As the Boston University class of 2010 prepares to call Beantown its home, many BU departments said they feel it is essential for incoming students to be aware of the various resources and services available to them on campus.
Students looking for a place to hang out need to look no further than the George Sherman Union in the center of campus. Home to several key offices, the building includes a post office, the Dean of Students office, the Community Service Center and BU Central, among others. The GSU is also home to the university’s main food court.
BU Central, in the basement level of the GSU, offers students an opportunity to relax with couches, television and game room equipment including ping pong, pool tables and videogames.
Student Activities Office Program Coordinator Josh Hiscock said he urges students to get their feet wet in organizations that work closely with BU Central, including Programming Council, which allows students to work with BU organizations and clubs to plan events on campus.
“PC is really the campus’ board for events that have an entire effect on the BU community,” he said. “They are their own entity and they work with all students; it’s a mix of all years, majors, schools and colleges.”
Many students volunteer in PC committees to plan events such as the annual Back Bay Ball.
“PC is very inclusive of all students,” Hiscock said. “They thrive on tradition and students should know there’s always something going on at BU, and PC is a big provider of that.”
Many students are also drawn to the Community Service Center, situated on the fourth floor of the GSU. A presence on campus for 20 years, the CSC is home to 13 community-oriented programs that run through various times throughout the academic school year. Programs vary from weekly child tutoring to one week of service during Spring Break.
“The CSC is definitely a great starting point,” Program Assistant Jessica Taylor said. “Time commitments range from two hours a week to twice a month to one time events . . . there are so many different areas of interest and something for everyone.”
Students near the West Campus area will notice the newly constructed Fitness and Recreation Center, a place where students, alum and members can exercise. Completed and opened in April 2005, the center welcomed more than 4,500 visitors each day during the spring semester.
“FitRec is a very important part of the BU experience,” Marketing and Membership Manager Kris Covarrubias said. “We definitely want students to incorporate healthy habits into their schedule.”
Aside from being one of the largest student employers on campus, FitRec has new classes available for students for the upcoming academic school year.
“We have some new non-credit classes, such as belly dancing . . . capoeira [dance martial arts], racquetball and squash . . . as well as new yoga partnerships,” Covarrubias said. “There are all sorts of things that are new and up and coming.”
Next door is Agganis Arena, another location for students, alum and others to gather. Opened on January 3, 2005, it is where BU sports welcome the hockey and basketball games, as well as concert venues. According to BU spokesman Colin Riley, there were 26 family, sport and private events held this past spring semester.
“Agganis has made its presence known,” he said. “Throughout New England and among promoters, Agganis is recognized by a community of people looking for an outstanding mid-size venue.”
Riley said from West Campus to Kenmore Square, there are plenty of locations and programs readily available for students’ enjoyment.
“Getting informed about these aspects of BU life will provide more opportunities for the incoming students to meet people and assimilate to the university,” he said. “In the end, it will have a lot to do with the academic success of the student and their ability to transition from a high school environment to a college campus.”