Category: Campus
Mini-Survival Guide to BU
Students walk along Commonwealth Avenue near Marsh Plaza on campus. PHOTO BY SARAH FISHER/DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF
By Michelle Jay, Multimedia Editor @michelllelynn
and Samantha Wong, Blog Editor @samzwong
Congratulations on being admitted to BU! To ensure your survival, here are 10 tips that should make your life easier as a student.
1. Look out for crossing objects when you cross the street.
Yes, objects. Cars, bikes and Ts, oh my! Remember what you learned in kindergarten and look both ways.
2. Always check the weather online before leaving.
Don’t just look out your window. Looks can be deceiving. Always err on the side of caution since the weather can change at any moment. Welcome to Boston.
3. Timing is everything.
Whether it’s taking the BU Shuttle or T, trying to eat in the dining hall or grabbing Starbucks between classes, plan ahead. You’ll have a mostly empty (read: comfortably snug) bus or T, time to grab some food from the dining hall or swing through Starbucks AND be on time to class if you do. Waiting last minute or not planning ahead almost guarantees not getting food or caffeine or being that kid who’s ten minutes late to class.
Bonus tips for the T: If you are commuting from East Campus to West Campus or visa versa, know the prime T times. If you try to take the T inbound from West around 7:30 a.m., it can result in very uncomfortable situations (i.e., being squished in or not being able to get on because it’s too full then having to wait in the cold, rain or snow for the next one, which could take time). Same thing goes for taking the T outbound from East at 7:00 p.m.
If taking the T or MBTA bus is an everyday thing for you, consider saving both money and time digging around for change. Buy a Semester T Pass. The MBTA website lists $2.50 for every T ride and $2.00 for every bus ride with a Charlie Ticket (the paper card). If you have the Charlie Card (the plastic card), each ride ends up being 50 cents cheaper. But, having the Semester T Pass means unlimited hopping on and off during the semester and never having to remember to refill your card.
4. Be nice to the security guards.
They are your friends. Treat them with respect and they’ll remember you for it. Especially on the weekends.
5. Figure out what your eating habits are and then change your meal plan accordingly.
Keep in mind that Dominos, Papa John’s, Starbucks and Pinkberry take your dining points too. That’s basically saying free pizza, coffee and fro yo. That in ADDITION to the GSU which takes dining dollars anyhow.
The Citgo Sign is a Boston landmark, located in Kenmore Square. PHOTO BY SARAH FISHER/DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF
6. CAS is a long building.
Use it to your advantage, especially when the weather doesn’t agree with what you’re wearing.
7. FitRec is not solely for the athletes.
Current students can go in and out of FitRec at their leisure when the gym is open. Not only is the gym huge but wonderfully equipped. Go abuse those gym privileges.
8. Follow BU offices and organizations on Twitter.
Nearly every college, department, organization and office at BU has a Twitter. Though you’ll get emails for important things (like classes being cancelled), following them means finding out more than that. They’ll tweet about activities happening, promotional offers going around (who doesn’t enjoy free ice cream or free Arizona?) and more. Some professors even post tips for exams on Twitter, but they’ll definitely let you know if that’s the case. Check out our handy Twitter list to get started.
9. Make smart decisions when exploring after-hours.
Being a young adult in a new place also comes with the tendency to explore the neighboring areas.With great power comes great responsibility. Make sure that if you’re unfamiliar with an area you’re with someone you trust and/or someone who knows where they’re going. Make sure that you have numbers you can call in case of an emergency (i.e, your RA, your roommate, your parents, etc.) There are also emergency numbers listed on the back of your student ID.
10. Get off campus and explore Boston!
You go to BOSTON University. Unlike a certain other college in Boston (er . . . Chestnut Hill), you are actually in the city. Take advantage of the convenience of living in a city that’s not too big but not too small; it’s just right. Need ideas? Check out the top 10 places freshman should do in Boston. Remember if you get lost, follow our North Star: the Citgo Sign.
FreepOUT: A visual review of the year
By Editors
As Spring semester 2013 comes to a close, we bring you our most impactful photos and stories. Thank you for your continuos support with The Daily Free Press. Our print issue will return in Fall 2013, stories and updates will be posted on our website periodically throughout the summer.
‘Snowbrawl’ draws hundreds, BUPD take student into custody
Students participate in ‘Snowbrawl Fight part two’ February 9 on the Esplanade after Winter Storm Nemo dumped two feet of snow February 8. PHOTO BY TAYLOR HARTZ/DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF
Brownstone fire leaves $5 million in damages
A three-alarm fire destroys the fourth and fifth floor of a Back Bay brownstone February 20. PHOTO BY MICHELLE JAY/ DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF
Total cost of BU set at over $57K for 2013-14 academic year
Boston University officials released the tuition increases for the 2013-2014 school year March 18. The graph shows the change in the total tuition and housing costs since 1995. GRAPHIC BY CHRIS LISINSKI/DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF
Terriers fall to Northeastern in Beanpot first round
Senior captain Wade Megan hangs his head on the bench after Northeastern University scores its third goal in the first game of the Beanpot at TD Garden February 4. PHOTO BY MICHELLE JAY/DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF
Boston University Facebook groups
By Heather Goldin, Staff Writer
@HeatherGoldin
One of the more popular of the many BU Facebook groups, BU Confessions/ PHOTO BY Heather Goldin, Staff
Over the past few months, trends in hilarious Facebook groups have prompted Boston University to create some witty groups of its own. We have already covered the notorious Banana University, but that is just one of the many entertaining pages.
Similar to Banana University, Bedtime University is also based on the participation of the students who like the page. The more submissions each group has from students, the more the group grows.
The popularity of other BU Facebook groups such as BU Confessions and BU Crushes work a slightly different angle on student interest. Unlike picture-based groups, these pages are based off of anonymous submissions, and with the help of survey tools such as Survey Monkey and Google, not even the creator of these groups know who are submitting them.
A vast range of well-written, borderline inappropriate, and ‘what were they thinking!?’ posts create addicting groups that have students clicking the refresh button to see if the page has been updated within the last minute. BU Confessions was liked by over 4,000 people- that’s more people than are in this year’s undergraduate freshman class.
Keep in mind that these popular groups are not the first groups from Boston University. In fact, there is an entire community on Facebook that you can have access to with your bu.edu e-mail called Groups at BU. Groups at BU help you find Facebook groups that are related to the university in some way. Many of these groups can be categorized as being a mutual interest, residence, or course/school.
Facebook groups for BU are being created constantly, and it is even possible to create your own BU Group. Some of the best groups I’ve found so far aren’t nearly as popular as others. Here are some of my favorite (underrated) Facebook groups for Boston University:
BU Compliments
One of the groups that should definitely be as popular as BU Confessions, BU Compliments is a feel-good group that is all about “spreading positivity to fellow Terriers” as the page’s “About” section explained. Through a Facebook message, you can send an anonymous compliment to the moderator of the page who will then post it up. People who read the page are also encouraged to tag their friends so that they can be sure to see that they have been complimented.
Boston University Wine and Cheese Society
For the classiest BU students who are over 21, the BU Wine and Cheese Society is meant to educate undergraduate students about the culture of wine and cheese pairings.
Overheard at BU
Another page that has been created for multiple college campuses already, Overheard at BU is exactly what it sounds like. The entertaining part of this page is that many overheard statements are taken out of context.
Message of Fair Trade served on BU’s campus on Ben and Jerry’s ‘Free Cone Day’
By Sarah Fisher, Staff
Dean Elmore, Ben and Jerry’s CEO Jostein Solheim and Fairtrade International CEO Harriet Lamb discussed Fair Trade while at Ben and Jerry’s Free Cone Day, which came to BU’s campus./PHOTO BY Sarah Fisher
On one of the first spring days in Boston, Boston University students lined up to wait for some free ice cream from the Ben and Jerry’s truck parked in front of the George Sherman Union. This Tuesday was Free Cone Day: the long-awaited day when Ben and Jerry’s shops around the world give away over one million scoops of ice cream.
Accompanying the truck at BU was Jostein Solheim, CEO of Ben and Jerry’s. Harriet Lamb, the CEO of Fairtrade International, was also there to help share a message of why Fairtrade products are important. “Today, we’re really celebrating because this is the first time that we have been 100% fair trade in all of our scoop products all around the world,” said Solheim. From sugar to bananas to cocoa, Ben and Jerry’s has committed to use only environmentally, economically, and socially fair ingredients. Ben and Jerry’s already had a sustainable dairy program in the U.S., but now, they buy all their ingredients grown outside the US using the Fairtrade system.
Solheim emphasized that everyone—especially college students—can support the Fair Trade system to make a difference. With the added publicity of Free Cone day, Solheim said “we’re hoping people will start walking the walk instead of just talking the talk.” Dean Elmore also joined in on the fun, serving students ice cream in his converses and sunglasses.
Now, despite the (delicious and well-worth-it) calories, Ben and Jerry’s is something people can feel good about eating.
Boston University students in line in front of a Ben and Jerry’s truck parked in front of the GSU on April 9, ‘Free Cone Day,’ to get their free cone.
Landing your summer internship: tips and resources
By Heather Goldin, Staff Writer
@HeatherGoldin
Aside from an excellent learning experience, internships may be a step towards landing a job. According to the 2011 NACE Internship and Co-op survey, cited in the internship workshop by BU’s Career Development Center, about 58 percent of interns get hired full-time/ PHOTO BY Heather Goldin
With the start of spring just around the corner, internship season is in full swing. Companies are in search of eager college students who are willing to learn the ins and outs of their trade.
Internships are a win-win for both students and employers. We obtain a valuable learning experience and great connections while the employer gets to work with driven students who want to succeed and help in any way they can.
I did some research in order to find advice and resources that I thought would be most helpful during an internship search. I also attended an internship workshop at the Career Development Center here at BU.
Personal Goals
According to the Quintessential Career Site, the first major step in internships is to understand your own internship goals. Before you start sending out applications you should probably know basic things such as what you hope to gain from an internship, what your career interest is, and what type of companies you are looking to work for.
Some other things to consider (mentioned in the Career Development Center’s internship workshop) are whether an internship is paid or unpaid, part-time or full time, and whether or not you are awarded academic credit for partaking. All of these factors will help drive you to your best-fit internship, sort of like how we all chose Boston University as our ideal school.
Preparation
Before you start your internship search, an organized resume is important. Sometimes that resume is the only document between you and an interview.
The Center for Career Development, located at 100 Baystate Road, offers multiple workshops on internship throughout the year as well as open office hours to look your resume over without the hassle of making an appointment. These office hours are also for reviewing cover letters, which vary depending on which company you are applying to.
If you are like me and aren’t sure how to start building a resume, the CDC has a page specific to the format of a resume, which is pretty convenient if you ask me.
The Career Development Center offers helpful tips and resources for your internship search/ PHOTO BY Heather Goldin
Resources
Finding an internship can be daunting at first, but if you know where to look the process gets a lot easier.
The BU Career link features internship postings that can be sorted by position, location and school affiliation, as well as employer directories that can be searched through easily with key words.
Another great resource for local internships is Bostinno’s Internship Hub, where new job opportunities are constantly updated.
Sometimes if you already have a specific company in mind, you can go directly to the companies website and check out their career opportunities and internship descriptions or qualifications.
Remember
One of the most important things to keep in mind is that you probably won’t find your dream internship right away. It is good to gain experience from other job opportunities instead of tossing them aside because you’re determined to start with your favorite, top-notch company.
Also, don’t get discouraged if your first applications don’t get you internship offers right away. Internships are just as much about employers finding individuals who will be the best fit for a position as it is about us finding the companies that give us the best overall experience. Don’t give up!
Network, and do it frequently. Speaking with guest lecturers, professors, and even your peers about internships may give you a step up in the search. Connections can get you far, but be sure to follow up with your contacts to demonstrate that you are serious about any offers they might send your way.
Getting to know the Deans
By Taylor Burke
@tburke93
Dean Battaglino/ PHOTO BY Kenshin Okubo for the Daily Free Press
They may seem intimidating, but Dean Elmore and Assistant Dean Battaglino are much more than busy figureheads on campus. Rather, they are approachable, easygoing people who genuinely love their jobs and getting to know their students. Most people don’t know much about either of the deans’ lives outside of their jobs.
Assistant Dean Battaglino jokingly hesitates to reveal his most embarrassing moments. Instead, he says “I refuse to answer on the grounds that it may incriminate me,” and laughs. He advises students to walk carefully across the BU Bridge in the winter, given his flop on the bridge’s slick, iced-over metal pieces . He said that was pretty embarrassing, which we can all imagine.
Something else you probably didn’t know about Dean Battaglino: he loves The Little Mermaid.
The reason? He claims that it’s both entertainment and a love story. Many of us can relate to these reasons.
When he isn’t watching Disney flicks, Assistant Dean Battaglino may be found listening to Norah Jones, watching the old version of Brian’s Song, or reading Breakfast with Buddha.
Dean Elmore/ PHOTO BY Grace Wilson for the Daily Free Press
Dean Elmore, on the other hand, would rather be listening to John Coletrane or Nina Simone, and reading Ralph Ellison’s The Invisible Man. His favorite films are Martin Scorsese’s Raging Bull or Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing.
Dean Elmore also calls himself a germaphobe, though he is never hesitant to shake someone’s hand.
He used to host a television show called Reality Check on PBS that focused on profiles of New England artists and other interesting people. He jokes that that gig was back when he had hair.
Dean Elmore’s on Twitter, too. Feel free to Tweet at him, but he says that he tends to accidently post publicly on Twitter when he thinks that he is direct messaging someone. After spending some time with the Deans, its easy to see that they’re not so different from all of us students as we may have imagined.
Taco Bell might hate vegetables, and is coming to BU
By Jasmine Ferrell, Staff Writer
@JasmineInBoston
Construction on a Taco Bell inside the City Convenience under Warren Towers is scheduled to begin during summer 2013. PHOTO BY SARAH SIEGEL/DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF
Yesterday, the Daily Free Press reported this summer construction will begin on a new Taco Bell under Warren Towers. This is monumental. A reintroduction into the family of BU connected restaurants is not to be ignored, especially when it’s of the taco variety. Then again, perhaps we should really look into this returner and make sure it’s worthy of its old spot.
And wouldn’t you know it? Taco Bell has a few skeletons in its closet, the most recent being a scandalous commercial meant to air during the super bowl. This commercial called for an actress to bring a veggie tray to a super bowl party. As she was greeted at the door, a voice over stated that her action was “a cop out” and that people will “secretly hate you for it.” To many, this was seen as Taco Bell promoting its hate for vegetables. After so many write-ins and complaints they had to pull it.
Hmm, that’s a bit far-fetched. In my personal opinion, this idea of veggie trays being a bit lack luster is a common truth. Don’t get me wrong, I’m usually the one in the corner obsessively dipping my carrot sticks, but compared to a platter of tacos….eh, you can tell which one will be the more exciting donation. Also, not that it matters much but there are some vegetables present in a standard taco, though they may be without much nutritional value. And one last point: this is a super bowl ad. Can we expect that much from it?
In the end, the multitude of people got so worked up over the supposed veggie discrimination won’t stop Taco Bell from coming back to BU. Perhaps in the spirit of good-will we can all pitch in and get them a veggie tray for the grand opening.
The infamous, “veggie-hating” ad, pulled from TV after much controversy.
FreepOUT: Top headlines of 2012
Boston University and its surrounding city was full of surprises in 2012 and the FreeP was here to cover it all. We had protests and arrests and accidents, oh my! But with 2012 coming to a close The Daily Free Press has compiled some of the news highs and lows of the year.
1. On Feb. 19 men’s ice hockey junior defensemen Max Nicastro was charged with sexual assault. However, the charges were later dropped.
Charges dropped against former BU mens hockey player
2. Boston eagerly awaited election results.
Tensions stir as Boston awaits election results
3. When the campus was plagued by armed robbers, racial profiling became an issue on campus.
Students still feel racial tension despite robbers arrests
4. BU legend, former University President John Silber died leaving the community (and the FreeP) many memories of his turbulent presidency.
The legacy lives on, John Silbers impact on BU
5. Three Students died in a car accident in May while studying abroad in New Zealand
Vigil remembers NZ students
Road conditions in NZ crash analyzed by expert, police say
6. Following the administration’s announcement it was suspending the gender-neutral housing initiative students organized a demonstration and were subsequently threatened with arrest.
Students threatened with arrest at GNH demonstration
7. The MBTA emptied our wallets but still didn’t get us to class on time.
Passengers face fare hikes as MBTA awaits potential revenue
8. The community surrounding the BU biolab continued to fight against its operation, but the FreeP got in for a tour.
Residents speak out against biolab at forum
Biolab scheduled to begin operating in February
Reporter’s notebook: tour of the BU biolab
9. After a slew of bike accidents community members called for increased safety for cyclists.
Officials, advocates seek increased bike safety
10. Two bodies were found in the Charles, proving nightmares about early morning crew practice to be true.
First body found in Charles River ID’d as Cambridge man
Here’s to a new year full of even better coverage!
—Freep E-board Spring 2013
With finals comes comfort food
By Jasmine Ferrell, Staff Writer
@JasmineInBoston
The inevitable “Dawn of Finals” is approaching, and with it comes the accompanying stress. Happiness during these hard times seems like an intangible dream, but fear not, I bring you a solution! I bring you the glory of microwave comfort food. We can’t all have the option of making a cake in a fancy thing called in oven, so I’ve provided some options for even those suffering in the dorms. Feel free to take a break for a couple minutes to enjoy some tasty treats with absolutely no health benefits. Actually, force yourself to take a break. It’ll do you good.
MEME VIA frabz.com
Human puppy chow / IMAGE VIA laprochainefois.blogspot.com
Microwave s’more: Unfortunately, we can’t all have jolly campfires in the hallways, but that doesn’t mean we can’t all enjoy some melted heaven. I caution first-timers to keep a close eye on them as they cook because these things take merely seconds to turn into the size of the Stay Puft marshmallow man. Recipe: … shouldn’t be necessary. Optional add-ins: peanut butter, white chocolate
Puppy chow: Possibly one of the best inventions of all time and another extremely easy recipe that can be shared with multiple people. The only hard part is getting it all to mix just right, but hey the chunks are the best part. Recipe: click here! Optional add-ins: any chocolate candy that can melt
Nachos: In case you need something salty instead of sweet, this is a completely customizable option that takes mere minutes to make. And for added atmosphere, why not play some classic Mexican music while you put it together. That will spice up your life. Recipe: If you really need help, here. Optional add-ins: barbeque sauce
These are just some ideas to get you started, but keep in mind some of the best comfort food is the stuff you come up with on your own. What could be more perfect than throwing some of your favorite things together in one melted mess? All in all, good luck defeating finals and happy eating.
The recurring college debt problem
By Brandon Lewis, Staff Writer
@Brandon_S_Lewis
Student debt is an obstacle that most college students have to overcome once they earn their degrees and move on into the “real world,” if you will. It was recently reported that outstanding student loan debt exceeds $956 billion, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Quarterly Report on Household Debt and Credit.
The student debt crisis / IMAGE VIA schoolimprovement.com
This amount is far greater than outstanding auto loan and credit card debt, according to CNN. Luckily, I’m not too worried about my financial status because my debt isn’t that bad… yet. However my cousin, who will be graduating from Boston University this May, is being hit hard by the effects of college loans. I know lots of students are in her situation. She aspires to enroll in graduate school, but she wants to pay off her debt before taking on more student loans. She plans to work for the two years following her graduation hoping to pay back a substantial amount of the debt she incurred at BU. Some students are hardly lucky enough to tackle debt in two years.
One in five American households is facing the wrath of college debt, according to CBS Miami. The students are not the only ones encountering this financial hurdle. It’s also the parents. Many parents have their own college loans they’re still paying off. Others are helping out their kids and putting money toward the loans. College debt is truly becoming an issue that affects the entire family.
My parents told me not to worry about the financial struggles of college, but it’s hard for me to ignore a problem that will consume my life a few years from now. I just imagine myself as a graduate struggling to find work and being harassed by loan services thirsty for their money. I just don’t want to be that person whose debt exceeds $100,000 because this amount is just way too muchm especially if you can’t even find a job related to your major. Surely, nobody wants debt anywhere near that amount. Paying off loans for the rest of your life basically turns a person into a financial slave. You’ll always be thinking about those dreaded monthly payments.
But how should we avoid it?
America Saves, an initiative of the Consumer Federation of America, and Sallie Mae released a tip sheet last month for graduates, providing advice on how to pay their student loans:
- Know how much you owe each month.
- Make payments automatic.
- Make payments each and every month.
- If you do fall behind, get help.
- Update your servicer with any changes.
- Beware of scams!
- Build an emergency fund in case of unpredictable circumstances.
Well, yeah, okay. The fourth bullet is the most ominous. It’s sad to say that the debt problem is the premier issue for students these days. It’s not fair that we have to worry about staying on top of our studies and our financial statuses simultaneously. But hey, that’s life right? Life is not easy, but it’s almost as if every student is in this situation.
