the popularity of Open Newbury in previous years, and a “touristy” place she brings friends when they visit from out of town.
Widdison also said she’d be interested in seeing similar events in other places around Boston as well.
Diego Martinez, a recent graduate of Berklee College of Music, spends most Fridays and Saturdays on Newbury Street singing songs for shoppers and diners as they pass.
Martinez said he thinks the expansion of a pedestrian-only Newbury Street is “beautiful.”
Martinez also said having Newbury Street weekend long, including Friday and Saturday, “would be amazing.”
“As a pedestrian I would love that,” Martinez said.
said Jascha Franklin-Hodge, chief of Streets for the City.
The Mayor’s website describes Open Streets as “events [that] help people experience streets as public spaces where communities thrive. City streets transform into vibrant, pedestrian-friendly boulevards where people can dream, play and explore.” The website also provides information on how businesses, vendors and volunteers can participate in the events.
Shadan Safavi, a street-vending jeweler who sells handmade jewelry on Newbury Street, said last year’s event was “very good for all the small businesses.”
Safavi said Open Newbury Street and other Open Street events can give all of Boston’s neighborhoods “more character.”
By MATTHEW EADIE City Co-EditorNewbury Street — Boston’s premier outdoor shopping and dining street — will be open to pedestrians only on Sundays from July 2 to Oct. 15, the city announced in early May.
The event, named “Open Newbury,” has been held nearly every year since 2016, closing the street to cars from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Berkeley Street to Massachusetts Avenue, allowing for outdoor dining, shopping and play to be extended into the street.
The event expanded from just three Sundays in 2021 to six in 2022, and it will expand further to 16 consecutive Sundays this summer from July to midOctober.
In a statement from the Mayor’s office, Meg Mainzer-Cohen, president and executive director of the Back Bay Association, said they are pleased to welcome pedestrians, shoppers, diners and visitors to Boston’s “iconic” Newbury Street in the coming months for Open Newbury.
“Many retailers, restaurant owners and businesses have quantified the success of Open
Newbury, that led to increased sales, customer engagement and an overall creative use experience of this public way,” Mainzer-Cohen said, according to the statement.
Hailey Widdison, a student at Northeastern University, said she thinks the expanded pedestrianonly days for Newbury Street are “really cool.”
“It opens it up more to the public in terms of walking around, giving some people to do more outdoors in the summer,” Widdison said.
Widdison said Newbury Street is “iconic,” a possible reason for
Five other streets throughout the Boston area will also be carfree on various Saturdays and Sundays through the summer as part of “Open Streets Boston,” a series of single-day events closing streets to cars and opening them to pedestrians — which is being held for the second consecutive year.
This includes Centre Street in Jamaica Plain, Blue Hill Avenue in Roxbury, Harvard Avenue and Brighton Avenue in AllstonBrighton, Dorchester Avenue in Dorchester and Meridian Street and Bennington Street in East Boston, according to the Mayor’s website.
“These events demonstrate what can be possible on our streets when we open them to everyone … Families and neighbors get to explore their communities in new ways and enjoy a safe, fun environment for walking, biking and recreation,”
“It’s really nice to see the vibe of everybody. They are happy, they are in the street … shopping, walking freely, it’s really nice,” Safavi said. “We are very happy about it.”
In a statement, Mayor Michelle Wu said last year’s events were a “reimagining” of what is possible when it comes to Boston’s streets, going on to say the expansion of Open Streets and Open Newbury this summer is part of her administration’s commitment to making Boston “the best place in the country to raise a family.”
For people like Diego Martinez, Open Newbury brings Boston’s communities together to share the streets and neighborhoods in a fun-filled way.
“It’s very refreshing to see the community come out and enjoy all the vendors and the live music,” Martinez said, speaking about Newbury Street. “It really brings a special taste to Boston.”
The Daily Free Press, Boston University’s independent studentrun newspaper, is relaunching an investigative team in the Fall to provide transparent reporting about issues affecting the BU community.
The campus section publishes investigative articles that can require months of in-depth reporting and interviews with students, professors and other BU faculty.
The new team will gather material from sources and tips about concerns regarding clubs, classes, policies and many more issues in an effort to uncover campus injustices.
In the past, writers and editors conducted several investigations, especially during the 2021–2022 academic year. Many of the investigative pieces sparked debate and prompted BU to seek change to uphold the University’s values.
Last spring, the FreeP published a story about program assistants for BU’s My Summer high school program who said they were underpaid, overworked and forced to live without air conditioning in Warren Towers after several students needed medical attention for heat-related illnesses.
Administrators of the summer program have responded to those criticisms by increasing pay, reducing the hours worked, creating more cooling stations in Warren and rescheduling to avoid heat waves for Summer 2023.
A second article highlighted
a petition to rename Myles Standish Hall, named after the Plymouth colony military leader, to Wituwamat Memorial Hall to honor the indigenous warrior Standish killed and beheaded.
The petition was delivered to President Robert Brown and the Board of Trustees with more than 900 signatures. Brown rejected the request on the grounds that Standish had historical significance.
A third article reported about Professor Rodrigo Lopes de Barros — a Black, Brazilian assistant professor of Romance Studies and current interim director of the Cinema and Media Studies Department — who is suing the university for discrimination after Provost Jean Morrison and President Robert Brown turned down his application for tenure without explanation.
Professors and students questioned BU’s decision by expressing concerns about the tenure process and the lack of faculty of color at BU.
A fourth article uncovered the workplace practices of former Orientation Director Shiney James, as told by BU student employees. They detailed how James created a “toxic” work environment while they worked as Orientation leaders, bearing long-term impacts.
After the article’s publication, BU launched a six-month external investigation into James’ harassment of student employees, leading to her resignation.
A fifth article reported allegations of sexual misconduct from former and current students against Christophor Cavalieri,
assistant professor and faculty advisor for BU’s student-run television station, butv10.
Cavalieri has since departed, and Lecturer Adam Boyajy and Associate Professor of Practice Tina McDuffie have been appointed as butv10’s new faculty advisors.
Maintaining administrative accountability will be a top priority after the recent election of the new president and provost. Students should anticipate that the campus news section will be following the search for new leadership and be candid with the BU community.
University administration actions become more apparent as a result of campus investigations, and the campus section aims to
uncover the rationale behind their decisions.
The FreeP has provided news to the BU community for over 50 years. The campus section produces investigative stories and focuses on events occurring daily around campus to keep students informed about what is happening in real time.
Editors and writers collaborate to produce the most relevant and integral research that members of the BU community can read when they are sitting in class or simply scrolling on their phones.
Current events and public opinion are covered in the campus section, including challenges with the housing lottery, President Brown’s retirement, complaints about smoking outside of
Questrom, the protest of BU’s commencement speaker, student government meetings and weekly campus crime logs, to name a few.
Instead of just reporting information as it is made public in a shorter time span — the typical hard news format — the new investigative unit will allow the FreeP to explore all aspects of an incident with the team’s own research over extended periods. Students and staff have the opportunity to share their truth and allow the FreeP to report on it with supporting facts and evidence to improve BU and hold power accountable.
Any tips for campus news can be sent to news@dailyfreepress. com.
From music venues to museum exhibitions, Red Sox games to Pride festivals and Fourth of July festivities, there’s something for everyone to experience in Boston all summer long. For those looking to immerse themselves in Boston’s communities, several events take place around the city that celebrate the people of Boston, past and present.
Boston Pride for the People parade will be held on Saturday, June 10. The parade kicks off at 11 a.m. in Copley Square, followed by festivals in the Boston Common and City Hall Plaza.
Jo Trigilio, vice president of Boston Pride for the People, encouraged visitors to attend the parade even if they are not registered to march.
“Number one, show support,” Trigilio said. “Number two, pride is fun. Pride is a celebration … It’s also commemoration, community building and empowerment, but it’s also really a lot of fun.”
The following Sunday, two more special events will take place.
On June 11, the Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival, an event on the Charles River, will feature cultural performances, food vendors and dragon boat racing. On the same day, the Bunker Hill parade, a tradition since 1786, will commemorate the Battle of Bunker Hill in Charlestown.
Arthur Hurley, the chairman of the parade, said that beyond its patriotic and historical significance, the parade is a fun day of commemoration.
“If tourists are in town, please make plans to be there,” Hurley said. “You won’t be disappointed.”
Those interested in film and supporting New England creators of color can attend the Roxbury International Film Festival, which takes place from June 20 through July 2 at various locations, including the Museum of Fine Arts and Northeastern University. The festival is celebrating its 25th anniversary, with passes and tickets to become available on June 6.
Lisa Simmons, the executive and artistic director of the festival, said the goal is to celebrate stories not usually seen on mainstream media.
“Film festivals are really important to help people move their careers forward,” Simmons said. “It’s a way for you to see stories, be entertained, be educated, [see] great documentaries about places and people … they might not be at another festival.”
Simmons also noted a free online event held for five days of the festival at noon, where local actors will read scripts from local playwrights and local screenwriters and then discuss the screenplays among the online audience.
Beyond these events, summer staples provide ways to keep busy and get to know the city.
Every Thursday, vendors at the Brookline Farmers’ Market on Coolidge Corner sell fresh and local produce from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. Every Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., SoWa’s Open Market becomes a gathering place dedicated to supporting regional and local farmers and artisans.
Boston’s museums are yearround constants, but this summer, limited-time exhibitions will be available at many of Boston’s museums.
The Museum of Fine Arts has several programs listed on its website, including celebrations of Pride on June 9 and Juneteenth
on June 19. All undergraduate and graduate students of Boston University are granted free admission to the MFA with a valid university ID.
At the Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum in the Longwood area — another museum BU students are granted free admission — the “Presence of Plants in Contemporary Art” galleries will open on June 22, featuring artwork created with living plant material.
In the music scene, the city has much to offer listeners of every genre.
Fenway Park will host outdoor concerts by P!NK, Zac Brown Band, Morgan Wallen and Guns N’ Roses, among others throughout the summer, while TD Garden will host Drake, Alicia Keys and LL Cool J, among others as well.
While on the Esplanade, performances to celebrate
Juneteenth will take place on June 8 and 15, for which tickets can be purchased online.
The Leader Bank Pavilion in the Seaport District will host numerous artists this summer, from Charlie Puth to Young the Giant.
The Boston Public Library will hold a “Concerts in the Courtyard” series from June to August, featuring local and student musicians for one-hour performances on Wednesdays and Fridays at the Central Library in Copley Square.
“It’s a beautiful space for music,” said Kristin Motte, the adult programs librarian for the Central Boston Public Library. “You don’t often walk into a library such as this and step out into the outdoors in the middle of it and hear music of different types.”
Boston’s Fourth of July concert and fireworks bring over a million
at a Burger King parking lot, an after-school hangout and hotspot for violence, according to the Boston Globe.
Climate change was another national issue that garnered city-wide action. With the next decade proving to be crucial in the fight against global warming, Boston activists turned their attention to Gov. Maura Healey’s administration to demand truth and action.
In September 2022, the climate action group Extinction Rebellion led an effort to block traffic to call for the government to ban new fossil fuel infrastructure, according to a press release. In February, the group occupied Healey’s office for the same purpose, resulting in 14 arrests according to Boston.com.
Almost three weeks ago, XR occupied the Massachusetts House gallery to halt proposed projects in several local communities, according to the Boston Globe.
By ANNA RUBENSTEIN Associate City EditorProtests on abortion access, gun reform, teacher wages and climate change all took place during the past year in Boston, making the city a microcosm of larger national movements and a champion for local issues.
National tragedies inspired Boston residents to take action in an unprecedented year for mass shootings. Last May, the back-toback tragedies in Buffalo, New York and Uvalde, Texas provoked an outcry from the community.
Ruth Zakarin, executive director of the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, said her organization was involved in the vigil held at Copley Square to honor the 19 children and two teachers killed in Texas.
The coalition also supported other organizations, such as Teen Empowerment Boston, to organize movements to address gun violence, including March for Our Lives rallies at Columbus Park and Harvard University. Another rally was organized by college students and held at the Boston Common following the shooting at Michigan State.
“These public expressions of protest of accountability are really important for leaders and decisionmakers to see,” Zakarin said. “It’s also really important that we show survivors that the community cares and is willing to work to make a difference.”
Students in the neighborhood of Dorchester staged a “die-in” demonstration to underscore community gun violence on May 17. Demonstrators lay motionless
Susan Lemont, XR activist and spokesperson, said the occupation achieved the intended effect of bringing attention to the climate crisis.
“Legislators started paying attention, and we started talking to them more,” Lemont said.
Lemont said XR is planning an ongoing protest at the State House, which aims to have protesters present whenever it is in session, starting June 5.
Youth activists have similarly spearheaded climate protests in the city. Boston’s chapter of Fridays for Future rallied at the State House in March to protest projects such as the Eversource substation, a project in East Boston believed to be environmentally unjust and located in a future flood zone.
Last summer, the Supreme Court’s overturn of Roe v. Wade
sparked a series of protests advocating for the right to abortion, though the procedure remains legal in the state. On the day of the ruling, over a thousand protesters marched in downtown Boston to advocate for those in other states who would be affected, according to WBUR.
This was hardly the only prochoice demonstration to occur since. On Oct. 8, 2022, Bostonians participated in a nationally recognized “Day of Action” for reproductive rights. The crowd flooded the State House lawn with bodies and signs in an attempt to inspire voting before November’s midterms, according to the Boston Globe.
Boston has kept pace with new developments — and declines — to reproductive freedom in the court. When the future of the legality of mifepristone, an FDA approved abortion medication, was uncertain, protests took place on Boylston street.
“Forced motherhood is female enslavement,” read stickers volunteers handed out, according to the Boston Globe.
At local universities, students have advocated for change on a range of issues.
Graduate students at Northeastern University and Boston University spent much of the last school year rallying for unionization in light of alleged lack of financial support. The death of a UMass Boston student at the hands of police incited outrage and protests demanding accountability.
At Harvard University, students protested the continued professorship of John Comaroff, an anthropology professor facing a lawsuit alleging sexual misconduct.
Student activists staged a walkout, a march and most recently an
spectators to the Charles River each year, with a special concert performance by the Boston Pops at 8 p.m. and a firework show beginning at 10:30 p.m. Boston’s Independence Day festivities are an annual celebration of the city’s rich history.
“This is where the fight for American liberty began, and July 4th is a very special occasion here,” according to the website.
Fenway Park will host baseball games throughout the summer as the Red Sox take on the Colorado Rockies, New York Yankees, and Miami Marlins in June. All students in the city are eligible to receive $9 student tickets to select Red Sox games.
Whether you’re looking for a day in the sun at a baseball game, a concert in the Seaport District or a night of festivities on Independence Day — there is much to do for everyone in Boston this summer.
occupation of University Hall, demanding the release of Comaroff and reformation of the school’s misconduct policies.
Educators fought their own battles, including the five-day strike by Woburn Teachers Association for better working conditions from Jan. 30 to Feb 5. Though the strike ended, WTA still faces opposition from the city government.
Amy Cardoso, an English teacher at Woburn Memorial High School, said she found out last week that there will be layoffs, positions will be cut and certain people will be moved into different programs within the school district.
“Many of us feel that that is direct retaliation for the strike, because we did our homework before we went on strike, and we made sure that we knew the city’s finances very well,” Cardoso said.
“The city does have the money to avoid anybody losing their job.”
Cardoso said that despite feeling supported by the community, local businesses and parents, the lack of support from elected officials has created a rocky relationship between the WTA and city government.
“There may be discussions over the summer and early in the school year about how we move forward,” Cardoso said. “We do have a lot of healing to do here in Woburn.”
As history shows, when issues of national and local importance take place, Boston activists will carry on efforts to bring awareness to the issues they care most about.
“One of the ways that we show that this is not okay, this is not acceptable, we have to do something to change this narrative, is by showing up in numbers … to hold leaders and decision-makers accountable to making change,” Zakarin said.
Performance
Boston University On Broadway
Founded in 1994, OB is a musical theater organization that strives to bring musical productions and theater events to campus. There are many different roles members can take on, including acting, singing, dancing, directing, choreographing and producing.
Allegrettos
The Allegrettos, one of BU’s 13 a cappella groups, is an all-gender a cappella group. They perform alternative pop music with R&B influences and perform both on and off campus. The ‘Grettos, like many other a cappella groups on campus, releases its own music.
By LINDSAY SHACHNOW Campus Co-EditorFrom Board Games Club to BU
Beekeeping, Boston University’s 450 student organizations will adorn Nickerson Field this September, eager to recruit new members.
Thousands of BU students attend the club fair each year to learn more about how they can get involved on campus.
Come with both some knowledge of BU’s club offerings and an open mind.
Professional CleanTech Club
CleanTech Club aims to bring engineering students together to promote sustainable technology. The club seeks to teach its members about clean technology and encourage them to take action by inspiring environmental innovation.
Pre-Medical Society
BUPMS’s mission is to support
students in their path to medical school and their future in the field.
The club gives premedical students exposure to the medical profession, offering lectures, volunteering opportunities and MCAT strategy sessions.
Political Boston Political Review
Founded in 2014, the BPR is a non-partisan political publication. The BPR produces articles that incorporate elements of traditional news and academic research across five sections: global politics, health and science, U.S. politics, social and business and local politics.
BU also has many political groups, including BU College Republicans, BU College Democrats, Young Americans for Liberty and Young Democratic Socialists of America. Each group focuses on similar topics, but some work to find common ground, while others engage in civic action.
Liquid Fun
Liquid Fun is an improv comedy troupe performing free shows on campus each month. The group also hosts weekly open practices where participants can learn and perform improv.
Media
WTBU
WTBU, founded in the 1950s, is a student-run radio station broadcasting 20 hours a day. Students produce shows about a variety of topics including arts and culture, entertainment, sports and music.
BUTV10
One of the largest student groups on campus, BUTV10 is a studentrun content distribution network. Students produce news, sports, drama and comedy programs and have access to the College of Communication’s production studios.
Cultural
BU offers many clubs — including Russian Speaking Society, French Club and Italian Students Association — that give students the opportunity to learn about different cultures and practice their language speaking skills.
There are also many dance groups at BU — Jalwa, Chankaar, Sabor Latino and Step About Boston — many of which compete and perform in Boston and across the country. Students who want to expose themselves to various cultural dance styles can participate in Amplifiers of Cultural Dance’s free biweekly workshops.
Service
Alzheimer’s Buddies
Members of Alzheimer’s Buddies work with residents at a local memory care facility and participate in group discussions reflecting on these experiences and talk about the latest in Alzheimer’s research.
Alpha Phi Omega
BU’s APO chapter is a genderinclusive community service organization, committed to addressing social justice issues in Boston. APO partners with the Sexual Assault and Response and Prevention Center on campus to pack safe sex kits for the BU community. APO also works with local organizations like the American Red Cross, Cradles to Crayons and Boston Rescue Mission where active members can complete their minimum requirement of 20 community service hours.
Recreational
BU Beekeeping
BU Beekeeping aims to promote sustainability at BU through the numerous honeybee hives it tends
to on campus. Members learn about bees’ role in restoring ecosystems and pollination.
Board Games Club
Board Games Club provides a space where participants can play non-digital games like Codenames, Spyfall or Betrayal. General meetings are open to all BU community members. The club also hosts card game events periodically, including tournaments.
Greek Life BU offers 10 Panhellenic sororities and seven fraternities recognized by the Inter Fraternity Council. Co-educational fraternities — including Alpha Chi Sigma, Alpha Kappa Psi, Beta Psi Omega and Delta Kappa Alpha — focus on chemistry, business, biology and cinema respectively and offer members leadership and professional development opportunities.
Student Government
There are many ways to get involved with student government at BU. Boston University Student Government represents all undergraduates and is composed of three branches: executive with the executive board and the cabinet, judicial with the judicial commission and the student elections commission and legislative with the senate and senate standing committees. The executive advisory commission oversees BU Student Government archives.
Each college within the larger university has its own governmental body advocating for the interests of the students in each respective school.
Sprawling from Allston to
BY MARA MELLITS Business AssociateFenway to Back Bay, Boston University’s large campus encompasses more of the city than you may think. For those who are new to Boston, one of the first things you may notice are the city’s sustainability efforts — from Bluebike stations parked alongside streets, paper bags in lieu of plastic ones and even green to-go containers at the George Sherman Union. If you’re looking for ways to reduce waste and live city life in a sustainable way, here are the most eco-friendly businesses near BU’s campus for you to explore as you get to know Boston.
Life Alive Organic Cafe (888 Commonwealth Ave.)
Located in the heart of West Campus, Life Alive Organic Cafe is a plant-based chain in the greater Boston area, with nine locations and a tenth to open this fall, according to CEO Bryan Timko.
Timmy said Life Alive caters to the 40% of Americans who eat meat but want to try and eat less of it.
“The challenge that they have is, ‘I don’t know how to do that. It’s not how I was brought up. I don’t have the skills to do it at home,’” Timko said. “That’s the gap Life Alive is committed to filling.”
He said his generation was brought up to think about a home-cooked meal in “one simple way”— a protein, a starch
and a vegetable, which was often frozen.
But that has since changed.
Timko said Life Alive is committed to serving organic and ethically-sourced produce, with the menu changing two to three times a year to accommodate seasonality.
“Each and every cafe that we have, there are hundreds of pounds of organic produce that come in in cases in the back door six days a week,” Timko said.
Regarding sustainability, Life Alive focuses on food waste, reusable plateware, recycling, composting and sustainable packaging.
That means the restaurant uses the entire ingredient and composts food as well as their to-go packaging.
Timko said even though Life Alive has nine cafes and McDonald’s has over 10,000 locations in the U.S., Life Alive can “blaze that new path.”
“Maybe we get more people to follow us because it all does make a difference. Every little bit we do contributes to not just our bodies, but the planet that we all share as well,” Timko said.
Clover Food Lab (800 Boylston St. and 360 Longwood Ave.)
A 20-minute walk from East Campus or a five-minute walk from the Fenway Campus, Clover Food Lab is a fast-food vegetarian chain restaurant that wants you to “dream about vegetables,” according to its website.
But don’t be intimidated by the fast food label, said Chief Marketing Officer Kiernan Schmitt.
“We’re trying to transform fast food to mean that it’s still locally sourced, that it’s still healthy, that it’s still delicious, but you can get it quickly, which is, of course, the big appeal,” Schmitt said.
Even though Clover is a vegetarian restaurant, 90% of its customers are meat eaters, Schmitt said.
Clover’s founder Ayr Muir founded Clover as an experiment to try and make vegetable-based food so good that meat eaters would repeatedly come back to it. And it worked.
Muir initially opened a food truck at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2008. Now, Clover has 15 locations in Massachusetts.
And even though the restaurant has expanded, it still locally sources from farms across New England and upstate New York.
“Our menu is constantly adjusting based on what produce is most readily available and what is at peak flavor,” Schmitt said.
Schmitt said Clover changes its menu two to three times per week. This could be minor things like a soda syrup or larger things like sandwiches.
“Because we’re a company that’s been around since 2007, we’ve got a library of recipes, over 1,800 recipes long,” Schmitt said. “When we hear what produce is available, we’ll go to that library and we’ll select out the sandwiches, the soups, the platters, the salads that best accommodate those.”
Right behind West Campus’s Claflin Hall, the Goodwill store
is a large chain that resells
donations. The chain has more than 3,300 stores across the U.S. and Canada, according to its website.
But its ties to BU don’t stop at its convenient location. Goodwill was founded in Boston by a BU School of Theology alum, Reverend Edgar J. Helms.
In 2022, local Goodwills diverted 4.1 billion pounds from landfills, according to its website. Since May 2009, BU has partnered with Goodwill to do the same — divert waste that students would throw out to donations for the store. The program, called “Goodwill, Not Landfill,” accepts clothes, shoes, bedding, decor and more.
According to James Harder, director of communications and public affairs at Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries, Goodwill provides bins at residence halls during moveout to “collect goods that might
otherwise be thrown away when students were moving out.”
After all the donations are collected, they’re taken to Goodwill’s distribution center in Roxbury and then distributed to all 14 Goodwill stores in Massachusetts.
Harder said “Goodwill, not Landfill” was started by former College of Communication Professor Peter Morrissey, who was also the former chairman of Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries in Boston.
Students from COM’s PRLab work with Harder in promoting the program through social media, press releases and more, a partnership instituted by Morrissey.
“The students always donate really great items, and those are things that go back in our stores and people find them and [are] thrilled that they’re making this great find,” Harder said. “It’s a great program.”
Academic institution or film set? Boston University has been both. Over the past 15 years, BU’s campus has been featured in several movies — as itself, other colleges and even a haunted house.
Charles Merzbacher, an associate professor of film production at BU, said that production crews consider two factors when choosing locations for their films: appearance and practicality. But these factors can be contradictory—a location that provides the perfect setting may not have enough surrounding space for the cast, crew, and equipment needed to shoot the scene.
As a result BU, has earned screen time in a few feature films.
“21” (2008) “21,” which follows six Massachusetts Institute of Technology students who become card-counters in blackjack and take on several Las Vegas casinos, was not actually filmed at MIT, but across the Charles River at BU.
“Ironically, it was easier to shoot in the casinos in Las Vegas than it was to shoot at MIT,” Merzbacher said.
According to Merzbacher, who conducted a Q&A with two of the film’s producers while they were at BU, MIT felt that the film’s focus on gambling did not adequately reflect the school’s values as an educational institution and did not permit “21” shoot on campus.
As a result, the MIT scenes
in the film actually take place at BU. Merzbacher said that BU’s proximity to the Charles River and urban Boston campus made it a good double for MIT.
“21” shows plenty of campus hotspots that BU students may recognize — from classrooms to the Castle and the newly built FitRec.
Sara LaFever, a junior in the College of Communication, said she sees the appeal of BU as a filming location.
“Campus honestly has a lot of good areas [to film], because you get open green space versus city areas right next to each other,” she said.
“The Social Network” (2010)
After mishaps during the filming of “Love Story” (1970) moved Harvard University to prohibit any film crews on its campus, directors have had to search elsewhere for locations to depict the university. This includes the 2011 Academy Award for Best Picture nominee “The Social Network,” a biodrama about Mark Zuckerberg and the legally controversial origins of Facebook.
Director David Fincher and his crew filmed at multiple schools to stand in as Harvard. One of these schools was Wheelock College, which BU absorbed in a 2018 merger between the two colleges. Some Harvard scenes in “The Social Network” were filmed outside 200 Riverway, which houses an administrative building in what is now the heart of BU’s Fenway Campus.
“Spotlight” (2015)
There are no glimpses of BU’s
official campus in “Spotlight,” a movie based on the Boston Globe’s 2002 investigation of abuses by local Catholic priests. However, this 2016 Academy Award for Best Motion Picture winner features scenes of the interior and exterior of the Boston Public Library. Just four T stops from BU East, the library is a popular workspace for many BU students, according to LaFever.
“So many BU students go to BPL,” said LaFever. “It feels like an extension of campus, honestly.”
In the film, journalist Sacha Pfeiffer, played by Rachel McAdams, pours over her research in an empty Bates Hall, the silent study room on the BPL’s second floor, until closing time. The experience is familiar to any BU student who has lost track of time while working among Bates’ recognizable green lamps, high rounded ceilings and dated wooden tables.
“Ghostbusters” (2016)
In August 2015, the BU Castle diverted from its usual job as an event space. The “Ghostbusters” crew sectioned off the Tudorstyle mansion for a one-day shoot to transform it into the run-down Aldridge Mansion Museum, where the Ghostbusters face their first ghost, according to a 2015 BU Today article.
The Castle’s cameo is limited to its exterior, though—the interior that appears in the film was shot at the Ames Mansion in Easton, Massachusetts, according to Architectural Digest.
Across the street from the Castle, bits of Bay State Road made the cut as well, according
to Patrick Browne, a history lecturer at BU. Upon watching “Ghostbusters,” he noticed a familiar sight: his own office.
“Right across the street from the Castle is the history department, where my office is and where, at the time when [“Ghostbusters”] came out, I was doing my graduate work getting my PhD in history at BU,” Browne said. “It was very funny to see the history department right in that shot.”
Some “Ghostbusters” scenes also took place at Emmanuel College in Fenway, which borders BU’s own Fenway Campus. Emmanuel College’s campus was set up to resemble Columbia University, according to a 2015 People Magazine article. Kristen Wiig and Melissa McCarthy filmed scenes at Emmanuel’s quad and outside the Yawkey Center at 400 Fenway—a short walk from Fenway campus.
“Mr. Church” (2016)
2015 was a big year for filming on campus — not long after “Ghostbusters” took over the Castle, production for “Mr. Church” took place at other locations on campus, according to a 2016 BU Today article.
“Mr. Church” is about the bond that forms between a young girl named Charlie, played by Britt Robertson, and the family cook, played by Eddie Murphy, who cares for her while her mother has cancer.
Charlie ends up going to college at BU, so the end of the film features glimpses of Bay State Road and Marsh Chapel. Of these films, “Mr. Church” is the only major motion picture in which BU plays itself.
“There’s definitely a sense of pride with it,” said LaFever about seeing BU on screen. “Especially as a film major, it’s cool to know that these massive movies have shot there.”
The average college student might be sitting through hours of lectures and dozing off in windowless, uninviting classrooms each day. But, that doesn’t have to be the fate of a Boston University student.
Instead, BU students have the city of Boston at their fingertips and resources that each college provides to ensure hands-on learning opportunities. Though these experiences are optional, many faculty members and students would urge everyone to try at least one, as learning outside of the classroom can make the BU experiences that much better.
Study Abroad
BU has a very extensive study abroad program, with different locations and programs available to each college and major.
Aidan Walsh, a rising senior in the College of Communication, recently studied abroad on the London internship track. Many BU study abroad programs offer internship opportunities, which allows you to gain real world experience in your field.
“It was great to have an internship that was related to journalism,” Walsh said. “I could deepen the skills that I’ve learned so far and do it in a completely new place and facing different challenges.”
She said that living abroad made her a stronger person and added to her character.
Though the semester abroad comes with challenges, such as cultural differences and being far
from the BU community, Walsh recommends studying abroad during the time spent as a BU student, especially for the personal and academic growth that comes with it.
“It’s kind of hard to regret going abroad, I think,” Walsh said. “No matter what, you’re going to learn so much about yourself and you’ll come out a new person and have all these skills.”
Perform
Whether a student in the College of Fine Arts or not, there are bountiful opportunities to supplement a BU education with performance.
The College of Music hosts hundreds of performances each year, allowing students to gain experience in front of live audiences. A dozen seniors are even invited to perform at the prestigious Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York City each year.
For thespians, there are also many opportunities to display what content learned in class through quarterly productions. These range from popular musicals and plays to masterclass projects and workshops.
Rather than sitting in lectures, theater students participate in studio learning, practicing and applying what they’ve learned onstage. Even as a student outside of CFA, BU on Broadway is a club open to all. BUOB hosts multiple shows a year, where everything from costuming, lighting and acting is done by students.
Create a Business Students in the Questrom
School of Business participate in Questrom Cross-Functional Core that culminates in creating an actual business plan. Four Questrom classes — Introduction to Corporate Finance, Analytics, Marketing Management and Operations Management — as well as a semester-long business plan project encompass the core requirement. According to the Questrom website, in Core, “Students work in teams across the disciplines of finance, marketing, operations management, and business analytics to develop a product or service, and create a full-fledged business plan.”
However, non-Questrom students can take business courses and learn from business professionals, many of whom work, or have worked, in corporate America. Plus, the skills learned have culminated into students creating real businesses.
An example of this is ShopSwapp, a buying and selling platform for BU students. The platform was started by College of Engineering seniors Katie Hill and Mikayla Crowley in 2022 and inspiration sparked from a class taken for their concentration in technology innovation. The start-up they were required to pitch in class
turned into a real business venture, allowing them to become finalists in BU’s New Venture Competition. While these opportunities may provide an idea of the vast number of ways students can learn hands-on at Boston University, they are not all-encompassing. BU offers many clubs that allow for low-stakes and low-commitment ways to gain realworld experience in areas related to class material or not.
For example, a journalism major can learn hands-on about the world of broadcasting with BUTV10, photograph for a magazine, such as the Buzz, or even write for the Daily Free Press.
BY MADI KOESLER and ZIYU (JULIAN) ZHU
Boston University class of 2023 had their commencement ceremony in Nickerson Field last Sunday amid controversy around the speaker, Warner Bros. CEO David Zaslav. The Writers Guild of America protested outside the event while several students booed Zaslav during his speech.
is fluidity and adaptation.
Making friends shouldn’t be a state of mind you assume for a week and turn off after finding the WatchMojo Top 10 Coolest People on the Timeline. Getting too comfortable with social media might foster an antisocial energy in the real world. If you’re content with the followers and group chats, why bother talking to the person sitting next to you in lab or joining a club that has nothing to do with your major?
Additionally, these warnings come with the mindset that social networks are being used to make friends, ignoring their modus operandi: to incite jealousy.
LYDIA EVANSU.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy recently issued a public advisory warning about the risks of social media on young people.
In the midst of Montana banning TikTok, Utah restricting social media services for users under 18 and Facebook whistleblowers confessing the company’s knowledge of the harm their platform causes its users, it seems social media networks have grown taboo in politics. This increased hesitancy to embrace social media should spread to college campuses, especially amongst incoming freshmen.
Considering the first way you make friends and meet potential roommates is following everybody with BU Class of 2027 in their bios, joining Facebook groups and posting to Snapchat stories, the prospect of unplugging for freshman year may feel like the naive words of someone too far removed from the experience of being new.
However, despite using social media for initial connections, virtual friends rarely make it for the long haul. Inventive replies to Instagram stories may be a great way to get yourself out of the dorm those first few days on campus, but relying on direct messages via social media robs you of the chance to meet people organically.
For some, it can be easy to meet five people and call it a year, content with the crew they accrued during their Boston University genesis. But the key to college
Just as easily, the loneliness of a freshman semester can be exacerbated by constant exposure to what everyone else is doing all the time. Whether that be seeing other freshmen who’ve seemingly already made their BFFs for the next four years or constantly refreshing your feed to make sure you’re out-partying your high school friends — the anxiety of comparison makes it that much harder to live in the present.
Another aspect of social media which may stop you from actually living is escapism. We all know the bliss of retreating into TikTok for seven hours of dopamine-laced content that makes our brains go “yay.” Still, avoiding the scary experience of meeting new people by ignoring reality delays problems without resolution.
Referring to social media usage as a choice versus a necessity is, of course, a privileged take. For many LGBTQ+ students for example, social media presents an opportunity to find others in their community when they’re unable to do so beyond the screen. When you can’t express yourself as you’d like on a daily basis, having people there, even virtually, who understand your experience can make a world of difference.
For those who suffer from physical or mental health issues that make in-person socialization a taxing, or even impossible, experience, social media offers a possibility for connection in a more accessible arena.
This feature of social media, being a melting pot of voices, a blanket from the loneliness of the real world, is acknowledged by the surgeon general’s
report. With that however, the many harms of excessive social media usage such as attention problems, sleep issues, feelings of exclusion, depression and anxiety are cited as well, and cannot be discounted.
Assuming you are reading this and are among the target audience for this advice, you are young. Maybe you’ve been using a phone since you were six. You were probably in middle school when “13 Reasons Why” came out and we all got letters home about the dangers of cyberbullying. You were probably also forced to watch the 2011 movie “Cyber Bully.”
We’ve been hearing of the dangers of social media since we were kids. Now as young adults, hearing forty-somethings rant about TikTok and why Instagram is bad for you feels a lot like getting stabbed in super slow motion, like it takes 10 years for the knife to make contact as some guy nonchalantly watches from the sidelines. And then when you finally start bleeding he asks: “Are you okay?” No. You’ve just been stabbed and he did nothing about it for ten years.
It’s easy to think that because of this removed attitude towards social media
addiction we all have, that it’s a moot point to delete Instagram. We’re all aware we use the apps too much, and we’re content with just being aware. But just knowing something is hurting you doesn’t make the hurt stop. So if you feel social media is a pain, perhaps seek a band aid.
Deleting the apps which worry you is an easy solution. And if you need a quick fix Instagram, Facebook and Twitter are a millisecond away for you to check in on friends on your laptop, avoiding constantly opening the app on your phone.
All in all, social media, like anything else, is about knowing your limits and exhibiting control. No one is calling for a ban or asking you to throw your phone in the ocean (besides from Lorde in her 2021 single Solar Power), but friends can be found in many places that are not lines of code.
Join clubs, talk to people in classes, ask to sit with strangers at the dining hall if you feel so moved — it can be exhausting and draining and sometimes it won’t work. Your freshman year may be great, or it may be a flop, but at least you know you left your fate up to your words and not your Twitter fingers.
ILLUSTRATION BY LILA BALTAXEOn May 3, Boston University announced David Zaslav as the headline speaker for the University’s 150th Commencement address.
Zaslav is the president and chief executive officer of Warner Bros. Discovery, but he has recently made headlines in national media for failed negotiations with the Writers Guild of America. The negotiations aim to improve compensation and working conditions for writers across the country.
Despite the controversy surrounding Zaslav and the heap of bad press targeted at him, the University opted to stand behind Zaslav and maintain his standing as the 2023 Commencement speaker.
BU’s unwavering commitment to Zaslav only reflects poorly on the University and its judgment. Given that the writers strike officially started May 2, BU had time to scrap Zaslav as the headline speaker before announcing him. They then opted to stick with Zaslav despite the negative reaction from students, faculty and the rest of the BU community prior to commencement.
For a university in the midst of a large change in administration, this does not provide hope for the future of the BU community.
The affected party of the writers strike includes a large population of young writers recently out of college working entry level jobs in the film and television industry — exactly the demographic Zaslav addressed in his speech.
Given that, the speech went exactly as expected: Not great.
Students who were on the fence about
attending the hours-long commencement were swayed not to attend their last hurrah at the university simply because of the poor choice of speaker. BU’s tonedeaf decision to stick with Zaslav led to protests and demonstrations before, during and after the ceremony.
Some students showed up to the ceremony donning signs in protest of Zaslav and his role in preventing writers across the country from being fairly compensated, and rightfully so.
BU had the time and capability to pull Zaslav as the speaker. A decision to pull him would have made the university look better. It would have been a move of
ILLUSTRATION BY LILA BALTAXEsolidarity to show support for the writers — the backbone of the film and television industry — who struggle to make a decent living.
With Zaslav, BU kept the tradition of having a successful alum to motivate the graduates as they embark on the next stage of their lives. However, there were many options that would have been equally as inspiring and significantly less problematic. BU even hosted Bob Woodward, a non-BU college graduate, as the 2022 commencement speaker.
Other schools around the Boston area had commencement speakers students were excited to hear from. Boston
College, BU’s Commonwealth Ave. rival, hosted Oksana Markarova — Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States.
When examining BU’s two decisions, one is significantly worse than the other. First, BU’s decision to name Zaslav as the speaker in the midst of the writers strike is bad. However, the University’s decision to stick with him despite the opposition from the community is much worse.
While some may believe the saying, “any press is good press,” this is certainly not the case for Boston University. The University made headlines across national media for all the wrong reasons. It’s more than just a poor send-off for the 2023 graduates who spent four years of hard work and dedication to be in the position to graduate.
The self-inflicted controversy BU flung itself into also sets a bad example for the incoming class of 2027. High school graduates want to be proud of the school they committed to for the next four years of their educational journey. With BU’s commitment to such a controversial figure, it’s hard to be proud of the University.
BU’s poor choice for the commencement speaker only shines a brighter spotlight on the upcoming decisions expected to be made within the next year. Longtime president Robert Brown announced his retirement earlier this year. Although BU hired Kenneth Freeman to serve as the interim president while the university searches for its next leader, the search is still ongoing. BU opened itself up to criticism for every decision they make in the near future.
By ANALISE BRUNO Lifestyle Editor
As a New England girl living and going to school in a New England city, it is my duty, if not my civic obligation, to prepare you for all that comes with moving to the wonderful city called Boston.
Students who attend Boston University come from all four corners of the country and some even outside of it — but the East Coast has its own special set of challenges. From bitterly cold weather to insane wind tunnels and driving so fast that it makes you want to cover your eyes, Massachusetts is a state that brings its own set of challenges. While these changes may be a big difference from what most are used to, it’s important to be in the loop before arriving on campus in the heart of this very mighty city.
As a native Bostonian, my most fond culture shock came on my own turf. As the word “draw” fell out of my mouth, my roommate and friends across the hall stood and looked at me with utter shock before teasing began. Apparently, “drawer” is the proper way to pronounce where you put your folded t-shirts and underwear. To avoid some awkward confrontation, just know that you’re about to enter a city where the letter “r” is nonexistent — and yes, that means car is “cah” and yard is “yahd.”
There’s also the popular adjective “wicked” that we attach to most things to add extra emphasis. So sometimes the weather can be “wicked cold” or a person can be “wicked smart.” (correction: “smaht”)
Lastly, this state has a history of naming some places after strange words. “Gloucester,” “Worcester,” and “Leominster”
ILLUSTRATION BY LILA BALTAXEare just a few odd-ball names to add to your vocabulary, though you’ll probably never say them right.
And be warned now, it’s not just the accent you should be aware of. You’ll find that of the many people you will converse with from Massachusetts, most of them will come across as somewhat standoffish or flat-out rude — but I promise we’re not. It’s just the New England way! We can be just as cold as the weather.
Speaking of the weather, while I don’t recommend making the
mistake of packing your whole closet as I did, I highly suggest bringing layers and multiple of them. If you’re from the New England area, you already know what it feels like to walk through the bitterly cold winds and spinechilling snow, but if you’re anywhere from the Midwest and farther, mentally prepare yourself for what you’re about to face.
Perhaps only the students from Alaska will find some relief in Boston, but for everyone else, get ready. The months of September and October feature weather as different as night and day.
Monday might be sunny with a high of 70, and it could be snowing by Wednesday. When Boston gets good weather, a stroll down Commonwealth Ave. might feel like a dream, but when the frost, hail, sleet and snow begin, get ready.
Black ice is real, and you will slip and fall on your butt right before everybody. Frostbite is also a constant risk, so hats, gloves and scarves are no longer a fashion statement — they are a necessity. And with all the exceedingly tall buildings, you are bound to get caught in a wind
tunnel so powerful it may threaten to pry an Airpod out of the nook of your ear.
My one solution for this is to bundle up and bring durable shoes. Snow is as common as a day of sun, so Boston sees very few snow days.
But alas, despite the frigid temperatures, you should know that the harsh weather will never separate a New Englander and their iced drink. Iced coffee is a staple beverage practically coursing through most people’s veins here. While Starbucks, Dunkin’ and many other coffee shops offer an array of delicious hot cappuccinos and americanos, nothing can beat an iced cold brew or latte in Boston.
Culture shock is inevitable and is a crucial rite of passage when entering a new environment. Values, norms, standards and expectations vary from place to place, and while they can sometimes be hard to adapt to, they are critical components to finding your way.
So as you make the move to BU, keep these norms in your back pocket for safekeeping. But be warned, the drive here, from a surrounding area or the airport, will likely be your first taste of change. The blinker is a nonexistent tool for most Boston drivers, and “flipping someone the bird” is a natural part of the state-wide issue with road rage. Although all of this may sound scary or frightening, Boston is a beautiful city with a lot of heart in the grand scheme of things. Anxiety is normal, and that “fish out of water” feeling is temporary because if there’s one thing about New England, once you learn to adapt to the culture, you’ll find a greater appreciation for the entirety of it all.
There is no denying that beginning college — no matter how old you are, where you are from or where you are studying — is a nerve-wracking experience. Each of us current Terriers have stood in your shoes, whether as first-years or transfers to the university.
Regardless of how and when your first days as a Terrier begin, it is essential to remember that all of your feelings about starting college — the goods, the bads and the inbetweens — are valid and normal, and you are not alone!
Today I have gathered some of my favorite tips and tricks for embracing all the emotions on entering college.
Practice mindfulness
While I understand this practice is far easier said than done, mindfulness can go a long way to practicing self-compassion and being more present throughout college immersion.
Defined by Headspace as “the quality of being present and fully engaged with whatever we’re doing at the moment — free from distraction or judgment, and aware of our thoughts and feelings without getting caught up in them,” mindfulness allows us to be more compassionate toward ourselves through the inevitable ups-anddowns of college (and, of course, life).
Cool enough, being a student at Boston University grants you free access to the Headspace subscription! The program has meditations and mindfulness practices for all kinds of situations,
including “How to Do More of What Matters to You,” “For Challenging Times” and “Navigating Injustice,” among others.
As a frequent user, I strongly recommend you try the app — it has become an excellent outlet for me to pause in my day and reflect.
Get some fresh air
According to Physio Falmouth Plus, the benefits of getting fresh air may include greater brain clarity, an increase in serotonin which promotes happiness, reduced risk for airborne illnesses and greater cellular function.
BU’s campus spans across two miles of Commonwealth Avenue and is parallel to Bay State Road, home to many of BU’s east campus buildings and dormitories — including the BU Beach that grants students a clear view of the Charles River!
And, according to BOS Today, Boston was the third most walkable large city in the United States in 2022. What better way to get those fresh air perks than to take in the beautiful views, learn your way around campus and explore?
What is more, Bluebikes — a form of transportation in Boston that allows you to rent bikes — are stationed throughout campus to provide convenient and quick access to cycling around the city.
For those looking for a convenient place to walk, jog or bike, the Charles River Esplanade path is just north of campus (and can be seen from the BU Beach!) and is a beautiful route to enjoy the Charles River.
Whenever I feel frazzled, overwhelmed or just looking for some time outdoors, getting some
fresh Boston air never fails to brighten my day.
Get involved, but try not to overwhelm yourself!
Although I understand this advice is pretty redundant to firstyear students, getting involved on campus is a phenomenal way to make new friends of all ages and from all over the globe.
BU is home to over 450+ student groups from the African Students Organization to the Association for Women in Mathematics to the Center for Gender Sexuality and Activism. Additionally, BU involvement includes professional organizations, student government and politics, community service
and Greek life organizations!
With this exciting opportunity also comes my suggestion to put your well-being first, especially during the initial segue into college. Consequently, overbooking yourself may lead to excessive stress and exhaustion — so I also urge you to put yourself and your needs first to make sure you are not pouring from an empty cup.
Remember you are in this TOGETHER, Class of 2027!
Most importantly, I hope you remember that no matter how you are feeling, you are not alone. Thousands of you will be joining BU this Fall (and some of you in the Spring, too!) — hailing from
all 50 states (as well as Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands) and 101 countries worldwide. This means that a fellow Terrier who lives halfway across the globe might be feeling the exact same way as you are — whether that be eager to get to Boston, nervous to leave home or a combination of both!
While I understand the tips above are suggestions for conquering those pre-college nerves, I hope they are a useful starting point for all of you.
You can do this, Class of 2027! We are so excited to have you in Boston!
are words that devout Boston University hockey fans are waiting patiently until fall to hear, hoping that the new season will bring the same excitement and talent witnessed on the ice last season. The legacy and success of the 2022-23 season have left a profound impact on the fans who geared up in their pristine replica jerseys to join the scarlet tide that brought life to every single game.
After a successful season that included a trip to the Frozen Four and the program’s first Hockey East Tournament title since 2018, it’s hard not to feel pride for the team and all of their accomplishments — at least for those who gave their time throughout the school year to watch their Terriers in action.
Rafael Perron was the president — before graduating this year — of the BU Dog Pound, the student section at Terrier sporting events. Perron represented the enthusiasm of all BU hockey fans with his dedication to making the fan experience one of a kind. From making and displaying posters, leading chants and sharing gameday information on the official Dog Pound Instagram page, the student section would not have been as astounding as it was without his dedication.
“I’ve been part of the Dog Pound for all four years that I’ve been at BU,” Perron wrote in a statement to the Daily Free Press. “In that time we’ve been crazy fans, but we’ve also worked incredibly hard behind the scenes planning events for fans, trips for students and
making the atmosphere the best that it can be. I’ve seen the community thrive, fracture due to the pandemic and build itself back up through our hard work.”
Despite the reduced and restricted capacity at Agganis the past few seasons, fans this year got to experience BU hockey in its full glory.
“Nothing can beat the feeling of setting up posters along the glass one hour before the game, losing your voice in the first period from endless screaming and chanting or the elation when [the Terriers] finally score a goal to win the game,” Perron wrote.
Despite losing one of its most valued supporters for next
season, the Dog Pound has many young students who have just begun their journey as fans of the nationally-ranked team. They have learned what it means to be a BU hockey fan in just their first season of cheering the Terriers on.
“Gearing up and sitting through the stress and excitement of the game is so thrilling,” College of Communication sophomore Ali Cook said.
One of her favorite memories from the season was when BU beat Cornell University in the NCAA Division I Manchester Regional Final.
“Everyone had so much energy,” Cook said. “It was
amazing.”
Some fans have found that rooting for BU hockey developed a sense of camaraderie and belonging. College of Engineering sophomore Madison McDonald compared watching games at Agganis to attending her hometown’s high school football games.
“I was really glad that I was able to find that piece of home here at BU and [be] able to hang out with a group of my peers and go crazy and root for a really great team,” McDonald said. Her favorite aspect of the season was seeing the Terriers make a deep postseason run.
“It was really cool, being a
freshman coming into [BU] and having it be such a great hockey season,” McDonald said. “Being able to go to more games for a longer period of time was really great.”
The passion students have for hockey is remarkable and has arguably become an identity for many. However, being a BU hockey fan means so much more knowing that it positively impacts the players, who have acknowledged the supporters who cheer them on behind the glass.
“We’ve been fortunate to play in front of the best fans all year long,” junior goaltender Drew Commesso said in a press conference following the Manchester Regional Semifinal victory over Western Michigan University. “We definitely feed off of that, we definitely feel the energy and we definitely appreciate all of it.”
Award-winning and highlyaccomplished freshman defenseman Lane Hutson echoed this sentiment in an Instagram post which confirmed his return to Terrier Hockey for the upcoming season. In the post, he stated how he is “looking forward to another great season playing in front of the best fans in college hockey.”
While key players are leaving BU to advance their careers by signing entry-level contracts with the National Hockey League, there is still plenty of talent for fans to watch and celebrate in the season to come.
“I will always be able to look back on the games and say, ‘I was there,’” Perron wrote. “I will always be able to follow the Dog Pound community and everything they do going forward and be able to proudly say, ‘We helped build that,’ and I think that’s amazing.”
Boston University hosts 36 different club sports, providing students with an opportunity to play almost any sport they could hope to. From mainstream options like hockey and baseball to more niche ones like cricket and kendo, anyone can find a sport they are interested in.
While playing a club sport is a good way to stay active, another big draw is the community they foster within each team.
“It’s a great way to connect with people and have this whole community at BU,” said Sage Fuller, a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences. “[Since] BU is such a big school, having this small group of 30 to 40 people that you see a few times a week and you can say ‘Hi’ to on the streets [is] the whole idea of it.”
Fuller joined the Ultimate frisbee team her freshman year. She had played throughout middle and high school, so she knew she was going to play in college as well. However, prior experience is not a prerequisite for joining the team.
“We have [had] people who have never played before join the team, and they’re like, ‘I was so scared, but now I love it’ as they’re graduating,” Fuller said.
Ultimate is a team sport, but the more individual sports still offer the same sense of collectiveness. BU offers many options of both types, but the solidarity of being on a team applies to all of them.
“I always was a fan of a team sport environment, and that was something that was missing from figure skating for me, so I did it out of my love for the sport,” said Kaleigh Wyers, a senior in the Wheelock College of Education and Human Development.
Similar to Fuller with ultimate frisbee, Wyers has been skating for much of her life. She began at the age of seven, but it was not until she came to BU that she felt like skating made her a part of a community.
“It’s such a unique game where everyone comes together with one job, and you work together to fulfill those jobs,” she continued.
“We all respect each other for those roles we play on the team, acknowledging that everyone plays a part in our success no matter what level or what person.”
Wyers transferred to BU after her sophomore year, and being on the figure skating team helped her connect with a group of people quickly.
“We spent a lot of time with each other, so it’s inevitable how much we got to know each other,” Wyers said. “It gave me that immediate close community… I feel like I’ve been at BU the whole time.”
Club sports often lead to forming connections with people one would not necessarily meet in classes. It brings people from all grades and majors together to work towards a common goal, and the solidarity applies outside of athletics as well.
“I’ve had friends who are
seniors and graduating and they definitely my freshman year, helped me learn about BU, all the little procedures and signing up for classes and all that stuff,” Fuller said. “It creates this network of helpful … older sisteror brother-type roles in our lives.”
Meeting students from a broad spectrum of the BU population helps familiarize individuals with the scope of the school as a whole. BU has a large student body, but club sports can bring together all kinds of people.
“Coming in as a freshman and meeting 25 people who are all sophomores, freshmen, juniors, seniors, it gives you a whole grasp over college in general,” said Everett Guermont, a sophomore in the College of Engineering.
“It’s nice to see the different aspects, especially having people who are different majors.”
Guermont grew up skiing, but not racing. His degree did not offer him enough time to compete in rowing like he had in high school, so he joined the ski racing team to do something fun.
Club sports also deepen one’s connection to BU beyond befriending other students. Playing teams from other schools as a Terrier helps create a sense of school spirit. Fourteen clubs went to nationals in their respective leagues just in the last semester. While these teams allow students to be as competitive as they want to be, they are not necessarily so cutthroat or stressful that they lose the club sport sentiment or sense
of enjoyment. For example, Ultimate frisbee is mostly selfrefereed and maintains the crossschool camaraderie reminiscent of high school competition.
“We play in the DI bracket, but even after a DI game, you’re still high-fiving the other team, it’s a really good sportsmanshiptype sport,” Fuller said. “In the majority of games, we don’t have refs … so it takes a lot of integrity and responsibility.”
Joining club sports has a lot of
value, particularly for freshmen looking to get involved in BU activities and find a group of friends.
“Sign up for as many teams as you can, even if you just have a little bit of interest in it,” Guermont said. “You don’t have to go to all the meetings, but having the opportunity to go is great.”
By AUSTIN CHEN Sports Co-Editor
Boston University boasts 24 varsity teams that compete in the NCAA’s Division I across the fall and spring semesters. The men’s ice hockey program is the best-known, but from basketball and soccer to cross country and field hockey, BU’s studentathletes deserve recognition for the work put in long before the rest of their peers even arrive on campus. Here’s what to know about some of the teams that will compete during the fall semester.
Field Hockey
The field hockey team had a successful 2022 campaign, posting a 5-1 in-conference record before eventually falling to Lehigh University in the Patriot League Final. They had one of the better offenses in the league, firing off the secondmost shots and scoring the thirdmost goals in the PL. Junior forward Tess Csejka led the team in points with 21. Forward Payton Anderson was right behind her, scoring 20 and also becoming the first sophomore to ever be named Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year. Legendary head coach Sally Starr will be entering her 43rd year at the helm of the program — a BU Athletics record for any head coach — and looks to return the team to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2017.
Women’s Soccer
Casey Brown had big shoes to fill last season. She became just the second head coach in the program’s history after Nancy Feldman — whose accolades are too numerous to list here — retired in April 2022. In Brown’s first season in charge of her previous squad, the former Terrier guided the current Terriers all the way to the Patriot League Semifinals, where they were dispatched by Bucknell University after a scoreless tie led to a penalty shootout. The strong squad looks to return multiple standout players, including freshman midfielder and PL Rookie of the Year Giulianna Gianino and sophomore forward Morgan
Fagan, who led the team in goals and tied for second in assists.
Men’s Soccer While not an unabashed success, the men’s 2022 season continued their slow upward trend from their low point of 2019, where they posted a 4-12-1 record. They eked out a winning in-conference record for the first time since 2017, going 4-2-3, and made it to the Patriot League Semifinals, where Navy knocked them out after two overtimes and a penalty shootout that took a combined 20 tries. Hired in January 2020, head coach Kevin Nylen will be entering his second season without the consequences of COVID-19 rescheduling, and the growth of key underclassmen will be vital if the program wants to continue improving.
Men’s Ice Hockey
A four-game losing streak in February threatened to derail the team’s hopes of making it to the Frozen Four for the first time since their heartbreaking loss in the 2015 Finals, but the Terriers rallied and won nine in a row through the end of the regular season, the Hockey East Tournament and the NCAA Manchester Regional. However, they crashed back down to Earth in a 6-2 rout at the hands of the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the Frozen Four Semifinals. Despite such a harsh reality check, Jay Pandolfo’s first season as a head coach showed that the Terrier legend was more than capable of bringing the best out of his squad. While former captain Dominick Fensore and assistant captain Drew Commesso have taken the leap to professional hockey, the return of freshman phenom Lane Hutson will undoubtedly turn every home
game at Agganis Arena into standing-room-only.
Women’s Ice Hockey
Former head coach Brian Durocher’s last season as the program’s leader since its inception in 2005 was a disappointing one by his lofty standards. Another former Terrier, he led the program to the 2011 and 2013 NCAA Tournament Finals and five Hockey East Tournament titles. He decided to retire from coaching following a 11-20-3 record in 2022-2023. The squad struggled to find consistency and were never able to dig themselves out of the 8-loss hole in their first 11 games. Tara Watchorn, a former Terrier herself and Olympic gold medalist, will inherit a team that scored the joint-fourthfewest goals in the Hockey East while allowing the fifth-most. If Watchorn wants to elevate
the program back to the heights she reached as a player, the new head coach will have to bring the best out of her players while playing against some of the best teams in women’s college hockey.
Women’s Basketball
The women’s basketball team had a fantastic regular season, posting a 22-7 record that included a 17-game win streak in the run-up to the Patriot League Tournament. They then proceeded to defeat both Loyola University Maryland and Army by double-digits before losing the Final to Turnpike Trophyrivals Holy Cross by just five points. Their overall success did earn them a spot in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament, but they lost in the first round to the University of Rhode Island. However, there is a lot to be excited about as head coach Melissa Graves enters her third season in 2023-2024 after being named PL Coach of the Year in 2022-2023. She coached the PL Defensive Player of the Year junior forward Caitlin Weimar, who was joined on the PL All-Defensive Team by two other Terriers. Pair that with an offense that averaged the second-most points in the conference, and Graves has clearly demonstrated an ability to run a well-balanced squad.
Men’s Basketball
Head coach Joe Jones led his team to a middle-of-the-road 1516 record in 2022-2023, ending his 12th season in a two-point overtime loss to Army in the Patriot League Quarterfinals. Graduate wing Walter Whyte and graduate guard Jonas Harper — former high school teammates — earned AllPatriot League honors, with Whyte becoming just the third Terrier ever to earn four AllConference distinctions. As for next year, with just four underclassmen listed on last season’s roster, Jones will likely be working with an older squad in 2023-2024. Whether their maturity will translate to wins on the court is yet to be seen, but hope remains that Jones will be able to return the program to the highs of 2020’s PL Championship title.