Soccer-tennis has rules like volleyball and players must use their bodies to volley a soccer ball over a tennis net

Very few intramural sports at Boston University are more entertaining than broomball. According to the rules of this “sport,” players must wear tennis shoes and a traditional ice hockey helmet while running around on an ice rink. The goal is to attempt to score points by shooting a small ball into an oversized net with sticks that resemble wicker brooms. In other words, it’s hilariously amusing and just as much fun to watch as it is to play. This fall, however, the world of intramurals at BU is about to get even wackier with the introduction of a new sport: soccer-tennis.

Soccer-tennis – which is actually a professional sport played around the world – originated in Central Europe. It is played on a tennis court, and follows the rules of volleyball while utilizing many of the skills of soccer. Three people from each team may be on the court at a time, and players must use their feet, knees, and heads to volley a soccer ball over the tennis net with a rally-scoring format.

According to the American Soccer-Tennis Organization (who knew there was such a thing?), the key to soccer-tennis is to have “touch,” or the ability to handle the ball by allowing it to make contact with different parts of your body.  Clearly, excellent hand-eye coordination is a must; once a team receives the ball from the other side, the ball can only touch the ground two times before it must be directly returned to the opposing team. To add to the difficulty, the ball can never fall to the ground twice in a row without being touched by a player.

“If you can’t juggle a soccer ball really, really well, I’m thinking you shouldn’t even try this sport,” says Amy Neben, a sophomore in the College of Communication at Boston University.

The Boston University Intramural Soccer-Tennis Tournament will be held on Sunday, November 14 in the Track and Tennis Center beginning at 2:00pm. Even if you don’t have the guts to give soccer-tennis, a try this event is still a can’t-miss, if for nothing else but to just have a good laugh.

For more information on soccer-tennis, visit www.soccertennis.org.

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From Amazon.com

Piranha 3-D is the best movie of the summer. I can admit that, but I’m still not sure that I’m happy about it. Before I go any further I’ll also confess that I didn’t go to the movies as much as I would’ve liked to this summer, and I did miss some films that I really wanted to see (Winter’s Bone, The Kids Are All Right). But from the movies that I did see, Piranha stands at the top of the list. Not because it was great art, but because it was easily the best time I had at the movies all summer. It is a movie that knows exactly what it is, as well as what its audience wants it to be, and delivers on those desires in spades.

Odd as it seems, I may not be the only one who thinks this way. Judging by the slew of previews I’ve seen, it looks like the B-Movie is primed for a comeback. This summer saw the release of not only my beloved Piranha, but also the ridiculous, over the top glory of films like The Expendables, soon to be joined by the likes of Machete, Hobo With a Shotgun, and several others.

But why now? Why has the B-Movie, a seemingly artless form with no morals whatsoever, returned now?  The reason, in my mind anyway, is two-fold.

The first is simple, and the same reason anything gets done in Hollywood: they make money. These films, for the most part, are shot cheap and quick, and always turn enough of a profit to stay viable. Now, with the resurgence of 3-D, theaters can charge even more for ticket prices, so the profit increases. As a bonus, they don’t need to shell out hundreds of millions of dollars on production and advertising, so if the film does end up losing money it isn’t a huge blow to the studio’s financial stability.

The second reason is perhaps more telling. That B-Movies are making money suggests that they must have a stable audience. But why  would anyone in their right mind would want to see these things? These are films with barely passable special effects, shameless amounts of nudity, and levels of violence the likes of which have never been seen. Why watch them?

My opinion is that these movies are thriving because most current action and horror films are, in a word, terrible. They take themselves too seriously, lack any sense of joy or playfulness and often become unintentionally ridiculous, leaving the audience laughing at them instead of with them (two quick examples, Rob Zombie’s Halloween II and Michael Bay’s Transformers 2). Within the new wave of B-Movie, on the other hand, films are completely self aware of how ridiculous they are, and they indulge to give the audience exactly what they want to see. The question quickly becomes if you want to spend money on something that doesn’t know how stupid it is, or a movie that knows and is ready to run with it. It seems obvious which will offer the better time.

Now, there certainly are exceptions, and not everyone in the world is keen on spending their $10 on a movie with fish regurgitating projectile 3-D genitalia. But based on the audience reaction I witnessed during Piranha, the B-Movie may be coming back with a vengeance, and it could stay around for a long while.

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So shiny. So wonderful. | From Flickr user christyxcore.

Dear iPod Classic,

You are so roomy and full of joy. You don’t try to pretend to be what you are not by boasting games and Youtube. You play music. You play a lot of music. When I need my terribly obscure 80′s pop, you have it. When I need to listen to some gangster rap, you have that too. Whatever would I do without you?

I don’t want to slide my hands across your brightly lit screen. Why would I do that to you? You have buttons dedicated to my life. Why would I want to soil you with my grubby cheeto fingers?  It is a sacrilege to even consider such a thing.

Apple may not have updated you on September 1st. You are elderly next to the new iPod touch with FaceTime. You are a behemoth compared to the lilliputian Shuffle. And you lack the built-in clip that the Nano now boasts. The day you fade from existence will be the day that I mourn you and your gargantuan harddrive. No more obscure 80′s pop. No more gangster rap. No more buttons with the oh-so-satisfying click. All you will leave behind is a legion of audiophiles with iPod touches. They will have only dirty screens, Youtube, and fond, fond memories.

I profess my love to you, iPod Classic. As you reach the golden sunset of your halcyon years, may you remain a beacon of classic style in the face of adversity and touch screens.

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Take a day off-you know you want to. Photo from Paramount Pictures.

This past weekend saw the student population descend on dorms, dining halls, and Allston. The yearly migration of students into the Boston city limits both raises the ire of residents and the appearance of the redundant coupon books littered about the edges of Comm. Ave.

Well, not all of Boston is so displeased to see the return of students. Museums around the area offer free college nights, and don’t forget to check out the aquarium! But as for late night entertainment, these specials are a little harder to come by. Hats off to the Coolidge Corner Theatre for extending their student price of $6.75  during the weekday for the month of September. The savings continue in October when students can pull a couple coins together for a two for one membership deal.

Not only that, the Theatre is dedicating their midnight series this month to the forever young-at-heart director, John Hughes. Shermer, Illinois and an entire generation were forever changed in the mid-eighties when a young writer took the director’s chair for Sixteen Candles. Known predominately for movies focusing on young adulthood, Hughes explored the intricacies of growing up and maturity with a comic twist: we’re mortified when his protagonists are humiliated, but since we’re on the outside, we can often see the silliness of petty high school drama. The world within a world, if you will.

Detention has never been so cool. Photo from Universal Pictures.

Establishing the highpoint of teen comedy and a clique of actors christened the “Brat Pack” were not his only contributions. Always the writer, he continued to develop popular scripts until he mysteriously decided to quit the movie business altogether, leaving behind legions of fans to re-watch his films over and over again. Watching his films has become a sort of rite of passage for high schoolers, and most people have come across most of the films in one way or another. But what’s incredibly remarkable is that unlike the clothes and the music of the time, the movies have become immortal.

Generations today continue to connect with the struggles of identity and sense of self. Suicide, parental abuse, and depression are not usually the subjects of a comedy, but John Hughes spun a tale of triumph for the high school kids who survived through so much and became better because of it. Call it maturity or growing up, if you prefer. Much like in the series’ kick off Weird Science, in which two nerds create a woman who turns out to be more than they can handle, there were always lessons to learn from his movies.

Be sure to visit the Coolidge when Uncle Buck comes to town, or maybe take the day off with Ferris Bueller. Be a proud member of The Breakfast Club and “Don’t You Forget About Me” when the time comes.

To check out the John Hughes tribute and other things that go bump at midnight in Brookline, check out a full listing of Coolidge Corner’s programming.

Watch the first Academy Awards tribute that had me bawling like Molly Ringwald in The Breakfast Club. John Hughes\Tribute at the Oscars.

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Has this ever happened to you? | Photo by Nicole Cousins.

You wake up with a crushing headache and slight nausea from the 12 beers you sucked down the night before. You find yourself presented with a room that looks foreign to you – the Shaq poster hung with mishap on the wall, the plaid bedspread, a Dell laptop on the desk (you shudder to think anyone still uses a PC). Upon further investigation, you discover last night’s outfit piled on the floor, and then crane your head to view the crowning glory: a stranger’s tousled hair peeks out behind the sheets you both lay on.

If this has ever happened to you, you’re not alone.

If this has never happened to you… well, you obviously have not experienced college yet.

After getting over the initial shock that, yes, you might have very well gotten a little toooo drunk last night and found time in between dancing on the beer pong table and dropping your Blackberry into the toilet to let some other drunk and horny stranger woo you into casual oral foreplay, the real fun starts: parading down the infamous walk of shame.

Remember, there’s not reason to actually be ashamed by a walk of shame (dirty-look givers are probably just hiding their jealousy, and what’s wrong with a little safe, consensual fun?). But if you’re looking to fool friends, family and innocent random passers-by into believing you enjoyed a quiet night in at your own place minus some sporadic raunchy heavy petting, follow my guide to WOS-proof your wild nights for a sensible and responsible morning.

GIRLS

1)    Plan ahead. If you know that you will end your night with some “omg sooooo cute hottie” you met at that sick ZBT party last weekend, go ahead and pack a small bag to ease your morning shame (disguise your intentions with a small to medium sized purse). Throw in your toothbrush to rid your mouth of the stank that defines morning breath – but don’t worry about toothpaste (unless your partner is one of the cavemen from the Geico commercials, you’ll find a tube o’ paste laying around in the bathroom somewhere). If you have room, throw in a pair of shorts and tank top for the next day so you won’t have to flaunt a purple glitter tunic with leggings Sunday morning. Feel free to also pack a sample of deodorant, a small bottle of body spray and a pair of flip-flops or flats to change into post-heels for a less awkward (and painful) walk home.

2)    Prepare your wardrobe. For those looking for a one-night shindig but loathe carrying an overnight bag to a cramped frat party or a sweaty downtown club, don’t get your panties in a bunch. Invest in a portable wristlet, preferably with an extra outside compartment. Opt for an outfit like skinny jeans with a blouse – the jeans provide extra pocket room to store your phone and belongings. Scalp your wallet and salvage the bare essentials: $20 in cash, your debit and credit card, MBTA pass, and ID. If you wear contacts, pre-fill an empty case with contact solution and close tightly, thus insuring your eyes will not suffer from redness tomorrow.  Throw in a sample packet of Advil, a small tube of perfume, and a few pieces of gum. If you feel like gussying up in heels, stick with a pair that aren’t outrageously high (no more than 2 inches) and choose a casual top that can be dressed up with accessories.

3)    Keep an eye on your stuff. Don’t learn this lesson the hard way after sporting a tablecloth to a toga party, stowing your overnight bag away under a bathroom sink, and getting too bombed to sequentially remember where you put said belongings. The most likely result: walking to the train stop on a rainy October morning in booty shorts and a tank top after wheedling $2 for the ride off your one-night-beau. Ask your hook-up to find a safe place to store your coat, bag, and other things; not only will you have peace of mind, but another person knows your stash-place in case of drunken memory lapses.

4)    Beware of costumes. For the love of God, know what you’re getting into when you spend the night away during Halloween celebrations. It might seem spontaneously sexy to nail the guy dressed as The Situation or a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle at the time, but consider running across campus in a Superman cape and costume to make a 10am exam the morning after.

GUYS

1)    Get dressed post-coitus and look in the mirror. If you spot a hickey, pop up your collar. Thank you, double standards.

Stick with these tips, and you’ll be sure that your steamy night before isn’t written all over your face the next morning in front of people you don’t know.

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We’ve really taken that to heart, and this year we’re releasing a vastly improved website with some huge, brand new features. Some of these features are still experimental, some may succeed beyond our expectations, and some may fail, but all of them are still grounded in the mission we’ve been following since last October: to help bring BU together.

The Scoop

The Scoop is a new section designed to take advantage of BU’s vibrant twitter community. It’s a real-time discussion engine designed to allow all of us to talk about breaking news and stories in and around BU like events, emergencies, traffic jams, etc. Here’s how it works:

1. Our writers send an update to the quad using twitter.
2. This update gets posted to buquad.com as a scoop.
3. The update goes out over the @buquad twitter feed.
4. You and the BU community reply to the tweet.
5. Your tweets are posted as updates to the original scoop.

Test it out now by following @buquad on twitter and replying to one of our tweets tagged #quadscoop.

Quad Events

One of the common complains we tend to get from student groups and bands is that they have no place to promote their events. We’re changing all of that with a brand new BU events calendar made specifically for groups to have an easy way to reach a lot of students (see those numbers above). Student groups can submit a basic event to the calendar right from our site for free. If they want to upgrade to a paid event with images, links, a calendar, and special promotions on the site, they can do so for just $5. See the events section for more information.

New Home Page

We’re launching a new home page that displays more information, more readably. We think it’s really slick, and we hope you’ll like it too.

Mobile Site

Get out your iPhone, Android, or Blackberry and check out the site. It’s all there, specially formatted and easy and fast to browse on your mobile device.

Improved Social Integration

You can now like our Facebook fanpage, like our posts on Facebook to share with your friends, and tweet our posts right from the website.

IE7 Compatibility

Yeah, okay, this isn’t that cool, but for those of you using Internet Explorer 7, the site looks and works a whole lot better now. Enjoy.

We’re All About You

In case we haven’t mentioned it yet, we want to thank the entire BU community for helping us grow and achieve our mission. We could not do it without your comments, suggestions, feedback, and of course, readership. This year especially we want to welcome your feedback and suggestions to help make us even better. BU: this is your Quad.

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Head chef of Fugakyu in Coolidge Corner in Brookline. LOCATION: 1280 Beacon Street, Brookline. NEAREST T: Coolidge Corner. WEBSITE: http://fugakyu.net.

No matter if you are a Boston newbie, a Boston connoisseur, or a somewhere-in-between – finding the perfect restaurant in a city with overwhelming culinary options can prove as difficult as finding a vegetarian meal in Texas. Aside from the different cultural offerings (French, Indian, Italian, Japanese, Burmese, Middle Eastern, Greek, Nepali, BBQ, Kosher, Korean… is your mind blown yet?), you also have to take into account distance, accessibility, price, and company. Follow my comprehensive guide of where to eat in Boston to save yourself money, time, and disgusting cuisine experiences.

Where to take your parents

1)    Petit Robert Bistro – This ode to French cuisine and Parisian life lays just a smidge outside of a college student’s price range, but the $15-$20 entrees usually please Mom and Dad. Accessibility proves key – Petit Robert sits on Commonwealth Avenue in Kenmore Square, near some of the most populated dorms on BU campus. Try the chicken coq au vin for a delectable dining experience, and don’t forget to order the handmade Eiffel Tower chocolate dessert. LOCATION: 468 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston. NEAREST T: Kenmore. WEBSITE: http://www.petitrobertbistro.com.

2)    Eastern Standard – While hotel restaurants usually stand in an undesirable slot when it comes to choosing a meal, Hotel Commonwealth’s Eastern Standard will surely impress the parents with high-end American cuisine at reasonable prices (around $20 per entrée). Encourage your parents to order a cocktail to sample some of the finest local mixologists’ work. If you’re hungry for brunch, around $10 per plate serves the finest scrambled eggs tasted. LOCATION: 528 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston. NEAREST T: Kenmore. WEBSITE: http://www.easternstandardboston.com

Where to celebrate your birthday

1)    Giacomo’s – Located in the historic North End, this Italian and seafood faring restaurant always sports a line a block long. Inexpensive enough to fit a student’s budget, the service and quality of food induces a drunk-like state for a worthy celebration. Cash-only policy makes splitting the bill a bit easier. LOCATION: 355 Hanover Street, Boston. NEAREST T: Haymarket. WEBSITE: http://giacomosblog-boston.blogspot.com

2)    City Table – This lavishly decorated restaurant in the lobby of the Lenox Hotel in the Back Bay offers unbeatable service, large portions and a variety of dessert options. Go for the chocolate cake – if you’re going to ingest an absurd amount of calories, your birthday is the right day and this restaurant is the right place to do it. LOCATION: 61 Exeter Street, Boston. NEAREST T: Copley. WEBSITE: http://citytableboston.com

Where to take a date

1)    La Morra – Located in clean, suburban Brookline, La Morra offers authentic Italian cuisine in one of the most romantic atmospheres in the city. The pricey dishes prove that your date is worth the mouth-watering meal without breaking your bank TOO much. LOCATION: 48 Boylston Street, Brookline. NEAREST T: Brookline Village. WEBSITE: http://www.lamorra.com

2)    Finale – For the student (or their date) infected with a sweet-tooth, Finale warmly serves one of the largest dessert varieties in Boston. With locations in Brookline, Cambridge, and Boston, you can fulfill your chocolate desires at just about any place in the city. The dimmed lighting and intimate seating proves the restaurant is a perfect place to rid yourself of the first-date jitters. LOCATION: Various. Closest is 1 Columbus Avenue, Boston. T: Arlington. WEBSITE: http://www.finaledesserts.com

Succulent eggplant parmesan at Lobby Bar & Kitchen. LOCATION: 131 Broad Street, Boston. NEAREST T: Aquarium. WEBSITE: http://lobbyboston.com

Best places for drunk hunger fixes

1)    Sunset Grill and Tap – Conveniently located near the oh-so-many Allston parties that you’re sure to take part of, Sunset keeps its doors and kitchen open until 1am to serve some of the greasiest, cheesiest, most well-dressed nachos this side of the Mississippi. Split a half-sized portion between two people for $8, or tack on a few more eaters for a few more dollars with the full portion. LOCATION: 130 Brighton Avenue, Allston. NEAREST T: Harvard Avenue. WEBSITE: http://www.allstonsfinest.com

2)    T Anthony’s – Situated right across from West Campus, this favorite pizzeria and fast-food Italian eatery has proved a darling of the BU student body for its quality of food, low prices, and undeniable Italian service charm. Open until 2am for most of the school year, walking into T’s at 1am is like arriving fashionably late for the party of the year. Prepare to wait in line as the night goes on, and bring cash – they only accept credit cards for purchases over $5. LOCATION: 1016 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston. NEAREST T: Babcock. WEBSITE: http://www.tanthonypizzeria.com

Best places for absurdly cheap meals

1)    The Draft – This popular hole-in-the-wall bar opens its doors to the under-21s during the day to chow down on absurdly cheap and delicious deals. All day Sunday and after 6pm Monday, enjoy 25-cent wings in 12 different flavors with the purchase of a beverage. LOCATION: 34 Harvard Avenue, Allston. NEAREST T: Harvard Avenue/Packard’s Corner. WEBSITE: http://www.thedraftbarandgrille.com

2)    Vox Pupoli – After a day of shopping on Newbury Street, stop by this elegant restaurant/bar for half price dinner menu through September. Try the melt-in-your-mouth calamari or the flavorful pasta carbonara to fill your stomach while keeping your wallet full as well. LOCATION: 755 Boylston Street, Boston. NEAREST T: Copley. WEBSITE: http://voxboston.com

Best late-night takeout/delivery options near campus

1)    Azama Grill: If you’ve never had Middle Eastern food or laid your eyes on the feast that is a chicken shawarma plate, run – don’t walk – to Azama Grill in Allston. With attentive customer service and spice-packed flavorful dishes, Azama is quickly becoming a neighborhood favorite. LOCATION: 54 Harvard Avenue, Allston. NEAREST T: Harvard Avenue/Packard’s Corner. WEBSITE: http://azamagrill.com

2)    Bravo Pizzeria – Boasting one of the latest delivery times (open for delivery until 3am), Bravo Pizzeria also serves some of the most authentic Italian pizza in Boston. Try their Sicilian-style with multiple toppings, or opt for a fresh leafy green salad. Check out their website for recent promotions, coupons and deals. LOCATION: 160 Brighton Avenue. NEAREST T: Harvard Avenue. WEBSITE: http://bravopizzeria

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The Behemoth Map of the T | courtesy WikiCommons

Let’s get one thing straight—“the T” is no Boston Tea Party—but don’t let this multicolored monster scare you away from exploring this great city by rail.

Green Line

During your time at BU, the Green Line will probably be the line you use the most. With seven stops spread out along BU’s campus, you can easily get to and from class on those cold winter days or ride the train downtown for just $2.00 each way.

The Green Line can be tricky at first, but if you can remember that any train heading away from BU towards downtown is “inbound” and anything away from downtown is “outbound,” you will have a better chance of not getting turned around.

The 4 Branches of the Green Line

The Green Line consists of four lettered lines (B, C, D and E) which will take you through downtown and to surrounding suburbs. Most of you will use the B line (think BU, not Boston College, for which the line is named), which runs up and down Commonwealth Avenue.

The C or Cleveland Circle Line runs through South Campus; the D or Riverside Line goes through Brookline; and the E or Heath Street Line includes stops at Northeastern University and the Museum of Fine Arts.

Essential Green Line Stations

A hint for first time T users: there are only a few stations where you can switch from the Green Line to other lines. Making yourself familiar with these stations now will save you time and money later on.

Park Street

This hub of the Hub is located downtown on the northeast corner of the Boston Common, and is the intersection of the Red and Green Lines. This means that the station is always busy, but from this point you can jump on the Red Line and reach Cambridge in mere minutes, or take the Orange Line and explore Chinatown.

Directly above the station lies the Freedom Trail (the red line painted on the ground), which takes you on a two-mile walk through some of Boston’s most historical sights. There are also dozens of shops and eateries around Park Street and nearby Newbury Street.

South Station

Located near the Financial District, South Station is the hub for all trains and buses, and many of the commuter rail lines. From Park Street, you can take the Red Line two stops to South Station then jump on the Silver Line to get to the airport without spending the big bucks on cab fare.

Arlington Station

Our Trusty B Line Trolley | Photo Courtesy WikiCommons

Renovated earlier this year, this station offers a great trick: Arlington is the only station on the downtown stretch of the Green Line where you don’t have to go above ground to change directions, and thus don’t have to pay twice.

Just get off the train going inbound, walk up stairs, cross the station, walk downstairs, and hop on an outbound train. This is especially convenient if you want to take a trip to the Prudential Center on the E line.

Silver Line

While not actually a train, the Silver Line runs like the T but looks more like a bus. It travels around downtown, but is most useful for trips to Logan Airport and even includes luggage racks for large suitcases.

Blue Line

This line is another easy way to get to the airport, and generally goes faster than the Silver line. To access it, take the Green Line to Government Center. The Blue Line can also take you to the New England Aquarium, Revere Beach and even goes underwater during part of the ride!

Tickets

There are a number of different T passes you can purchase; including monthly, weekly and daily passes that are designed to best fit your personal travel needs.

Charlie Cards are the standard option for regular users, and can be loaded and reloaded with money as often as you like. The free cards are available at any underground T station, and you simply tap them at the fare box at the front of each train car on above-ground stops or at the entrance to underground stops.

When using a Charlie Card, the fare is only $1.70 versus $2.00 a ride if you pay with cash or a Charlie Ticket (another pay-as-you-go ticket option), and gets you free transfers to local buses.

Weekly passes cost $15.00, and one-day passes cost $9.00. Either option includes unlimited travel on the T, local buses, the commuter rail, and the inner-harbor ferry (if you’re feeling adventurous).

Buses

If the T doesn’t get you exactly where you want to go, any of the local bus lines probably will. Ticket prices are the same, since most passes include both the bus and the T, and run on a fairly consistent schedule. The bus stops frequently along much of BU’s campus, including parts of South and East Campus where the T doesn’t go.

For maps and additional information about stops and fares, check out the MBTA website. Especially helpful is the “Plan a Trip” function, which will give you the quickest way to use public transit between any two addresses you enter.

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Kid CuDi rages at Scarlet Fever | Photo courtesy PC

The Boston University student body often complains about the lack of student unity on its Charles River Campus. And their complaints are not unfounded: a sense of community is suspiciously missing among the student population of 16,000. However, BU’s seafaring freshman are not entirely without hope. The Programming Council, BU’s university-sanctioned, student-run programming group, vows to bring events to the university that will bring the student body together under one groove. Andrea Abi-Karam sat down with co-president Sara Kiemeg and phoned faculty advisor Gina Roginini to get the inside scoop on PC’s machinations for campus unity.

The Mission

As an alternative to drinking out of plastic handles and wandering the streets of Allston on Friday and Saturday nights, PC seeks to provide entertainment for meandering freshman.

“PC aims to bring events to the entire student body instead of select student groups like colleges or class year, and provide affordable entertainment options” said Kiemeg.

Students often complain of a lack of student unity, and part of PC’s mission statement is to join the student body by getting them motivated and proud of the school for hosting events that excite and interest them.

“There’s definitely a lot of ways people segregate themselves into separate groups at BU, because there’s so many people that it just happens” Kiemig said. In order to appeal to the mass of BU’s student body, PC aims to bring all-inclusive acts that draw big crowds.

“Honestly we’re pretty much limited by our capacity; if we had a bigger venue for Scarlet Fever [PC's big spring event last year, which included a Kid Cudi concert] we could have sold more tickets” said Roginini. 2400 students attended the 2010 Scarlet Fever and 3500 attended the 2009 drive-in movie.

Aside from trying to foster student body unity, PC also tries to connect major student groups.

“[The] big thing PC is working on is collaborating with other students groups to bring as many people together as we can—Greek life, student government. We’re willing to work with other students groups. It’s not about the money and we want to be a resource for other student groups who don’t have programming experience” said Kiemig.

After all, PC, Student Union, and Allocations Board used to be a single student entity before Dean of Students Kenneth Elmore initiated a three way split.

How to Get Involved

Interested in pitching your own programming skills? Here’s how:

1. Attend the first few general meetings.
2. Email BUPC@bu.edu to let them know you’re interested
3. Any student can attend volunteer meetings Wednesdays at 7

“A lot of people don’t realize that they can be a part of PC.” said Roginini.

After doing time as a plucky PC volunteer, students can advance to managerial and eventually presidential positions. PC possesses a 13 person executive board that consists of to co-presidents, a vice president, six event managers, and four marketing team members. The application process for climbing the PC ladder occurs in spring for the next fall. The co-presidents and faculty advisor conduct the position selection process.

Kiemig noted that a “big goal for this year is volunteer retention,” as many students attend the first few meetings but do not tend to stick around past the first round of midterms.

From an Idea to an Event

For annual events such as Mr. and Ms. BU and Back Bay Ball, the E-board brainstorms a theme for the event. Typically, two to three managers work on each event.

“A lot of it’s discussion, contacting people, doing paper work” said Kiemig. “The general process is having a discussion with all of the e-board and volunteers and then implementing the event. And then you have to decide how to advertise it which we have a whole team for” Kiemig said. For the inception of a fresh idea to an original event, it’s the same process: “It’s all about collaboration with everyone,” said Kiemig. In the final stages of planning an event, the event’s managers mobilize forms of non-traditional advertising such as starting flash mobs and circulation viral internet videos. Not to say that this process is never chaotic: “It’s a big flurry—it’s the best kind of crazy; there are so many ideas that come together all at once.”

Welcome Back Weekend and Fall Events

Two words: roller rink. For the Friday of welcome back weekend, September 3^rd, the three court gym of Fitrec will transform into a retro roller rink “called ‘roll with PC’. We’re going to have a DJ and cool lighting” Roginini said. There will be stylish streamline skate rentals available. Four roller rink sessions are being held to maximize the number of students that can attend.

PC’s most attended event every year, the drive in movie, will screen Saturday September 4^th on Nickerson field. This year’s drive in movie features Get Him to the Greek and a throwback film Space Jam, based on a student poll. The drive-in movie is the traditional welcome back weekend event, and the second big event is a wildcard. The past two years there was a laser light show called “Virtual Insanity.”

The rest of September will boast a BU beach party co-sponsored by Greek life on September 10^th and a comedian on September 17^th in Morse auditorium.

“It’s cool to come and see people that you met during orientation or that you pass by on Comm. Ave. or never have gotten to know” Roginini said.

Spring Events

Spring weekend can be a confusing subject at Boston University, as 2008 was the last official spring weekend and the event was completely absent in 2009. 2010 featured the return of a big spring event, named Scarlet Fever, but not as an official spring weekend.

The old spring weekend typically consisted of a drive-in movie on the Friday and another big event on the Saturday, like a carnival or concert. PC has since moved the focus away from the whole weekend to a single day of events since then: “It was a combination of what we decided we could afford and what we thought was really important to put our budget towards, so we decided to focus ourselves on the concert rather than spread ourselves too thin” Roginini said. Since PC is no longer locked in to putting on a concert for the spring event, this frees up the type of programming they can put out.

“We don’t want to limit ourselves to just a concert. It’s hard to cater to the music taste of everyone on campus.  We wanted to take the limits off of our selves; we started scarlet fever. The possibilities are endless. Last year we did music; this year it could be anything. It would be comedy, a carnival, or a big dance party.” Roginini said.

Last year’s Scarlet Fever featured a barbecue on the BU beach followed by a sold out Kid Cudi concert at House of Blues Boston.

“It’s our big spring end of the year event. It could be a concert; it could be a comedy show. [It’s an] annual tradition– to bring the whole campus together is the whole goal” Kiemig said.

Lookout, freshman: PC is slated to bring some great programming to the 2010/2011 school year. PC has recognized the lack of unity in the student body at BU and that they can help reverse it. PC, with their bold mission statement, the most SAO funding of any student group, and staff resources, has all of the assets needed to bring bangin’ events to BU. It’s up to them to bring that elusive sense of community to BU.

For more information on PC’s upcoming events, check out their YouDo page and watch out for listings on the Quad’s new events calendar!

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