Who You Gonna Call? TUPD! (Not Ghostbusters)

On Saturday night, my friends decided they wanted to go to a bar in Kenmore Square, near Fenway Park, to meet up with some acquaintainces who live in Boston. However, I live on the opposite side of campus from their off-campus apartment, and I didn't want to walk 20 minutes to their house in the 20 degree temperature at 11 pm and risk pneumonia. What to do? I called the Non-Emergency hotline of the Tufts University Police Department and requested a police escort--for the first time in my time at Tufts!

Promptly, a police officer picked up the phone and asked me where I would be heading. Within a few minutes, a snazzy brown and blue TUPD police cruiser rolled up to my abode. A few minutes after that, I arrived safe and sound at my friends' apartment.But this isn't an anecdote about the responsiveness of the TUPD or safety precautions on campus. Rather, it's just another vignette that illustrates how friendly the staff members are at Tufts University.

In the span of my 4 minute car ride with Officer John Murphy, I learned the following about him: that he has worked for Tufts for the past 10 years; that his younger brother graduated from Tufts and majored in Economics; that he is waiting to hear which musicians will perform at this April's Spring Fling; that he was getting off his work shift in 10 minutes; and that he loves his job.

In turn, he had learned my class year, my majors, my career plans, my hometown, the story behind my freshman year knee dislocations, and where I was heading to in Boston that night! By the time we rolled up at my destination, he shook my hand and said that it was a pleasure to meet me after all my years at Tufts.

I'd said it before, and I'll say it again: the people at Tufts--be they students, professors, faculty members, or support staff--are genuinely friendly, and that has made my college experience all the better. Strangers will open doors for you or volunteer to help you out. In the span of 4 minutes, you can strike up a conversation with someone you've never met.So, I'd like to dedicate this post to all those unsung heroes at Tufts. I'd like to thank Lina, the Dining Services lady who swipes students' ID cards in Carmichael Hall and who shouts "Sweetie!" and "Bella!" to the freshman girls whenever they enter the building.

I'd also like to thank Kate Nash, Program Director of Advising and Scholarships, and James Ryan, Coordinator for Programs and Special Projects, the amazing duo that coordinates Freshman Orientation each year.

And, if you're ever at Bendetson Hall, be sure to thank Ellen Mounteer, the dedicated Campus Visit Coordinator who greets visitors to the reception area! Admissions wouldn't be the same without her.