Ed's Blog

Six Flags and Franklin Park Zoo!

Hello again!

Come out and enjoy the nice weather with this week's Summester trips!  On Friday at 9am, buses are leaving NU for Six Flags Amusement Park.  Unfortunately the Six Flags tickets have sold out, but if you have them, don't miss this great opportunity to be a kid again. (You are never too old!)

Saturday, May 31, at 1pm, explore the wonders of a tropical rainforest, the Australian outback, and an African savannah right in the middle of Boston at the Franklin Park Zoo in Dorchester.  Tickets are $5 for students, $10 for faculty/staff.

For those of you on co-op who are always stuck working on Fridays, there is plenty to do around Boston all the time.  Check out boston.com for events around the city from music to movies, theatres to restaurants, and good ol' fashioned family fun for those times when your parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles come to visit. 

If there is something you'd like me to be on the look out for, or something you'd like to share with fellow students, please feel free to leave comments.  I'm always interested in what you all think.

Enjoy the sun while it lasts!

Ed

NU Relief Efforts for China and Myanmar

Here at Northeastern, with our students' increasingly global perspective and international character, we are well aware of the ties that bind nations and peoples to one another.  Thus, the tragedies in Myanmar and China strike close to our hearts.

Words cannot express the sadness each of us feels to see such devastation as that left by the cyclone in Myanmar and the earthquake in China.  We offer them our thoughts and prayers.

For the Northeastern family, however, actions have always spoken louder.

The International Student and Scholar Institute is coordinating, through appropriate relief organizations, Northeastern's response to the Chinese tragedy.

The suffering in Myanmar, as we have become aware, is compounded by the restraints that nation's government has placed on international aid.  ISSI has nonetheless found an appropriate route for Northeastern to send aid to the Burmese people as well.

You can contact Nikki Nicosia at (617) 373-2310, or n.nicosia@neu.edu or stop by ISSI at 405 Ell Hall for an information sheet on how you can help.  Please do whatever you can.

For more information, feel free to visit the ISSI website or talk with a staff member in the ISSI office.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Ed

Urgent Message to All Students

Dear students,

A message was sent out today to all of you from President Aoun, but I wanted to make sure you were all aware.

Our entire community is saddened by this event, and I wanted to remind you all that the well-being of all our students is the University's main priority. For students needing assistance in dealing with this tragedy, University Health and Counseling Services is available for walk-in appointments as well as scheduled visits throughout the week and over the weekend. Additionally, staff at the Spiritual Life Center is available for any student wishing to speak with a member of their faith.

We encourage you to talk about your feelings and emotions during this difficult time. If you need someone to share your concerns with, or to just listen to how you are feeling, there are a number of university departments that can assist you.

The Off-Campus Student Services Office offers information, resources and materials related to the off campus living experience. I encourage you all to review the safety and security guidelines available on their website. As always, students living off-campus are encouraged to use the personal escort service which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Lastly, the "We Care" initiative coordinates the combined efforts of university faculty and staff in taking the extra steps sometimes necessary when individuals or groups experience difficulty or crisis. We encourage you to use this resource should you have any questions or concerns for yourself or fellow students during this difficult time. "We Care" may be reached via e-mail at we_care@neu.edu

Again, I encourage you to utilize the resources we have available on campus, and to provide support for one another through this difficult time.

Ed

Boston Pops and Whale Watching!

Hi again!

I hope summer is going well for all.  Just wanted to give you an update on this week's Summester events:

The Boston Pops Film Night is this Thursday, May 22 at 8pm.  Join us at Symphony Hall while John Williams brings you some of the most memorable movie music of all time.  Also, expect a special appearance by Lynn Redgrave, narrating the Harry Potter Grand Suite.  Tickets are $10 for students and $20 for faculty/staff.

On Friday, catch a glimpse of some whales in Cape Cod Bay and along the Stellwagen Bank on our Plymouth Whale Watching trip!  Buses depart NU at 11:45am for a 2pm cruise.  Tickets are $10 for students and $20 for faculty/staff.

Check back next week for more summester events!

Ed

Campus Happenings!

Hello again!

I hope you are all enjoying your summer, whether at home, in class or on co-op.  For those of you around campus, I just wanted to give you a heads up about a few things going on here.

The men's baseball team has three games this week.  Today, NU takes on Rhode Island at 12 noon at Friedman Diamond.  Thursday and Friday, Friday's game being part of the "Summesters" program (free food!), NU will play against James Madison.  Both games start at 2pm at Friedman Diamond.

The Spiritual Life Center is offering a FREE yoga class for the NU community tomorrow, Wed. May 14, from 5:30-6:30pm in the Sacred Space.  No advance registration is required, and yoga mats are provided, so just show up and relax...

For those of you considering taking a year off after graduation, before either joining the work force or continuing your education, Career Services is sponsoring a Gap Year presentation to discuss the pros and cons of taking a year off.  The presentation is tomorrow from 12noon-1pm in 12 Stearns.  Email or call Diane Ciarletta with any questions you may have: 617-373-2340 or d.ciarletta@neu.edu.

Have a good rest of the week.  Talk to you soon!

Ed

Summesters Trips!

Hello again!

For those of you around campus this summer, please join us for another "Summester of fun!"  Take this opportunity to fully experience Boston and the surrounding communities through weekend escapes, tickets to the summer's hottest events, and free ice cream every Monday during Activities Period.

Tickets go on sale today for the first round of events, such as a trip to New York City, the Boston Pops, whale watching, a trip to the Vineyard, and many more!  Also, today the lottery begins for "Fridays at the Sox."  All current NU students can enter to win the chance to purchase two grandstand tickets for $25 each.  Enter to win at the Student Activities & Leadership office - one entry per student per game.  And this is just for Summer 1!  Check out the complete list of Summesters events!

Have a great week everyone!

Ed

CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES!

Hello again,

CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES!  Friday's Commencement ceremonies went exceptionally well.  Traditionally a Saturday event, this year's undergraduate ceremony was inspirational.  Student Commencement speaker, Armine Nalbandian, gave an emotional speech about overcoming adversity, leading the class of 2008 into the world with her strong mind and giving heart.  Take a look at the Boston Globe and Northeastern Voice stories highlighting her speech.

SEC Chairman Christopher Cox was the keynote speaker at the ceremony Friday morning, who urged graduates to look to the future, a message I hope you all take to heart.  Want a recap of the ceremony?  The NU Voice offers photos and video of the Commencement exercises here.  I just wanted to say congratulations to all of you who have graduated Northeastern University, graduate and undergraduate.  I wish you all the best in life.

UNDERGRADS! - Don't forget, classes start tomorrow.  Make sure you complete your I AM HERE registration TODAY, otherwise your classes will be dropped after 4pm!

Until next time,

Ed

Harbor Cruise Pictures!

Hi all!

Here are some pics from the Boston Harbor Cruise...  I hope everyone had a great time.  See you all at Grad-itude tonight at 6pm, CSC West Addition.

Enjoy!

I hope you all are enjoying the celebrations and festivities this week.  Only one more day until COMMENCEMENT!

Ed