Category: Community
Prison Education Program Continues
With the Crime Control and Prevention Act of 1994, Pell Grants for prisoners are eliminated, and as a result, universities withdraw their prison education programs. Only Boston University continues to operate in prisons, though since 1998 it has focused exclusively on undergraduate courses.
BU Academy Opens
Boston University Academy, a college preparatory school, opens under the guidance of President Silber.
Chelsea School Project
At the request of beleaguered Chelsea officials, Boston University agrees to manage the city’s failing schools for 10 years, an unprecedented—and as yet unduplicated—move by a private university. The management plan, known officially as the Boston University/Chelsea Partnership, calls for sweeping changes in curricula, teacher training, school policies, and facilities. The goal: to make Chelsea schools "a model for excellence in urban education." The Boston University/Chelsea Partnership continued until 2008.
BU Student Food Rescue
The Student Food Rescue is founded by a group of Boston University student volunteers and becomes an integral part of the Boston University Community Service Center. Volunteers collect nearly 150,000 pounds of food annually from local restaurants, supermarkets, bakeries, grocery surplus facilities, and coffee shops each week and distribute it to area meal programs, food pantries, and shelters.
Alcohol & Drug Institute for Policy, Training & Research
The Alcohol & Drug Institute for Policy, Training & Research consists of experts on alcohol and drug issues associated with urban and multicultural populations. The institute sponsors professional seminars and conferences, conducts research on policy-relevant issues, and works with social service agencies to respond to the needs of addicted clients.
The League (Now the Community Service Center)
The Community Service Center (CSC), originally called “The League,” is founded by a group of Boston University students to create a structure through which they can actively address issues faced by the community in which the University is located. Student volunteers address issues of critical concern such as youth education, the AIDS pandemic, the destruction of the environment, and providing food and shelter for the poorest among us. Through the supervision, training, and support of the center, the energies of young people create affordable housing, provide companionship to elders, and tutor recent immigrants in English as a second language.
Medeiros Scholarship Program
Boston University creates the Medeiros Scholarship Program, granting full-tuition awards to students from local parochial high schools.
NNN Established
The School of Public Communication first hosts Neighborhood Network News, broadcast nightly on Boston Cable Channels 3 and 8.
Huntington Theatre Company First Season
The Huntington Theatre Company begins its first season in collaboration with the Boston University Theatre.
Miracle on Ice
The US Olympic Hockey Team wins the gold medal. Among the team members are four Boston University players: Captain Mike Eruzione, Jim Craig, Dave Silk, and Jack O'Callahan. The winning game is played on February 24, 1980. This game is known as the "Miracle on Ice" and is portrayed in the Disney movie Miracle.
