College Admissions Is Part of Somerville-Tufts Agreement

In addition to paying the city of Somerville $1.375 million over five years, a recent "partnership agreement" between the city and Tufts University also places an emphasis on college admissions.

The agreement, which was signed by Tufts University President Anthony Monaco and Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone on Oct. 22, states that Tufts will pay Somerville $275,000 a year until June 30, 2018.

It follows a previous 10-year agreement that ended this year. According to an announcement from the city and Tufts, the university was paying $175,000 per year under the previous agreement.

Although "we're calling it a partnership," said Denise Taylor, a spokesperson for the city, she acknowledged the partnership was akin to a payment in lieu of taxes agreement. Because they're tax-exempt educational institutions, universities do not pay taxes on their property. Many universities in the Boston area make payments in lieu of taxes, commonly known as PILOT contributions, to contribute to city services—things fire departments, police departments and snow plowing—that universities benefit from.

Barbara Rubel, Tufts director of community relations, said in an email, "We don't consider this payment as being in lieu of taxes. We consider it a contribution to the city in support of the many ways we work together."

One of those ways, under the new agreement, is to help make a Tufts education more accessible to Somerville students.

The current freshman class at Tufts, which includes 1,318 students, has two students from Somerville, according to Rubel's email.

The new agreement seeks ways to "give Somerville students every possible advantage" in getting into Tufts, Taylor said.

As part of the agreement:

• Tufts will waive the $70 application fee for Somerville High School students
• The undergraduate dean of admissions will personally read all applications from Somerville High School students
• Tufts will provide SAT tutoring and essay-writing training to Somerville students
• Tufts will provide recommendation-letter training to Somerville High School teachers
• The dean of undergraduate admissions will send personal letters to top academic performers at Somerville High School, as determined by the high school's guidance department, inviting those students to apply to the university
• Tufts will invite Somerville High School ninth graders on campus each year to teach awareness about college and the application process
• Tufts will offer the Kids to College program to sixth grade students
• Tufts admissions officers will visit the high school every January to interview applicants
• The university will provide speakers to talk about college admissions and readiness
• Tufts will report annually about the financial aid packages offered to Somerville students