Definition: Located across from Marsh Plaza, the BU Beach is a grassy area with trees, chairs to lounge in, room to walk your dog, and even space to play yard games. This beach does not lead to the ocean or a sandy oasis, but it does provide a relaxing getaway for students. However, re: “the beach”: if you sit on the lawn and close your eyes, the traffic on Storrow Drive sounds like waves crashing on a beach.

“Frisbee at the BU Beach later?”

Definition: Slang, aka the Center for Computing & Data Sciences. The new state-of-the-art 19-story building’s architecture has a similarity to a stack of books, or the game Jenga, on Boston’s skyline, hence its polarizing nickname.

“I’m gonna go to the Jenga building to get some work done.”

Definition: Where students go to grab grub—well, late at night. It is hosted at dining halls all over campus (including Bay State Underground). They have all the food you can imagine, from fries to wings to milkshakes to smoothies and pizza—you name it, they’ve probably got it. The best part? You can use your dining points.

“Wanna go to Late Nite after we finish studying tonight?“

Definition: aka West Campus, which has easy access to the Student Village (Agganis Arena, Buick Street Market, and FitRec). The five dorms on West are StuVi 1, StuVi 2, and Claflin, Rich, and Sleeper Halls. While students on West say their side of campus is superior, the Terriers on East beg to differ.

“West is best.”

Definition: aka East Campus, where you’re just a few minutes from your classes, Kenmore, or Fenway. East dorms offer single, double, triple, or quad occupancy with a common bathroom and kitchen. It’s the best of three worlds: campus, park, and the city. Those on West will probably give you side-eye 👀 for bragging about this.

“East is best.”

Definition: The George Sherman (Student) Union (GSU). It’s a central meetup point for friends, with a Starbucks, Panda Express, Basho, and more. It’s easy to pop in and out of on your daily Comm Ave commute.

“Let’s meet at the GSU for coffee later.”

Definition: A twice a year (fall semester and spring semester) back-to-school fair where over 450 BU student organizations gather on Nickerson Field (fall) and the GSU (spring) to give students a chance to learn more about the various groups, meet the members, and sign up to be a member. The 2024 fall semester Splash was September 7.

“I can’t wait for SPLASH so that I can get involved at BU!”

Definition: A historic athletic field that sits in the heart of the BU community. The 107-year-old field is home to BU’s soccer and lacrosse teams. It also hosts BU’s annual All-Commencement ceremony. When teams aren’t practicing, you can catch students playing frisbee, football, or pickup soccer.

“Want to play pickup at Nickerson later?”

Definition: The Fitness and Recreation Center is an athletic facility at Boston University. Built in 2004–2005 to replace the aging and inadequate Case Gym, it was built as part of the John Hancock Student Village. It includes an 18,000-square-foot (1,700 m²) weight and cardio room, a 1/7 mile indoor jogging track, a climbing wall, two swimming pools, a ProShop, various gyms, racketball and squash courts, and an oft-cited lazy river. Many students located in West Campus opt to work out here.

“After class, wanna go to FitRec and get a workout in?”

Definition: In the heart of the Charles River Campus, Mugar Memorial Library is the largest and most central of BU Libraries’ branches and houses the majority of the University’s print collections. Mugar provides a variety of study spaces catering to students’ needs and preferences. You’ll see many Terriers here during midterms and finals season.

 “I was a Mugar last night until 2 am, fully locked in.”

Definition: The John Hancock Student Village offers sweeping views of the Charles River and Boston skyline. It boasts two residences—10 Buick Street and 33 Harry Agganis Way, affectionally known as “StuVi-1” and “StuVi-2″—that are located in West Campus. The two buildings have apartment-style housing and are not available to freshman.

“I need to live in StuVi when I’m a junior.”

Definition: The Boston University Bridge, commonly referred to by students as the BU Bridge, is a bridge over the Charles River, connecting the Boston University campus to Cambridge, Massachusetts. The bridge is between West and Central Campus.

“I’m going to take a walk over the Bridge to meet up with my friends at Harvard.”

Definition: With a quick trip over the St. Mary Street bridge, you’ll find yourself in South Campus. The campus mainly consists of student and graduate apartment-style housing.

“South is best.”