Boston University Boston University ( most commonly referred to as BU ) is a private research university located in Boston , Massachusetts . With more than 4 , 000 faculty members and more than 31 , 000 students , Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston ' s largest employers . The university is nonsectarian , but is historically affiliated with the United Methodist Church . BU is categorized as an RU / VH Research University ( very high research activity ) in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education . In 2009 – 2010 , BU had research expenditures of $ 407 . 8 million , or $ 553 million if the research led by the Medical School faculty at Boston Medical Center is included . BU is a member of the Boston Consortium for Higher Education and the Association of American Universities . Among its faculty and alumni , BU counts seven Nobel Prize winners , including Martin Luther King , Jr . ( PhD ' 55 ) ; 22 Pulitzer Prize winners , and numerous Guggenheim and MacArthur fellows . The university offers bachelor ' s degree s , master ' s degree s , and doctoral degree s , and medical and dental degrees through 18 schools and colleges on two urban campuses . The main campus is situated along the Charles River in Boston ' s Fenway - Kenmore and Allston neighborhoods , while the Boston University Medical Campus is in Boston ' s South End neighborhood . BU also operates 75 study abroad programs in over 33 cities in over 20 countries and has internship opportunities in 10 different countries ( including the United States and abroad ) . The Boston University Terriers compete in the NCAA ' s Division I . BU athletic teams compete in the America East , Hockey East , and Colonial Athletic Association conferences , and their mascot is Rhett the Boston Terrier . Boston University is well known for men ' s hockey , in which it has won five national championships , most recently in 2009 . History . Predecessor institutions and University Charter . Boston University traces its roots to the establishment of the Newbury Biblical Institute in Newbury , Vermont in 1839 , and was chartered with the name " Boston University " by the Massachusetts Legislature in 1869 . The University organized formal Centennial observances both in 1939 and 1969 . On April 24 – 25 , 1839 a group of Methodist ministers and laymen at the Old Bromfield Street Church in Boston elected to establish a Methodist theological school . Set up in Newbury , Vermont , the school was named the Newbury Biblical Institute . In 1847 , the Congregational Society in Concord , New Hampshire , invited the Institute to relocate to Concord and made available a disused Congregational church building with a capacity of 1200 people . Other citizens of Concord covered the remodeling costs . One stipulation of the invitation was that the Institute remain in Concord for at least 20 years . The charter issued by New Hampshire designated the school the " Methodist General Biblical Institute " , but it was commonly called the " Concord Biblical Institute . " With the agreed twenty years coming to a close , the Trustees of the Concord Biblical Institute purchased on Aspinwall Hill in Brookline , Massachusetts as a possible relocation site . The Institute moved in 1867 to 23 Pinkney Street in Boston and received a Massachusetts Charter as the " Boston Theological Institute . " In 1869 , three Trustees of the Boston Theological Institute obtained from the Massachusetts Legislature a charter for a university by name of " Boston University . " These three were successful Boston businessmen and Methodist laymen , with a history of involvement in educational enterprises and became the Founders of Boston University . They were Isaac Rich ( 1801 – 1872 ) , Lee Claflin ( 1791 – 1871 ) , and Jacob Sleeper ( 1802 – 1889 ) , for whom Boston University ' s three West Campus dormitories are named . Lee Claflin ' s son , William , was then Governor of Massachusetts and signed the University Charter on May 26 , 1869 after it was passed by the Legislature . As reported by Kathleen Kilgore in her book , " Transformations , A History of Boston University " ( see Further Reading ) , the Founders directed the inclusion in the Charter of the following provision , unusual for its time : Every department of the new university was also open to all on an equal footing regardless of sex , race , or ( with the exception of the School of Theology ) religion . Early years ( 1870 – 1900 ) . The Boston Theological Institute was absorbed into Boston University in 1871 as the BU School of Theology . In January 1872 Isaac Rich died , leaving the vast bulk of his estate to a trust that would go to Boston University after ten years of growth while the University was organized . Most of this bequest consisted of real estate throughout the core of the city of Boston and was appraised at more than $ 1 . 5 million . Kilgore describes this as the largest single donation to an American college or university to that time . By December , the Great Boston Fire of 1872 had destroyed all but one of the buildings Rich had left to the University , and the insurance companies with which they had been insured were bankrupt . The value of his estate , when turned over to the University in 1882 , was half what it had been in 1872 . As a result , the University was unable to build its contemplated campus on Aspinwall Hill and the land was sold piecemeal as development sites . Street names in the area , including Claflin Road , Claflin Path , and University Road , are the only remaining evidence of University ownership in this area . Boston University established its facilities in buildings scattered through the less fashionable parts of Beacon Hill , and later expanded into the Boylston Street and Copley Square area before building the Charles River Campus after 1937 . 20th century and establishment of the Charles River campus . Seeking to unify a geographically scattered school and enable it to participate in the development of the city , school president Lemuel Murlin arranged that the school buy the present campus along the Charles River . Between 1920 and 1928 , the school bought the of land that had been reclaimed from the river by the Riverfront Improvement Association . Plans for a riverside quadrangle with a multistory administrative tower modeled on the " Old Boston Stump " in Boston , England were scaled back in the late 1920s when the State Metropolitan District Commission used eminent domain to seize riverfront land for Storrow Drive . Through a series of fundraising campaigns by Murlin , the school slowly filled in its new campus . By spring 1936 , the student body included 10 , 384 men and women . In 1951 , Harold Case became the school ' s fifth president and under his direction the character of the campus changed dramatically , as he sought to transform the school into a national research university . The campus tripled in size to , and added 68 new buildings before Case retired in 1967 . The first large dorms , Claflin , Rich and Sleeper Halls in West Campus were built , and in 1965 construction began on 700 Commonwealth Avenue , later named Warren Towers , designed to house 1800 students . Between 1961 and 1966 , the BU Law Tower , the George Sherman Union , and the Mugar Memorial Library were constructed in the Brutalist style , a departure from the school ' s traditional architecture . The College of Engineering and College of Communication were housed in a former stable building and auto - show room , respectively . Besides his efforts to expand the sleepy riverside university into a rival for Greater Boston ' s more prestigious academic institutions , such as Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology ( both in Cambridge across the Charles River from the B . U . campus ) , Case involved himself in the start of the student / societal upheavals that came to characterize the 1960s . When a mini - squabble over editorial policy at College radio WBUR - FM – whose offices were under a tall radio antenna mast in front of the School of Public Relations and Communications ( later College of Communications ) – started growing in the spring of 1964 , Case persuaded university trustees that the university should take over the widely heard radio station ( now a major outlet for National Public Radio and still a B . U . - owned broadcast facility ) . The trustees okayed the firing of student managers and clamped down on programming and editorial policy , which had been led by the late Jim Thistle , later a major force in Boston ' s broadcast news milieu . The on - campus political dispute between Case ' s conservative administration and the suddenly active and mostly liberal student body led to other disputes over B . U . student print publications , such as the B . U . News and the Scarlet , a fraternity association newspaper . The Presidency of John Silber also saw much expansion . In the late 1970s , the Lahey Clinic vacated its building at 605 Commonwealth Avenue and moved to Burlington , Massachusetts . The vacated building was purchased by BU to house the School of Education . Then in the late 90s , concerns over lack of a " campusy " feel and the physical divide between the east and the western portion of campus triggered another wave of development . The John Hancock Student Village or StuVi was constructed with the intent of unifying the two campuses . This facility includes a new Fitness and Recreation Center ( FitRec ) , a large multipurpose arena , and three new dormitories , one of which opened in 2000 , the other two were finished by fall of 2009 , including a 26 - story new tallest on - campus building ( left ) . The 19 and 26 - story towers , known as StuV - II , house another 960 students , and have made possible the guarantee of on - campus housing to the 80 % of its 16 , 000 undergrads who opt for it , without shunting overflow into nearby hotels as was the practice in past years . In addition to the John Hancock Student Village , other projects were also completed under Silber . These projects range from the construction of the Photonics Center for the study of light , to the construction of the Life Science and Engineering Building for interdisciplinary research , to the renovation of 928 Commonwealth Ave in order to create a permanent home for the School of Hospitality Administration ( SHA ) , were complete under Silber . The 21st century . Dr . Robert Brown ' s presidency , which started in 2005 , will seek to further the consolidation of campus infrastructure that was commenced by Case and continued by Silber . In particular , Brown has committed Boston University to investing $ 1 . 8 billion in the fulfillment of its 10 - year strategic plan , devoting new resources to unlocking cross - college opportunities for undergraduates , improving the campus ’ s academic and residential facilities , and recruiting new faculty for the University ’ s largest college . The strategy , titled " Choosing to Be Great , " sets goals to be carried out over the next decade , and calls for increasing annual expenditures of up to $ 225 million for support of the plan ’ s major goals . The cornerstone of the plan , which calls for more campus - wide collaboration , is a focus on undergraduate education , starting with an effort to encourage cross - registration among schools and colleges and to encourage undergraduate students to take full advantage of both the liberal arts and the professional programs available . In an attempt to strengthen the liberal arts , the College of Arts and Sciences and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences are slated to hire 100 new tenure - track faculty members over the next decade . In addition , interdisciplinary research that spans traditional branches of study has also been identified as a current strength with room for growth . Andrei Ruckenstein , a CAS professor of physics and the newly appointed associate provost and vice president of research , is working with the faculty to identify BU ’ s current strengths in cross - disciplinary research and to drive the hiring of up to 30 new faculty members to help grow these activities across the University . Several of the University ’ s professional schools have also been targeted as current strengths and candidates for growth . The School of Management will hire 20 new faculty . The School of Law will begin its capital campaign for an expanded and fully renovated facility , with a dollar - for - dollar match in funding from the University . The College of Fine Arts , long recognized for integrating its undergraduate and graduate programs with respected arts institutions throughout greater Boston , also has plans for facilities renovation and expansion , with the same financial commitment from the University . The School of Medicine also is poised for growth . Already with a national reputation in medical education , clinical practice , and research , the school is moving to expand its research efforts , especially in select areas of emphasis . The School of Medicine will also devote substantial resources towards facilities renovation and the development of more affordable student housing . Initiatives focusing on life outside the classroom are considered key to the plan ’ s success , and efforts to engage both current students and alumni have already begun . The ongoing construction of the Student Village 2 residence hall is part of a long - range expansion campaign that includes renovations to housing , recreational facilities , and dining halls and a focus on leveraging this commitment to strengthen the campus community . In order to accommodate this physical expansion , Boston University has declared intentions to procure air rights over the Mass Pike . In addition to freeing up land , it ' s hoped the move will unify the Charles River area with South Campus , as well as bring width to a long narrow campus . Initiatives intended to carry out the plan have already begun . In the Fall of 2009 , in the midst of the financial crisis , $ 2 . 5 million revamp of BU ' s computer services took place . The initiative involved a complete renovation of Mugar Library ’ s first floor , the purchase of 200 energy - efficient ThinClient workstations , and the relocation of the computer lab and IT Help Center from 111 Cummington St . Several thousand books were moved to make way for the computer clusters , a shift that reflects changes in the way students and faculty use and exchange information , says Hudson . This new hub of study and interaction on campus , aptly named BU Common @ Mugar , includes an IT Help Center that occupies the wall that formerly displayed books by BU authors , as well as a reference desk , where students can seek professional help . In addition , 888 Commonwealth Ave . has become Boston University ’ s first geothermal building . It currently houses the Kidney Center , the University ’ s Center for English Language and Orientation Programs classrooms , the International Programs offices , and several retail shops and restaurants . Last but not least , the University is planning to build a six - story , structure housing state - of - the - art dining services and a new home for an expanded Career Services Center and the Educational Resource Center ( ERC ) , as well as the Writing Program , Freshman Advising , and Professional Advising offices from the College of Arts & Sciences . Construction of the estimated $ 50 million East Campus Center for Student Services began in Fall 2010 , with an opening date set for fall 2012 . Campus . Boston campuses and facilities . The University ' s main Charles River Campus follows Commonwealth Avenue and the Green Line , beginning near Kenmore Square and continuing for over a mile and a half to its end near the border of Boston ' s Allston neighborhood . The Boston University Bridge over the Charles River into Cambridge represents the dividing line between Main Campus , where most schools and classroom buildings are concentrated , and West Campus , home to several athletic facilities and playing fields , the large West Campus dorm , and the new John Hancock Student Village complex . As a result of its continual expansion , the Charles River campus contains an array of architecturally diverse buildings . The College of Arts and Sciences , Marsh Chapel ( site of the Marsh Chapel Experiment ) , and the School of Theology buildings are the university ' s most recognizable and were built in the late - 1930s and 1940s in collegiate gothic style . A sizable amount of the campus is traditional Boston brownstone , especially at Bay State Road and South Campus where BU has acquired almost every townhouse those areas offer . The buildings are primarily dormitories but many also serve as various institutes as well as department offices . From the 1960s – 1980s many contemporary buildings were constructed including the Mugar Library , BU Law School and Warren Towers , all of which were built in the brutalist style of architecture . The Metcalf Science Center for Science and Engineering , constructed in 1983 , might more accurately be described as Structural Expressionism . Morse Auditorium , adjacent , stands in stark architectrual contrast , as it was constructed as a Jewish temple . The most recent additions to BU ' s campus are the Photonics Center , Life Science and Engineering Building , The Student Village ( which includes the FitRec Center and Agganis Arena ) , and the School of Management . All these buildings were built in brick , a few with a substantial amount of brownstone . Student housing . Boston University ' s housing system is the nation ' s 10th largest among four year colleges . BU was originally a commuter school , but the university now guarantees the option of on - campus housing for four years for all undergraduate students . Currently , 76 % of the undergraduate population lives on campus . Boston University requires that all students living in dormitories be enrolled in a year - long meal plan with several combinations of meals and dining points which can be used as cash in on - campus facilities . Housing at BU is an unusually diverse melange , ranging from individual 19th - century brownstone town house s and apartment buildings acquired by the school to large - scale high - rises built in the 60s and 2000s . The large dormitories include the 1800 - student Warren Towers , the largest on campus , as well as West Campus and The Towers . The smaller dormitory and apartment style housing are mainly located in two parts of campus : Bay State Road and the South Campus residential area . Bay State Road is a tree - lined street that runs parallel to Commonwealth Avenue and is home to the majority of BUs town houses , often called " brownstones " . South Campus is a student residential area south of Commonwealth Avenue and separated from the main campus by the Massachusetts Turnpike . Some of the larger buildings in that area have been converted into dormitories , while the rest of the South Campus buildings are apartments . Boston University ' s newest residence and principal apartment - style housing area is officially called 33 Harry Agganis Way , StuVi2 unofficially , and is part of The John Hancock Student Village project . The north facing , 26 story building is apartment style while the south facing , 19 story building is in an 8 - bedroom dormitory style suite . In total , the building houses 960 residents . Aside from these main residential areas , smaller residential dormitories are scattered along Commonwealth Avenue . Boston University also provides specialty houses or specialty floors to students who have particular interests . All large dormitories have 24 / 7 security and require all students to swipe and show their school identification before entering . At least one dorm , Shelton Hall , is rumored to be haunted by the ghost of playwright Eugene O ' Neill . O ' Neill lived in what was originally room 401 ( now 419 ) while the building was a residential hotel . He died in a hospital on November 27 , 1953 , and his ghost is rumored to haunt both the room and the floor . The fourth floor is now a specialty floor called the Writers ' Corridor . John Hancock Student Village . The Student Village is a large new residential and recreational complex covering between Buick Street and Nickerson Field , ground formerly occupied by a National Guard Armory , which had been used by the University for indoor track and field and as a storage facility before its demolition and the start of construction . The Student Village was designed with the intention of fostering community and bridging the divide between the eastern and western portions of campus . The dormitory of apartment suites at 10 Buick Street ( often abbreviated to " StuVi " by students ) opened to juniors and seniors in the fall of 2000 . In 2002 , John Hancock Insurance announced its sponsorship of the multi - million dollar project . In 2009 , Student Village II , the 26 story luxury dorm opened at 33 Harry Agganis Way . The Agganis Arena , named after Harry Agganis , was opened to concerts and hockey games in January 2005 . The Agganis Arena is capable of housing 6 , 224 spectators for Terrier hockey games , replacing the smaller Walter Brown Arena . It can also be used for concerts and shows . In March 2005 , the final element of phase II of the Student Village complex , the Fitness and Recreation ( FitRec ) Center , was opened , drawing large crowds from the student body . Construction on the rest of phase II , which included 19 - and 26 - story residential towers was finished in fall 2009 . Other facilities . The Mugar Memorial Library is the central academic library for the Charles River Campus . It also houses the Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center , formerly called the Twentieth Century Archive , where documents belonging to thousands of eminent figures in literature , journalism , diplomacy , the arts , and other fields are housed . Among them are Isaac Asimov ' s personal papers from 1965 onward , documents from distinguished alumnus Martin Luther King Jr , and the recent addition of Mary - Louise Parker ' s personal papers . The George Sherman Union ( GSU ) , located next to Mugar Memorial Library , provides students with an food court featuring many fast - food chains , including Panda Express ( which opened Fall 2006 ) , Starbucks and Jamba Juice . The GSU also provides lounge areas in which to study . The basement of the George Sherman Union is home to the BU Central lounge , which hosts concerts and other activities and events . There is also a United States Post Office in the basement of the GSU . Parts of the 2008 film " 21 " were filmed at The Castle after undisclosed legal reasons prevented Robert Luketic from filming at MIT . Other areas around the Boston University campus , including BU ' s School of Management , Mugar Library and FitRec , also provided production locations for the film . Boston University School of Education located at 605 Commonwealth Avenue is housed in the original location of the Lahey Clinic . It was the merger of two pre - existing buildings , which explains its half floors ( 3½ , 4½ , 5½ , etc . ) . The Florence and Chafetz Hillel House on Bay State Road is the Hillel House for the university . With four floors and a basement , the facility includes lounges , study rooms and a kosher dining hall , open during the academic year ( including Passover ) to students and walk - ins from the community . The first floor also includes the Granby St . Cafe as well as TVs and ping - pong , pool and foosball tables . The Hillel serves as a focal point for BU ' s large and active Jewish community . It hosts approximately 30 student groups , including social , cultural and religious groups and BU Students for Israel ( BUSI ) , Holocaust Education and the Center for Jewish Learning and Experience . It hosts a plethora of programs and speakers as well as Friday and Saturday shabbat services and meals . Weld House , the office of the president of Boston University , is the former home of Charles Goddard Weld , a member of the wealthy Weld family of Massachusetts . The adjoining Dunn House contains the Office of the Chancellor . Barnes & Noble College Booksellers at Boston University is the university ' s bookstore , which is located on Kenmore Square . In its five floors the bookstore sells products ranging from books to clothes to coffee . Materials for others schools such as the Boston Architectural College are also available . Boston University is in the process of building a new center for student services , Marciano Commons , at 100 Bay State Road in Kenmore Square . The facility will contain the school ' s Educational Resource Center , Center for Career Development , a new dining hall ( referred to as " GS2 " by students ) , the Writing Center , an Academic Advising Center , and more , including numerous classrooms . The building is currently scheduled to open in August 2012 . Cultural life . Located at the junction of Fenway - Kenmore , Allston , and Brookline , the University has long enjoyed these neighborhoods ' cultural offerings . In the Fenway - Kenmore area are the Museum of Fine Arts , the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum , and Landsdowne Street . Allston has been Boston ' s largest bohemian neighborhood since the 1960s . Nicknamed " Allston Rock City " , the neighborhood is home to many artists and musicians , as well as a variety of cafés , and many of Boston ' s small music halls . Beyond the southern border of the campus in Brookline , Harvard Avenue offers independent and foreign films at Coolidge Corner Theatre , and author readings at the Brookline Booksmith . Other local destinations for campus intellectuals and culture lovers include Symphony Hall , Jordan Hall , the main branch of the Boston Public Library in Copley Square , the art and commerce of fashionable Newbury Street , and across the Charles River , the museums , shops , and galleries in Harvard Square and elsewhere in Cambridge . The combined proximity of so many cultural institutions , colleges , public spaces , and performance outlets , with the University ' s own College of Fine Arts , College of Communication , University Professors Program , and other on - campus sources for cultural energy , has enabled BU to cultivate a thriving creative community . The George Sherman Student Union at 775 Commonwealth Avenue hosts concerts and performers at " BU Central " and Metcalf Hall . There are 12 " a cappella " groups on campus , two notable of which are the co - ed group " The BosTones " and the all - male group the " Dear Abbeys " . BU is home to the Huntington Theatre Company at the BU Theatre ( 264 Huntington Avenue ) , as well as Boston Playwrights ' Theatre . BU hosts campus and non - campus musical performances in the Tsai Performance Center at 685 Commonwealth Avenue , and the CFA Concert Hall at 855 Commonwealth Avenue . Visual art works by students and by visiting artists are displayed in rotating exhibitions in the University ' s three galleries : the BU Art Gallery ( BUAG ) at the Stone Gallery , the 808 Gallery , and the Sherman Gallery , located respectively at 855 , 808 , and 775 Commonwealth Avenue . In addition , BU is associated with the Photographic Resource Center located at 832 Commonwealth Avenue , which mounts several exhibitions yearly , as well as special events for student and professional photographers . Guest and visitor policies . Prior to September 2007 , Boston University had a rather restrictive visitor policy , which limited the ability of students from different dormitories to visit each other at night . This changed when a new policy approved by Brown took effect . The new policy allows for students living on campus to swipe into any on - campus dormitory between the hours of 7 am and 2 am using their ID cards . Student residents can also sign in guests with photo identification at any time , day or night . Overnight visitors of the opposite sex are no longer required to seek a same - sex " co - host " . However during the week before final exams no guests are permitted in the halls overnight , and are expected to be out of the hall by 2 am . Mass transit . Most of the buildings of the main campus are located on or near Commonwealth Avenue . The Kenmore Square area of campus ( including the Boston University Bookstore , Shelton Hall and Myles Standish Hall ) may be accessed using the Kenmore stop on the MBTA Green Line B , C and D trains . Most of the rest of the main campus may be accessed using the B trains of the Green Line between the Blandford Street and Babcock Street stops . The # 57 Bus runs from Kenmore Square along Commonwealth Avenue , and into Allston and Brighton . The MBTA Commuter Rail Framingham / Worcester Line also stops near campus at Yawkey station . The Medical Campus is served by the # 1 and CT1 crosstown buses which run along Massachusetts Avenue , as well as the # 47 and CT3 crosstown buses which connect the Boston University Medical Center with the Longwood Medical Area . The Silver Line Washington Street Branch runs the entire length of the Medical Campus , one block north of most parts of the campus ; it connects Boston University Medical Center with Tufts Medical Center station and downtown Boston . The nearest underground subway station is the Massachusetts Avenue station on the Orange Line , located three blocks north of the Medical Center . The Boston University Shuttle ( BUS ) serves to connect the Charles River Campus , Boston University Theater , and the Medical Campus . Sustainability . Boston University ' s sustainability committee is working to " reduce energy consumption and decrease waste across the campus by concentrating on four crucial areas : recycling and waste management , energy efficiency , sustainable building development and operations , and communications , education , and outreach . " One of the University ' s early steps toward creating a greener campus was implementing tray - free dining , which saved both water and cash . Moving forward , BU ' s newly hired Director of Sustainability , Dennis Carlberg , will continue to focus the University more intensely on sustainability issues . In 2010 , The Princeton Review rated BU as one of the greenest schools in the country . Other campuses . Brussels Campus . Boston University Brussels , officially named the Boston University Brussels Graduate Center , and also known as BUB , is part of Boston University ' s Metropolitan College ( MET ) , one of seventeen degree granting colleges that make up Boston University . In 1972 Boston University became the first major American university to offer graduate business management degrees in Europe with the opening of its campus in Brussels , Belgium . < br > Due to its location in the capital of Europe , home to the European Union and NATO , the school places a strong emphasis on international business , and the student body comprises a diverse range of nationalities and cultures . Dubai Campus . The University opened a new dental school in Dubai , UAE in 2007 . The new dental program admitted its first group of students in July , 2008 . In addition to BU ’ s dental facilities , the campus will eventually contain a wellness center , private clinics , and a major teaching hospital . " Dubai Healthcare City is a free medical zone within the Emirate of Dubai , has been developed as a world - class , academic medical community , which will be developed around the Harvard Medical School Dubai Center , Boston University Institute for Dental Research and Education , and a major university hospital " , according to Kathi Ferland , director of admissions at GSDM . , London Campus . Boston University ' s largest study abroad program is located in London , England . Boston University British Programmes offers a semester of study and work in London through their London Internship Program ( LIP ) , as well as an adjunct non - internship program at Oxford University , St . Anne ' s College . Starting in Fall 2008 , the programme at Oxford will only be a full academic year term , not just one semester as its been structured in the past . The LIP program combines a professional internship with coursework that examines a particular academic area in the context of Britain ’ s history , culture , and society and its role in modern Europe . Courses in each academic area are taught by selected British faculty exclusively to students enrolled in the Boston University program . Upon successful completion of a semester , students earn 16 Boston University credits . BU British Programmes are headquartered in South Kensington , London . The campus consists of the main building at 43 Harrington Gardens , as well as six flats that have been converted to house students . This program is open to Boston University students , as well as students at other American colleges , and enrolls between 650 to 850 students across Fall , Spring and Summer terms each year . Los Angeles Campus . In Los Angeles , BU has an internship program for students to study and work in the heart of the film , television , advertising and public relations , and entertainment management and law industries . The program offers three tracks from which undergraduate and graduate students can choose : Advertising and Public Relations , Film and Television , and Entertainment Management . Graduated students have the opportunity to continue their education by enrolling in the Los Angeles Certificate Program , where students can choose either the Acting in Hollywood or the Writer in Hollywood track . Courses are taught by Boston University faculty and alumni who serve as mentors in and out of the classroom . Upon successful completion of a semester students will earn 16 Boston University credits . Students who successfully complete the Los Angeles Certificate Program will receive eight Boston University credits and a certificate from Boston University College of Fine Arts or College of Communication . Washington , DC Campus . In Washington , D . C . , BU has internship , journalism and public relations programs . Students study in the University ' s building on Massachusetts Avenue in Dupont Circle and take advantage of the city by interning at different locations . The program allows students to act as Washington , D . C . correspondents for newspapers and television stations across the Northeast and New England while interning at major news outlets in the city , as well as at many PR internships in politics , government and public affairs . Sydney Campus . In Sydney , BU has internship and management as well as film festival and travel writing programs that vary based on semester . Around 150 students live in the University ' s newly constructed building in Chippendale developed by Tony Owen Partners . The building uses " fissures to provide maximum solar access to bedrooms as well as natural ventilation throughout the building . " The new building opened in the beginning of 2011 and features underground classrooms , a lecture hall , office space , library , and a roof patio . Other internship and study abroad opportunities are available through the International Programs office . Admissions / demographics . In 2012 , " a record - breaking 43 , 979 students applied for 3 , 900 spots , and the University offered admission to only 45 . 5 percent . " BU ' s class of 2010 is 68 % white , 15 % Asian , 7 % international students , 7 % Hispanic , and 2 % black . The international community at Boston University is 18 % Chinese , 12 % Korea n , 11 % India n , 6 % Taiwan ese , 6 % Canadian , 4 % Japanese , 3 % Turkish , 2 % Thai , 2 % Saudi Arabia n , and 2 % Mexican . Of the 7 % of students who are international students , 26 % are pursuing undergraduate degrees and 47 % are pursuing graduate degrees , with the remaining 27 % engaged in other educational activity . BU also has the second highest number of Jews of any private school ( after NYU ) in the country with between 3 , 000 and 4 , 000 , or roughly 15 % identifying as Jewish . The plurality of registrants were from Massachusetts ( 19 % ) , followed by New York ( 16 % ) , New Jersey ( 9 % ) , California ( 8 % ) , Connecticut ( 4 % ) , Pennsylvania ( 4 % ) , and Texas ( 2 % ) . Academics . Boston University offers bachelor ' s degrees , master ' s degrees , and doctoral degrees , and medical and dental degrees through its 18 schools and colleges . Each school and college at the university has a three letter abbreviation , which is commonly used in place of their full school or college name . For example , the College of Arts and Sciences is commonly referred to as CAS , the School of Management is SMG , the School of Education is SED , etc . Colleges and schools . Colleges and schools at Boston University include : The College of Arts and Sciences ( CAS ) was formerly named the College of Liberal Arts ( CLA ) . The College of Communication was formerly named the School of Public Communication ( SPC ) . The School of Management ( SMG ) was formerly named the College of Business Administration ( CBA ) . The College of General Studies ( CGS ) was formerly named the College of Basic Studies ( CBS ) . The School of Nursing ( SON ) and the College of Practical Arts and Letters ( PAL ) are units that have been discontinued . The Department of Cognitive and Neural Systems ' technology lab , directed by Gail Carpenter has software , on topics ranging from remote sensing to text mining , available for download . Rankings . " U . S . News & World Report " ranks Boston University 51 among national universities for 2013 . Boston University was also ranked 11th among public health graduate schools , 22nd among law schools , 22nd among social work schools , 31st among business schools , 34th among medical schools , 42nd among engineering schools , and 56th among education schools . In 2012 , Emerging , a human resources company based in Paris , and Trendence , an institute that researches employer branding , personal marketing and recruitment , ranked Boston University 17th worldwide and 7th in the United States for employability of its graduates . " QS World University Rankings " in 2012 ranked Boston University 64th overall in the world , the 23rd highest ranked U . S . school on its list . It has also received the maximum five stars under the QS Stars evaluation system . " Times Higher Education " in 2011 ranked Boston University 54th overall in the world , the 32nd highest ranked U . S . school on its list . " Shanghai Jiao Tong University " ' s Academic Ranking of World Universities ranks Boston University 43rd in the United States , and 71st in the world , in its 2012 list of the Top 500 Universities . " Newsweek " ( International Edition ) , in its list of the Top 100 Global Universities , ranked Boston University the 35th in the United States , and 65th in the world . In a 2003 survey , Gallup poll s asked American adults , " All in all , what would you say is the best college or university in the United States ? " Boston University was one of only 35 schools to be named by at least 1 % of the American public as the best school in the country . The Biomedical Engineering Graduate and Undergraduate Programs are ranked 7th and 8th respectively in the nation and rising by " U . S . News & World Report " . The undergraduate program is also the sixth - largest ABET - accredited program in the nation . Additionally , all of the professional graduate programs in the rank within the top 8 % in the country . The Occupational Therapy Program ranked 2nd out of 156 programs ; the Physical Therapy Program ranked 16th out of 201 programs ; and the Speech - Language Pathology Program ranked 21st out of 250 programs . " Business Week " ranks Boston University ' s MBA program 38th , and its undergraduate business program 18th . " The Economist " ranks " Boston University School of Management " 42nd among global MBA programs in 2010 . " The Financial Times " ranks Boston University ' s MBA program 68th in the world . " Quantnet " ranks Boston University ' s Mathematical Finance program 17th in the world . The Center for Measuring University Performance . ranks Boston University among the top 50 research universities in the country BU is one of 96 American universities receiving the highest research classification ( " RU / VH " ) by the Carnegie Foundation . In 2010 , the University Ranking by Academic Performance ( URAP ) conducted by the Informatics Institute of Middle East Technical University in Turkey ranked Boston University 64th in the world and 33rd in the United States . The criteria for the URAP was an aggregation of six academic research performance indicators : current productivity ( number of published articles ) , long - term productivity ( from Google Scholar ) , research impact ( citations from Institute for Scientific Information ) , impact ( cumulative journal impact ) , quality ( H - index ) , and international collaboration . In the 2011 Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers for World Universities , produced by the Higher Education Evaluation and Accreditation Council of Taiwan ( HEEACT ) , which is designed to assess research universities by measuring both long - term and short - term research performance , Boston University is ranked 54th in the World and 36th in the United States . In 2010 , The Center for Measuring University Performance ranked Boston University among the top 53 American research universities overall , and among the top 33 private American research universities . Their methodology is based on data such as research publications , citations , recognitions and funding , as well as undergraduate quality such as SAT scores . The 2012 SCImago Institutions Rankings ( SIR ) , an international ranking of worldwide research institutions , ranked Boston University 129th in the world and 47th in the United States . SCImago Research Group , a Spain - based research organization , ranked schools in areas such as : research output , international collaboration , normalized impact and publication rate . Cost . The 2012 - 2013 school year full - time tuition totaled $ 42 , 400 with exceptions to some schools . The total cost including room and board averages $ 56 , 184 . On - campus dormitory housing ranges from $ 8 , 600 to $ 11 , 990 a year while more premium choices in the newer Student Village residence halls and on - campus apartments range from $ 11 , 210 to $ 14 , 990 a year . By comparison , the average rent for a two - bedroom apartment in the Allston - Brighton area is $ 1 , 300 , or $ 7 , 800 per person per year . Grade deflation . The independently run student newspaper at Boston University , " The Daily Free Press " , as well as " The New York Times " , have published articles exploring the existence of grade deflation . " The Times " discovered that administrators have suggested to faculty members deflated ideal grade distributions . Though an article in the staff ' s " BU Today " asserted that " the GPAs of BU undergrads and the percentage of As and Bs have both risen over the last two decades " , " The New York Times " has found BU grades rising more slowly with respect to many other schools . In 2004 , the average GPA of a BU undergraduate was 3 . 04 , compared to the averages of 3 . 35 for Boston College , ( 2007 ) 3 . 48 for Amherst College , ( 2006 ) 3 . 41 for New York University ( 2002 ) and 3 . 43 for Harvard University ( 2004 ) . About 81 percent of all grades earned in either the A or B range ( 75 % in the B range ) . The article went on to note that although the university attempted to curb grade inflation and inconsistency in the late 1990s both the percentage of A ' s and GPAs have been rising since . They attributed the grade deflation not to teachers ' grading policies , but to the increasing quality of each incoming class which leads to more top grades . Journals and publications . Boston University is home to several academic journals and publications . The School of Law hosts six nationally recognized law journals , including the " Boston University Law Review " , " American Journal of Law and Medicine " , " Review of Banking & Financial Law " , " Boston University International Law Journal " , " Journal of Science and Technology Law " , and " Public Interest Law Journal " . The School of Education houses " The Journal of Education " , which is the oldest continuously published journal in the field of education in the country . The " American Journal of Media Psychology " and the " Public Relations Journal " are currently edited by professors at the College of Communication , which is also home to the " New England Center for Investigative Reporting " , which generates numerous publications yearly . " Studies in Romanticism " is housed at the Department of English and " The Journal of Field Archeology " is housed at the Department of Archeology in the College of Arts and Sciences . Special academic programs . Core Curriculum . Offered in the College of Arts and Sciences , the Core Curriculum offers an intensive great books program for any incoming freshmen who choose to participate . Occupying two classes a semester during freshman and sophomore years , the program has four humanities sections which start with the Epic of Gilgamesh and work their way through Plato , Aristotle , Aeschylus , Machiavelli , Shakespeare , Milton , Dante , Bach and many more . The Social Sciences part of the program includes Hobbes , John Locke , Rousseau , Adam Smith , Marx , and continues through contemporary works . Lastly , the science aspect of the program deals with major ideas such as big bang theory , evolution , quantum mechanics and more . Ultimately , the program seeks to combine science , math , humanities , art , and the social sciences into a cohesive program to give students insight into their world and help them become more refined writers and scholars . University Professors Program . The University Professors Program ( UNI ) was an interdisciplinary program that allowed students to pursue a broad range of academic interests . With a student to faculty ratio of 4 : 1 , UNI offered students a broad education in a more personalized atmosphere . Students took a common , intimate , " Core " program consisting of liberal arts courses taught by University Professors in small seminar settings . They then worked closely with an advisor to craft a course of study which led them to an interdisciplinary degree , culminating in a senior thesis . Based upon the report of an academic review committee , a new University - wide honors program was developed and the UNI program was replaced by the University Honors College . Kilachand Honors College . The University Honors College matriculated its first class in 2010 . In 2011 , it was renamed Arvind and Chandan Nandlal Kilachand Honors College following a $ 25M donation from Rajen Kilachand ; the largest donation in the history of the University . The Kilachand Honors College is a university - wide community of faculty and students dedicated to preserving , renewing , and rethinking classic ideals of liberal education : love of learning , intellectual curiosity , self - discovery , empathy , clarity of thought and expression . It rests on three pillars : an integrated , four - year curriculum ; an extensive series of co - curricular events that include site - visits to leading cultural institutions as well as talks and readings by leading figures in the arts , sciences , and professions ; and , finally , a “ living and learning ” community that offers students the personal atmosphere of a small liberal college and fosters responsibility and citizenship . Boston University Academy . Boston University Academy is a private high school operated by Boston University . Founded in 1993 , the Academy is known for its strong academic program , classical curriculum , and its unique connection to university resources . Student life . Student publications . Despite a Student Activities policy which prohibits student - run publications from receiving University funding for printing costs , student journals continue to thrive at Boston University as department - sponsored publications , edited by students under the supervision of faculty and staff advisors . The coordinator for undergraduate publications , responsible for acquainting new editors with University guidelines and directing publications staff to campus production and financial resources , has been Zachary Bos of the Core Curriculum since 2006 . Although officially and entirely independent from the University , " The Daily Free Press " ( often referred to as " The FreeP " ) , is the campus student newspaper , and the fourth largest daily newspaper in Boston . Since 1970 , it has provided students with campus news , city and state news , sports coverage , editorials , arts and entertainment , and special feature stories . " The Daily Free Press " is published every regular instruction day of the University year and is available at BU dorms , classroom buildings and commercial locations frequented by students . " Synapse " is the Boston University Undergraduate Science Magazine and is published online every semester . The " Science " focus is on many disciplines ranging from life sciences to physical sciences , engineering to mathematics , and finance to economics . The magazine is peer and faculty reviewed , and is advertised with routine , campus - wide distribution of pamphlets highlighting featured articles . " Synapse " was first published in the spring of 2009 and continues to publish articles each semester . " The Brownstone Journal " is the longest - running campus publication , having been publishing undergraduate research , scholarly articles and essays , and literary work in translation , since 1982 . The Brownstone is currently sponsored by the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program , but was originally a departmental publication of the University Professors Program . The staff operates from their offices in the former yearbook space in the basement of 10 Lenox Street , beneath the editorial offices of " Bostonia " . The literary arts magazine " Clarion " has been printed since 1998 . The first issue , titled " ? " , was published by the group Students for Literary Awareness with the sponsorship of the Department of English ; subsequent issues have been issued by the BU Literary Society . " Burn Magazine " is a younger literary magazine , published biannually . In 2006 , the first issue of " Pusteblume " journal of translation was published by a group of former and current students of a co - curricular poetry seminar run by Professor George Kalogeris of the Core Curriculum . The journal , jointly sponsored by the Department of Romance Languages , the Department of Modern Languages and Comparative Literatures , and the Core Curriculum , publishes literature in translation and articles concerning translation . " The Journal of the Core Curriculum " has been published continuously since 1992 by the College of Arts and Sciences Core Curriculum . Produced by a student editorial staff with the guidance of a faculty advisor , the very interdisciplinary Core Journal publishes academic prose , literary imitations , fictitious encounters between figures from the ' great works ' , original poetry and creative writing , essays , artwork , translations , and even — in Vol . XVI , Spring 2007 — original musical compositions . " The Back Bay Review " is a student - run journal of critical writing . " Arché " is an annual journal of undergraduate work in philosophy , whose first issue was released in the summer of 2007 . It is sponsored by the Department of Philosophy and published by the Undergraduate Philosophy Association . " The International Relations Review " began in 2009 as a subsidiary publication of The Boston University International Affairs Association . Entirely student - run , " The IR Review " is an independent scholarly journal publishing articles from all areas in international affairs . The goal of " The IRR " is to unite the many talents and experiences within BU ' s vast department of international relations . Even more independent , " The Student Underground " , focuses on alternative political and cultural activity . Since 1997 , issues have been published roughly monthly by a " not - for - profit collective " composed mostly of BU students . In 2007 , the paper began operating under the name " The Boston Underground " ; the original editorial focus on campus issues has over the years weakened as the founding editors graduated from BU or left Boston altogether . " The Sam Adams Review " was a short - lived monthly student newspaper " providing news for the American Spirit , " geared toward a conservative readership . Its staff was not officially recognized as a registed student activity group but , like the Underground , was entirely student - run . " Boink " was launched in February 2005 by a group of undergrads led by Alecia Oleyourryk , who was then a senior at the College of Communications . The magazine features BU students posing nude , as well as articles on sexuality . At the time of its first issue , the Dean of Students issued a statement explaining that " the University does not endorse , nor welcome , the prospective publication Boink . " The magazine was then , and remains , unaffiliated with the University . In September 2005 , the student paper " The Source " began to appear weekly , and was characterized by a predominance of arts and entertainment coverage . No new issues were printed after November 2006 , and it appears the publisher Greenline Media is now defunct . The " BU Quad " is an independent , student - run online magazine started in fall of 2009 . The magazine features articles and columns on topics including campus news , television , food , politics , and music . BU Culture Shock is the official blog of the Howard Thurman Center , Boston University ' s multicultural center . It is dedicated to free expression and open discussion . Culture Shock is notable for its coverage of the 2011 Boston University Union election , inviting contributions from candidates along with other students . Founded in spring 2009 by magazine journalism students Allie Vasilakis ( COM ’ 11 ) and Marisa Morrison ( COM ’ 11 ) , The BUZZ is BU ' s lifestyle magazine on news and happenings on and off campus . Sections include fashion , food , music , arts and entertainment , city guide , and news . From writers to photographers , graphic designers to models , positions on the magazine ' s staff are all filled and run by students . The BUZZ prints one issue at the end of each academic semester and sells for $ 2 per issue . Community Service Center . The Boston University Community Service Center ( CSC ) is almost entirely student - run . Each semester , the CSC runs 13 volunteer programs related to issues of local , national , or global concern , including hunger , children , elders , disabilities , homelessness and affordable housing , human rights , AIDS awareness , gender issues , and the environment . The CSC also runs two immensely popular one - week programs . During the First Year Student Outreach Project ( FYSOP ) , upperclassmen lead groups of freshmen in volunteer activities throughout Boston before the start of first semester . For Alternative Spring Break ( ASB ) , hundreds of students travel by 12 - passenger van , bus , and airplane to locations throughout the country to do service projects in various areas of need . Before registration moved online , students camped out the day before to get spots on trips . Starting in 2010 , registration process moved online . For the ASB 2012 program , its registration site crashed due to overwhelming traffic . When registration resumed later that day , spots on all trips filled within minutes , according to " The Daily Free Press . " The CSC boasts the most student involvement of any organization on campus . Graduate workshops . Willing Suspension Productions provides graduate English students the opportunity to present rare Early modern drama before a Boston audience . The program was founded in 1993 and produces one play per year . ROTC . The Reserve Officer Training Corps ( ROTC ) at BU traces its origins back to August 16 , 1919 when the U . S . War Department stood up the Students ’ Army Training Corps at Boston University , the predecessor to the current Army ROTC program . Today , BU is one of twenty five colleges and universities in the country to host all three ROTC programs – Army , Navy , and Air Force . Students wishing to be commissioned into the Marine Corps study as Navy Midshipmen . Honor Societies . Alpha Phi Sigma - Nu Mu Chapter Alpha Phi Sigma , the national criminal justice honor society , recognizes academic excellence in undergraduate and graduate criminal justice students , as well as Juris Doctor ( JD ) students , inducting new members twice yearly . The goals of Alpha Phi Sigma are to honor and promote academic excellence , community service , and educational leadership and unity . The society was originally founded in 1942 at Washington State University . The Nu Mu chapter was chartered May 2012 at Boston University . Alpha Phi Sigma is the only criminal justice honor society certified as a member of the Association of College Honor Societies and affiliated with the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences . Athletics . Boston University ' s NCAA Division I Terriers compete in basketball , cross country , golf , ice hockey , rowing , soccer , swimming , tennis , track , and wrestling , while the Lady Terriers compete in basketball , dance , cross country , field hockey , golf , ice hockey , lacrosse , rowing , soccer , softball , swimming , tennis , and track . Boston University athletics teams compete in the America East , Hockey East , and Colonial Athletic Association conferences , and their mascot is Rhett the Boston Terrier . As of July 1 , 2013 , a majority of Boston University ' s teams will compete in the Patriot League . The Boston University men ' s hockey team is the most successful on campus , and is a storied college hockey franchise , with five NCAA championships – including the 2009 NCAA title , which was a classic last - minute comeback victory . The team is coached by hall - of - famer Jack Parker , and is a major supplier of talent to the NHL , as well as to the 1980 U . S . A . Gold Medal - winning men ' s hockey team . Boston University ' s hockey team has won 29 Beanpot titles , more than any other team in the tournament , which includes Harvard University , Boston College , and Northeastern University . Boston University also won the Sun Life Frozen Fenway contest in 2010 against Boston College by a score of 3 – 2 . It was an outdoor Hockey East college game played at Fenway Park a week after the NHL Winter Classic . BU has also won two national championships in women ' s rowing , in 1991 and 1992 . Boston University recently constructed the new Agganis Arena , which opened on January 3 , 2005 with a men ' s hockey game between the Terriers and the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers . The Agganis Arena is also used occasionally to host other non - sporting related events . Boston University disbanded its football team in 1997 . The university used the nearly $ 3 million from its football program to build the multimillion - dollar John Hancock Student Village and athletic complex . Among the biggest benefactors of the decision was BU women , who saw the funding for their teams increased . " By implementing the total plan , we can achieve a much more balanced set of sports programs for both men and women , which is consistent with the philosophy underlying Title IX , " said former BU athletic director Gary Strickler . Club sports . Boston University students also compete in athletics at the club level . Thirty six club sports are recognized by the university , including : Synchronized Skating , Baseball ; Inline Hockey ; Men ' s Volleyball ; Women ' s Volleyball ; Men ' s Lacrosse ; Snowboard ; Ultimate Frisbee ; Kung Fu ; Fencing ; Rugby Football ; Synchronized Swimming ; Cheerleading ; Table Tennis ; Women ' s Water Polo ; Men ' s Water Polo ; Women ' s Rugby ; Alpine Ski Racing ; Snowboarding ; Cycling ; Badminton ; Ballroom Dance ; Figure Skating ; Golf ; Gymnastics ; Jiu Jitsu ; Kendo ; Shotokan Karate ; Sailing ; Taekwondo ; Triathlon ; Dance Theater Group ; Squash , Curling , Equestrian , and Men ' s Club Football . The BU Dinghy Sailors are among the most prestigious sailing teams in college sailing . They have won 7 Collegiate National Championships , most recently in 1999 . They have also had 3 team members graduate as " College Sailor of the Year . " Notable alumni of the team include Ken Read , skipper for PUMA Ocean Racing in the Volvo Ocean Race , and 2012 US Sailing Rolex Yachtsman of the Year nominee , John Mollicone . The BU Inline Hockey Team advanced to the NCHRA Tournament in 2001 , 2002 , and 2003 . The team advanced all the way to the Final Four in 2001 . The BU Table Tennis team has won the divisional championships a number of times this decade , most recently in 2006 ( Men ' s ) and 2007 ( Women ' s ) . Both Men ' s and Women ' s Intervarsity Table Tennis Teams have attended the National Collegiate Table Tennis Tournaments and ranked as high as the top 10 nationwide . The BU Figure Skating Team won the 2009 Intercollegiate National Figure Skating Championships held in Colorado Springs . Fight song : " Go B . U . " . Go BU , Go BU ! < br > Sing her praises loud and true ! < br > We ' ll fight for our alma mater , < br > On to sure victory ! ! < br > Fight ! Fight ! Fight ! < br > Go BU , Go BU ! < br > Down the field to score anew ! < br > Our hearts are with you as you meet the foe . < br > We hail you , Ole BU ! < br > The word " field " in the song ' s seventh line is replaced by " ice " when sung at hockey games and by " court " at basketball games . Notable alumni and faculty . There are 285 , 000 Boston University alumni , representing almost every country in the world . Martin Luther King , Jr . is one of BU ' s most notable alumni . Three other alumni hold historical importance : Rebecca Lee Crumpler was the first African - American woman and Charles Eastman ( first named Ohiyesa ) the first American Indian to be certified as doctors , and Helen Magill White was the first woman in the US to earn a PhD . Other well - known alumni include actors Ginnifer Goodwin , Marisa Tomei , Emily Deschanel , Julianne Moore and Geena Davis , Taiwan ese composer Wen - Pin Hope Lee , former Defense Secretary William Cohen , current Commerce Secretary Gary Locke , former Senator Judd Gregg , radio personality Howard Stern , celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito , J . Crew CEO and former Gap Inc . CEO Millard Drexler , sports writer Bill Simmons , radiologist Jean Francois Geschwind , television personality Bill O ' Reilly , Bravo executive Andy Cohen , former Second Lady Tipper Gore and cohost of Project Runway and fashion editor for Marie Claire Magazine Nina Garcia . The former First Vice President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston Earle O . Latham . The American painter Franz Kline attended BU . The founder of the Albanian Orthodox Church , Fan S . Noli , received a doctorate from BU . Infosys co - founder S . D . Shibulal did his MS from BU . American YouTube personality Jenna Mourey received a master ' s degree from Boston University . Current and former faculty of BU include Alexander Graham Bell , Elie Wiesel , Andre de Quadros , Howard Zinn , Isaac Asimov , Derek Walcott , Robert Pinsky , Bob Zelnick , Andrew Bacevich and Jhumpa Lahiri . A more infamous connection is with Philip Markoff , the " Craiglist Killer " , who was a medical student at BU . Former Miss USA and Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo attended classes at BU .