October 24, 2025

October 24, 2025

Northeastern researchers wrestle with ‘demoralizing’ grant cuts

In 2024, Katherine Trice, then a third-year psychology doctoral student, received the prestigious National Institutes of Health’s F31 diversity fellowship. It supplied a necessary equipment boost for her thesis work, which addresses how autistic and neurotypical adults learn and retain vocabulary.

Trice was able to apply for the specific fellowship, which is reserved for individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, because she herself is autistic.

But when President Donald Trump took office in January, the academic landscape changed swiftly as his administration made deep

cuts to federal research funding. Now, uncertainty over the future of their employment, their grants and academia itself is haunting many Northeastern researchers.

In particular, research funding earmarked for diverse applicants is being targeted by the Trump administration. According to reporting by The Chronicle of Higher Education, F31 diversity applications will no longer be considered.

On May 23, Trice received an email from the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, terminating her fellowship. It called her research “antithetical to the scientific inquiry,” saying it will “do nothing to expand our knowledge of living systems, provide low returns on investment, and ultimately [will]

not enhance health, lengthen life, or reduce illness.”

Now, the lack of funding risks “some of the integrity” of Trice’s thesis, which she still needs to publish to obtain her doctoral degree. She spent the summer scrambling to both continue the research and secure a salary to support her living expenses.

Trice’s grant was part of nine Northeastern-led grants, totaling $17.6 million, that have been terminated by the Trump administration, according to The Huntington News’ analysis of data compiled by Grant Witness. The News conducted a series of interviews with professors and graduate students from June to August and monitored grant terminations. The most recent

‘No Kings’ protest brings tens of thousands to Boston Common

NIAZ ALASTI AND STELLA HUBERLIE

Tens

Correspondents

thousands

nounce the Trump administration’s policies on immigration, freedom of speech and climate change. The second installment of the “No Kings” protest called on Americans in more than 2,700 cities across the nation

Rahsaan Hall. Good Trouble Brass Band and the BVocal Chorus also performed at the event.

“Be empowered by this day, but don’t let it end on this day,” Hall said in his speech, encouraging attendees to

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disruption comes as federal agencies like the National Science Foundation and NIH halt proposal reviews and pause new grant awards amid a government shutdown, which began Oct. 1.

According to an Aug. 4 update to Northeastern’s “Federal Landscape” FAQ page, about 40 Northeastern grants from a pool of around 900 were terminated. The approximately 40 grants listed combine Northeastern-led grants and sub contracts with other universities. The terminated Northeastern-led grants included research on cancer misinformation, increasing diversity in STEM careers and improving the evidence base for seasonal and pandemic flu prevention and control.

CROSSWORD

Solve The News’ October crossword!

Answers will be revealed in the next print issue.

Three NU professors featured on Charlie Kirk’s watchlist

Three Northeastern professors are listed on Turning Point USA’s Professor Watchlist, which aims to “expose and document college professors who discriminate against conservative students,” according to its website.

The Northeastern professors — Denis Sullivan, Shahid Alam and James Alan Fox — were added in November 2021, February 2025 and July 2024, respectively, and are among more than 300 total professors on the list. All three are faculty members of Northeastern’s College of Social Sciences and Humanities.

Originally created in 2016, the list has resurfaced in the aftermath of the Sept. 10 assassination of Charlie Kirk, a conservative political activist and the founder of Turning Point USA, or TPUSA.

TPUSA is a nonprofit organization founded in 2012 by Kirk and Bill Montgomery that advocates for

conservative politics on high school and college campuses and aims to “identify, educate, train and organize students to promote the principles of fiscal responsibility, free markets and limited government.” Erika Kirk was tapped as CEO Sept. 17 following the assassination of her husband.

To add professors to the growing list, TPUSA “accepts tips” from the public but only publishes profiles on “incidents that have been reported and published via a credible source,” according to its website. The website does not specify what qualifies as a credible source.

Fox, a research professor of criminology, was added to the list in July 2024. Fox was included due to his “commentary [that] emphasized gun control measures” and his mass killings database, according to the TPUSA website.

“I am pro-gun control, but not to the point of saying we need to abolish the Second Amendment,” Fox told The News.

Graphic by Margot Murphy

Photo by Margot Murphy

Graphic by Rhea Lamba

FRANCES KLEMM News Staff

Protesters hold up signs with messages protesting the Trump administration’s policies, from deportation efforts to overhauling the government.

Photo by Alana Udell

of

of protesters waving American flags and chanting

News

BOWEN RIVERA AND CAROLINE BAKER DIMOCK News Staff

GRANTS, on Page 2

Graphic by Catherine Gore. File photos by David Martinez-Dimnet and Jessica Xing. Photo courtesy JP Valez, Unsplash.

Northeastern researchers wrestle with ‘demoralizing’ grant cuts

While at least four of the nine Northeastern-led projects that lost funding had already finished most of their planned work, others, like Trice’s, were cut off. Three principal investigators leading Northeastern-led grants that were cut did not respond to The News’ request for comment, so the status of the remaining projects is unclear.

According to a Sept. 24 update to Northeastern’s FAQ page, several of the terminated grants are currently moving through the appeals process, and some have been successfully reinstated.

The uptick in terminations comes amid the Trump administration’s campaign against “woke” federally funded research. The administration eliminated certain grants given to applicants who have noted being from an underrepresented background, as well as grants that match buzzwords related to diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI.

The Trump administration has cut science funding to its lowest level in decades by gutting the Environmental Protection Agency and reducing funding for the NSF, the NIH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In FY 2024, Northeastern received $67.6 million from the NSF and $88.3 million from the NIH for research.

“Universities are a huge economic engine, and the ability of undergrads and grads to participate in cutting-edge research that benefits the world shapes who they are in

researchers funded by the NSF’s coveted Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biology, each day she does not wake up to an email cutting her funding is cause for celebration. Since receiving the fellowship in 2024, she’s been based at Northeastern, where she began investigating whether fungi could help plants become more resilient to global change in coastal salt marshes.

One year into her funding, Garces’ research was included in a list of more than 3,400 grants deemed “neo-Marxist propaganda” by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas. Cruz’s report flagged any grant containing one of more than 600 keywords, which included “woman,” “climate change” and “diversity.”

In a Sept. 30 interview, Northeastern’s Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Beth Winkelstein, who oversees the university’s academic mission and research enterprise, told The News that Northeastern has “fared really well” in terms of the number of grant terminations since January. When asked for a specific number of grants that were terminated, the university directed The News to the “Federal Landscape” FAQ page.

their careers,” said Brian Helmuth, a professor of marine and environmental sciences at Northeastern. “If we’ve now told them that that’s no longer valued by society and that the U.S. government is no longer paying for it, where does that leave us as an American culture?”

In a June 5 update to the FAQ page, Northeastern advised research faculty to “continue to carry out activities on current NSF awards as well as develop proposals for new awards of interest as they become available” due to the “fluid situation.” The notice was taken down after a Sept. 24 update.

For Kylea Garces, one of few

“I woke up every day scared for that email that mine was going to be terminated,” Garces said. “I celebrated at 5 p.m. when I made it through another Friday of not being cut, because this is not just research money. This is my salary, my livelihood, my actual pay that is being cut. And believe me, it’s not that much to begin with.”

Multiple Northeastern professors told The News that departments can only guarantee funding for a limited number of students, an issue that could worsen in coming years. In a Feb. 6 update to its “Federal Landscape” FAQ page, Northeastern stated that all funding commitments to doctoral students in their individual admissions letters will be fully honored “even if a student’s federal grant funding is suspended or terminated.”

Randall Hughes, a professor in the Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences, doesn’t

think the university will see the true change in the number of doctoral students admitted until next year because “so much of the process has already played out by the time these things started to take effect in the spring,” she said.

After larger grant terminations, some Northeastern departments have been forced to support grant-funded doctoral students by compiling smaller grants or moving them to another grant-funded research project. And while fellowship cuts like Trice’s greatly impact individual research, the larger federal grant cuts affect principal investigators’ ability to hire and keep research assistants, multiple researchers said.

Garces assumed her fellowship guaranteed three years of support, but the money only comes in stipends annually. Under Trump, the money could be rejected mid way through a grant without warning. While she has secured funding for the second year of the three-year fellowship, she is nervous about the future.

“I’ve only written one grant proposal to a federal agency since this new administration took power,” Helmuth said. “It was so impossible to talk about things like climate change without actually using the word that I gave up. It was so clear that there was no way that it would be funded.”

While many of Northeastern’s terminated grants are more explicitly DEI-related, some terminations came as a complete shock to researchers. Briony Swire-Thompson, an assistant professor of political science and psychology at Northeastern, has devoted her academic career to misinformation research. When her grant to track cancer misinformation was cut, it was “totally out of the blue.”

“I did not think that they would target cancer misinformation,” she said.

Her grant, titled “Cancer Misinformation on Social Media and its Correction,” was in the fourth year of six years of funding. The project aimed to understand the prevalence of cancer misinformation online, examine its sources and find solutions.

Aron Stubbins, a professor in chemistry and chemical biology and marine and environmental sciences, was one of three Northeastern professors working on a $2.1 million grant that aimed to improve the quality of drinking water. The grant, titled “Integrated Water Microbiome and Disinfection Byproducts Monitoring and Management to Advance Drinking Water Quality,” was cut in May, two years into a five-year grant.

The team collected a year’s worth of data, which it hopes to use as effectively as possible. But, Stubbins said, “it won’t be as deep and rewarding and societally beneficial as it would be if the funding had remained in place.”

Stubbins’ team planned to produce at least a dozen more research publications, which are now halted, and inform best-practice changes at drinking water facilities. Georgia Institute of Technology, the lead institution, appealed the termination.

The uncertainty has had a “demoralizing” effect on Northeastern researchers, Helmuth said.

“We spent our entire careers doing work that we think has a positive impact on society,” Helmuth said. “And it’s really disheartening to be told by the federal government that what we do is a waste of money and is useless when really our careers have been centered on this idea that we can use scientific research to benefit society.”

Northeastern faculty added to watchlist of professors who ‘discriminate against conservative students’

While Fox has advocated for gun control measures in publications such as “Policy Solutions to Address Mass Shootings” and “The relation between state gun laws and the incidence and severity of mass public shootings in the United States, 1976-2018,” he said he is not against the Second Amendment.

“I was surprised when I found out I was there last week because what I said and my views towards gun control are hardly extreme,” said Fox, who has been a professor at Northeastern for nearly 50 years.

“I think I’m [on the watchlist] not because my views are extreme, but because my views are often out there in the public domain.”

According to its website, TPUSA is “[fighting] for free speech and the right of professors to say whatever they believe,” but believes that “students, parents and alumni deserve to know the specific incidents and names of professors that advance a radical agenda in our lecture halls.”

“In recent years, I’ve been teaching graduate-level statistics, which is completely apolitical,” Fox said.

Fox has been teaching at North eastern since he became a professor in 1977. During this time, he said he’s felt supported by Northeastern as both a professor and a public figure.

“I have a tremendous amount of affection for [Northeastern]. In terms of my public advocacy, the university has always been fine with it, sometimes they’ve even promoted it,” Fox said. “I know some colleagues in other schools around the country who are discouraged, even prohibited from making public statements.”

Sullivan, a professor of political science and international affairs, was added to the watchlist Nov. 30, 2021, for “including anti-Israel elements into his curriculum” and “his defense of the terrorist organization Hamas.”

Sullivan is the founding director of the Boston Consortium for Arab Region Studies and a founder of the Dialogue of Civilizations program at Northeastern. He currently runs multiple Dialogue programs, including “Experiencing the Old and New Middle East,” in which students travel to Egypt, Cyprus and the United Arab Emirates.

including “History of the Global Economy” and “A Critique of Capitalism,” according to an

analysis by The News.

WATCHLIST, from Front

The exterior of the ISEC building and adjacent pathways June 7, 2024. After Trump’s 2024 reelection, grant terminations left many students and professors at Northeastern apprehensive. File photo by Jessica Xing.

Charlie Kirk speaks in front of an audience during the Student Action Summit in Tampa, Fla., July 11. Three Northeastern professors appeared on Turning Point USA’s watchlist. Photo courtesy Gage Skidmore, Flickr.

‘No Kings’ protest brings hundred thousand people to Boston Common

In addition to speakers and musical performances, two rows of resource and information booths were stationed near the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. The booths offered protest attendees a chance to sign petitions, register to vote or make a donation to a cause they support.

“Honestly, I hope real change comes because sometimes these protests, they’re very big, and everyone feels happy that they went to them, then nothing comes of them,” Ucko said. “So I’m happy that there’s all these booths that have actual actions for people to take.”

One of the booths was staffed by the Educational Freedom Project, or EFP, which was stationed next to FLARE. EFP, founded at Northeastern University with a second branch at Wellesley College, hopes to uphold the promise of higher education and “expand free expression so students can feel comfortable,” said Zi Glucksman, a Northeastern graduate student studying security and resilience and director of policy for EFP.

The EFP table worked to gather signatures for a petition to get Northeastern to reject Trump’s Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education. The compact, which Northeastern has not yet received, outlines eight policies universities would have to follow to get preferential treatment from the government for federal funding, including being politically neutral. EFP wants “to see our universities being the best versions of themselves,” Glucksman said.

“The energy at ‘No Kings’ is intoxicating,” Glucksman said, noting that

the positive atmosphere creates space for change. EFP’s petition gathered 234 signatures at the protest.

Beside the booths, there was an area of grass designated for people to grab a completed sign or create one of their own.

North Weymouth resident Meredith Shantz protested with a sign that read “Malice,” with splatters resembling blood inside the letters I, C and E. When asked about her reasons for attending, she listed issues of healthcare and loss of democracy, but said “ICE is the one [she’s] rocking today.”

“[The protest is] visibility, creating numbers that the media may actually pay attention to, a poke in the eye to this administration,” Shantz said.

and are trying to do what they can,” Burgess said.

Carole Sousa, a retired teacher and lifelong Boston resident, said that she found the protest invigorating and necessary to draw attention to the actions of the government.

“I came to get reenergized, because it can get depressing,” Sousa said. “It’s time to stand up. We all agree, we have to save the democracy.”

move our country forward.” Sousa agrees. She attended the protest with a sign referencing United States Homeland Security Advisor Stephen Miller’s generalization that only old hippies attend protests.

“Don’t underestimate old hippies, we have a lot of experience,” Sousa said. “We’ve seen many presidents come and go, but we’ve never seen a threat like this, even with Nixon.”

Nick Burgess, who has been a Boston resident for 25 years, echoed the same sentiment about the significance of visibility.

“It’s nice to see all the other people here who feel strongly about things

The tone of the event was light, with some protesters dressed in costumes and others displaying amusing signs.

Wu noted that at the protest, “generations have rallied and marched and come together to

Shantz added that the variation in age was inspiring and reflective of what the U.S. is known for.

“We have such a beautiful representation of America,” Shantz said. “Encouragement is contagious.”

District 7 councilor candidates face off in debate on economy, safety

The candidates for Boston’s District 7 city councilor race faced off in a debate Oct. 16, discussing a variety of issues important to voters in the upcoming election.

The candidates, Said Ahmed and Miniard Culpepper, won the hotly contested September primary by a slim margin after a recount. The race was crowded, with 11 candidates originally in the running.

The election has been highly publicized since December 2024, when former District 7 Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson was arrested on federal corruption charges for violating Massachusetts law after collecting $7,000 from a staffer’s bonus and employing two of her family members. Anderson pleaded guilty to the charges and will serve a one month sentence beginning Oct. 17.

The debate, hosted by Roxbury Main Street, a nonprofit organization that aims to support the Roxbury community, focused on issues most applicable to voters in the district including public safety, the local economy and transparency among leaders.

The debate began with questions about Roxbury’s local economy and how the candidates planned to support struggling small businesses.

Culpepper advocated growing the economy — specifically in Nubian Square and Grove Hall — by adding an empowerment zone, an initiative created by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in 1993 that tries to reduce unemployment and stimulate economic growth through federal tax incentives and grants.

“[We have to] work with the city to bring resources specifically to those businesses that have been ignored for many years,” Culpepper said.

Ahmed said that he would focus on working directly with business owners to help them stay afloat.

“Day one, I’m going to start having an office right here in District 7,” Ahmed said. “We want to make sure everybody has someone that they can reach out to, that motivates them, that walks them [through how] to open their own businesses.”

The questions shifted to focus on public safety, specifically in Nubian Square and “Mass and Cass,” the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard known for its issues with homelessness and addiction.

Culpepper again emphasized supporting local businesses, saying that Roxbury residents “need to shop and buy Roxbury.”

Ahmed said that he believes in dismantling the negative stereotypes that keep residents from visiting

both areas, since Nubian Square has gained a reputation of being one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Boston due to its history of open air drug use. The city is currently reevaluating the 2004 Roxbury Strategic Master Plan and the 2007 Dudley Square Vision Project, two plans to revitalize the community, to see if they align with the community’s current goals for the region.

“Nubian Square is a diamond in the dirt in our community,” Ahmed said. “We want to make sure that we market Nubian Square as the best place in the city of Boston.”

Though the debate was mostly civil, the two sparred over Culpepper’s history, with Ahmed calling for a fact check after Culpepper said that he facilitated the merger between Boston University and Boston City Hospital while working for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Attendees’ reactions to the debate were mixed, with some wishing the candidates expanded on certain topics.

WaWa Bell, a former candidate in the race and event attendee, said he was disappointed in the candidates’ responses to a question about reparations and the creation of an office of reparative justice in City Hall.

“Reparative justice is the most important issue for my community,” Bell said. “It was a little disheartening when they asked that

QUICK READS

NU released its 2025 security report. Here’s a breakdown.

Northeastern’s Boston campus saw an increase in reports of rape and domestic violence during the 2024 calendar year, according to recently-released security reports covering crime statistics at Northeastern’s campuses.

There were a total of 73 reports in the 2024 calendar year, compared to 71 reports in 2023 and 102 reports in 2022.

Total sex offenses remained the same since 2023, tallying 13, but rape cases increased from eight to 10. Domestic violence reports doubled from three to six after a decrease from eight cases in 2022.

Motor vehicle thefts increased from five to six cases, while burglaries dropped from nine to six cases and arson dropped from one case to none. Both robbery and aggravated assault increased by two and three cases, respectively, from 2023 to 2024.

For the third consecutive year, sex offenses and stalking were the most common crimes on the Boston campus.

Reports were also available for 11 of Northeastern’s 13 campuses across the country and abroad. Most of Northeastern’s satellite campuses, which are not directly supervised by the Northeastern University Police Department, or NUPD, recorded fewer than five crimes in 2024. However, most local police departments did not respond to a request for statistics or the responses were incomplete, according to the reports.

NU Dining opens Modern Market Eatery, another Starbucks in Churchill Hall

question— it didn’t seem like [the candidates] knew what it was.”

Lucilda Dassardo-Cooper, a Boston resident for 24 years, mentioned the age and experience differences between the two candidates.

“We saw Miniard as the more seasoned candidate versus Said presenting himself as a younger, proactive person,” Dassardo-Cooper said.

The debate finished with closing statements from the candidates, where Ahmed drew on his personal experiences.

“One of the big reasons why I’m running is because I see the neglect that goes on in District 7,” Ahmed said. “I used to be in a refugee camp, so I know how it feels being voiceless, being hopeless.”

Alternatively, Culpepper decided to close out the debate by talking about his prior experience.

“I believe that I have the experience, the knowledge and the commitment to be an effective city councilor for District 7,” Culpepper said.

Many residents, like Angela Allen, a lifelong Roxbury native, have high hopes for the future of the neighborhood and the entire district.

“I would love to see changes in the schools and changes in the whole direction of Roxbury,” Allen said.

News correspondent Evelynn Lin contributed reporting.

Northeastern Dining opened Modern Market Eatery and a second on-campus Starbucks in Churchill Hall Oct. 17, according to Northeastern Dining’s website.

The first Modern Market Eatery in the state is located on the ground floor of Churchill and accepts dining dollars and serves salads, bowls, sandwiches and pizzas.

“Modern Market Eatery is on a mission to make people happier through food, serving up chewf-crafted meals — from customizable salads and hearty bowls to sandwiches and pizzas made with wholesome, feelgood ingredients,” the caption of Northeastern Dining’s Oct. 13 post announcing the opening reads.

The dining space in Churchill has been closed for renovations since September 2024. Previously, it housed Churchill’s Creations, a grab-and-go lunch spot which also offered sandwiches and bowls.

Modern Market Eatery will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays. Starbucks will be open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays.

Thousands of Bostonians gather in Boston Common to protest against Trump. CBS News estimated that 100,000 people attended the “No Kings” protest.

Photo by Curtis DeSmith

NIAZ ALASTI News Correspondent

NO KINGS, from Front

Overconnected: How LinkedIn fuels career anxiety at Northeastern

JANIRA SKRBKOVA News Staff

Forget Instagram, TikTok or X — for better or for worse, there’s another social media platform Northeastern students are finding themselves increasingly invested in.

In a constant cycle of sharing new achievements and boasting professional developments, this career site has become a one-stop-shop for doomscrolling. Casual morning screentime now includes a barrage of “I am delighted to share…” and “I’m thrilled to announce…”

LinkedIn — yes, LinkedIn — is troubling students campus-wide.

“Constant updates about professional life, I think, are really common and probably not the best for people,” said Ellie Krulwich, a fourth-year public health major.

At an institution as careeroriented as Northeastern, the platform is unavoidable. Northeastern’s Class of 2024 reported that 79.6% of graduates were employed full-time nine months after graduation. Of those employed full-time, 93% reported having a job related to their major.

Much of Northeastern’s post-grad employment success is attributed to its co-op program, in which 90.4% of the Class of 2024 participated. In many of the required pre-co-op professional development courses, setting up a LinkedIn profile is an assignment that almost all students complete.

Coursework includes “LinkedIn network expansion,” where students are prompted to make three new connections and explain why they selected them, or “LinkedIn Learning exercises,” where students identify gaps in their skills and take online courses to fill them.

From there, the platform becomes a pressure cooker fueled by self-com parison.

“Somebody drops their co-op on LinkedIn, and it’s like, ‘Oh my gosh,’” said Eliza Forrest, a second-year political science and communication studies combined major. “It just creates a lot of stress for everybody around them, and seeing what other people are doing kind of makes you feel inferior if you’re not on the same level.”

Christina Roberts has served as a co-op coordinator at Northeastern for almost 13 years, advising students across business, finance, marketing, communications and journalism. She said that anxiety is a common first reaction.

candidate until closer to graduation, so LinkedIn might not loom as large.

“I think that co-op has everything to do with that,” Forrest said of the LinkedIn fixation at Northeastern.

“With other universities, you’re gunning for summer internships … but here, it’s such a part of the culture, because obviously you take a semester off to work,” Forrest said.

cumbed to the LinkedIn pressure in her third year, she said.

“I wasn’t planning on having one, and I didn’t know much about it, but everyone said that I had to,” Kelly said. “I think everyone is so focused on the number of connections they have, and it can be useful to connect with employers and possible co-ops, but I think everyone makes it out to be really, really important when it’s not actually that crucial.”

Lucas Harriott, a second-year business administration major, feels that LinkedIn serves as a necessary gauge of his classmates’ professional progress.

“I think that perspective is warranted, especially when you’re searching for your first co-op,” Roberts said.

Forrest observed that her friends at other institutions table pressures about being a competitive job

“I think it’s honestly helped me realize where my peers are at and also where I should be at,” Harriott said. “I do feel a lot of pressure, I will say that.”

Marianna Kelly, a fourth-year health science major, only suc-

Even though LinkedIn can feel like a numbers game among students, Harriott doesn’t make connection requests simply to have a higher connection

“There’s really no point in connecting with someone unless you actually want to gain something out of it,” Harriott said. “Just connecting with a bunch of random people isn’t really going to do anything for you.”

Roberts said that the most important factor for professional success isn’t how many connections a student has but whether they have the drive to network in the first place.

“The students who are active LinkedIn users — they’re natural

networkers, who, if there was no LinkedIn, would otherwise find ways to drive themselves forward,” she said. “If you don’t have that drive, you’re not going to use LinkedIn.”

In college, Kelly argues that the platform functions more to broadcast accomplishments than find jobs.

“It’s definitely more of a social media platform where people just go to show what kinds of opportunities they get when they get them,” Kelly said.

While students feel that much of the LinkedIn preoccupation at Northeastern stems from co-op culture, Harriott diagnosed it as a more universal anxiety about finding a job post-graduation.

Research published in June by iCIMS indicated that new graduates are facing a 6.6% unemployment rate, which, excluding the pandemic, is the highest rate in a decade and surpasses the 4% national average.

“Generally, people our age feel, especially with unemployment being quite high, we’re at a time where you really have to start looking for jobs,” Harriott said. “I think that part makes a lot of kids really nervous about what their future is going to look like. So, starting earlier and getting your LinkedIn profile set up, and stuff like that, is kind of more of a pressure, I’d say, globally, than just at Northeastern.”

Students grapple with anxiety over Trump administration’s federal aid changes

by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, program.

“I would not have been able to attend Northeastern without aid.

For students like René James, a fifth-year architecture major, financial aid numbers aren’t just abstract statistics — they’re the lifeline that makes attending college possible.

“I entirely rely on financial aid for pretty much everything,” said James, who uses the money to pay for classes, rent and the expensive architecture supplies she is required to buy. “If that aid goes away, I don’t know how I’d finish my degree, let alone pay for the master’s program I’ll need to become a licensed architect.”

The current political climate is shaping a period of uncertainty for students and families across the country in many ways, especially when it comes to the constantly evolving financial aid landscape.

After returning to the Oval Office in January, President Donald Trump and his administration issued a series of executive orders and budgetary decisions that have established significant funding roadblocks for higher education. These changes include caps on lifetime and ParentPLUS loans, which allow parents to take out loans in order to help their children pay for college. This has direct implications for higher education, especially for the over 87% of students in the U.S. who receive financial aid, including aid funded

Even if I did want to do a master’s program right away, I definitely can’t afford that,” said Lawrence Brown, a fourth-year journalism and media and screen studies combined major, adding that with rent going up and his savings running out, “I’m pretty much going to be using every dollar I have.”

Northeastern said in an email to The Huntington News that it is not aware of any students who are experiencing delays in receiving financial aid.

On March 20, Trump signed an executive order that started the process of dismantling the U.S. Department of Education, leaving it operating with less than 50% of its original workforce and fulfilling his campaign promise to return control over education to the states. This move has been met with pushback, including a multi-state lawsuit filed by 19 different attorneys general. The major staffing reductions and the movement of responsibilities to other federal agencies has significantly slowed the financial aid allocation process.

Notably, the management of federal student aid is expected to shift to the Small Business Administration, or SBA, while

civil rights enforcement laws under Title IX and Title VI will likely be moved to the Department of Justice as opposed to being housed in the Department of Education.

At Northeastern, the impact of federal decisions is compounded by students’ individual financial realities.

AnnaLucia Christensen, a first-year journalism and communication studies combined major, said her work-study financial aid package has been critical in making her college experience possible, providing a paycheck and the convenience of an on-campus job. Trump’s new bills have proposed budget cuts to the work-study program.

“If I had not gotten my financial aid award, … I definitely would have gotten a job outside of campus. The work-study program just makes it so much easier, and you’re able to balance everything,” Christensen said. “If it ends up getting cut, it’s really gonna affect my personal life, like [my] being able to balance my time.”

Christensen’s access to financial aid makes her academic goals attainable.

“I’ve always wanted to have a bachelor’s and a master’s degree, but starting college now … it’s so difficult paying, going to college is such a difficult process,” Christensen said. “So, if given the opportunity, I would love to do my master’s … if my parents can help me out

and I can help myself out, I would definitely want to pursue a master’s in the future.”

Christensen’s experience mirrors the broader reality many Northeastern students are facing. While a full elimination of the Department of Education requires congressional approval, the current transition process is already disrupting the day-to-day administration of federal student aid programs, including Pell Grants and income-driven repayment plans. For the 2024-25 academic year, 19% of the first-years admitted to Northeastern’s Boston campus were Pell Grant eligible. Budget cuts in the federal workforce have resulted in slower processing times and greater uncertainty for families relying on timely aid disbursements.

In Northeastern Global News’ “Federal Landscape: FAQ,” Northeastern addressed the new budget act signed into law in July 2025, saying it will “affect some aspects of financial aid for the 2026-2027 academic year.”

“The university will continue to seek clarity from state and federal officials on the impact to students and their families,” the FAQ reads.

In 2024, Northeastern’s institutional financial aid distribution numbers hit a record high, with the school offering $470 million worth of financial aid and 70% of

undergraduate students receiving institutional aid.

Institutional financial aid comes directly from Northeastern and will likely be less impacted by federal shifts. Overall, more than 75% of Northeastern students receive either federal or institutional financial aid.

“Just the fact that Trump is threatening to take this thing away and sort of stop any aid is scary. It makes the future seem really uncertain,” James said. “I do genuinely worry that I won’t be able to afford my master’s.”

In addition to structural changes, recent legislative developments are set to directly affect student aid for the 2026-27 academic year. Trump’s

One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law July 4, includes limits on Pell Grant awards, tighter federal student loan caps and reductions in the Federal Work-Study Program and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants.

In a Feb. 12 statement addressed to the members of the university community, Northeastern President Joseph E. Aoun emphasized that his administration is working to find ways to mitigate the onslaught of federal attacks on higher education.

“We are working tirelessly with the relevant associations in Washington, and with our peer institutions, to safeguard these activities,” he wrote.

CAROLINE BAKER DIMOCK News Staff

Graphic by Megan Le

Taylor Swift found love but lost inspiration on ‘The Life of a Showgirl’

CAMRYN CUNNINGHAM News Correspondent

Less than a year after wrapping one of the highest-grossing tours of all time, Taylor Swift invited fans and critics alike to peek behind the curtain with “The Life of a Showgirl.”

The 12-track album, announced on the “New Heights” podcast in August, promised fans the truth of show business and the perils of being a performer. What Swift released in October failed to deliver. Recorded while she was on the European leg of The Eras Tour, the album struggles to leave any lasting impression.

Swifties were delighted to hear Max Martin — one of the notable producers behind her fourth studio album “Red” — would reunite with the popstar for this album that promised to show a different side of Swift. While the team managed to create an upbeat album, the lyrics deviate from Swift’s trademark lyricism — coming off as underwhelming at their best and cringeworthy at their worst — to the disappointment of listeners.

Starting off weak, Swift opens the album with “The Fate of Ophelia,” in which she likens herself to the tragic heroine in William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” While Ophelia is a young woman whose life is destroyed by men, Swift uses the song to say her

fiancé, Travis Kelce, saved her from this fate: “You dug me out of my grave / and you saved my heart from the fate of Ophelia.” Luckily, this is the last time Swift attempts to connect to Shakespeare’s prolific writing. Less fortunately, it is only the first time Kelce is praised on this record.

Swift dedicates the entirety of “Wood” to her satisfaction with her intimate life with the NFL star. She keeps it coy by saying she no longer needs to “knock on wood” because he has taken away all of her super stition. She continues to fawn over Kelce in “Wi$h Li$t.” On this track, Swift yearns to settle into a suburban life over a beat that is reminiscent of songs on her sixth studio album “reputation.”

“Opalite,” an ode to Kelce’s birthstone, is a pure dance-pop track about how she survived dark times, or “onyx nights,” to end up in a happier place. The album’s high point and final love song about Kelce comes

with “Honey,” a sweet, sultry track about letting her lover use pet names. Aside from the tracks dedicated to Kelce, the album lacks clear focus — especially since it is marketed as an album about her tour life. The second track, “Elizabeth Taylor,” fails to make any real statement about the perils of fame. “Father Figure” finds a dark sound as Swift

after Swift was quiet-

ly added to the writing credits of Rodrigo’s “deja vu.” “Father Figure,” though an interesting concept, is ill-conceived, with lyrics that paint Swift out to be a victim who made it out on the other side victorious. She continues this concept with “Eldest Daughter,” the album’s only ballad. In this song, Swift throws a pity party for her past rejections and time spent trying to seem cool, which appears out of touch coming from one of the most successful women in the world.

“Actually Romantic” might take the crown for most embarrassing song on the album. An alleged response to Charli XCX’s “Sympathy is a Knife,” Swift misunderstands Charli’s insecurities for obsession. She spends the track poking fun at how jealous Charli presumably is about the wonderful

The songstress again channels her “reputation” era for “CANCELLED!” This song, similarly to “Actually Romantic,” hones in on

being disliked. Swift comments on how she and her friends get canceled for everything over an uninspired pop beat, but it’s okay because she likes “them cloaked in Gucci and in scandal.”

In a near-total departure from the album’s main themes — being in all-consuming love and an antihero — “Ruin the Friendship” is reminiscent of Swift’s “Red.” It includes similar instrumentals and storytelling as she sings about her regret of not pursuing a relationship with someone from her past.

The song takes a sorrowful turn at the end as listeners find out this love interest has passed. While the track itself is impactful, it is wasted on an album that has nothing else to offer.

The album finally concludes with the title track, “The Life of a Showgirl,” featuring Sabrina Carpenter. This track, which sounds almost identical to “Cool” by the Jonas Brothers, is a weak closer. The highlight of the song comes as it ends, with Swift and Carpenter showing off their personalities as they say goodnight to each other and the audience.

As a whole, the record seems rushed and out of touch. For a billionaire, releasing over 30 variants of a half-baked project reads as both greedy and unnecessary. There is power in waiting for inspiration to strike, something Swift could learn.

Meet me in Boston: Royel Otis lights up MGM with ‘Meet Me in the Car’ tour

their assimilation into Boston culture.

Fenway’s MGM Music Hall set the stage for Australian indie pop duo Royel Otis to perform its biggest show to-date Oct. 10. Nearing the end of their North American tour, the Sydney-hailing artists Royel Maddell and Otis Pavlovic played a 21-song setlist that packed more than 1,400 fans into the venue. The opener for the night was bby, a delightfully chaotic indie rock band from London. The group played an eclectic mix of alt-rock, U.K. rap and electric guitar riffs that reverberated up to the third floor of Fenway’s iconic venue. Lead singer Benjy Gibson admitted the band didn’t actually have a set list — an added element of the band’s free-spirited energy that had fans screaming as he ran across the stage floor during songs.

“We came all the way from London, trying to be your favorite band from London. Are we doing a good job?” bby bassist Deon Graham asked shortly before the band made way for Royel Otis, which was performing its album “Meet Me in the Car.”

Maddell and Pavlovic entered the stage to roaring cheers and jumped right into the first track, “i hate this tune.” Fans evidently did not share that opinion, erupting in applause that filled the hall. The duo moved on to a few more tracks from its new album “hickey” as the stage lit up with colored lights mimicking a pinball machine.

There was little banter with the crowd between songs — the pair opted to let the music speak for itself. Fans didn’t seem to mind, matching the band’s energy with each track. Visualizers also accompanied each song on the screen behind the stage, featuring everything from music video clips to lyrics and cues to the audience on when to scream along.

“We’re gonna play some tunes from ‘hickey,’ is that alright?” Pavlovic asked before performing “who’s your boyfriend?” the quintessential indie tune that, in its music video, features Lola Tung from “The Summer I Turned Pretty.” Clips from the video played behind the pair as they delved into the surprisingly upbeat song about a painful love triangle. Next up on the setlist was “car,” the tour’s namesake track and the second single released from the album in June. After “more to lose,” another “hickey” track, both Maddell and Pavlovic left the stage, reappearing a minute later behind the small soundboard in the middle of the venue’s pit. They played “jazz burger,” a heartfelt ode to the pair’s move from their home in Sydney to Los Angeles.

It was then when Pavlovic announced that tonight was a “special occasion,” welcoming two fans up to the stage. Maddell and Pavlovic left the stage again, and the crowd got to watch a proposal between fans Ryan and Soso. The pair then returned to play their cover of “Linger” by The Cranberries, a fan-favorite from their discography that went viral after their SiriusXM session in 2024. They dedicated the song to the newly-engaged couple.

Back to the main stage for the last few tracks of the night, Maddell and Pavlovic went all-out, playing

guitar for “I Wanna Dance with You” as the screen showed cues like “dance with the person next to you” and “put your hands up” throughout the song.

Announcing the last song, the duo performed the long-awaited Sophie Ellis-Bextor cover that earned them their first bit of internet fame, “Murder on the Dancefloor.”

With a quick thanks to the Boston fans, Maddell and Pavlovic left the stage one more time before returning for their encore. The pair walked back out, donning custom Red Sox jerseys gifted to them by MGM. The crowd appreciated this, cheering as both band members proudly showed off

“Do you guys like oysters?” Pavlovic asked one last time before blaring the intro to one of the first singles Royel Otis put out back in 2022, “Oysters in My Pocket.” The last song of the night was clearly a favorite, and the pit was illuminated in flashing colored lights as fans sang along to the pair’s finale.

Throughout the night, the words “meet me in Boston” were projected behind Maddell and Pavlovic.

It was clear from the energy at MGM, however, that fans would meet them anywhere, from the front row to third-floor nosebleeds.

ABBEY CONLEY News Correspondent

The band bby opens the concert. The band amassed over 17,000 followers on Instagram because of its chaotic and fun music.

Photo by Curtis DeSmith

Comic by Quinn Pasmantier

Graphic by Natasha Sun

Cooking column: Halloween recipes to bake this spooky season

EMILY CHUNG News Staff

All candy lovers rejoice when Halloween comes around. It’s the season of sweets, toothaches and pumpkin-flavored everything. Holiday baking is always fun, and Halloween lets you get creative with decorations. Here are three recipes to try and make your Halloween party this year even more festive.

HALLOWEEN CANDY BASKET COOKIES

Kitchen sink cookies are one of my favorite things to bake. True to their name, they contain “everything but the kitchen sink,” with mix-ins like potato chips, toffee and chocolate chips. These cookies have a Halloween twist, and I love how texturally interesting they are. The pretzels and M&Ms provide a crunch and the candy corn creates a chewy, caramel-like consistency. Feel free to add variation with the mix-ins — you could add Kit Kats, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Hershey’s Kisses or any candy you’d like. If you go trick-or-treating on Halloween and end up with extra candy, try it out!

Ingredients:

MINI PUMPKIN CAKE

Forget pumpkin carving. This season, we’re making pumpkins from scratch. It’s not often that I bake with my mini Bundt cake pans, but these mini pumpkin cakes are the perfect occasion to bring them out. Sandwiching two cakes together will form a pumpkin-like shape, and you can use the cake as a blank canvas to frost any design onto them! Consider baking these with a friend this fall.

Ingredients: Pumpkin cake:

4 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons cinnamon

2 teaspoons ground ginger

½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

½ teaspoon ground cloves

½ teaspoon allspice

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

4 teaspoons baking powder

2 ½ cups dark brown sugar

4 large eggs

1 ½ cups pumpkin puree

1 cup buttermilk

Instructions:

Make the cake

1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), room temperature

½ cup sour cream

Cream cheese frosting:

½ (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

8-ounce block of cream cheese, softened

1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

¼ teaspoon salt

4 cups powdered sugar Red and yellow food dye Stem:

You can use either a pretzel stick or a graham cracker!

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease two mini Bundt cake pans.

2. Mix the buttermilk and sour cream in a bowl. Set aside.

3. Sift flour, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, salt, baking soda and baking powder in a medium bowl.

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter

1 cup light or dark brown sugar

⅔ cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs, room temperature

1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon cornstarch

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

¾ teaspoon salt

½ cup semisweet chocolate chunks

½ cup candy corn

½ cup M&Ms

¾ cup pretzels, broken into small pieces

Instructions:

1. Place the butter in a small pan and melt it over medium-low heat. Once melted, increase heat to medium high. Stir the butter constantly until you notice browning. Once browned, remove the pan from heat completely and pour into a heatproof bowl. Let the butter cool to room temperature.

2. Add the room temperature brown butter to a large mixing bowl with the brown sugar and granulated sugar and whisk until the mixture is fluffy and lighter in color.

3. Add eggs and vanilla extract and stir until combined.

4. Gradually add dry ingredients (flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda and salt) and mix until combined.

5. Add mix-ins (chocolate chunks, candy corn, M&Ms and pretzel pieces) and stir until equally distributed throughout.

6. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

7. While the bowl chills, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

8. Scoop the chilled dough into two tablespoon-sized portions and roll into balls. Place the cookie dough at least two inches apart on a prepared baking tray.

9. Bake for 11 to 12 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.

10. Allow cookies to cool for a few minutes, then enjoy!

SPOOKY SPIDERWEB BROWNIES

If you’re looking for a way to elevate your desserts this spooky season, these spiderweb brownies are sure to be a crowd pleaser. They’re so easy to make — you can even use box mix in a pinch. The marshmallow topping elevates this simple recipe into an eye-catching treat. If you’re hosting a Halloween party this year, consider adding these to your dessert table.

Ingredients:

¾ cup unsalted butter (1 ½ sticks)

1 ¾ cups semisweet chocolate chips

2 cups granulated sugar

3 large eggs, room temperature

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup cocoa powder

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

4. Cream the butter and sugar in a stand mixer until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition.

5. Add ⅓ of the flour mixture and stir until combined. Add ½ of the buttermilk mixture and stir until combined. Continue this process until all of the ingredients have been combined, ending with the dry ingredients.

6. Stir in the pumpkin puree.

7. Pour the batter into the prepared undt pans, filling until ⅔ of the way full. Do not overfill.

8. Bake for 30 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

9. Allow cakes to cool completely.

Make the frosting

1. In a stand mixer, cream together softened butter and sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, about five minutes.

2. Mix in powdered sugar a cup at a time. Mix in vanilla and salt.

3. Add dye one drop at a time until you reach your desired pumpkin color.

Assemble the cake

1. Level the cakes by cutting excess off the bottom.

2. Pipe cream cheese frosting onto the bottoms of the cakes and sandwich them together.

3. Pipe frosting onto the sides of the cake until completely covered. Using a spoon, smooth out the frosting, adding ridges if necessary to resemble the pumpkin shape.

4. Add a stem using a graham cracker or a pretzel stick.

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-by-13 inch pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.

2. Combine the butter and ¼ cup chocolate chips in a large bowl and microwave in 15 second intervals until completely melted and smooth.

3. Add the sugar and whisk until completely combined, then add the eggs and vanilla and whisk until combined.

4. Sift in cocoa powder, flour and salt. Add the remaining 1 ½ cups chocolate chips and fold the batter until combined.

5. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes.

6. Allow brownies to cool completely.

7. In a bowl, microwave marshmallows in 10 second intervals until melted. With a rubber spatula or your fingers, pull and stretch the melted marshmallows over the brownies and press down to form long strings. Repeat the process until you have marshmallow spiderwebs!

by

Comic

Sree Kandula

Photos by Emily Chung

Uvida, Boston’s first zero-waste store, hopes to change how you shop

LAILA GUZMAN GRIFFIN News Staff

Maria Vasco knew Boston was missing something.

Vasco, a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Boston who majored in environmental studies and sustainability, opened Uvida, Boston’s first zero-waste store, in 2020 after noticing a gap in the market. Vasco, 27, wanted to live more sustainably but saw there were no zero-waste stores in the city to support that lifestyle.

“I found out that there was no zero-waste store, and so I wanted to solve my personal issue,” Vasco said.

Uvida first opened its doors at 28 Atlantic Ave. in Boston’s North End. Dripping in green, the storefront invited passersby to explore

a carefully-curated selection of sustainable items.

After relocating several times, Uvida has now found a permanent home at 189 North St. with the help of the Supporting Pandemic Affected Community Enterprises Grant program, which “identified creative ways to bring people back to commercial districts to revitalize [Boston’s] local economy.”

Raised by two entrepreneurial parents, Vasco, who was born in Colombia, always dreamed of starting her own business.

“I think it was very natural for me to want the same kind of business model, but just in a much different field,” Vasco said.

Shelves neatly stocked with a variety of zero-waste products — all of which meet the plastic-free criterion to be sold there — line the walls of Uvida.

“We always require that not only the product is plastic-free, but also the way they package it, when they’re shipping it to the store and the materials that protect the products. The shipping also has to be plastic-free,” Vasco said. “We support a lot of small business vendors in our store.”

Toothpaste tablets, metal straws, reusable shopping bags and upcycled candles are among the items featured. Along the opposing wall, a refill station offers everyday essentials like all-natural laundry detergent, hand soap and hand sanitizer gel. Customers are encouraged to bring their own containers, though Uvida also provides containers to purchase if needed, with the hope that single-use packaging waste will be minimized.

“The majority of our customers are already in their zero waste journeys,” Vasco said.

But for those new to sustainable shopping, Vasco recommends that customers start with the items they use every day, since these are the ones people tend to throw out most often.

For Jordan Whitaker, a fourthyear environmental science major and the president of Northeastern’s Husky Environmental Action Team, the largest sustainability club on campus, dental care was the place to start.

“My dental care routine [was] not plastic free,” Whitaker said. “[Uvida] has compostable toothbrushes that I have always really liked, and they work well. Same with floss, and they have little mouthwash tablets too.”

Like Whitaker, others in the community are finding that sustainable living often starts with simple swaps.

“I’m trying to get into [sustainable practices] little by little by switching things out,” said Pamela Feo, a frequent customer at Uvida. “When I have to buy something new, I think to myself, ‘Do I need it the way I’ve been buying it or is there a better way to do that?’”

Although the store may not offer the same practicality as

larger retailers, some argue the benefits of shopping sustainably outweigh the extra effort.

“From a convenience perspective, it’s easier to go to your local grocery store, Target or whatever is close by,” Whitaker said. “But when you have a moment and you’re able to slow things down, it’s beneficial to you and your planet to be like ‘Okay, I have an extra hour of free

right direction.

“I’ve learned a lot — that it’s really a bigger system that we were all born into. We did not invent plastic ourselves, but it is very much a part of our society,” Vasco said. “The goal is to backtrack from that and really support alternatives, which means alternative businesses, alternative materials and alternative systems overall.”

How to order a drink once you’re 21

You’ve just turned 21, and the first thing to do is celebrate! Turning 21 allows you not just the ability to purchase and consume alcohol, but it also unlocks the door to dozens of other choices — that is, what drink to order. Staring at the wall of booze behind the bar can be daunting if you don’t know what you like or what your options are.

There’s nothing wrong with sticking to a canned drink, like a seltzer or beer, but if you’re interested in something more sophisticated, the choices can seem endless. There’s nothing worse than panic-ordering a random $18 cocktail and then regretting it the second you take a sip. So, how should you prepare before a night out?

Learn what you like

When ordering a drink, the first step is to have an idea of what you like. Having a base that you can stick to — whether vodka, tequila, gin or rum — allows you to narrow down what you do and don’t like. This gives you options, but not too many that you’re overwhelmed.

If you’re into vodka, you can’t go wrong with a cosmopolitan or a Dirty Shirley. If you prefer tequila, a marga-

rita or a Mexican mule is perfect. At this stage, trial and error is inevitable, but once you find what you like, it’s easy to have a go-to when ordering. For those who don’t know where to start, ordering a sweet drink, like a mai tai, amaretto sour or rum and coke, is always a safe option, as you typically cannot taste the twang of alcohol. If you’re on a health kick and want something leaner than a sugary drink, a vodka or tequila soda with lime is your best bet. Take it easy

While it may seem hard to go overboard when drinks will run you about $20 each, it’s always a possibility, especially if you don’t know how much alcohol is in your drink. Unlike canned seltzers, such as a White Claw or Sun Cruiser, which usually contain 4.5% alcohol by volume, or ABV, a typical cocktail contains more alcohol. Hard liquors, like vodka, have an ABV of 40% or higher. So, while you can handle three seltzers easily, it is not the same as three Long Island iced teas, one of which usually has the alcohol percentage of three seltzers. Don’t be the person that makes

your friends regret inviting you out for a fun night. Learning what you like and sticking to your limits is the best way to ensure everyone has a good time.

Tip your bartender

While you might think it’s silly to tip someone for grabbing a can and cracking it for you, even just a dollar or two will save you from dirty glances or slow service. Bartenders typically don’t make minimum wage, so they rely on tips. If you’re planning on staying at a bar for a longer time, start a tab and tip at least 18% at the end of the night (of course, if you received good service). If you’re planning to hop around, carry some ones and drop a couple after each drink.

Stiffing your bartender could lead to slower service or them fully ignoring your future requests altogether. To make sure you’re on their good side, don’t forget to come prepared with cash.

There you have it: the first steps to ordering a drink. While it may seem daunting at first, as long as you enjoy yourself and have a good time, that’s all that matters when turning 21.

CHRISTINA MCCABE

Lifestyle Editor

Graphic by Juliana Rodriguez

A collection of recycled-can candles (top image) and store signage (left image) at Boston’s first zero-waste store. A customer enters the Uvida store April 22 (bottom image). Uvida first opened its doors at 28 Atlantic Ave. in Boston’s North End.

Photos by Margot Murphy

EVENT CALENDAR

SATURDAY, OCT. 25

Men’s ice hockey vs. Denver

7 p.m. at Matthews Arena

Admission: Free with Husky Card

SUNDAY, OCT. 26

Pumpkin Stroll & Halloween Party

11 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Boston Public Market

Admission: Free

THURSDAY, OCT. 30

Karaoke Night at Fenway Community Center

6 p.m. - 8 p.m. at 1282 Boylston St.

Admission: Free

FRIDAY, OCT. 31

Men’s ice hockey vs. Boston College

7 p.m. at Matthews Arena

Admission: Free with Husky Card

SATURDAY, NOV. 1

Women’s ice hockey vs. Boston University

3 p.m. at Matthews Arena

Admission: Free with Husky Card

File photo by Jessica Xing

SUNDAY, NOV. 2

Volleyball vs. Hampton University

12 p.m. at Solomon Court

Admission: Free with Husky Card

MONDAY, NOV. 3

Men’s basketball vs. Boston University

7:30 p.m. at Matthews Arena

Admission: Free with Husky Card

FRIDAY, NOV. 19

The Future of News with The Boston Globe’s Nancy Barnes

4 p.m. - 6 p.m. at Columbus Place

Admission: Free

Libero Nadia Koanui proves she’s a difference maker to depend on

EMMA SHKURTI News Correspondent

Conspicuous on the court, senior libero Nadia Koanui showcases why she stands out — and for far more than her contrasting jersey.

Koanui has proven to be a reliable asset for the Northeastern women’s volleyball team this season. On Sept. 1, Koanui was named the Coastal Athletic Association’s, or CAA’s, Defensive Player of the Week, an award she has laudably earned twice before.

While Koanui takes pride in these accomplishments, her focus is placed elsewhere.

“I tend to block [the awards] out,” she said, adding that she has learned to grow and sustain her passion for volleyball outside of her achievements.

“The older I got, the more I realized … I need to stop looking at this in such a tunnel vision outlook and look at the bigger picture, which is, I’m getting the opportunity to play.”

Liberos are often the unsung heroes of volleyball. While they may not receive plaudits from the crowd or get to hit the game-winning kill, their role as a dependable backbone is crucial for team success, and a selfless player like Koanui fits the role perfectly.

“She gets an outstanding dig, and she is the first one to congratulate the hitter,” said graduate student outside hitter Svenja Rodenbüsch.

Having joined the Huskies in 2024, Koanui has already made her mark both on and off the court. Last

season, she ranked second in the CAA with 459 digs — an average of 4.83 digs per set. Impressively, she tallied double-digit digs in 24 matches, including six games with over 20 digs each. Off the court, her leadership is something her teammates can rely on.

Prior to becoming a Husky, Koanui ranked eighth in digs in the Big West conference during her freshman debut at California State University, Fullerton. The libero began playing for Northeastern as a junior.

Koanui attributes part of her success to her coaches in Hawaii, where she grew up. There, she learned the importance of ball control, aggressiveness and leadership.

Koanui also found inspiration from the Northeastern women’s volleyball coaching staff.

“The coaches have a lot of faith in me,” Koanui said. “They are very confident with me, and overall, we have a really good relationship, so that inspires me to be a good player because I want to do well for them and for my teammates.”

Koanui’s versatility separates her from other players. It is one thing to save the ball from hitting the ground, but she can play more than just defense. She has 302 digs on the season and has accumulated 60 assists as a mainly defensive player.

While Koanui largely attributes her improvements to her coaches, her personal dedication off the court has left an impression on her teammates.

“I’ve never seen a player that has been more disciplined in [physical rehab],” Rodenbüsch said.

The coaching staff has also taken notice. Brendan McGourn, the team’s head coach, has already seen her strategic commitment to the game in his first season with the Huskies.

“She’s the one who has studied up, knows the servers, their routines and where they like to serve,” he said.

The team opened its season with a 3-1 win against the Saint Peter’s Peacocks, a game in which Koanui had 17 digs.

“Every team needs a player like her, but not everyone gets it,” Rodenbüsch said. “I’m grateful to have her by my side.”

One of Koanui’s personal highlights this season was the game against the University of New Haven. The Huskies led the first two sets but fell behind in the third and fourth, entering the fifth set facing an opposing team with high momentum. She recalled stepping into a leadership role in that moment and

motivating her team to confidently win the tie-breaking set to give the Huskies the victory.

“Nadia is our competitive captain … She leads by example. She goes hard in every drill. She will hold people accountable in the best way,” McGourn said.

While the Northeastern women’s volleyball record of 7-10 is slightly outweighed in losses, this does not accurately reflect players’ improvements. McGourn said he’s seen significant changes in the way the team works together, and it played well against big teams like Fairfield University and the University of Connecticut despite losing 3-1 and 3-0, respectively.

As one of the older players, Koanui is seen as a leader by many of her teammates.

“One thing my teammates like to rely on me for is emotional stability,” she said. “In our positions [as older players], we tend to be more confident in high pressure situations.”

“You’re calm next to her because you know you can trust her,” Rodenbüsch said, referring to Koanui’s leadership.

Koanui describes her final season playing volleyball as bittersweet.

“I am so excited for this season,” she said, adding that she is “ready for the next chapter.”

Koanui is looking forward to helping lead the team against the Willaim & Mary Tribe Oct. 24-25 for the Huskies’ fifth conference series of the season.

Several Boston neighborhoods report sudden uptick in apartment vacancies

Boston, one of America’s renowned hubs of higher education, attracts thousands of students each year in addition to scores of working professionals.

Yet, more than a month after Boston residents moved into new apartments the first week of September, hundreds remain vacant.

According to data collected by Boston Pads, the city’s largest apartment and real estate portal, the availability rate of apartments in Boston is up 10.1% compared to last year. In 2024, 1.6% of units remained vacant. This year, that number is closer to 1.86%.

Near Symphony Hall and Northeastern University, the number of available apartments more than doubled from 0.81% to 2% over the past year. While some neighborhoods remain unaffected, others are feeling an acute impact.

Demetrios Salpoglou, the chief executive of Boston Pads, told The Boston Globe that landlords have been confused about the vacancies.

“When I checked the other day, we had 76 units available on Mission Hill alone. That is virtually unheard of,” Salpoglou said in an interview with the Globe. “I have landlords calling me saying, ‘What’s going on with the universities? Why aren’t my apartments rented?’”

The vacancies come as international students nationwide grapple

with the Trump administration’s changes in visa policies. In late May, the State Department stopped scheduling interviews for international students seeking visas, implementing an expansion of the social media vetting process in its place. The suspension was lifted June 18, but the timing of the pause overlapped with the peak visa issuance season for fall semester student enrollment.

Though enrollment statistics have yet to be released for most universities, data suggest that visa delays and cancellations may partially explain the unusual uptick of available units as people are unable to enter the United States. In August, The New York Times reported a 19% decrease in the number of international students entering the U.S. compared to the previous year, the steepest drop since COVID-19.

In an interview with The Huntington News, Salpoglou said several factors play a role in the increase of vacancies, notably the state broker bill that passed on Aug. 1. The broker bill, officially known as Bill S.224, prohibits real estate professionals from charging renters a “broker fee” along with the first month’s rent when they are applying for, leasing or renting a residential space. According to Salpoglou, 40% of landlords had paid the brokerage commission before the bill passed, which is considered highly unusual for that summertime period. Landlords still have to pay the broker fee

on their properties even if renters aren’t there to pay for it.

“The international kids that didn’t show up or showed up late caused the market to recoil, so in other words, the fact that 40% of landlords were already paying the broker commission prior to the broker bill being passed told you that there were some significant impacts of international college students not showing up,” Salpoglou said.

Salpoglou urges university housing advisors to take this opportunity to make changes and be aware of international visa trends in next year’s housing application cycle.

Despite the vacancies, students continue to flock to neighborhoods including Mission Hill, commonly known as “the Hill,” Fenway-Kenmore and Back Bay. Julia French, a fifth-year business administration and political science combined major at Northeastern who lives on the Hill, said the renting process was stressful because the area is so popular.

“I feel like it’s always been stressful and a fast turnaround because you have to find a place and sign a lease so far in advance, and I feel like that’s been like a common theme throughout every year,” French said. “But I know that housing prices have definitely increased significantly. I’ve just been luckier, or unlucky enough, to have places that are relatively cheaper, but, you know, at a cost, for sure.”

Theodore Fairchild-Coppoletti, a third-year mathematics and physics combined major at Northeastern, said he hasn’t noticed much of a difference

in housing density where he lives near Parker Hill Avenue.

“It seems about as full as last year, though I’ve definitely heard that there’s more space,” Fairchild-Coppoletti said. “Anecdotally, it seems slightly less busy when I’m walking down the campus. I’ve also noticed less people on campus, probably more so than I have here.”

Jingwen Sun, a second-year media and screen studies major at Northeastern who lives in Fenway, noted that the close proximity of shops and restaurants makes the neighborhood a good fit for herself and other students.

While students like Sun appreciate the liveliness of Fenway’s neighborhood, there are negative financial implications for landlords when rental properties go unoccupied, even if for a short time.

“If you’re vacant, you can’t make that month up,” Salpoglou said. “It’s just very hard.”

The increased vacancies come with both positive and negative sides, Salpoglou says. While students may get a better deal from the impact of the broker fee policy, rents may also increase.

“It was the fact the kids didn’t show up,” he said. “International or national, it doesn’t matter. I think to most landlords, it’s just who’s living on the properties. If no one’s living on the property, you’re not collecting any rent.”

Deputy campus editors Lily Cooper, Maddie Evangelist and Auden Oakes contributed reporting.

File photo by Jessica Xing

Photo by Brian Daniels

ZOE MACDIARMID, ANNALISE KARAMAS AND EVELYNN LIN Campus Editor and News Correspondents

Koanui prepares to receive the ball in game against the University of Charleston Oct. 19. Koanui was named CAA Defensive Player of the Week three times.

Photo by Niaz Alasti

From studio to podium: Northeastern’s dance team earns historic national finish

ALEX PAYÁ News Staff

Sequin tops sparkled under the glistening lights of the dance studio as 20 girls, pom poms in hand and jazz shoes laced tight, danced to an energizing mix of pop, jazz and hiphop. Their effort and energy have paid off — for the first time in its history, the Northeastern University Dance Team, or NUDT, earned first place at the National Dance Alliance’s College Nationals and notched second in the Dance Grand Championship.

NUDT is built on dedication, hard work and community. The dancers practice four days a week, with additional lifting and strength training sessions, plus a 90-minute ballet class once a month.

In addition to group practices, dancers must stay up to date with every piece of choreography. That means knowing eight to 10 game day and two nationals routines.

Olivia Aragon, a fourth-year architecture major, was named captain in the fall after three years as a member. Her time management skills, organization and discipline have allowed her to combine her studies with the high demands of the club, she said.

“I think the only way to get through it is to be super organized and be very diligent about how you spend your time,” she said. “It’s really important that all the dancers get

all of their homework, schoolwork or co-op work done before they enter our practices.”

Anoushka Abroal is a second-year computer science major who joined last fall. As a new member, she quickly realized that organization was crucial to balance her complex major with the team’s rigorous workouts. She finds it important to “keep ourselves accountable” with homework.

In order to cope with work stress and strengthen team bonding, the team has a tradition of studying together at Snell Library.

“We have a fun thing going on in our group chat where somebody says, ‘Oh, who is in Snell Library this morning?’ and then we’ll all go and study in the morning [or] just whenever anybody has time,” Abroal said.

Practicing four days a week is a big time commitment, but other varsity clubs under the National Dance Alliance, or NDA, workout as much as five to seven days weekly. The NCAA does not regulate the sport, which means that there are no requirements for how a school sponsors its team.

The resources available for each school are handled differently depending on budget and club members. As a result, many teams are disadvantaged when competing against other schools, such as Ohio State University or the University of Minnesota, that grant scholarships and fully fund their teams.

NUDT handles those difficulties by working extra hard outside of the studio.

Nicole Vicino, a Northeastern alumna and head coach for the past seven years, has extensive experience running Northeastern’s dance program. She says the key is making sure dancers stay up to date with the choreography so they come to the limited practice times prepared.

The preparation led NUDT to secure first place in the team performance category at nationals with a score of 90.625 out of 100, surpassing larger state schools.

The Huskies’ strong finish qualified the team for April’s USA Dance Grand Championship for the first time in history.

In the grand championship, winners of each division face off, and the best team claims the overall title. At the start of each season, the NDA organ izes six divisions, sorting each school according to the NCAA division of its basketball or football program. With Northeastern’s basketball teams being Division I, the dance team competes against other DI schools.

Last spring, Northeastern came close to the trophy, finishing in second place.

Abroal recalls last year’s accom plishments at nationals and the grand championship as “a huge honor.”

“That win got us super excited, and we had a great time competing in the grand championships, just

for ourselves, just because we knew that we were on top of the world,” she said.

Aragon highlighted the foundational work team members had to put in in order to reach nationals at their best level. That mindset is built in everyday practices and at NDA’s qualification camp which is the gateway to nationals.

The qualifying camp is a threeday course held each August where teams perform different dances: one with the school’s theme song and another with a routine given ahead of time. Earning the coveted gold bid at the camp gives teams priority registration and greater discounts.

“We have a pretty rigorous summer programming that we all follow and keep each other accountable for in order to be very prepared for camp,” Aragon said.

NUDT performs during basketball home games.

“It’s a lot of requirements for the team, but it’s something that’s so core to our mission as a dance team,” Vicino said. “We’re really proud to be part of our school’s athletic program, and it’s great to be able to dance at all the basketball games.”

After Aragon graduates this spring, she hopes to audition for professional dance teams.

Abroal hopes to follow in Aragon’s footsteps as a leader. Her motto is to “keep pushing through because the work is worth it.” Although the goal is always to keep winning, there are lessons and experiences that are more valuable, she said.

“Of course, the goal is always a championship win at the end of

thing that I want to continue going forward,” Abroal said.

Men’s hockey looks to bounce back after rollercoaster season

After a devastating and confusing 2024-25 season, the men’s hockey team is trying to rebrand itself, adding 14 new players after the departure of key competitors including Cam Lund and Cameron Whitehead.

“I’ve been really impressed with the new group so far, [and] our returners have come back in tremendous shape,” said head coach Jerry Keefe.

With the number of new players, the team showed up a week earlier than normal for team bonding, hoping to build chemistry off the ice that translates when the skates come on. It was important for the team members to not only get acquainted with one another but for the newcomers to understand what distinguishes this program from others.

“I think the biggest thing for us is, or was for us when we reported,

was to get the guys comfortable, to let them understand what it takes to play Husky hockey … so we’re in a really good spot,” said senior defenseman and captain Vinny Borgesi.

Of the 14 new players, nine are freshmen. While they may be new to college hockey, they made an impact in the junior league.

“I feel like this freshman class is as strong as we’ve had in a long time,” Keefe said.

Freshmen Dylan Compton and Noah Jones will join the back line.

Since coming to Boston, Compton has been crucial to the Huskies’ defense. He currently shares the line with sophomore defenseman Jack Henry.

“It’s definitely Compton and Henry,” Keefe said. “And those guys are going to play, for sure. They’re going to play a significant amount of minutes. Dylan Compton’s a freshman, but I can see him playing a lot of minutes as the year goes on.”

In terms of transfers, senior defensemen Austen May and Dylan Finlay were picked up in the portal.

Coming from Providence College, May played in 34 games last season, where he led his fellow defensemen in shots at 61 and blocks at 23. So far this season, May collected two assists and one goal against West Point Oct. 10.

Finlay transferred to Northeastern from the University of Alaska Anchorage. He blocked 21 shots and had 29 shots of his own. So far this season, he has blocked one shot.

Finlay has been playing alongside Borgesi.

“[I’m] really impressed with [Finlay]. His attention to detail is tremendous. You can tell he’s got experience. He looks like he’s been here for three years already. So, credit to him,” Keefe said.

Henry, Borgesi and senior Joaquim Lemay are the returners on the back line.

Last season, Lemay collected the fourth-most blocks for the Huskies with 49. He was ranked 13th in NCAA for amount of time on the ice, where he netted three goals and nine assists. Currently, Lemay holds one assist and six shots.

Borgesi led the Northeastern defensemen last year in goals and assists at five and 17, respectively. On the defensive side, he had a career-high 51 blocks. He also had 51 faceoff wins, ranking second of all NCAA defensemen. Borgesi has seven blocks and one assist so far this season.

Moving up the ice, six freshmen

forwards joined the Huskies: Grayson Badger, Giacomo Martino, Jack Pechar, Amine Hajibi, Jacob Mathieu and Matthew Maltais.

Junior transfers Matthew Perkins and Tyler Fukakusa are two new forwards as well.

“Both of them are going to play a key part for us,” Keefe said. “We needed to get stronger down the middle and both of those guys have done that for us. Perkins skates extremely well, so he adds a lot of speed to our lineup. And Fukakusa, a guy that’s put up really good numbers in college hockey. He’s a real cerebral player. He’s a playmaker and he’s got a lot of poise to his game.”

Despite being new to Northeastern, Maltais and Pechar are not new to playing with each other, as they were on the same line for the USHL’s Lincoln Stars. Keefe has added Fukakusa to the duo.

Hryckowian, Connor and Perkins have been the first line in all but one game so far this season.

“They kind of have that relentless second effort to them, which you need,” Keefe said. “They’re a hard skill line with a lot of intelligence. I think they can play the game a lot of different ways. They can be really good off the rush, but I also think they can establish a down low game as well”

After an impressive freshman year campaign with seven goals, the fourth-most among the team, and 10 assists, the best among the rookies in both stats, Connor was expected to be a dominant player on the ice and has made his mark,

netting three goals in the season, two of them in the season opener against Holy Cross Oct. 4.

“We’re expecting [Connor] to kind of be that next, along with [Hryckowian], he’d be that high-end guy for us,” Keefe said. “I’m excited that he’s ready to pop.”

Sophomore goaltender Quentin Sigurdson was joined by freshman Matt DellaRusso and junior transfer Lawton Zacher.

Zacher allowed eight goals in the past three games but has collected 71 saves in the two games won and the one loss against West Point Oct. 10.

“He’s expected to be our No. 1 for sure,” Keefe said. “He’s been good in the scrimmages … we really like what we see. Our goaltending coach, Brian Mahoney-Wilson, is doing a really good job with connecting with [Zacher]. They’ve got a real good relationship, and he’s a gamer. He’s a competitive kid.”

After last year’s disastrous Beanpot tournament but a run to the Hockey East semifinals, the team is ready to take on another year.

“The biggest thing that we took from that last year is obviously we didn’t get where we wanted to be,” Borgesi said. “Obviously, we want to win that championship. But our returning guys kind of got a lick and a little taste about what it takes to win at this level … I noticed guys are working a little bit harder this year.”

Northeastern men’s hockey will play the University of Denver (2-1-1, 0-0 National Collegiate Hockey Conference) at 7 p.m. Oct. 25.

ELLI EINSET Sports Editor

NUDT poses for a photo during the NDA National Championship competition. Photo courtesy Gabriela Castañeda.

The Huskies line up on the ice at TD Garden before puck drop Feb. 3. Last season, Northeastern leaned on its veteran leaders and new faces to drive its success.

Photo by Brian Daniels

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Why fall is the peak Northeastern experience

SHREYA PILLAMARI Columnist

The first weeks of October on Northeastern’s campus are cinematic. Students bustle from class to class, Dunkin’ cups in hand and leaves crunching underfoot. While Jan. 1 is considered the start of a new year for the world, the fall semester begins a new year for students. With clubs starting up, co-op interviews underway and roommates planning apple-picking trips, fall at Northeastern isn’t just pretty — it uniquely enhances students’ experience in ways that other schools can’t match.

One of the best parts of the Northeastern campus: the foliage. On Centennial Common and along the tree-lined paths leading to Ruggles, leaves turn brilliant shades of red, orange and brown, giving the school the charm of a classic New England college. Unlike some other Boston campuses that can feel more like concrete jungles (looking at you, Boston University), Northeastern’s abundance of greenery makes it stand out. So much so that the campus qualifies as an official arboretum, something that sets it apart from the rest of the city. Study groups and club meetings spill outside as everyone wants to experience the perfect fall atmos-

phere. The bold foliage standing out among campus architecture creates an atmosphere that makes everyday routines — walking to class, studying outside and catching up with friends — feel vibrant and full of energy.

Beyond the scenery, the fall semester at Northeastern carries a new set of responsibilities for students to take on.

Classes are in full swing, Panhellenic recruitment is underway and the arduous task of applying for co-op has just started, signaling the beginning of students’ professional journeys. Husky spirit is at an all-time high with an abundance of sports games and campus events. Students settle back into routine and find time to reconnect with their friends from last semester. Unlike spring, which feels like a countdown to summer, fall has the momentum of a true restart. The crisp air and colorful campus mirror that sense of possibility, making the season feel both fresh and full of purpose.

Another reason fall at Northeastern stands out is because it is immersed in Boston itself. The city comes alive in autumn — the Charles River lined with colorful leaves and

the Boston Common transformed into a canopy of color. Seasonal traditions come alive, from farmers’ markets to Salem day trips. Apple and pumpkin become the most sought-after flavors as Blackbird Doughnuts introduces its fall mix and coffee shops sell out of their pumpkin spice lattes. Unlike students at more isolated campuses (cough, cough Boston College), Northeastern students can step out of class and immediately be part of it all. The campus-to-city connection makes fall not just something you see from afar, but something you experience every day — blending the best of New England autumn with the opportunities of an urban hub.

Of course, some might argue that other schools in New England and Boston capture the same essence of fall, especially with their sprawling

rural campuses. The scenes in late October and early November at Dartmouth College or University of Massachusetts Amherst can feel like they are out of postcards. But what makes Northeastern different, and arguably better, is that it doesn’t force you to choose. On our campus, you can experience the golden leaves and autumn air by just hanging around Centennial, but you also remain connected to the energy of a global city and experience it in a heartbeat. This combination is perfect for students to experience the beauty of fall without losing access to the opportunities, culture and excitement that only Boston provides.

In the end, fall at Northeastern isn’t just a pretty backdrop — it actively shapes how students experience the semester. From the rhythm of student life to the unique blend of campus and city, the season amplifies everything that makes the university distinctive. It’s not only about the colorful leaves or crisp air but the sense of momentum and possibility they reflect. If you want the best of both New England autumn and a dynamic campus life, there’s no better place to be in the fall than Northeastern.

The city that always sleeps is due for a rebrand

Boston is known for a lot of things: its history, being a global hub for higher education, and, of course, the Red Sox. People travel from all over the world to attend the best schools, work in the top hospitals and be part of one of the world’s most innovative cities. But something that slips everyone’s mind when considering the city of Boston? Its nightlife. Boston is known for not knowing how to have proper fun.

Now, “having fun” might seem like a childish thing to lobby for, since going out is commonly seen as a waste of time. However, with growing amounts of “burnout” among its population, Boston needs to offer a way for students and workers to regulate their stressful lives. Having fun should be seen as a necessity to good mental health for diligent and dedicated Bostonians.

kayaking or working at the hospital. Good nightlife is always going to be about the clubs, the bars and the electric energy you feel at night when you walk through the streets. How is it possible to consider Boston as having vibrant nightlife when the first three clubs that come up when you Google “Clubs in Boston” have reviews on Yelp including: “Not clubby…” or “More dance hall than nightclub.”

Boston is boring, and this is a fact that the government chooses not to change. Several policies dissuade the fun opportunities that usually come with an urban lifestyle: Massachusetts liquor laws prevent happy hours and others force businesses to cease alcoholic service before 2 a.m. There is a reason it is called “happy hour,” and banning it shows Boston’s attitude toward the contentment and health of its population.

MA

When Corean Reynolds, the director of nightlife economy in Boston, was interviewed on Radio Boston, she defended the dig at Boston’s nightlife, that it is “the city that always sleeps,” by referring to the nocturnal workforce of nurses, firefighters and construction workers. She is responsible for making both immediate and longterm solutions to support nightlife in Boston through grants and public policies. Her response was baffling, making it clear that even her own perspective on Boston’s nightlife was one of work and not fun.

Despite what Renolds seems to think, good nightlife is never going to be associated with nighttime

Dating back to the 1600s, these “blue law” policies are remnants of the Puritan culture that once prevented the sale of alcohol on Sundays. But the Boston of today is not a Puritan or traditional city — it’s one of progress and secularism. Why does Boston still hold on to policies from 400 years ago when they do not reflect the city’s present culture or future vision?

Now, it is understandable that government officials fear the primary horror that comes with alcohol: increased drunk driving rates. The danger of this is only exacerbated by Boston being dubbed the most collision-prone city in the US. However, this problem should not be solved by restricting nightlife in Boston.

Increasing public transport access, lowering the prices of taxis and Uber and establishing a culture of citizens watching out for each other are all ways that drunk driving can be reduced — without affecting the sale of alcohol. In comparison to Boston, London, a city known for its nightlife, has good public transport, a culture that is against drunk driving, and happy hour in every bar, pub and tavern. The U.K. consistently has fewer drunk driving accidents than every city in the United States, despite the U.S. having a higher drinking age and Massachusetts’ blue laws. Of course, drunk driving is not the only concern; studies have shown that increased alcohol consumption follows a trend of related harms, including injuries, crime and violence. However, these same studies have found that more tactful advertising of alcohol can make all the difference.

There is another motivation that all the discourse around liquor laws distracts from: the money the government makes. Sin taxes, an excise tax placed on goods that are harmful to society or individuals, for alcohol earned the Massachusetts government $98 million in 2023. That figure has only increased since 2019, when Massachusetts brought in just over $86 million in taxes on alcoholic beverages. By creating more lenient liquor laws, the government will lose revenue. Besides the god-awful driving in the city, Boston’s highbrow reputation is being sabotaged by a puritanical attitude toward nightlife. By reimagining its approach — embracing later hours, happy hours and improved night-time infrastructure — Boston will no longer be referred to as the “city that always sleeps.”

SABRINA LOPEZ Contributor

The interior of Penguin Pizza Sept. 23. Students in Boston attributed the city’s lack of nightlife energy to early T hours and the expensive cost of nights out.

Photo by Brian Daniels

Students navigate the Northeastern campus while stepping on colorful, fallen leaves. The autumn season officially began Sept. 22 this year. File photo by Jessica Xing.

Northeastern must stand for free speech

For a school that prides itself on its rankings, Northeastern has fallen far behind in a crucial category: free speech.

Earlier this month, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, or FIRE, released its 2026 College Free Speech Rankings. Out of 257 institutions, Northeastern was ranked the fifth-worst university in the nation for free expression. While this would be alarming at any point, it is doubly so at a time when the federal government is suppressing free speech across the country. Our university must prove its commitment to open expression.

Free speech is not a luxury; it is the foundational force that empowers students and our universities to pursue truth. Without it, the promise of higher education — of learning, teaching, expression and opportunity — is a hollow shell. So, when students, faculty, alumni and external parties condemn Northeastern’s substandard free speech protections, the university must listen and take action to reform policy.

Few students would oppose Northeastern’s written commitments to free speech as laid out in

the student handbook, which reads, “As an institution of higher learning, Northeastern has a responsibility to foster a community that protects and supports free expression…” But these commitments on paper mean little if the actions of our administrators betray them in practice. And while FIRE’s ranking methodology is somewhat questionable, so too is Northeastern’s commitment to free speech and expression. In recent semesters, demonstration policies have been quietly rewritten; faculty have criticized the university for not

Even the university’s frequently asked questions page, launched in January to address how the university is navigating the “federal landscape,” currently fails to mention how Northeastern is ensuring students are free to speak their minds.

When Mike Armini, Northeastern’s senior vice president for external affairs, was asked how the university balances responding to threats against free speech while ensuring the long-term success of our university, he responded by appealing to the idea of balance.

know it’s come up in discussions. I think it is true that we have to pick our battles.”

It is understandable why Northeastern wants to keep itself out of the spotlight: Because in today’s political environment, standing up for what is right comes at a great cost. But when the very values our university stands for, “Lux, Veritas, Virtus” or, “Light, Truth, Courage” are under attack, our administration cannot “balance” which of these is most important. It must fight for all of them.

If our university will not follow

to our administrators than standing up for our community.

Student free speech shapes the college experience. It teaches us lessons no classroom can, allowing students the opportunity to exchange, challenge and defend their ideas. It brings us together in a society increasingly pulled apart.

Northeastern’s prestige rests not only on research funding and co-op placements but on the intellectual vibrancy of its community. That vibrancy cannot survive if students fear repercussions for the words they speak.

Our ask is twofold: Northeastern should revise its speech and demonstration policies to reflect its commitments to free speech — and it should do so by involving students in this process.

As students united by a shared idea of what our university should be, the Educational Freedom Project is trying to live up to President Joseph E. Aoun’s own words: “Each and every one of us has a role to play in helping move Northeastern forward and in shaping a shared vision for the future.”

But this vision is not possible without free speech on campus.

The Educational Freedom Project is a group of students working to defend and fulfill the promise of higher education at a time when it is under existential threat. If you would like to get in contact, you can reach out at edufreedomproj@proton.me

If you would like to submit a letter to the editor in response to this piece, email comments@huntnewsnu.com with your idea.

Is the N.U.in bubble behind the boom in North -

eastern’s Greek life?

If you live on campus, you may have looked outside your window the weekend of Sept. 20 and seen a crowd of young girls dressed in colorful, flashy dresses. If you looked even harder, you may have also noticed the horde marching past your residence hall, following behind a leader holding up a large number sign. What you see at this exact moment is, in fact, not a cult, but the 2025 Northeastern sorority recruitment — and this year, more students are “rushing” than ever before. But that’s also what the numbers said last year. With both sororities and fraternities, recruitment seems to intensify every year, and more students find themselves searching for a place to belong. I can’t help but wonder: Why is rushing a growing phenomenon at Northeastern every new year? But, more importantly, does it have to do with N.U.in students struggling to make friends in Boston?

Since I was young, college seemed like a place where people come together and find their “forever people.” For me, first-year was all about making new friends, having fun and creating my own “big-girl” experiences — and studying too, of course. But the best part of it all is finding a community you can rely on for the rest of your life.

This all seemed true until I realized that I would be embarking on my first year of college outside the main campus in Boston.

At Northeastern, the first year is peculiar for most. You might find yourself studying in the heart of London, among the beautiful architecture of Rome or maybe even on a warm beach in Greece. But what’s certain is that studying abroad is not what you would expect out of your first semester or year away from home.

As someone who spent their first year as a London Scholar, I spent most of my time creating my own unique experiences with a much smaller cohort. But as the 2025 school year kicked off, I realized that I actually don’t know anyone on campus who started their freshman year in Boston.

Don’t get me wrong, I loved the friends I made in London. But it was clear that I was stuck in an enclave of the same “London people” or, as I’ve heard many say, “N.U.in bubble.” By the end of my first week in Boston, I had no clue how to make new friends. Similar to my story, this is the reason I’ve heard many students cite for rushing their second year of college at Northeastern—because, in reality, making friends is hard.

As incoming students, we always follow the same three rules: join clubs, attend school events and socialize at parties. But as it turns out, all of this is harder than

you think. Believe it or not, Boston people hang out with Boston people, London people hang out with London people and so on. Even if you want to branch out, it takes courage to walk up to a group of random girls. Even while thinking about doing so, your brain is racking with all the horrible ways you could embarrass yourself if you do.

Let’s say, at a school club, you walk up to some girls and make small talk. You may have made acquaintances, but have you made friends? Becoming friends with people isn’t always easy - it takes consistency. You may build up the courage to talk to someone new, but

someone and them ignoring you because that’s exactly what rushing is — talking to people! By the end of the recruitment process, you’re gifted with a community that you know is consistent and there to uplift your wins. Greek life consists of bonding opportunities such as sisterhood events, formal dances and even “Big-Little” arrangements where an active member pairs up with a new member to support their adjustment to college. Altogether, Greek life provides a safe space to grow and learn through friendship, mentorship and a number of worthwhile experiences. In other words, you find a home away from home.

trapped inside a “study abroad bubble” and, consequently, find it hard to make friends prompts me to consider: What is Northeastern doing to help study abroad students adjust to Boston?

Although being in a sorority is a great way to make the transition easier, rushing is not for everyone. If displacement is the central drive behind why most students take their chances with recruitment, perhaps Northeastern should create alternative ways to help students who have studied abroad feel more at home in Boston.

Sylvia Park is a second-year busi-

SYLVIA PARK Contributor

A student walks past Ell Hall May 28. Northeastern ranked 253 out of 257 universities in FIRE’s annual College Free Speech Rankings.

Photo by Margot Murphy

Members of Alpha Chi Omega hold up their letters while waiting for their new inductees Sept. 29. Northeastern hosted 12 Panhellenic chapters on Bid Day. Photo courtesy Miles Mu.

Northeastern rowing shares 60 year anniversary with Head of the Charles Regatta

regatta, where fierce competition mixed with spirited celebration.

Each fall, the rowing community converges in Boston for the Head of the Charles, or HOCR, a “head race”-style regatta that has become a marquee event for crew racing.

HOCR stands as a cornerstone event in the world of rowing; it’s a grueling athletic test demanding endurance, technical precision and mental. From Oct. 17 to 19, the Charles River hosted its 60th annual

by Curtis DeSmith

“There’s a lot of dedication and commitment that goes into it,” said Northeastern men’s rowing senior captain Julian Leonhardt. “Being able to have people from around the world come and support rowers and show what the sport is made of — it’s truly special.”

The Northeastern men’s rowing program shares a milestone with the regatta, celebrating the 60th anniversary of its founding. Head coach Alex Perkins brought four varsity eights (a boat with a lineup composed of nine athletes: eight rowers and one coxswain) to the starting line this past weekend in his third Head of the Charles as head coach.

“It’s the premier rowing event in the world,” Perkins said. “It’s always an exciting event. We have crews from all over the world here.”

The three-day regatta featured 74 events total with 2,689 expected participants from a range of backgrounds and experience levels. Some crews raced on the Charles for the first time, while Masters rowers — those 70 and older — demonstrated the enduring hold of rowing on athletes.

For Northeastern, that connection runs particularly deep.

“Northeastern’s first year aligns with the 60th for the Head of the Charles, and our first coach, Ernie

Crossword

Edited by Arielle Rabinovich

Answers to Sept. 26 puzzle

Arlett, was actually instrumental in helping set up the regatta,” Perkins said. “So we have a lot of connections with our program and the event.”

Those connections spanned generations last weekend; among Northeastern’s boats were some filled with alumni, including one eight with 70-plus Masters and young alumni in both eights and fours.

“I can’t even describe the experience,” said Luke Hickling, a Northeastern varsity rower, of his first HOCR. “It was pretty unreal compared to racing back home — always doing 2K racing and then coming over here and racing, you know, a 4,700-meter race. It’s a lot

harder game than just 2K.”

With the John W. Weeks Footbridge placed at a near 90 degree turn for crews racing through, intense moments that define race outcomes are a common sight for spectators watching in the area. For the rowers themselves, those bridge crossings create an unforgettable atmosphere.

Hickling particularly looks forward to them: “It’s pretty cool to kind of come flying under a bridge and seeing thousands of people up on the bridge in front of you.”

Northeastern Rowing hosted events for students to show school spirit along the course, so the HOCR stands out as a prime

moment to support the Huskies on the river. Leonhardt sees the regatta as an opportunity to showcase the culture he and his co-captain, Ed Lopas, are building — one rooted in camaraderie and mutual support. In a sport defined by a crew’s ability to move as one, Northeastern men’s rowing has made cohesion the standard. The team’s emphasis on accountability and unity ensures it arrives prepared: “When we get to race day, it’s nothing new. It’s already set,” Leonhardt said.

ACROSS

1. Goal

4. “__ of my eye”

9. History or English, e.g.

14. Bay Area airport, for short

15. Sacha Baron Cohen character

16. Bear in “The Jungle Book”

17. “Dream On” band

19. Nickelodeon logo sound effect

20. Profound

21. Quatro + dos

23. Root vegetable in the Caribbean

24. Quick, lively in music

27. LeBron’s home state

29. Midday

30. What you might carve this time of year

34. City home to Northeastern University

37. Falafel holder

38. Eisenhower’s nickname

39. “Bro, I swear” (2 wds.)

40. Record label home to The Strokes and Elvis Presley

41. Bill __, co-founder of Microsoft

43. There might be a few of these in a play

44. Hive habitants

46. Strives for (2 wds.)

47. Beta __ (pre-release users)

49. Like the crosswords we publish online (huntnewsnu.com/crosswords)

50. Roof vis-a-vis a house

51. Herb common in Italian cooking

55. What you might do to 4-Across, in an orchard

58. Bracket rank in a tournament

60. Signature on a secret tip, perhaps

61. Pale

63. Empties, as a party (2 wds.)

66. South American pack animal

67. How you might feel after spending all night in Snell Library

68. Genetic makeup

69. Fulfills, as hunger

70. Ships, as a letter

71. Supernatural ability

DOWN

1. Carne __

2. “My sense is ...” (2 wds.)

3. Funky looking fungus type

4. Crunches target

5. Said 2x, cheerleader’s accessory

6. “Folsom __ Blues,” hit Johnny Cash song

7. Not on time, say

8. Country in the horn of Africa

9. Cable network home to “Survivor” and “NCIS”

10. Macbook, e.g

11. Penne __ vodka

12. Fly at great heights

13. Juan __, player on the Mets

18. If someone isn’t opposed (2 wds.)

22. “Close and __ case”

25. Chances are high, say (2 wds.)

26. __ Weasley, friend to Harry Potter

28. __ Dragons, “Radioactive” band

31. Craft supply packages

32. Swedish furniture store

33. Home for a sparrow

34. Canoe or yacht, e.g.

35. “__ upon a time”

36. Ranks above CPLs

37. Alternatives to 10-Down, for short

40. Thinks well of, perhaps

42. Girl friends in Buenos Aires

45. Greek God of love

46. __ Jordan, line of Nike shoes

48. “I wanna go!” (2 wds.)

49. New-age

52. Electrode that loses electrons

53. People, places, things

54. Like Coors Lite or Guinness, often (2 wds.)

55. Chums

56. “La __ Bonita,” Madonna song

57. Talk casually

59. __ Wiesel, “Night” author

62. Lil __ X

64. Portable medical device for delivering electric shocks to the heart

65. Those above RAs

CURTIS DESMITH News Staff

The Ukraine Women’s Championship eight compete at the Head of the Charles Oct. 20, 2024. The international athletes placed third in their championship event last year.

Photo

The Northeastern women’s rowing teams pass the Eliot Bridge Enclosure as crowds of spectators watch the Head of the Charles Oct. 20, 2024. Crews rowed the full length of the course just to reach the start line.

Photo by Curtis DeSmith

Rowing teams compete at the Head of the Charles Oct. 18, 2024. An estimated 400,000 spectators attended the 2024 Head of the Charles.

Photo by Curtis DeSmith