TUFTS, SOMERVILLE REACH 5-YEAR PARTNERSHIP DEAL

SOMERVILLE
– The City of Somerville and Tufts University have reached a partnership
agreement through which Tufts will contribute $1.375 million over five years to
the City. As part of the agreement, Tufts will also waive the university’s
application fee for Somerville High School students and provide college
preparation assistance for Somerville students beginning in the sixth grade.

Tufts
will make annual payments to the City of $275,000, representing a significant
increase of nearly two-thirds more in financial payments, from $175,000 to
$275,000 per year, as well as the inclusion of the new provisions to both
support and benefit Somerville Public School students.

Those
provisions include Tufts agreeing to waive the $70 application fee for students
applying from Somerville High School and that the university’s Dean of
Undergraduate Admission will personally read and evaluate applications from
Somerville High School students. Tufts will bring the entire Somerville High
School ninth grade class to the university’s campus during the school year for
early exposure and awareness about the college process, and will offer SAT
preparation tutoring, essay writing workshops for applying students and writing
workshops for teachers who are preparing recommendations for their students.

“Tufts
has been a terrific community partner to Somerville and I’m thrilled we have an
agreement that not only provides funding for the City services used by the
Tufts community, such as police and fire, but more importantly gives our high
school students the support they need to enter college and fulfill their
greatest potential,” said Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone. “I want to thank Tufts
University President Anthony P. Monaco for working with the City on this
agreement and continuing our great partnership.”

"Tufts is committed to continuing its strong
partnership with the City of Somerville," said Tufts University President
Anthony P. Monaco.  " I am pleased
that we have finalized this partnership agreement to further strengthen our
close engagement by contributing resources that can be used for a variety of
community purposes, the public schools and athletics programs. We strengthen
each other when we work together."

Other
support for Somerville students includes the Tufts Dean of Admissions sending a
personal letter inviting Somerville High School top performers, as identified
by the school’s guidance office, to apply for admission. Tufts admission staff
will visit Somerville High School each January to offer personal interviews for
students who have applied. It will also provide speakers to the high school for
assemblies about college readiness and admissions; offer the Kids to College
program for sixth graders; and reserve Triangle Field for City of Somerville
Youth Soccer each fall.

“Our partnership with Tufts University plays a critically
important role in preparing our students for success in college and beyond,”
said Tony Pierantozzi, Somerville Superintendent of Schools. “We’re fortunate
to have Tufts be such an active partner in preparing our students for a
globally competitive market. Tufts is a fantastic partner who is involved in
our school community in numerous ways, at every level. We look forward to continuing
to partner with them for many years to come.”

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Contact:

Denise Taylor 617-625-6600,
ext. 2103
City of Somerville

Katie Cinnamond 617-627-4703
Tufts University