The Daily Free Press
Year xli. Volume lxxxii. Issue xcii.
BUNCH O’ BOOKS Brookline store buys Globe corner’s website, page 3.
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Monday, April 30, 2012 The Independent Student Newspaper at Boston University
‘BLUNT’ HUMOR
Segel, co-star team up for ‘hilarious’ film, page 5
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PERFECTION
WEATHER
Lax finishes perfect conf. reg. season, page 8
Today: Sunny, High 62 Tonight: Cloudy, Low 46 Tomorrow: 51/48 Data Courtesy of weather.com
Boston community holds vigil for GSM student Residents warned of incident in Warren Towers By Amy Gorel Daily Free Press Staff
Boston University students, members of the Indian community and friends of Kanagala Seshadri Rao held candles as they listened to speakers and friends offer prayers for him and his family. “May the light bring an end to pointless crimes,” said Amrit Soni, president of the India Association of Greater Boston who organized the candlelight vigil for Rao Sunday evening in Marsh Plaza. More than 80 people gathered at sunset to remember Rao, a Graduate School of Management student who was killed in Allston April 19. “He was a very genuine person, always helpful whenever you asked questions,” said Lokesh Amarnath, an alumnus of BU and National Institute of Technology in India who was one of Rao’s friends and classmates. In front of a table with Rao’s picture covered with roses, Priest Padmanath offered prayers for Rao and his family. “We are grieving with [Rao’s family] because we have also lost a child in this community,” he said. “One life lost is one too many.” Rao was a wonderful student and a role model to the community in Boston as well as his community in India, Padmanath said. Friends and classmates of Rao went to mourn to show their support. “He was really a good friend, he helped ev-
By Chris Lisinski Daily Free Press Staff
in the financial district, said if they stayed open until 4 a.m., it would increase their revenue and the type of people they serve. “There are people who come in at 10 [p.m.] and people who come in at 12,” Paratore said. “I’m sure there would be another sect of individuals.” But bar owners said they do not lose business by closing at an earlier time because everyone follows the same rules. “Since nobody can be open past that time there’s no business to lose,” Paratore said. “We choose to stay open until 2 a.m. seven days a week.” Vintage Lounge has business right up until 2 a.m. and serves food and cocktails until they have to stop, he said. Lucky’s Lounge experiences the same thing. “We don’t lose business because everyone in the city is on the same level,” Sweeney said. The only bars that run the risk of losing
A female Boston University student was touched inappropriately Saturday night in Warren Towers, according to an alert message from the BU Police Department. “[The student was] inappropriately touched while she was getting off of the elevator in A tower,” the alert stated. The incident occurred around 6:35 p.m. in the residence hall, located at 700 Commonwealth Ave., according to the alert, which was sent to Warren residents. “[The perpetrator was] an unknown male of Middle Eastern descent, 5-foot-10, slim build, clean shaven, with close-cropped black hair, brown eyes [and] wearing a gray sweat shirt,” according to the alert. Members of BUPD responded to the incident in numbers. Both uniformed and visibly armed plainclothes officers were seen in Warren Saturday evening. A BUPD spokesman said no more details could be released at press time. “We will send you updated information when it becomes available,” the alert said. A number of students said they would have liked to see the BU Alert sent sooner, rather than three hours after the incident. “I, at least, would have liked to understand the situation a little bit better, if I was here,” said College of Arts and Sciences sophomore John Sullivan. Dylan Manley, a COM freshman, said the police presence might have made students anxious. “I’m glad they waited a little bit to make sure they knew what was going on and had all the information down, but I wish they told us why there were cops hanging out there,” he said. “It always makes you a little nervous walking through and having that much police presence.” College of Communication freshman Marry Pivazian said she witnessed officers and the victim attempting to identify the culprit in the Warren dining hall. “I was at the dining hall around 6:45 p.m. on Saturday, and I noticed a policeman and a girl walk by our booth,” she said. “They were looking for somebody, and the girl looked sort of troubled, like she’d been crying.”
SEE FULL STORY ONLINE
Alert, see page 4
ABIGAIL LIN/DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF
Students, faculty and others residents mourn the loss of 24-year-old graduate student Kanagla Seshadri Rao Sunday night.
eryone,” said Rishabh Shetty, a GSM student and friend of Rao. “He never had any fights, no trouble with anyone.” Pooja Shah, another GSM student, said, “Our class is very small, this was shocking really.” Shah said she would feel better if the police found a suspect. “We’re upset. It would be good if they could
find someone,” she said. Shetty said he is worried the police do not have any leads and may forget about the case. “It’s a student city, but it’s not safe enough,” he said. “Security has to increase.” Shiva Sheel, a member of the IAGB, said he is very concerned. “Our community has been here for a long
Vigil, see page 4
Bar owners give mixed reviews of final call time in Hub By Megan Allison Daily Free Press Staff
While New Yorkers and Chicagoans can enjoy their cities’ nightlife well into the early morning, bar-goers in Boston must head home at 2 a.m., a closing time typically earlier than other major cities. Standard liquor license holders must close at 2 a.m. in Chicago, although they can apply for an extended opening of 4 a.m., according to the City of Chicago website. In New York, many bars have their last call at 4 a.m. But Massachusetts law places greater restrictions on bars. Jon Sweeney, general manager of Lucky’s Lounge in South Boston, said the bar is only open until 2 a.m. because of licensing legalities. “We have to [close at this time] – the city says when we can stay open,” he said. Massachusetts law states that licensed restaurants are entitled to serve alcohol between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m., although local authorities can choose whether to extend that time to 2 a.m.,
according to the Alcoholic Beverages Commission. But selling alcohol between 2 a.m. and 8 a.m. is forbidden. “We have a 1 a.m. license that’s issued to us by the city,” said Barry Macdonald, owner of Churchill’s Lounge near Faneuil Hall. “We can’t serve anyone after 1 a.m.” Cambridge has similar laws to follow. “Legally our license goes until 1 a.m.,” said Jennifer Gochis, general manager of West Side Lounge in Cambridge. “Cambridge either gives one or two o’clock licenses.” The bar scene in Boston has always been this way, said Sean Glynn, a bartender at An Tain in downtown Boston. “That’s just the way it is,” Glynn said. “We’ve never had it any other way. People are just used to it. You’d gain more trouble staying open later. I think two is a good time.” Owners said a later closing time would bring in a different, more rambunctious crowd. David Paratore, owner of Vintage Lounge
BREAK IT DOWN BU students petition senate, gather signatures for transparency By Sam Fouad Daily Free Press Staff
ABIGAIL LIN/DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF
A member of the InTheMak’n Dance crew performs at The Groundbreakers Showcase, hosted by BU’s X-ception Step Team in the Metcalf Ballroom on Saturday.
Boston University students began collecting signatures for a letter asking support for a bill requiring budget transparency among universities in Massachusetts, activists said. A number of student activists said they aim to send the letter to state legislators, which would ask them to support a bill that would require complete university budget transparency. “Stopping the rising tuition is a long term struggle,” said Brandon Wood, a College of Arts and Sciences junior. “Tuition transparency is one of those concrete steps that needs to be made in order for any of the other things to jump off.” Wood sent an email to friends and groups across campus Wednesday asking for signatures so the letter could be sent Thursday by 9 a.m., according to the email. The bill, commonly referred to as the “Higher Education Transparency Act,” resides in the senate after being introduced Feb. 2, 2011. If passed, the law would require colleges and non-profit organizations to be accountable for their investments, according to the bill. It would
disclose the names and titles of those earning more than $250,000 a year. The bill calls for disclosure of payments exceeding $150,000 a year, either to or from outside individuals or firms. A few hours after the email was sent, 84 signatures were added to the letter, Wood said. Students from Brandeis University and Boston College were involved as well. “We have all read the continuing news of escalating tuition, student debt, excessive executive compensation in non-profits . . . and other problems that show an unfolding crisis,” states the students’ letter, which was sent to Rep. Eugene O’Flaherty, of Chelsea, and Sen. Cynthia Creem, of Newton. “We believe that the blame for this crisis can be attributed to the lack of accountability to the public.” The educational lobby representing the premier private sector universities would prefer students, activists and parents to be silent and “count our blessings,” according to the letter. Aditya Rudra, a School of Management sophomore, said the bill is a good idea but not a necessary one because BU’s financial statements and 990 tax forms are clear.
“If the issue is proving that BU spends too much money on something, that information is there,” Rudra said. “I can show you where the money is going.” However, the bill requires colleges to be more transparent than BU currently is, Rudra said, and the public deserves to know where their money is going. Wood said although the larger debate is about interest rates, he is more concerned with tuition increases. “What are the factors that are involved in that?” he said. “[We can tell] by making it more transparent and seeing where the money’s actually going.” Yayra Sumah, a CAS sophomore, said the transparency of BU’s payroll and financial allocations is only the first step in trying to bring an end to the constant tuition hikes and financial constraints students are in. “Transparency by itself is not going to bring down tuition,” Sumah said. “It’s not going to erase student debt, but you at least have a basis for which you can hold institutions accountable.”