Skip to Main Content
Boston University
  • Bostonia
  • BU Today
  • The Brink
  • University Publications

    • Bostonia
    • BU Today
    • The Brink
  • School & College Publications

    • The Record
Other Publications
BU Today
  • Sections
News, Opinion, Community

Cooking up community at Warren Towers

Karen Jacobs offers a home away from home

June 8, 2006
  • Chris Berdik
Twitter Facebook

On any given Monday evening, the aroma of potato latkes, fried samosas, or pad thai wafts through the sixth floor of C Tower at Warren Towers, luring every student within smelling distance. 

The tempting scents come from the kitchen of Warren Towers resident Karen Jacobs, a Sargent College clinical professor of occupational therapy. Jacobs is one of 14 professors living in dorms around campus as part of the Faculty-in-Residence Program, which is designed, as she puts it, “to allow students and faculty to get to know each other outside of the classroom, in a more informal and relaxed atmosphere.”

Jacobs, a Sargent professor since 1983, was living in Andover in 2004 when she heard two colleagues discuss the Faculty-in-Residence Program. She was enthusiastic about joining the program from the beginning, she says, and she moved in that fall.

“It was one of those aha moments,” Jacobs says. “It sounded like a wonderful experience.” Plus, because her youngest daughter was about to enroll in the University Professors Program, she says, “it just made sense to be on campus.”

Now, every Monday from 7 to 10 p.m., students are invited over to her place to help cook, and of course, eat, whatever is served, which could be just about anything. Jacobs lives on Warren’s international floor, and the cooking, often done in conjunction with a holiday or a movie night, reflects that diversity — making sushi to celebrate the Chinese Moon Festival or cooking samosas in conjunction with a viewing of Bend It Like Beckham. Students also stop by in search of a quiet place to read or to plop down on one of Jacobs’ comfy couches to talk about adjusting to college life.

“We talk about day-to-day life on a large campus,” Jacobs explains. “How do you balance classwork? How do you balance time with friends? Just everyday things that you might stop by a friend’s house and discuss over a cup of tea.”   

Jacobs has also organized outings to Cape Cod, and true to her calling, helped students ergonomically arrange their computer desk spaces.   

“I think for many of these students, because their family is so far away, it’s a nice haven for them,” she says. Nevertheless, she emphasizes that her door is open to any BU student, not just those on her floor. “On the days when there’s something cooking, I have kids coming from all over campus,” she says. “I’ve made the apartment like a real home.”

Explore Related Topics:

  • Dining Hall
  • Students
  • Share this story

Share

Cooking up community at Warren Towers

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Reddit
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
  • Chris Berdik

    Chris Berdik Profile

Latest from BU Today

  • Education

    What’s Behind the Rise in Violence Against Teachers?

  • Fine Arts

    How I Made This: Jacob Whitchurch (CFA’26)

  • Things-to-do

    To Do Today: Seaport Sweat

  • Film & TV

    Did You Win Free Tickets to See Mission: Impossible—The Final Reckoning Tonight?

  • COMMENCEMENT 2025

    Experience BU’s 2025 Commencement from a Terrier Point of View

  • Obituaries

    Remembering Leslie Epstein, Pillar of BU’s Creative Writing Program

  • Voices & Opinion

    POV: This Memorial Day, Remember BU’s Fallen Heroes by Visiting the New Online Honor Wall

  • University News

    23 Charles River Campus Faculty Promoted to Full Professor

  • Commencement 2025

    Photos: A Look Back at BU’s Commencement

  • Theatre

    It’s “Prom Season” at Wheelock Family Theatre

  • Things-to-do

    Six Spots to Check Out This Memorial Day in Boston

  • Student Life

    Video: Class of 2025: What We’ll Take with Us as We Begin a New Chapter

  • Health & Medicine

    What Does Biden’s Cancer Diagnosis Mean?

  • Watch Now

    BU’s Class of 2025: What Are Your Plans After Graduating?

  • Fitness

    BU Sports Rehab Therapists on Jayson Tatum’s Achilles Injury and Recovery Ahead

  • Commencement 2025

    Sights and Sounds from Boston University’s Class of 2025 Commencement

  • Commencement 2025

    Video: 2025 Graduate Jayde Best: “I Ended Up Exactly Where I Wanted to Be”

  • Commencement 2025

    “Empathy Is Essential,” BU Commencement Speaker Emily Deschanel Tells 2025 Graduates

  • Voices & Opinion

    I’m a Business Professor Who Asked Dozens of Former Students How They Define Success

  • Commencement 2025

    Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine Convocations a Joyous Affair

Section navigation

  • Sections
  • Must Reads
  • Videos
  • Series
  • Close-ups
  • Archives
  • About + Contact
Get Our Email

Explore Our Publications

Bostonia

Boston University’s Alumni Magazine

BU Today

News, Opinion, Community

The Brink

Pioneering Research from Boston University

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • Weibo
  • TikTok
© Boston University. All rights reserved. www.bu.edu
© 2025 Trustees of Boston UniversityPrivacy StatementAccessibility
Boston University
Notice of Non-Discrimination: Boston University prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex or gender, age, national origin, ethnicity, shared ancestry and ethnic characteristics, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, military service, marital, parental, veteran status, or any other legally protected status in any and all educational programs or activities operated by Boston University. Retaliation is also prohibited. Please refer questions or concerns about Title IX, discrimination based on any other status protected by law or BU policy, or retaliation to Boston University’s Executive Director of Equal Opportunity/Title IX Coordinator, at titleix@bu.edu or (617) 358-1796. Read Boston University’s full Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Search
Boston University Masterplate
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
Cooking up community at Warren Towers
0
share this