Teachers and diversity experts testified before the Massachusetts Joint Committee Tuesday to discuss the effects of recent federal proceedings on diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education and propose possible solutions moving forward. The hearing included testimony from individuals and panelists from across Massachusetts to assess what actions are needed to protect equality in higher education institutions. It follows the recent Supreme Court decision to terminate over $700 million in grants related to DEI initiatives. BU professor of law Jonathan Feingold virtually testified to support the legality of DEI practices.  Feingold said at the hearing that DEI initiatives further the purpose of civil rights laws, such as Title VI. The organizations, grants and DEI measures taken by colleges “are not only lawful, but also better position universities to fulfill ongoing Title VI obligations.”   Feingold said the Trump administration's threats and lawsuits to revoke...

The Boston University Athletics Department doubled the number of home hockey games students must attend during the 2025-26 season to receive a free jersey. Students now must attend 16 home games instead of eight, with women's games now counting toward the total. The men’s hockey team has 19 regular season home games, and the women’s team has 17, meaning a student would need to attend just under 50% of all home games to achieve the 16-game mark.  In an email to The Daily Free Press, Brian Kelly, BU Athletics’ associate athletic director for communications and brand services, wrote that in recent years, the jersey program has been “very successful with a high number of student fans taking advantage of.”  “This year we wanted to include our nationally ranked women’s program as part of this incentive to help increase their attendance,” he wrote.  Josh Mester, president of the BU Dog Pound, which represents the student section at Agganis Arena, said BU...

South End residents have formed the Mass and Cass Political Action Committee to inform voters of moves made by city council candidates surrounding the public health and safety issues plaguing the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard — also known as Mass and Cass.

City Council is considering instating publicly-owned grocery stores in Boston amid food pantry closures and cuts to Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program benefits.

A toxic algae bloom continues to thrive in the Charles River less than a week before thousands of rowers arrive for the Head of the Charles River Regatta, a three-day world-renowned sailing competition.

Boston University’s “Act with Consent” campaign launched this semester to challenge misconceptions about sexual consent among students.  The campaign is a collaboration between the Campus Survivors student organization, BU’s chapter of It’s on Us, the BU Student Government senate committee 16K Strong and Student Health Service’s Survivor Advocacy, Response and Prevention Center.  The campaign is promoting consent culture through posters displayed on campus and a column written in the SARP Condom Fairy newsletter.   Kodhai Duraiarasan, president of It’s on Us, co-chair of 16K Strong and executive director of Campus Survivors, conducted a student survey over the summer through StuGov. She said the survey results conveyed a need for education about consent on campus. “[Students] felt that there wasn't a whole lot of standardized uniform education that they were receiving around what a healthy model of consent actually looks like,” she said. “They wanted...

Boston University opened 18 new Micro Markets and five Medi Cubes across campus this semester, allowing students to purchase necessities through cashierless payment.  Students scan and pay for their purchases themselves under surveillance, and the systems take debit, credit or Apple Pay.  Students can purchase basic medical supplies and over-the-counter medications in the Medi Cubes. The Micro Markets offer a variety of snacks and drinks.  Paul Riel, associate vice president of BU Auxiliary Services, said the Micro Markets aim to enhance dining options for students following the closure of Bay State Underground, Late Night at West Campus and the Law School Cafe dining options this semester. The most popular Micro Market location is the Law School Cafe, Riel said, which had previously been a late-night dining location.  Philip Koh, a second-year law student, said he finds the Micro Market helpful on days he has a busy schedule.  “Just being able to run up here,...

Cyclists and bike advocates in Boston and beyond are pushing for improved bike infrastructure, claiming current bike lanes are insufficient and endanger both bikers and pedestrians.