For freshmen, adjusting to new scenery can be difficult, and it’s hard to know where to start. To get acquainted, students need to know are the simple ABCs of Boston University. Each letter stands for something related to BU or Boston, whether it’s a person, place or thing of importance.
Ankara/Angora Cafe. Ankara applies to east campus residents, such as those in Warren Towers or Kenmore Square; Angora is better suited for those living in West Campus, 1019 or the Student Residences at 10 Buick Street. Both establishments feature some of the best frozen yogurt in the area, and each boasts more than 50 flavors ranging from cookie dough to almond macaroon. Mix and match flavors for truly tasty combinations like blueberry and cheesecake.
Broomball. Broomball is one of many intramural sports offered at BU. Run by the Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance department, the intramural programs offer an opportunity to play sports at a less competitive level. Broomball is played like hockey but participants use a small rubber ball instead of a puck, wear sneakers instead of skates and, of course, swing brooms instead of using sticks a la Cinderella. But it’s not all a fairy tale you’re guaranteed to pick up your share of bruises by the end of the game. Regardless, broomball remains one of the most enjoyable and popular intramural sports.
Charles River. The Charles borders BU on the north and separates us from those schools in Cambridge. The crew and sailing teams hang out on the Charles as well, and both have space for walk-ons who love the water and have a desire to defeat cross-town rivals.
Dog Pound. The Dog Pound is the group of students who show their support at every BU athletic event by wearing their red and white shirts and reciting cheers to encourage the home team until they lose their voices. If you can sing ‘olé olé olé’ during an opponent’s power play, you’ll be a welcome addition to the club.
Esplanade. This strip of green between Storrow Drive and the Charles River is an ideal place to go for a jog, to rollerblade or just sit on a bench under a starry sky. At the eastern end of the Esplanade lies the Hatch Shell, the prime location to catch free weekend concerts.
Freedom Trail. While the warm summer weather is still here, try and enjoy a walk on the Freedom Trail. It takes you past several historical landmarks including Faneuil Hall and the USS Constitution, a.k.a. Old Ironsides.
Goldin. This ex-NASA administrator will be the ninth president of BU. The Board of Trustees offered Daniel S. Goldin the job in July, which he accepted in August. Chancellor John Silber will step down from his position when Goldin takes office and become president emeritus.
HoJo. The Howard Johnson at 575 Commonwealth Ave. was taken over by BU and converted into a dorm. Students were housed in Cambridge hotels last year when overcrowding occurred last fall, and some incoming freshmen are calling BU’s brand-new Hotel Commonwealth in Kenmore Square home this year.
IHOP. There once was an International House of Pancakes in Kenmore Square along with the Ratskeller, where U2 had their first show in the United States. In an ironic effort to beautify Kenmore Square, both were torn down to clear the way for the Hotel Commonwealth. But don’t fear if you want late-night pancakes you can still travel out to another IHOP, located in Brighton.
Jack Parker. The legendary coach of the hockey team will be entering his 31st season at the helm this year. His career accolades include two NCAA championships and an unprecedented 17 Beanpot victories. Last year, he became the winningist coach in NCAA Division I hockey.
Kenmore Square. The ‘hub’ between Fenway and BU that has undergone numerous renovations and a large-scale beautification project in the last few years. Under the glow of the Citgo sign and nearby Store 24 and Barnes ‘ Noble at Boston University, the Hotel Commonwealth resides there with its new 24-hour French bistro.
Libraries. BU has 11 of them. The main library is Mugar Memorial Library, whose third floor Playboy magazine once reported to be the number one hookup spot on campus. The libraries can also hook you up with an excellent online catalogue allowing you to find that book that will help with your WR 150 papers.
MBTA. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority connects all points of Boston together over four major subway lines differentiated by color. The Green Line ‘B’ branch runs through campus while the Red line will take you to Harvard. The Blue line takes students to and from Logan International Airport. The Orange line can head out to Malden, but to travel further around the state, hop on the MBTA’s commuter rail, colored purple.
Newton Community College. This is that school down the road that represents all of our major athletic competition, officially called Boston College. If you don’t hate this school already, you will before the end of hockey season. Even if you have family at this school, you hate them too.
Observatory. On the roof of the College of Arts and Sciences Building lies the CAS observatory. The observatory is open to the public on Wednesday nights from 7:30 p.m. in the fall and winter and 8:30 p.m. in the spring and summer. The observatory usually remains open for about an hour and a half after it opens, but call 617-353-2630 before you go to make sure you’ll be able to see more than clouds through the telescopes.
PERD. Your tuition covers 18 credits, but four classes only take up 16. Physical education classes are one of the best ways to take advantage of those extra credits. Trying to master the backstroke and butterfly? Take a swimming class. Not satisfied with the great girl-to-guy ratio you already have? Take a ballroom dancing or class some of which have ratios of five girls to one guy.
Quickie Job Service. Need some fast cash? Go check out the quickie job listings in the second floor of 881 Commonwealth Ave. Here you can find a wide spectrum of jobs from gardening to babysitting to dressing up in a six-foot string cheese costume. You can check the board in the morning, get a job during the day, and have some fast cash by the evening.
Rhett. Ladies love him. Men want to be him. He’s Rhett, BU’s mascot terrier. Rhett, who soundly defeated Swoop, BC’s mascot, in an on-ice game of Beirut at last winter’s Beanpot, constantly leads the dog pound in cheering and reaffirms himself as the best mascot in Boston.
School of Management. One of the newest buildings on campus, the School of Management is home to one of the nation’s most successful Starbucks and a sandwich place called Breadwinners. Several departments on campus make use of the high-tech classrooms in this building, and when you have a class here, you’ll see why.
Towers. A dorm that is home to Jose Luis, the best burrito man on earth. Built in 1959 as an all-female dorm, it boasts built-in shoe racks and is known as one of the quieter large dorms.
Union. President Carl Woog and the rest of the ‘True 2’ slate will lead the student government of BU this year. Last year, they worked to change the guest policy and to bring about a 24-hour study lounge. Along with putting together a night of comedy with Jim Breuer and Tracy Morgan doing stand up last Spring, their resignations and petty infighting are always entertaining.
Village. Sorry freshmen, the luxurious dorms at the Student Residences at 10 Buick St. more commonly called the Student Village are for juniors and seniors only. Don’t fret though, the Harry Agganis arena and John Hancock Student Village which will then be the name of the completed complex are scheduled to open in the middle of next year. The arena will seat over 6,000 while the village will feature a new pool, a theater, seven basketball courts, a fitness center, a track, squash courts and two climbing walls.
West Campus. The dorms by Babcock Street are conveniently situated right by Walter Brown Arena, the Roof and Nickerson Field, home of the hockey, basketball and soccer teams. West campus also features some of the best food on campus, but one of the longer walks to classes.
Xenophilia. Every year BU attracts hundreds of foreign students to its campus to add to the cultural diversity of the university. Over 1,000 students represent over 100 countries; take the time to make some of them feel welcome in the states.
Yankees. If you are a Yankees fan, do not read on to Z. Put this paper down, pack up your things and go straight back home. There you will be safe from the abuse Bostonians will shower upon you.
Ziskind Lounge. The Ziskind Lounge is on the second floor of the George Sherman Union. Open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., the lounge offers a place to hang out with friends or get some work done in a group setting.