. There’s also a red line (which goes into Porter, Harvard, and Central square) in Davis — just a short walk away!
The Joey: Tufts’ free Shuttle, goes from CC to Davis Square.
Pro-row: Professor’s Row — a street on campus that runs along the side of Tisch, from the SEC to the CC. 

In the area:

The circle: The Powder House roundabout that goes into Somerville/Davis Sq. — a popular meeting spot for students walking to Davis, SciTech, etc. 
Davis / Davis Sq.: Davis Square, a popular place to grab food or coffee, or study. Ten minute walk from Tufts.

Resources: In this section, I’m going to briefly break down the acronyms. I highly recommend any incoming students take a look at the links I’ve attached to learn more. This information will also be covered in detail during O-week.

CMHS: Tufts Counseling and Mental Health Services. More info here.
TUPD: Tufts University Police Department. Their numbers (emergency and non-emergency) are located on the back of every Tufts ID. More info here.
TEMS: Tufts Emergency Medical Services — student EMTs, on-call at all times. More info here.
StAAR: Student Accessibility and Academic Resources Center. More info here.
RA: You probably know this one, but I’m throwing it in anyways — in any on-campus dorm, you will have an RA (Resident Assistant. RAs are student advisors who are available to support in whatever way you need, whether it be class advice or submitting a work-order. 
NOLOP: New makerspace at Tufts! More info here.

Bonus! Tufts “lore…”

The Bubs: The Beelzebubs, Tufts a capella group who — as quoted on Wikipedia — “were the inspiration for the Barden University Treblemakers in the movie franchise Pitch Perfect.” A pretty cool fact that Tufts students can brag about!
Jumbo: Tufts’ mascot! There’s a whole story about Jumbo that you may have heard on a tour, but I’ll link it here in case you’re curious.

That concludes my version of the Tufts Dictionary as of Fall 2023! I’m sure I’m forgetting or missing some words, but part of coming into college is learning the terms and sayings of campus life. I hope this gave you some helpful terms so you come to Tufts speaking the “Tufts language.”