Category: Spotlight
Spotlight: NYC v. Boston
By Stacy Schoonover, Staff Writer
@stacyscootover
Boston: home of the Red Sox, the Bruins, and Boston University./ PHOTO VIA Flickr user Roberto Zingales
I spent this past weekend in New York, and while NYC is the “big apple” and the “largest city in the U.S.” I couldn’t help thinking how much I love Boston more. Don’t get me wrong, New York is amazing — but there is just something about Boston that makes it superior. Let me explain…
New York is amazing because:
1. 24-Hour Subway
This city never sleeps. While Boston just go the T to stay open until 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturdays, New York is transporting people on a Tuesday at 4 a.m., and it’s wonderful.
2. That being said, the city never sleeps
Boston’s bedtime is that of an old married couple having to wake up the next morning for a nine to five workday. New York has nightlife, bars, events and activities at all hours.
3. The streets are blocked, and they make sense
If someone told me I had to be at 42nd and 6th, I wouldn’t have to get out MapQuest, or take a cab just to avoid getting lost or being late. In Boston, the streets don’t make sense. Bottom Line.
4. Central Park is better than the Boston Common
Both are gorgeous… but Central Park has a zoo. A zoo, people! 1.317 square miles of adventures, playgrounds, animals, zoos, concerts, etc. is better than 50 acres of trees.
5. New York is the Cultural Capital of the World
Home to the United Nations and a hub of international affairs, New York is more cultural in food, fashion and other cultural markets. Boston is more centered on remembering the past with its strong historical background.
Boston is way better than New York because:
New York City has a lot to offer, but can it stand up to Boston?/ PHOTO VIA Flickr user Chris Isherwood
1. New York is too crowded
The traffic of the Boston Marathon is the traffic on a normal day on 42nd street in New York. Boston is more livable, and while Boston is still touristy, it doesn’t stand out as much as the most populated city in the U.S.
2. We have the North End
Enough said.
3. Boston smells better
There isn’t as much pollution, and that is a beautiful thing.
4. Sports
Yes New York has won 47 professional championships, but it’s the largest city in the U.S. Boston is the 21st largest city in the U.S., and has won 34 professional championships. Go Sox. Go Bruins. We win.
5. Boston is the hub of history
Home of the Boston Massacre, Boston Tea Party and many other significant moments of the American Revolution, there’s so many historical sights to see. We also have the first public school in the U.S., the first subway system and the Boston Common is the oldest city park in the U.S.
And most importantly, Boston is home to BU, the best school ever! So, we win.
Spotlight: The return of Edgar Allen Poe
By Stacy Schoonover, Staff Writer
@stacyscootover
The FreeP’s take on Poe./ PHOTO BY Maya Devereaux
The goal to bring Edgar Allen Poe back to Boston has finally been reached! The Edgar Allan Poe Foundation of Boston has been raising funds to install Stefanie Rocknak’s Poe Returning to Boston statue, and they finally reached their goal last month.
Rocknak’s statue, chosen from 265 different proposals, shows Poe walking and holding a briefcase with a raven by his side. It’s currently being constructed at New England Sculpture Services in Chelsea, Mass.
Poe, famous for his dark and captivating tales such as “The Raven” and “The Fall of the House of Usher,” was born in Boston in 1809, which the foundation wanted to honor and recognize. Other states show memorials and museums of Poe and his accomplishments, but until now Poe has been kept quiet in the Boston community.
The statue will be installed in Poe Square, located at the intersection of Boylston Street and Charles Street South. Former Mayor Thomas M. Menino dedicated the square, near Poe’s former residence, in 2009, shortly after the Poe Foundation formed.
Thanks to a year of fundraising and a $10,000 grant from the Lynch Foundation, the funding goal of $225,000 has been reached. This money was needed to fund the fabrication, transportation and installation of the statue. It will even cover the maintenance of the statue after installation.
The statue will be revealed at 2 p.m. on Sunday October 5, 2014, just a few days before the 165th anniversary of Poe’s death.
However, here at the FreeP, we were thinking of our own way to honor Poe before October. We thought of locking someone behind one of the walls of the FreeP, putting a beating heart under one of the desks in the office or even keeping a pet raven. But we settled on making a statue of our own. Enjoy.
Spotlight: Visit the MFA
By Stacy Schoonover, Staff Writer
@stacyscootover
Visit the MFA: it’s free for college students!/ PHOTO VIA Flickr user Kan Wu
The Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) in Boston is free for college students, only a short distance from Boston University and has a lot of neat exhibits on display right now that are really worth checking out. Here are a few that can only be seen for a short time! Did I mention admission is free with your BU ID?
1. “To Boston with Love“
Flags sewn in response to the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings are on display in the Shapiro Family Courtyard this month. The MFA brought back the display as the one-year anniversary approaches. More than 1,700 flags were sewn with words of encouragement and thoughtful designs to show love and peace to the Boston community. These flags come from all parts of the world, and show global support for Boston.
On display in the Henry and Lois Foster Gallery until July 13, “Permission to be Global” features Latin American art from the Ella Fontanals-Cisneros Collection. It shows what it means to be global today and includes paintings, photography, video and performance art.
“Think Pink” at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston/ PHOTO BY Rosemary Merrill Loring and Caleb Loring, Jr. Gallery of Textiles, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
3. “Think Pink“
“Think Pink” explores how the color pink has changed in meaning and has influenced art and fashion over time. It’s on display in the Loring Gallery until May 26. The exhibit includes dresses, men’s clothing, jewelry, accessories and paintings.
4.”Quilts and Color“
In the Ann and Graham Gund Gallery until July 27, “Quilts and Color” features approximately 60 quilts of bright colors and designs. Artists Paul Pilgrim and Gerald Roy put together the collection to show the work of mid-20th century art.
With hours upon hours of exhibits to explore, be sure to check these out before they are gone! These displays can’t be seen anywhere else!
Spotlight: The BU Castle
By Stacy Schoonover, Staff Writer
@stacyscootover
BU’s castle is also home to the Pub where you can attempt the Knight’s Quest./ PHOTO VIA http://www.bu.edu/castle.
Well, after attending Boston University for seven months I finally learned that we have a castle… a legit castle.
Located at 225 Bay State Road, this Tudor revival mansion is used mainly for special events, wedding receptions, rehearsal dinners and is also home to the infamous BU Pub.
On the first floor you can find a library, dining room, Great Hall and a music room. It has a capacity of 125 people for a standing reception, and can seat 92 for a dinner.
The construction of the castle was completed in 1915, and after the death of the owner BU acquired it in 1939. Until 1967 the castle housed the president of Boston University, but it became a primary spot for events instead.
Alongside the beautiful early Renaissance architecture, a breathtaking view of the Charles River makes the visit worth it. The castle has select open hours, though they vary due to room rentals. A call ahead would be smart to guarantee a successful visit.
The BU Pub is located in the lower level, for the 21+ crowd. With a long list of signature sandwiches and an old-world Boston pub style, it’s definitely a must see. It’s the only university-operated establishment on campus that serves alcoholic beverages.
Pub-goers can also participate in a Knight’s Quest where participants must drink 50 types of beer. Upon completion, participants get a special mug to use while in the pub and also become knighted in a ceremony.
So seniors, if you haven’t been knighted at the pub or seen the beautiful views of the river, definitely add a visit to the castle on your to do list before graduation. It’s another place that makes BU so special and you don’t want to miss it!
Spotlight: Stay Studious During Spring Break
By Stacy Schoonover, Staff Writer
@stacyscootover
With Spring Break only days away, school is the last thing students (myself included) want to think about. But staying on top of school during the break can really help your stress level and well being for the remainder of this semester. Here are some tips you can use to get ahead and use time wisely during spring break:
1. Look at your syllabi.
Find your syllabi for each class and focus on the next two weeks of classes after the break.
2. Make a list.
Write down the assignments, readings and homework for each class for these next two weeks.
3. Choose a few assignments to complete over break either from each class or from one or two classes.
Getting future readings done is a good use of time and they’re easy to do while lying on the beach, flying on a plane or riding in a car. If the readings are for the not-so-near future, take notes in the margins or on a laptop so that before the due date you can review what you read. It’s a real time saver!
4.Figure out when you’re going to accomplish your academic goals.
Instead of simply packing homework, plan ahead: allocate time to work. I usually pick one assignment per day. I know I’m going to the beach during my break, so I’m going to read a book for my International Relations class on those days. So, don’t let the work get in the way of your plans, but find a way to fit them in.
5. Find a way to reward yourself!
Getting even one assignment done during the break is an accomplishment in itself, so find a way to reward yourself. It’ll help motivate your studies.
Homework is important, but remember to also have fun. Spring Break should give students a breather from the busy life of a BU student. Get work done, but in the words of Donna and Tom from NBC’s “Parks and Recreation”, “treat yo self” to a fun week. We all deserve it!
Spotlight: BU Entrepreneurship Club
Looking for a way to make some dough? Try turning your ideas into reality. PHOTO BY/ Heather Goldin
By Stacy Schoonover, Staff Writer
@stacyscootover
If you have ambitions of starting a business and are in Boston University’s Entrepreneurship club, you’re on the right track! First time you’re hearing of it? Here’s some Q and A on the club to get you started:
Q: What is it?
A: E-Club acts as a networking organization and advances dreams of aspiring undergraduates. From meeting with successful entrepreneurs to sharing ideas with one another, the club is an easy way to build relationships with those in the small business world and start new business adventures.
Q: What does the E-Club do?
A: The club has bi-weekly meetings, holds seminars and has annual events. The club’s main event is what is known as the “Start-Up Weekend.” It’s a three-day affair in the ballroom of the School of Management where students have the ability to create prototypes for businesses, share ideas and converse with business owners and creators.
Q: Is the club successful?
A: Yes! Many club members have started their own start-ups, and used their skills learned to help them achieve. In face, here are a few students who’ve gotten into the entrepreneurial spirit and succeeded:
Dave Basheglia:
Basheglia founded the E-Club, and went on to co-found and serve as current CEO of Tap Lab, a social mobile gaming company. He recently returned to BU to speak with the E-Club about his successes and how the club helped him in his career.
Connor McEwen:
McEwen, a senior in the College of Engineering, works for Dorm Room Fund’s Boston team, a great example of student venture capitalism that invests in student’s start-up ideas. Dorm Room Fund’s goal is to support and inspire more careers in the start-up industry by helping students take their ideas from their dorm room into the market.
Esteban da Cruz:
Da Cruz, current E-Club president, currently works part time at a Yoga studio as well as at local start-up company as an intern. In addition, he just went out on an interview for a start-up in Boston. Da Cruz acts as a mentor for the members by giving them advice and holding office hours where members can get one-on-one help.
For more information on BU’s E-Club, find them on Twitter and Facebook. In addition, McEwen encourages students looking for funding on their start-up ideas to fill out the Dorm Room Fund application on their website.
Take advantage of these links! If you want to turn your ideas into moneymaking corporations, E-Club is the place to be.
Spotlight: Summer Storage Made Easy
By Stacy Schoonover, Staff Writer
@stacyscootover
Don’t end up lost in a maze of storage units./ PHOTO VIA Flickr user Brian Pennington
With the spring semester going so fast, summer plans are in the back of our minds. Want to get a head start on summer preparation? Finding a storage company for all your college belongings is a great way to start. Below are some of the most commonly used services by Boston college students.
1. Cubbyhole
BU alum Jason Kaplan is the cofounder for an app called ‘Cubbyhole’ that finds nearby homes with extra space to store boxes, objects, luggage, etc. Storage can last one day, one month or even one year. Different rate plans are available, starting at $15.
The most popular usage of the service has been college students leaving for the summer or one-day travelers needing a place to store luggage before a flight.
Cubbyhole asks users to login with Facebook and then after determining his or her location, finds storage options nearby.
Users can also be hosts, offering space from a drawer size to an entire room. Hosts keep 70% of the fee, with the remaining 30% going to the Cubbyhole company.
2. Cubesmart
Students can save up to 15% and even get the first month free for using the service Cubesmart where users select a location, choose a cube size and then reserve a unit. Prices for students start at $79.90 per month.
3. Sparefoot
On Sparefoot, users can enter their location and get results for different storage services nearby displaying prices from lowest to highest. Storage space size varies from a 5’ x 5’ cubicle to 10’ x 30’.
4. Fetch- Storage at your Service
Fetch storage picks up the items to be stored, stores them and then returns them. Prices start at $3 for a small crate and then escalate to up to 70 cubic feet for $62 per month. Fetch also offers a cheaper rate to buy boxes and rent crates.
Spotlight: 411 on BU Architecture Opportunities
By Stacy Schoonover, Staff Writer
@stacyscootover
The changing face of the Beijing skyline./PHOTO VIA Wikimedia Commons.
Interested in architecture and want to learn more about it? Here are some ways to get involved with architectural opportunities at Boston University!
The Architecture Club
BU’s Architecture Club is the first club dedicated to enjoying and learning more about architecture. The club acts as a resource for students interested in architecture programs by providing seminars on furthering education and portfolio development.
BU Chapter of the US Green Building Council
The US Green Building Council (USGBC) is a non-profit organization that focuses on sustainable design and construction. The student group aims to raise awareness for sustainability and promote interdisciplinary interaction. The club sees sustainability as a non-exclusive field that inherently involves the joining of many facets of society and academia.
The Global Brigades
The Global Architecture Brigade is part of the world’s largest student-led health and sustainable development organization called Global Brigades. Each year, Global Brigades mobilizes thousands of university students around the world to participate in nine different skill-based programs to improve the quality of life in under-resourced communities. The Architecture Brigades work with engineers, designers and community members to meet local educational and health needs by designing and constructing schools and health centers.
Upcoming Event: “Asia and the City” Forum
What: A forum on the changing nature of the Chinese capital between the late imperial and contemporary periods. Speakers include Ya-chen Ma from the National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan and Shuishan Yu from the School of Architecture at Northeastern University.
When: Wednesday, February 5th from 5-7pm
Where: 154 Bay State Road on the 2nd floor in the Eilts Room
If you’re interested in becoming involved in the Architectural Studies Program at BU, contact Keith Morgan, the Director of Architectural Studies, at knmorgan@bu.edu.
Spotlight: Get to Know Some of BU’s Newest Faculty
By Stacy Schoonover, Staff Writer
@stacyscootover
A new semester brings new professors to campus/ PHOTO VIA Flickr user Lisa Padilla
A full-time faculty count of 2,628 and a student body of 29,978 people can be overwhelming to the average student. With so many faces to know at Boston University, sometimes its not as easy to get to know who our teachers are beyond what they teach in the classroom. However, we’ve made it a bit easier to recognize some new names on the staff to look out for and what they are involved in besides teaching at BU.
1. David Carr
This New York Times media columnist teaches about supporting journalism in the digital era. He still writes for The New York Times and is planning out curriculum this semester for his two courses next year. Carr will be teaching two courses inspired by his column, one for Fall 2014 and one in Spring 2015.
2. Dirk Hackbarth
This international scholar in dynamic corporate finance teaches as an associate professor of finance in the School of Management. He’s also an associate editor of Management Science and Review Finance, and has been published in multiple academic journals.
A retired foreign service officer and United Nations worker now serves as a professor of the practice of international relations. He recently was appointed the Senior Advisor for Security Negotiations and Agreements, where he helped negotiate with Iraq on the Status of Forces Agreement.
Known as a leader in quantum mechanical calculation of complex materials, Bravaya is now an assistant professor of chemistry. She has contributed as a presenter at more than 30 conferences and co-authored a publication of 19 peer–reviewed pieces.
5. Anthony Janetos
Janetos had a previous career in high-impact global change science where he presented before Congress on various environmental issues many times. Now a professor of earth and environment and the Frederick S. Pardee Center Director, Janetos continues to pursue the studies and influence of global change research.
6. Minou Arjomand
Having published articles in Theatre Survey and Perspectives on Europe, Arjomand now serves as an assistant professor of English at BU. She is a co-founder of Morningside Opera and is currently writing a book about how post-World War II trials frame modern drama.
Spotlight: Maintaining New Years Resolutions
By Stacy Schoonover, Staff Writer
@stacyscootover
Will you stick to your resolutions?/PHOTO VIA Wikimedia Commons
Making a new years resolution seems simple, but usually its easier said than done.
According to the University of Scranton’s study of resolution statistics, only 46 percent of resolutions were kept for six months or more in 2013.
So with one month of the new year almost complete, we offer some tips to continue the commitment to our resolutions.
1. Continue to be Realistic
Make sure that your resolution is something that you still really want. For example, if you want to get fit but you hate running, don’t resolve to run a mile per day. It’s okay to modify your resolution. Instead, you can ride your bike or lift weights. Find the best possible option for personal success.
2. Plan Ahead and Stay Organized
If you haven’t been organized about your resolution so far, it’s not too late to start. You can keep a calendar, download a new app, set short-term and long-term goals, and make an outline or even a simple list to keep your plans and progress clear.
3. Keep it Social
Talk about your resolution with your friends so that they can hold you accountable. The more you talk about it, the more you’ll stick to it.
4. Stay Positive!
Lastly, don’t be too hard on yourself! Keep going even when times are tough and before you know it, your resolution will become more natural and rewarding.
The Daily Free Now 