Tagged: BU Bucket List
BU Bucket List: Rooftop tour
By Heather Goldin, Staff Writer
@HeatherGoldin
Think you know all the secrets that Boston University has to offer? You might have to think again if you haven’t been on Assistant Dean of Students Daryl Deluca’s VIP rooftop tour. What is this mysterious tour, you ask? Only one of the craziest experiences you might have the privilege of enjoying while attending BU. All I have to prove the greatness of this tour are these crazy views of Boston from the rooftops of the School of Management and the BU School of Law. Sorry, I still don’t know where the law library is because I was too busy chilling on the rooftop. But before I get too far ahead of myself, let me start from the beginning.
View of Commonwealth Avenue from SMG / PHOTO CREDIT HEATHER GOLDIN
Deluca knows quite a bit about BU. And he should, considering he has been giving this rooftop tour for 10 years. He claims to have given the tour to well over 10,000 people. It’s a wonder why I haven’t heard of it until recently. On Wednesday, some friends and I met Deluca in the SMG lobby, where he showed off his geography skills. Deluca had been to almost all of our hometowns at some point. I can’t promise he gives every group a special treatment, but I received my very own tin of BU mints. That’s right folk, mints with the BU logo.
The dean led us over to the elevators that supposedly went up to floor six, but when we stepped inside, Deluca swiped his card and we were off to the eighth floor. Did you know the ceiling in the SMG is false? We found ourselves on the presidential floor, home to BU President Robert Brown’s office and full of rooms for special guests to stay in. On the balcony of the eighth floor, we were at eye level with the Citgo sign. When the dean saw us eyeing some odd blocks on the ground, he said they were for scaffolds to attach
to when windows are washed. Each window on BU’s campus is only washed once a year, Deluca said, but it takes an entire year for every window to be washed!
Former BU President John Silber’s office / PHOTO CREDIT HEATHER GOLDIN
On the ninth floor of SMG is the office of former BU President John Silber. One of the many BU secrets of is that within the office (now conference room), there is a safe room built in near the bookcases. By now, we were well above the Citgo sign, but still we went higher, literally onto the rooftop. The view was beautiful, and we even had a clear view up Commonwealth Avenue. Just when we thought the tour was over, Deluca asked us if we wanted to see more. Depending on the group, Deluca usually brings the tour through two or three different buildings, including SMG, BU Law, Warren Towers and the Student Villages.
Our group made its way to BU Law, where we went straight to the top floor and bounded many steps to the rooftop. Since we started our tour fairly late in the afternoon, night had by now made its way across the sky, coaxing the city lights to come alive. If you have not yet been to BU Law, it’s quite tall, so naturally the view was stunning. With the conclusion of our tour, I was left speechless, that is until I found the words to write about it on the FreeP blog.
View of Boston from BU Law / PHOTO BY HEATHER GOLDIN
How do I get in on this amazing tour, you might ask? Asking is all you have to do. Simply request a tour from Deluca himself, and he will be happy to give one to you and a few friends. Deluca’s office is on the third floor of the George Sherman Union.
Happy exploring!
BU Bucket List: Museum of Fine Arts
By Heather Goldin, Staff Writer
@HeatherGoldin
I know you’ve probably heard this Bucket List item a million times, but before you scroll down to the next post just hear me out.
There are multiple stereotypes surrounding museums, namely a huge white-walled building with art older than, well, everything else, ever. Those who truly appreciate art stare at paintings for hours on end, discovering the true genius nature of the piece and why the artist used specific colors and facial expressions. But hey, newsflash! This just in: art is not just old and boring.
Don’t believe me? Speaking from personal experience here—I’m not exactly an art expert—but I think Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts has something for everyone. And what do you have to lose? The museum itself is free for Boston University students, and the only fee you have to cough up is for the T. Just take the B Line to Copley and transfer to the E Line to get off at the Museum of Fine Arts stop.
“Endlessly Repeating Twentieth-Century Modernism” by Josiah McElheny, on display at the MFA / PHOTO CREDIT HEATHER GOLDIN
The Museum of Fine Arts is huge, and it’s easy to get lost. What I found really helpful was a map of all the exhibits that you receive upon entering the museum. You get a new one every time, but feel free to take the map home as a souvenir. The map led me to two floors of contemporary art, and boy, was I intrigued. Every piece seems to stand out, and the many mediums the art is constructed from seem virtually endless. One piece I was drawn to, “Endlessly Repeating Twentieth-Century Modernism” by Josiah McElheny, is a box of hand-blown glass explicitly created to multiply the pieces inside. This piece was just the first of many thought-provoking pieces that I couldn’t help looking at a little closer. I discovered at the museum that art is full of illusions, viewed differently at every angle.
There is so much to see at the museum that you may find yourself there for most of the day.Don’t worry about food. The museum has multiple cafés and restaurants that also serve delicious food and drinks. The Ruth and Carl J. Shapiro Family Courtyard is a great place to relax, eat and get some work done. I took a short break from my museum expedition to enjoy a pumpkin latte and roast beef sandwich from Taste, a café on the first level of the museum.
“The Morning Journal,” an 1895 color lithograph by Louis John Rhead on display at the MFA / PHOTO CREDIT HEATHER GOLDIN
Sometimes, it’s a good idea to wander around, especially when you have no idea what kind of art you might enjoy. I stumbled upon an exhibit titled “Lure of Japan,” scheduled to remain through Dec. 31. I liked this gallery because of the bright primary colors, and the art looked like posters I might hang in my dorm room. Another collection truly exciting to look at was the third floor modern art gallery, and a gallery of instruments found me questioning how I never knew instruments could be so beautifully made.
The best part of my visit to the museum was by far viewing the work of Mario Testino, both a fashion and celebrity photographer. This exhibit will remain until February 2013, so go now while you have a chance! Testino has a small part of his exhibit featuring British Royal portraits, which is quite a sight. I love staring at famous British people as much as the next person, but this small part is nothing compared to the rest of his exhibit. The photos are simply breathtaking, and though I couldn’t take photos as evidence, please take my word for it and check them out yourself.
Some of the art you may just pass by without a second look, but others may stop you in your tracks. The museum is open seven days a week, it’s free and not very far away. So what are you waiting for? Just go check it out already!
BU Bucket List: BU Quidditch
By Heather Goldin, Staff Writer
@HeatherGoldin
What can a group of students do with brooms, partially deflated dodge balls, volleyballs and hula hoops? If you think this is a trick question, think again. This is all the equipment you need to play Quidditch, and Boston University’s Quidditch team has six years of experience. If you are a fan of Harry Potter, competitive sports or avoiding homework on Sunday afternoons from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., then checking out the team may be worthwhile.
HEATHER GOLDIN/DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF
When I first got to the team’s practice location behind Sleeper Hall on West Campus, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Instead of starting to understand how the game was played, I became more confused by the second. However, talking to College of Arts and Sciences junior Katrina Bossotti helped. She’s on the Quidditch e-board and a captain of one of the teams.
According to Katrina, there are a few main rules that have been adapted from the game portrayed in the best-selling Harry Potter series. There are seven players from each team on the field at one time: three chasers, two beaters, a seeker and a keeper. The goal of the game is for the chasers to throw the quaffles (volleyballs) through the hoops while avoiding the bludgers (partially deflated dodge balls) that are thrown by the beaters. If you are hit, you must go back to the hoops on your side. Katrina explained that this is supposed to simulate “falling off your broom, since we can’t actually fly.”
HEATHER GOLDIN/DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF
The game seems difficult to pick up, but the main thing to remember is that the seeker has to catch the snitch. The snitch is usually a cross-country runner or wrestler with a tennis ball in a sock tucked into their pants. He or she has no boundaries, and they can do pretty much anything to avoid getting caught. Once caught, the game ends and the team with the most points is the winner.
School of Management senior Joe Barkus explained to me that while there are seemingly no limits to Quidditch (no field boundaries at all!), you can only catch the snitch with a single hand, and yellow and red cards are issued for fouls. There are four teams at Boston University that practice together, but there is a single tournament team of 21 players that compete in official tournaments on a local and regional scale. Just this semester there are three different tournaments, and in the spring there is the World Cup.
I chatted briefly with College of Communication sophomore Brett Engwall, who plays the position of seeker. Brett began his Quidditch career last year, and he played on the tournament team. When I asked what kept Brett playing, he responded that he was surprised at how athletic the sport is.
“We also form close friendships, especially on the tournament team,” he said.
I learned that the tournaments are even more intense than the practice I witnessed last weekend, highly competitive and violent, but also extremely fun. At the end of a vigorous Quidditch game, the opponents can be seen hugging each other and congratulating their enemies on a good game.
If you are wary of trying something so new, take the advice of College of General Studies freshman Marianne Walters. When she couldn’t join a soccer team at BU, she said Quidditch seemed just as interesting. Marianne heard about the team through splash, and she loves playing. Competitive sports aren’t for everyone, but what good is a sport if there are no fans to cheer them on?
And let me emphasize again that this game has NO boundaries. It’s best to watch this game from a distance because the players are not afraid to blow right past you to keep playing!
HEATHER GOLDIN/DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF
BU Bucket List: BU Hockey
By Heather Goldin, Staff Writer
@HeatherGoldin
Over and over again I was told, “If you aren’t a hockey fan now, when you go to Boston University, you will be.” At the time I was dumbfounded, but after going to the first men’s hockey game of the season this past weekend, I understand what the fuss is about.
Agganis Arena hosts a multitude of musical shows, theatrical performances and, above all, hockey games. You can’t help but get excited at the echo of fans cheering as you ascend the staircase to the second level of the arena. Whether you arrive with friends or go alone, you’re going to have a good time regardless.
Terrier hockey / PHOTO BY HEATHER GOLDIN
A group of BU students in particular caught my attention, sitting in the first two rows of the arena.
School of Management freshman Cooper Davis said the hockey game is a “way to support your school and the BU Terriers working hard for the win.”
CGS freshman Dillon Schuyler said, “Hockey is the best sport on earth, and Boston University is the best college hockey team in the NCAA.”
PHOTO BY HEATHER GOLDIN
To say that BU has a lot of spirit would be an understatement. Coming from a high school without a cheer team or marching band, I find the passionate fans of BU Hockey a severe culture shock. There seems to be a constant current of spirit within the arena, even during a timeout. The BU Band plays recognizable songs in between whistles and breaks in the game. In addition, the dedicated fans have their own synchronized chants and motions to the music. It is quite a sight to see.
As an unspoken rule, the crowd never fails to cheer whenever Rhett the Terrier makes an appearance. There are fun challenges and competitions during breaks in the game, which Rhett is on the ice for. I had a blast at the game, and on my way out I passed by our university mascot.
Rhett the Terrier with Merissa Pico / PHOTO BY HEATHER GOLDIN
When you find yourself at a BU hockey game, there are a few things you should keep in the front of your mind:
1. Fact: No matter what team we’re playing, Boston College Sucks.
Learn it. Memorize it. And don’t forget it.
2. Get decked out in scarlet and white!
Showing up is one thing, but sporting your school colors is another great way to show school spirit.
3. Cheer. Loudly.
I think this one is self-explanatory. And if you go to enough games you are sure to learn every insulting chant Boston University students have thought of. If you ask me I find these chants entertaining to say the least.
Follow the Puck.
If you know what’s going on in the game, you are sure to have a better idea of why there are suddenly entire sections of fans going crazy. Then again, fans tend to cheer at the most random times (see tip number three).
Go Terriers!
The Daily Free Now 