How to Get a Tufts.edu Domain Name

The Office of Communications and Marketing approves all web domain names that end in “tufts.edu.” Our staff reviews name requests to ensure that each reflects a suitable and effective choice. Good domain names will clearly communicate a site’s identity or purpose while respecting the university’s broader name use concerns. We can provide guidance on name selection and suggest alternatives when appropriate.

What domain can you get?

All primary domain names ending in tufts.edu are approved by the Office of Communications and Marketing in consultation with University Counsel. A primary domain is in the format .tufts.edu. For example, the University Relations domain is universityrelations.tufts.edu and this is a primary domain.

Things to know about obtaining a primary tufts.edu domain:

• All primary domain names must be approved before they can be used. Please submit the domain request form to obtain approval.
• Since it may take up to 14 business days to get approval, please make the request early in the process.
• The university is no longer granting website domains that begin with www.tufts.edu/. You must request it in the format of .tufts.edu. So, www.tufts.edu/mysite will not be approved, but mysite.tufts.edu may be approved pending review.
• We do not set up primary domains that redirect to other domains. The domain name must resolve to your website. If you want a redirect domain, please use our Go Script (go.tufts.edu) URL shortening service. 
• We do not approve multiple, similar domains intended to avoid user typos or confusion. For example, we will not approve both mysite.tufts.edu and my-site.tufts.edu.
• You should know where your site is or where it will be hosted before you request a domain.
• Your domain name must conform to the Tufts Name Use Policy.
• An extremely generic domain name is not likely to be approved if it could apply to other entities at Tufts. For example, we would not approve research.tufts.edu to a specific department or unit.

How to request a domain name

When you know where your website will be hosted and you have selected a specific (and not too general) domain name, please submit the online domain name request form.

How to move an existing tufts.edu domain

When your site begins with www.tufts.edu/, you cannot move this domain to a new web host. You will need to request a new domain for your site. If you are, for example, www.tufts.edu/mysite, then you will want to follow the procedures above to request mysite.tufts.edu.

Similarly, if your site begins with ase.tufts.edu, you cannot move it to a new web host. You will need to pick a new domain following the procedure above.

If you have a primary domain (.tufts.edu) and wish to move from one web host at Tufts to another, you should start by contacting your current web host. They will assist you with moving your domain. As a courtesy, you should never move your domain to a new web host without telling your current web host first.

Generally, moving an existing domain name involves submitting a request for a DNS change. Only FSPs can make these requests directly, so contact your web host first.

A note about externally hosted tufts.edu domains

Currently, there is no procedure in place for hosting tufts.edu externally unless it is approved by the Office of Communications and Marketing. If you have questions about where to host your website, please contact digitalservices@tufts.edu.