
Boston University, a top-ranked university with a rigorous academic program, offers a vibrant and diverse community for its students. With over 300 undergraduate and graduate programs, Boston University attracts students from various backgrounds, ethnicities, and geographical locations, creating a melting pot of cultures on campus. The student body is known for its inclusivity and openness, fostering a welcoming environment where everyone can find their niche. While there doesn't seem to be an official nickname for Boston University students, they are sometimes referred to as \Terriers,\ a nod to the university's mascot, Rhett, a larger-than-life Boston terrier.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Terriers |
| Mascot | Rhett, a larger-than-life Boston terrier |
| Residence | 76% of the undergraduate population lives on campus |
| Notable alumni | Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (PhD in Theology, 1955) |
| Campus | Main campus, West Campus, Fenway campus, and John Hancock Student Village |
| Dormitories | Warren Towers, West Campus, The Towers, StuVi2, Bay State Road, South Campus, and 33 Harry Agganis Way |
| Meal plan | All students living in dormitories must enrol in a year-long meal plan |
| Traditions | Lobster Night, BU Rock, Pumpkin Toss, and Terrier Traditions |
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What You'll Learn

Boston University students are called Terriers
Boston University, or BU, students are called Terriers. This is a reference to the university's mascot, Rhett, a larger-than-life Boston terrier. BU has a rich history of traditions and unique terminology that sets it apart from other institutions. For example, the BU Beach (which has neither water nor sand) is a great place to hang out with friends, and Splash is the annual activities fair.
BU was the first university to open all divisions to female students in 1867 and the first to award a PhD to a woman, classical scholar Helen Magill White, in 1877. The university has a diverse range of housing options, from 19th-century brownstone townhouses to large-scale high-rises. The university's main Charles River Campus is located along Commonwealth Avenue and the Green Line, with West Campus just across the river, housing athletic facilities and playing fields.
BU students have access to unique opportunities, such as the annual Lobster Night in the dining halls and the Boston Marathon in April. The university also has a strong research focus, with projects ranging from COVID-19 vaccine development to cancer research. BU's Black Student Union, Umoja, has played a significant role in advocating for the expansion of African-American library resources and tutoring services.
With a vibrant campus life, a proud history, and a unique lexicon, it's no wonder that BU students proudly call themselves Terriers, embodying the spirit and tenacity associated with the name. Terrier traditions and terminology create a sense of community and shared identity among the student body, fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie.
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BU Beach is a gathering place for students
Boston University, also known as BU, has a unique and vibrant student culture. The BU Beach, despite its name, is not an actual beach. It is, however, a beloved gathering place for students on campus. Formally known as the Warren Alpert Mall, it is a grassy knoll behind Marsh Chapel. The area offers amazing views of the Charles River and the Boston skyline. It is a peaceful green space where students can relax, study, or engage in outdoor activities.
The BU Beach is a popular spot for dog walkers, sunbathers, and those seeking a respite from the busy city. Students can often be found playing frisbee or enjoying the fresh air. The area gets its name from one of three theories. The first suggests that before Storrow Drive was built in 1951, swimmers would gather on the banks of the Charles River for a dip, giving it a beach-like feel. The second theory points to the installation of the Counterpoint sculpture by Russell Jacques in 1992, which, from a certain angle, resembles a whale. The third theory relates to the sound of waves. If you lay down and close your eyes, the traffic from Storrow Drive can sound like crashing waves, creating an auditory beach experience.
BU students, also known as Terriers, have a strong sense of community and unique traditions. They take pride in their mascot, Rhett, a larger-than-life Boston terrier. They also have a tradition of painting the BU Rock, where fraternities and sororities compete to make their mark on campus. The university has a rich history, being the first to open all divisions to female students in 1867 and awarding the first PhD to a woman, classical scholar Helen Magill White, in 1877.
The BU Beach is a central part of student life, providing a space for socialising and studying. It is a place where students can unwind and enjoy the outdoors, with the illusion of a beach experience in the heart of the city. It is a unique feature of the university, offering a break from the hustle and bustle of campus life and the surrounding urban environment. Students can gather with friends, work on assignments, or simply enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and scenic views.
In conclusion, the BU Beach is a gathering place for students, offering a mix of relaxation, social interaction, and academic focus. It is a versatile space that caters to the diverse needs of the student community, contributing to the overall university experience and sense of belonging at Boston University.
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Splash is an annual activities fair
The fair is a well-known tradition at BU, with over 400 student groups represented each year. The groups and clubs cover a wide range of interests, including academic, cultural, social, and recreational activities. Students can explore their passions, develop new skills, and build their resumes or CVs through their involvement in these organisations.
During Splash, student group leaders set up booths, tables, or displays to promote their clubs and engage with prospective new members. They may offer information about their group's mission, activities, meeting times, and how to join. Some groups may even provide interactive demonstrations or activities to attract new members and showcase what their club is all about.
The annual activities fair is a vibrant and exciting event that reflects the diverse interests and talents of the BU student community. It is a great platform for students to discover and explore the many opportunities available to them outside of the classroom. Whether they are interested in community service, sports, performing arts, cultural groups, academic societies, or special interest clubs, Splash provides a convenient and centralised way for students to find their niche and get involved.
In addition to Splash, BU offers other traditions and events that foster community engagement and school spirit. These include Lobster Night, an annual event where students enjoy a full steamed lobster dinner, and the Boston Marathon, which BU students eagerly anticipate each April. The BU Rock is another unique tradition where fraternities and sororities compete to spray paint the Greek Rock with administration-approved designs, adding to the colourful campus culture.
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BU Rock is painted by fraternities and sororities
Boston University students are called BU Terriers. The BU mascot, Rhett, is a larger-than-life Boston terrier. BU students have their own unique language, and some terms related to the university have different meanings for them. For example, the BU Beach does not have any water or sand, and Splash is not the name of a movie but refers to an annual activities fair.
The BU Rock, also known as the Boston University Greek Rock, is a part of this unique BU culture. The BU Rock is regularly spray-painted by fraternities and sororities competing with each other to make an administration-approved mark on campus. The rock is located on the BU Beach and is covered in more than 1,000 layers of paint. During the annual Greek Week, fraternities and sororities repaint the rock almost daily, changing its colour and Greek letters.
The BU Rock has a long history at Boston University. It used to live on Commonwealth Avenue at the BU Bridge but was moved to its present location on the BU Beach in 2007 as part of a campus walkways improvement project. The rock sits in the shade of the School of Law tower and the shelter of the Marsh Chapel.
Fraternities and sororities compete to paint the rock with their Greek letters, and it is said to be a great honour to do so. The rock is a source of pride for the Greek organizations and a way to leave their mark on the campus. It is also a way for the organizations to advertise their presence on campus and recruit new members.
The BU Rock is a unique and colourful part of the Boston University campus and a testament to the school spirit and tradition of the university's fraternities and sororities.
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BU's history of firsts
Boston University (BU) students are called Terriers. BU has a long history of firsts, with many notable achievements and pioneering moments throughout its existence.
BU was the first university in the nation to open all its divisions to female students in 1867, with a founding mission of inclusion regardless of gender, race, or religion. This progressive attitude continued, and in 1877, BU became the first university in the US to award a PhD to a woman, classical scholar Helen Magill White. The following year, Anna Oliver became the first woman to receive a degree in theology in the United States.
In 1875, BU professor Alexander Graham Bell received a year's salary advance to pursue his research. The following year, he invented the telephone in a BU laboratory, becoming the first individual to receive an exclusive patent for the device. The School of Law at BU also became the first law school in the US to require three years of study for a degree.
In 1947, BU established the nation's first academic program in public relations. In 1953, Howard Thurman became Dean of Marsh Chapel, the first black dean at a predominantly white university. BU has also produced three MacArthur Fellows, including the first writer from the United States to win the Man Booker Prize, Paul Beatty.
BU has a proud history of diversity and inclusion, with the appointment of Ibram X. Kendi as a history professor and the founding director of the Center for Antiracist Research in 2020. The Center received a $10 million donation from Twitter founder Jack Dorsey, with no strings attached.
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Frequently asked questions
Boston University students are called Terriers.
Boston University's mascot is Rhett, a larger-than-life Boston terrier.
BU Beach refers to a place for students to gather with friends and do homework. Splash is the annual activities fair held during the first week of school.
The student body at Boston University is ethnically, geographically, socioeconomically, and religiously diverse. The students are described as approachable and open to new things and meeting new people.
Boston University is a top-ranked university with a rigorous academic program. It offers 300+ undergraduate and graduate programs and is a major research university. The university also has a strong sense of community.











































