Student Life
There are literally hundreds of student organizations on campus reflecting the varied interests of Boston University students. Most are coordinated by the Boston University Student Activities Office but several groups are of special interest to CGS students, having been organized by CGS students and advised by CGS faculty.
Gilbane House
166–168 Bay State Road
This beautiful, renovated brownstone residence on picturesque Bay State Road honors former Dean Brendan Gilbane and is dedicated exclusively to CGS students. Residents must be enrolled in the College of General Studies. Junior and senior CGS alumni who are selected to reside in the House act as mentors to underclassmen and are expected to participate in House activities. Stacy Godnick, Kirsten Lundeen, and Thomas Whalen serve as advisors.
World Affairs Forum
The World Affairs Forum offers a series of lectures and master classes on a variety of international topics. Susan Lee, John Mackey, Peri Onipede, and Benjamin Varat are advisors.
Student Government
College of General Studies students are known for their involvement in student government. CGS student government takes an active role in College life, and slates from the College have often held University-wide office in the Student Union. Dr. Maureen Foley-Reese is the advisor.
Dean’s Hosts
Dean’s Hosts are a careful selection of the finest CGS sophomores who help prospective students understand the College and who facilitate the orientation of first-year students. Traditionally, they welcome freshmen to Boston with an annual Harbor Cruise sponsored by the Dean and Student Government. Alyse Bithavas and Linda Bondy-Ives are the advisors.
Film Lovers and Philosophers Society
The Film Lovers and Philosophers Society (FLAPS) at the College offers a series of films, each followed by informal discussions led by members and interested faculty. Chris Fahy, John Fawell, and Kevin Stoehr are the advisors.
Chess Club
Members of the Chess Club gather weekly for informal competition and occasionally for intercollegiate meets. Each year they organize the BU Open, a classic New England tournament, and send teams to compete in the World and Amateur Team East. Now a BU-wide club, the Chess Club was founded at CGS by students and faculty and is advised by Robert Oresick.
Literary Magazine and Essay Contest
Published in the spring semester, the College’s literary magazine features poetry, short fiction, photographs, and drawings produced by CGS students. Robert Emery and Regina Hansen, are advisors. Read Chimaerid, the CGS literary magazine, Spring 2009. Read the magazine for 2006 here.
Art Show/Coffee House
For more than a decade, the Art Show/Coffee House has offered opportunities for students to read their literary efforts aloud, display their art work, and perform original music for a public audience. Natalie McKnight and Regina Hansen are the advisors.
Science and Society
The Science and Society group at CGS organizes discussions and lectures on the continuing and increasing impact of science on our society. Kari Lavalli, a biologist, and Neal Leavitt, a philosopher, are the advisors.
Communication and Leadership Forum
The goal of the forum is to coach students on developing better communication skills for leadership. It is for students who are uncomfortable speaking in public and those who are comfortable speaking in public and want to become more effective in communicating in leadership and professional positions. Topics will include eye contact, analyzing your audience, appreciating the importance of different leadership contexts, best practices for public speaking, nonverbal communication, managing anxiety, and barriers to leadership, especially for women and minorities. Professors Lynn Hallstein and Shelley Hawks and Dean Linda Wells advise the forum.
Quickstart
Have some fun at Quickstart, an exclusive weekend of adventure and laughter at Boston University’s Sargent Center in New Hampshire. Quickstart weekend gives students a chance to meet some of their fellow freshmen, learn from upperclassmen, and gain an inside look at the exciting challenges ahead. Cheryl Boots, Stacy Godnick, Kari Lavalli, John Mackey, and Matthew Parfitt are the advisors. View an online Quickstart 2007 photo album.