Tufts Blogs

Tufts students love our acronyms, and today, I bring you one I bet you have never heard of before: TUSC. TUSC stands for the Tufts University Social Collective, a group dedicated to planning and executing events for the student body to enjoy. The club is composed of a student-run executive board and student volunteers who make sure that the events are safe and fun for all. Events range from the weekly film series and fitness classes, to special annual and unique one-day events. Here are some of the most popular TUSC offerings:

1. Holiday Weeks/Weekends- Each Winter, TUSC throws a special Winter Weekend. This year, Winter Weekend included a snow tubing trip, which was only $5 for transportation and equipment combined. Unfortunately, I missed the snow tubing sign-ups, but I did go to “Cozy Night In,” a coffeehouse which featured our music service club, Public Harmony. At the event, TUSC gave out free Winter Weekend t-shirts and hats, a huge perk! TUSC also holds Halloweekend, Welcome Week (the first week of the year), and Finals Week, putting together similar events for students.

2. Weekend activities- Every weekend, TUSC hosts a variety of events on campus. I’ve enjoyed events like game night, trivia night, etc., and I’ve heard many of my friends rave about laser tag, ice skating, roller blading, and bowling nights as well. If you want it, TUSC has it, and it’s most likely free.

3. Giveaways- Especially, during the peak of Covid, TUSC had lots of socially-distanced outdoor giveaways. I spent endless hours last year standing in line on the quad waiting to get free shirts, puzzles, food, pens, mugs, etc. One of the most infamous giveaways was the 2020 Election Day giveaway, at which TUSC was passing out free “Vote” sweatshirts. I was too far back in line to get one of those, but I did get a really good pumpkin-flavored whoopie pie at one of the food trucks they had stationed outside, as well as a mug and a pen.

4. Food Bars- My absolute favorite thing about TUSC is all of the food events they throw. Last year, they parked food trucks on the academic quad every Friday and students could order whatever they wanted for free. This year, I’ve gone to a cereal bar, hot chocolate bar, and mac n’ cheese bar. These events are normally housed in the campus center lobby, and it’s always a nice surprise to have part of my lunch given to me without needing to use a meal swipe.

5. Spring Fling- Last, but not least, TUSC is well-known for throwing Spring Fling, a concert that celebrates the end of the school year. TUSC brings in famous artists to perform, and students order matching merch with their clubs and teams. While I have never attended said event due to Covid, I really hope this is the year!

My Emma’s Advice for you today is to take advantage of the free opportunities in college! As we all know, college is far from free, so you might as well get your money’s worth and take all of the free t-shirts, mugs, pens, and food you can get! If you come to Tufts and want to say “hi,” catch me at a TUSC event, finding the free stuff.