Dear Members of the Tufts University Community,

I write to follow up on the disturbing and disruptive events on our Medford/Somerville campus earlier today, and to thank the entire Tufts community for their extraordinary patience and for supporting each other through a challenging day.

As you know, early this morning university and local police, local firefighters, and State Police assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s Office responded to the campus following an arson of a motor vehicle and the discovery of a written note making threats. A number of buildings on campus were then swept and cleared, at which point limited campus operations resumed. For the peace of mind of the community and due to the ongoing investigation, there will be an enhanced police presence on campus.

We are shocked by this morning’s events and want to know exactly what happened. An investigation is underway into the facts and circumstances of the car fire and threats, including whether they are related. We appreciate the dedication and professionalism of the Tufts University Police Department, and the support and collaboration of their colleagues in many area agencies including the Somerville and Medford Police and Fire Departments. I ask anyone with any information about these events to please contact the Tufts University Police Department at 617-627-3030 as soon as possible. We will continue to keep the community informed as we learn and are able to share more information going forward.

We also want to make certain that our university community and our neighbors are safe. Accordingly, we are already working to ensure that campus activities and events between now and the end of the academic year are secure for all participants.

I am grateful to the members of the university community and our neighbors in Somerville and Medford for their flexibility and patience during today’s extraordinary circumstances. We are aware that the need to cancel or postpone normal campus activities was especially disruptive for faculty and students given the schedule of final examinations. The Schools of Arts and Sciences and Engineering and The Fletcher School will continue to be in touch with their individual communities with respect to academic issues. I particularly encourage students to take advantage of the support services that have been offered through your individual schools.

In closing, I would like to share again my deep appreciation and that of the Tufts community to all those inside and outside Tufts who have helped us today.

Sincerely,

Tony Monaco