Changes come to BU’s beloved FYSOP

For 28 years, Boston University has allowed new students to arrive early to campus and get acclimated and active in the city. As an undergraduate, you are probably aware of the well known program, titled FYSOP, or the First Year Student Outreach Project.

But, did you know that after nearly three decades of success, FYSOP coordinators decided to change the program?

In past years, the program was arranged by areas of social justice, for example; homelessness, animal rights, or food justice. Incoming students engaged in a specialized service for three days focusing on their group’s one specific area. Now the program has shifted at an attempt to make a more intersectional experience for students.

“It didn’t tie in all the needs the community had,” commented FYSOP coordinator (FYCO) Andrew Garcia. “We wanted it to be more meaningful, so now we have focus areas based on MBTA (subway) lines. You will go to different areas but perform different work everyday.”

The purpose of this change is to better integrate the students, learn to analyze community struggles, and learn to navigate the city using the T. It’s no longer about targeting one issue but looking at the city as a whole and assessing what individual neighborhoods need, and perform service that is necessary there. FYSOP provides first years with an opportunity to engage in community service, education, leadership, and reflection.

“We want students to ask how can I be involved and a contributor,” says FYCO Julia Martorell.

After each engagement, students come back together and participate in discussion. They are able to reflect together and create meaningful, lasting friendships. Martorell also commented that, “The biggest goal is active citizenship. We want students to transfer the skills they learn at FYSOP to their actual citizenship here at Boston University, and anywhere in the world.”

FYSOP provides many benefits for new students. One big advantage is avoiding the move in process, by moving in a week earlier than all other undergraduates. FYSOP eases the concerns many freshmen have. Questions such as, “How will I make friends”, or “How will I know how to get where I’m going?”  Students develop a solid group of friends and mentors that they can count on throughout their first school year. They also get to explore the city allowing them to better navigate Boston and know how to use the T. In addition to all of these perks, students will have a lot of fun playing games with staff, students, and community members.

Learn more about this year’s FYSOP program.

– Jillian Lattimore (COM ’19)