The men’s hockey team is down two of their leading scorers against the University of Massachusetts-Amherst tonight – and they won’t be back anytime soon.

According to tweets, junior forward Steve Quailer will miss the next three weeks with an ACL/MCL strain, and sophomore winger Cody Ferriero will sit out the rest of the season after undergoing season-ending knee surgery.

Quailer is tied for the team lead in points with 22, including eight goals and 14 assists. Ferriero has nine goals and six assists after a five-point weekend (4-1-5) last week against the University of Vermont.

Head coach Jim Madigan will make an official statement following tonight’s game. Follow the game on twitter @HuntNewsSports and check back for updates.

By Taylor Dobbs, News Staff

More than 100 students and supporters marched to the House of Blues last night to protest the Barstool Sports Blackout party, run by David “El Presidente” Portnoy.

The protest comes after a week of intense debate between members of the Northeastern group Knockout Barstool, and supporters of Portnoy’s blog, which is targeted to college-aged men and often features photos of scantily clad women. The protesters have taken an issue with jokes published on the website about rape.

Protesters congregated at Northeastern’s Freshman Quad before the march, chanting and allowing members of the group to take to the megaphone and give their messages out. Many shared personal stories of sexual assaults against them, while others voiced outrage at Barstool.

“I don’t want rape culture with my sports news,” she said. “I want sports news with my sports news.”

Anna Siembor, one of the organizers of Knockout Barstool, said she was impressed with the turnout.

“We’re super overwhelmed, this is awesome,” she said. “There’s so many people here, people from BU, BC, Emerson.”

Portnoy also came to the Freshman Quad to see. As protesters voiced their disgust with him directly, Portnoy shrugged off the criticism.

Portnoy said he was concerned the protesters might provoke his supporters in line and cause a disturbance.

“I just hope the police keep [the protesters] away,” he said.

Despite the cold, the protesters marched from Northeastern to the Fenway neighborhood with the Boston Police Department blocking traffic along the way. When they arrived at the House of Blues around 7:45 p.m., protesters filled Lansdowne Street, waving signs and chanting as the line of party guests trickled inside.

Despite some shouting between the groups, neither side lashed out. Some students on their way into the party reacted angrily, yelling and making obscene gestures at the protesters, while others laughed as they went by.

No one was arrested in the incident, and protesters left around 9 p.m.

By Taylor Dobbs, News Staff

Updated 5:15 p.m. 2/2/2012

An update on popular Boston news blog Universal Hub last night raised concerns around the city, quoting an email sent to students by a university Residence Director (RD) as saying “If you do choose to go outside during or after the Superbowl, know that you will likely be questioned and directed to go somewhere indoors as quickly as possible. If you refuse, you are subject to immediate arrest.”

The email was only sent to students under that Residence Director.

Renata Nyul, Northeastern’s director of communications, said in an interview Thursday that the RD had misinterpreted information from her superiors. “We do not arrest people simply for going outside,” she said.

A reporter for the Boston Metro tweeted that Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis called the memo “misleading” for giving that impression.

Nyul referred The News to an email from Dr. Laura Wankel, vice president for student affairs. The email, sent to all undergraduate students Thursday afternoon, did not threaten arrest. Wankel mentioned increased parking restrictions in certain areas of campus and the Fenway neighborhood and an increased police presence.

“Disorderly behavior or destruction of property will not be tolerated,” she wrote. “Please respect our neighbors and do not cause a disturbance.  I am confident that Northeastern students will enjoy the game in a safe and appropriate way.”

At first, I thought it would be simple. I couldn’t think of a single downside to experiencing the magic of an organic, sustainable chocolate factory tour, all for a meager $5 fee. My excitement was unqualified until I stumbled across a line on Somerville-based Taza’s website: “Taza will provide hairnets, which you will be required to wear for the duration of the tour. Please wear close-toed shoes and do not wear perfume.” Suddenly, I began to question what exactly I had gotten myself into.

The long trek to Somerville on the Orange Line did little to ease my mind. The journey took about 45 minutes total, a definite downside for a busy college student.

Things improved immensely as soon as I stepped into the factory’s gift shop. The shop is a chocolate lover’s paradise. Taza’s unique chocolate flavors, like salted almond and orange, are artfully arranged on nearly every surface alongside abundant free samples. But be warned: Organic food comes at a price. A bar of chocolate is $6.50, a solid chocolate disc is $4.50 and a jar of chocolate-covered nuts is $13.50.

When our group left the gift shop and embarked on the hour-long tour, hairnets and all, we were guided through every step of the chocolate making process, all of which is done in-house. Our tour guide explained that Taza is one of only 18 “bean to bar” chocolate factories in the country, and the only of its kind in Boston. That means as soon as the company imports its cacao beans from the Dominican Republic or Bolivia, Taza’s 42 employees do everything from roasting the beans to hand wrapping the finished product. The organization focuses on keeping its business sustainable and direct-trade friendly.

I’m a sucker for seeing how things are made, so I was very curious about the inner workings of the factory. When we were brought into the various production rooms, however, I was disappointed to see that no actual chocolate making was going on, crushing any Willy Wonka-esque fantasies I may have been harboring. The machinery was surprisingly old-fashioned looking – this was no mechanized Hershey’s Chocolate World – and though it was interesting to see the tools up close, I couldn’t help but wonder when we would be showed the huge vats of silky chocolate. Sadly, that moment never came.

That said, the tour certainly wasn’t chocolate-less. Free samples flowed freely, pleasing both the chocoholic and broke college student in me.

Disappointingly, though, I quickly discovered Taza’s chocolate, which our guide described as a halfway point between Mexican and European style confections, was difficult to get used to. The Mexican influences gave the chocolate a very unfamiliar texture, one that can be best described as gritty or even chalky. As excellent as the flavors were, I couldn’t quite get past the feeling there was sand in my candy. Don’t get me wrong – I still ate the samples each time they were offered. But I found it difficult to wean myself off of the smooth, creamy treats I’m used to.

On the whole, I left Taza feeling lukewarm about the tour. I found it interesting, but not quite as wonderful as I had hoped. Still, for only $5 plus the cost of transportation, it certainly isn’t the worst way to spend a free afternoon. Just don’t go into it hoping for the Oompa Loompas and chocolate lakes of your childhood.

Taza Chocolate: 561 Windsor St., Somerville. Factory tours offered Wednesdays at 4 p.m.; Thursdays at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.; Fridays at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. $5. www.tazachocolate.com. (617) 284-2232.

As schoolwork continues to pile up, the prospect of planning the perfect Valentine’s Day date may have some students feeling overwhelmed.

Rushita Jampani, a sophomore marketing major, thinks the ultimate night involves choosing more than just any restaurant.

“The best restaurants for Valentine’s Day are intimate, affordable and are situated in a spectacular location,” Jampani said.

Christina Das, an undeclared freshman, said her ideal restaurant would be mellow and cozy.

“I want somewhere not crowded because it’s more intimate, and you don’t feel rushed,” Das said. “You want it to be exclusive.”

Saus, a Belgian cafe in the heart of the North End at 33 Union St., is certainly cozy. Although the menu features a number of sandwiches and salads for less than $10, a visit would be incomplete without sampling the Belgian waffles. They are served with a variety of sauces, including homemade chocolate hazelnut spread, salted caramel and berry berry. A plain waffle is $3.75. Each sauce is an additional 75 cents.

The restaurant is open noon to 10 p.m. Valentine’s Day.

For larger portions, head to the Gourmet Dumpling House, 52 Beech St. in Chinatown, where the plates are big enough to split between two people. The restaurant has everything from General Tso’s chicken to sliced beef with broccoli, both $9.95.

Although the Gourmet Dumpling House may appear lackluster on the outside, it is a hidden gem. The walls are plastered with pictures of famous guests, including actress Blake Lively and Mayor Thomas M. Menino.

Nicole Rosimos, a second-year law student, said she had not considered going to Chinatown for a Valentine’s Day date before but thought it was a good idea.

“It’s something different,” Rosimos said.

The Gourmet Dumpling House is open 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Another restaurant fit for a magical night is closer to campus. Located at 745 Boylston St. in the Back Bay, Max Brenner serves great food and great chocolate. The dimly-lit restaurant offers an intimate setting which would make a Valentine’s Day date feel all the more special.

Max Brenner’s menu has a host of things to choose from. Try the sliced and diced steak “pillow” panini, a skirt steak served with onions and vegetables, or the macaroni and cheese, which promises to be “really cheesy.” Both dishes are less than $20.

After the entree comes, take some time to visit the chocolate store in the corner of the restaurant. Max Brenner offers affordable collections such as the nine-piece bonbon love set, which includes an assortment of chocolates in a Valentine’s Day-themed box ($12.90).

Max Brenner will be open 11:30 a.m. to midnight on the special day.

Lauren Serzanin, an undeclared freshman, said she would prefer going somewhere more casual.

“An ideal restaurant is somewhere that isn’t too crowded, [somewhere] laid-back and enjoyable,” Serzanin said.

5 Napkin Burger at the Prudential Center could fit the bill. While this restaurant may be known for its burgers and fries, it also features a nightly happy hour with 50-cent wings from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. every day. The restaurant also serves a variety of sushi.

The Year of the Dragon is upon us, and there are few better ways to celebrate the Chinese New Year than by sampling some traditional Chinese fare. At Fóumami, a restaurant in the financial district, one can taste the flavors passed down through generations in China’s Shandong province — but it won’t be the moo-shu, dumplings, fried rice and General Tso’s chicken one might expect. Fóumami’s main dish is, in fact, a sandwich.

Although the concept of the Asian sandwich may seem like yet another obscure fusion, it has actually existed for centuries. According to Fóumami’s website, the owner, Michael Wang, bases most of his dishes on the traditional Chinese culinary training of his mother and the decades-old recipes of his grandfather.

Fóumami may draw from a long history of culinary tradition, but it is far from old-fashioned. With its huge floor-to-ceiling windows, comfortable little tables and green and purple color scheme, the sandwich bar looks right at home in Boston’s modern financial district. The kitchen is left open so customers can watch their lunch being prepared in front of them, and Wang is right back there with his employees, calling out names as he finishes assembling sandwiches.

The place has a comfortable, happy atmosphere, fulfilling its self-description as a spot where “you might just be tempted to linger.”

I ordered a teriyaki chicken sandwich, $7.35, which was hot and ready for me to eat within minutes of my order. The sandwich was packed with carrots, onions, romaine lettuce and thickly sliced chicken, all soaked in teriyaki sauce. The fresh crunchiness of the carrots and lettuce complimented the soft chicken and onions perfectly, and the teriyaki sauce was an excellent combination of sweet and savory.

But the true star of the sandwich was its outside — a traditional Chinese delight called shao bing bread. Soft and chewy in the middle but flaky and crunchy on the outside, the shao bing was like a combination of the Indian naan and the Greek pita. It had a delicious, earthy flavor and was just as good on its own as it was wrapped around the sandwich.

Fóumami is running a series of specials to celebrate the Chinese New Year. One such special is the La Long, or “Spicy Dragon” sandwich. This sandwich was layered with flavor, from the juicy pulled pork at its center to the complimentary tastes of the Chinese barbecue sauce in which the pork was braised and the jalapeno sauce drizzled on top. Since pork is one of the foods traditionally eaten in China at the New Year, the La Long sandwich was a delicious way for us to welcome in the Year of the Dragon.

For those not interested in a Fóumami sandwich, the shop also offers a wide selection of other fare, such as salads and a variety of soups and teas. It’s open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and offers breakfast sandwiches for early-morning visitors.

Fóumami is somewhat out of the way from the Northeastern campus, but don’t let that discourage you from stopping in for lunch. It’s tucked into the middle of the financial district, just a few minutes from the Downtown Crossing MBTA stop on the Orange Line, and less than 10 minutes from the tourist hub of Fanueil Hall.

If that’s still too far for you, good fortune may soon deliver Fóumami right to Northeastern’s doorstep. On Twitter, Wang responded to a request for a Copley Square Fóumami with the tantalizing hint: “We’ll be there soon!”

Fóumami: 225 Franklin St., Boston. Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. www.foumami.com. (617) 426-8858.

Tuesday, Jan. 24
10 a.m.
A graduate student reported her wallet was stolen from an office on the fourth floor of Snell Engineering Center between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. the previous day. The door of her office, which a number of graduate students share, was propped open, and the room was periodically unattended. The wallet contained several credit cards and the student’s drivers license.

1:30 p.m.
A student reported he lost his wallet somewhere on campus over the weekend. It held his IDs, Husky Card and about $10 in cash.

2 p.m.
A student reported her headphones were stolen from her backpack, which she hung behind her chair in Snell Library Sunday between 2 and 7:30 p.m.

A woman who is not affiliated with the university reported she was talking on her cell phone on the Massachusetts Avenue T stop platform when a young man grabbed from her hand and ran. She started chasing him, but couldn’t catch up. She reported the incident to a Northeastern security officer and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) police have assumed jurisdiction.

10:15 p.m.
A student reported he left his laptop on the desk in his room in Davenport Commons A the previous evening, went away for the night and discovered it missing the following evening. His roommates were in the apartment throughout the night, but left the door periodically propped open. Northeastern University Division of Public Safety (NUPD) detectives are in the process of interviewing the roommates, at least one of whom had guests in the apartment during the time the laptop went missing.

Wednesday, Jan. 25
1 a.m.
A student was arguing with his girlfriend, also a student, on Columbus Avenue. After receiving separate reports, both the NUPD and the Boston Police Department (BPD) sent officers in response. The student was taken into custody for assault, and was reported to the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution (OSCCR).

3:30 p.m.
A student reported a digital camera went missing from her apartment in Davenport Commons A at some point between Jan. 7 and 13. She spent the next week asking her friends and looking around for it, assuming she misplaced it, but after searching unsuccessfully reported it to police. NUPD detectives are investigating the incident.

5 p.m.
A student reported $40 missing from a desk in her room on the 21st floor of International Village (INV). NUPD detectives are investigating.

5:30 p.m.
A student reported three teenagers in Curry Student Center distracted her and stole her iPhone from the table in front of her. They asked her for the time and talked to her while one grabbed the phone and ran from the building. The student chased them to the street behind Snell Library, where she lost them. NUPD has security camera footage showing the three running toward the Ruggles station, and the investigation is ongoing.

Thursday, Jan. 26
4:30 p.m.
A student reported he left his iPad on a counter in the Curry Student Center game room for about 10 minutes. When he returned, it was gone.

9:15 p.m.
A student reported he left his $425 Montblanc pen on a table at Curry Student Center between 5 and 7 p.m., and returned to find it missing.

Friday, Jan. 27
1 a.m.
A caller reported a 20-year-old student was unconscious in a corridor on the fourth floor of Davenport Commons A. She was taken to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center by ambulance, and reported to OSCCR. A Davenport Commons A resident who signed the student  in using the guest’s fake ID will also be reported to OSCCR.

10:30 a.m.
A student reported he left a necklace on a bench in the men’s locker room in the Marino Center Jan. 19 around 1:30 p.m. He spent the next week talking to employees in the Marino Center, hoping it would be turned in to the lost and found. The necklace, a men’s silver chain, is a sentimental family heirloom. Anyone with information about its whereabouts can call NUPD at 617-373-2121.

3 p.m.
A student reported her MacBook was missing from her backpack, which was hanging over the back of the chair while she ate at Qdoba on Huntington Avenue.

6 p.m.
A student reported two young men, one of whom was holding a knife, approached him between the Snell Engineering Center and Egan Research Center. They asked him for money, the student screamed and they ran away. BPD officers stopped a suspect, a 17-year-old with a knife, a few blocks away, but the student could not positively identify him and he was let go.

6:30 p.m.
Two roommates in West Village C reported having ongoing problems with their other two roommates, who posted insulting statements about them online. The Department of Housing and Residential Life (ResLife), which worked with the students in this apartment in the past, moved two of the residents to another apartment for the weekend. ResLife is mediating between the two parties.

11:30 p.m.
A student reported he left his wallet in the INV dining hall around 9 p.m. He went back for it just before the dining hall closed at 9 p.m. It was turned into the lost and found, but was missing $40. Dining hall staff members could not identify who turned it in.

Saturday, Jan. 28
12:15 a.m.
An officer saw one of the Facilities Division vehicles, a registered mini-pick-up truck, driving down the sidewalk on Columbus Avenue. Since facilities vehicles are not typically on duty at that hour, the officer stopped the car. He found two students, one of whom worked part time for facilities. The student claimed he had had permission to use the vehicle, but he did not, and was using it to pick up a pizza order. Both students were reported to OSCCR, but the university will not press charges.
2 a.m.
A 19-year-old student in 780 Columbus called asking for medical evaluation because she had too much to drink and was very ill. She said she consumed wine, vodka and rum. She was evaluated by officers and EMTs, who determined she did not need hospitalization. She was reported to OSCCR.

7 a.m.
A proctor at Speare Hall reported a man sleeping on the couch in the lobby. Officers found a man with no affiliation to the university, escorted him off campus and issued him a trespass warning.

Sunday, Jan. 29
1 a.m.
A proctor at INV reported a group of students carrying a student who appeared intoxicated into the building. The proctor recorded the name and room number of the individual. Responding officers and EMTs discovered the student, a 19-year-old male, did not need hospitalization. He was allowed to stay in the dorm, and was reported to OSCCR.

4 a.m.
Officers found a fake ID in a wallet that was turned in to the lost and found. The owner of the wallet, a 20-year-old student, was reported to OSCCR.

5:30 a.m.
A member of the custodial staff put his coat down on a chair in the lobby of Stetson East while moving equipment. When he returned 10 minutes later, the coat was gone. Later in the day, a person turned the coat in to the proctor. The person reportedly believed the coat belonged to a friend and took it in an attempt to prank him.

2 p.m.
Officers saw three people sharing marijuana at the edge of the bushes in the Fenway behind the Museum of Fine Arts. The three were determined to be Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) students, and were turned over to the MCPHS Department of Public Safety.

Monday, Jan. 30
A report from Ski Country in Killington, Vt., said more than 20 Northeastern students, most of whom were underage, were drinking at a party in a motel over the weekend. All the underaged drinkers were issued Vermont drinking citations, which could result in fines of several hundred dollars per person and revocation of drivers licenses. All the students were reported to OSCCR.

9:15 a.m.
A manager at Wollaston’s in the Marino Center reported detaining a student who stole cold medications valued at about $30. The student was banned from both Wollaston’s locations and reported to OSCCR.

9:45 a.m.
A staff member from an office in West Village H reported personal items missing from his desk. He said he believes the theft may have occurred earlier this month.

11:30 a.m.
A student reported she left her coat in the Curry Student Center West Addition at about 10:15 a.m., and went to another part of the student center for about half an hour. When she returned, the $400 coat was gone. NUPD detectives are reviewing video footage from the area.

2:30 p.m.
A staff member reported his wallet was stolen from an office on the fourth floor of Hurtig Hall between during the day. He left the office at various times during the day, and left the door unlocked. The wallet contained credit cards and about $50 in cash.

4:30 p.m.
A student reported he signed out an expensive video camera from the university to use for a project, and left it under his chair after class in Hayden Hall. When he returned two hours later, it was gone. Another student saw it unattended and turned it in later in the evening.

7:30 p.m.
Detectives went to a St. Stephen Street dorm to visit the student who was found wearing only his underwear under the influence of ecstacy in the lobby of a building the previous week. The student was walking out the door just as officers were walking in. At first, he said he did not have the time to speak with officers, and appeared nervous and fidgety. He tried to say he was meeting with a professor, but was not able to provide a name. Finally, he said he was nervous because he had marijuana in his pocket. Police confiscated the marijuana and paraphernalia, along with several knives. Some of the knives were legal, though against housing policy, but one was illegal to possess in Massachusetts and considered a dangerous weapon. The 19-year-old student was reported to OSCCR for possession of drugs, possession of unauthorized weapons in a residence hall and the illegal knife.

Members of the Student Government Association (SGA) shared various grievances with Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education Bruce Ronkin during Monday’s Senate meeting, but did not receive any specific details as to when those problems will be solved.

SGA members shared issues regarding online classes, overcrowding and Northeastern’s Blackboard system with Ronkin, who said he wanted to speak to the SGA members “to learn what’s going on in your minds because we need to work together here at Northeastern.” He explained that his job is to work with associate deans, the registrar and the co-op and study abroad programs, helping to “connect the dots” between them.

Ronkin served as chair of the music department from 1998 to 2002 and was the director of the music industry program from 1991 to 2002.

“Some days I think those were my most fun days, working in the music department and making music,” he said.

Ronkin listed some upcoming university improvements including a wait list feature to the class registration system. This would enable students to put their names on a list if a class is full, instead of being denied entry and having to check back repeatedly, but there is no date set for when the feature will be available.

Overcrowding at the university has become a focus of the administration and students alike.

“There is a very dire space issue,” said Peter Petrin, an SGA Senator from the College of Social Sciences and Humanities. “I think that’s something that needs to be addressed and will be addressed.”

Ronkin spoke about this issue, mentioning steps the university has taken to prevent it. He said one way the university tried to alleviate crowding was through the new swipe system in the library. The system, implemented at the beginning of this semester, requires students to swipe a valid student ID in order to enter the library and doesn’t allow members of the public to enter without special approval.

“I hope that’s working well,” he said. “The whole idea is that we want the space to be used by the students here at Northeastern.”

Ronkin addressed the Institutional Master Plan (IMP), a document that the City of Boston requires universities to complete every 10 years, detailing plans for the future. Northeastern’s last IMP was released in 2000. The city granted the university an extension last year past the original due date of July 13, 2010, allowing it to file the master plan by the end of this year.

“The university is a little late in doing it, but they’re doing it now,” Ronkin said.

He explained that the last plan focused on a need for residence halls, and allowed for the construction of International Village and the possibility of a dorm within the YMCA building. The new plan will tackle Northeastern’s lack of academic space.
What you’re going to see coming out of this is classroom space, lab space, study space,” he said. “It’s going to happen.”

Petrin, a junior political science major, said the need for more academic space is apparent especially since the university got rid of activities period. “They just didn’t have enough space for all of the classes,” he said.

The Office of the Provost is also working to make more classes offered online, renovating rooms and adding new technology, said Ronkin. Some SGA members raised the issue that without available resources like office hours, some online classes have been “sub-par.”

Petrin, was forced to take online classes and said he wished he had a choice in the matter. He said he understands university officials are trying to cut costs and make the minor available to more students, but that it takes away students’ ability to choose what learning style works for them.

“That change was made without really talking to students about what was best first,” Petrin said.

Ronkin said he will address these issues, but since the culture at Northeastern is one full of double majors, multiple minors and multidisciplinary experiences, there is a place for online classes.
“The real key is you have to do online well,” Ronkin said. “That’s the way the world is going.”
SGA members said many professors spend a large amount of class time figuring out how to use technology. Ronkin agreed if there is equipment in a classroom, professors should know how to use it.
“The most efficient way is to just be a nice helpful classmate,” he said. “If we help each other, things move along. My point is that it’s not as easy as it sounds to teach 1,000 faculty members how to use one specific piece of equipment, but I will work on it.”
Lastly, Ronkin addressed the problem that many professors do not post grades to Blackboard. He said a feature that will transfer grades from Blackboard to the registrar is on the way, but did not set a date.
“We can only change things that are bothering you if you tell us what they are,” Ronkin said. “You’re in a unique position to represent other students. Get that message to me somehow. The sooner we know about it the quicker we can get to work on it.”

Krentzman Quad to hold ice carving competition
Northeastern’s International Student and Scholar Institute is hosting an ice carving competition in Krentzman Quad Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Participants are encouraged to bring their “creative talents and chisels to create magnificent ice sculptures at the 17th annual international ice carving competition.” Students can register a team or join a team that is already formed at http://conta.cc/NEUice.
– Melissa Werthmann, News Staff

Seniors to celebrate 100 days until graduation
Seniors at Northeastern can celebrate being 100 days from graduation in a party at Matthews Arena Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. The event will include skating, music and desserts and the student group with the most participants present will win a pizza party in the Varsity Club.
– Melissa Werthmann, News Staff

‘Do it in the Dark’ challenges energy use
“Do it in the Dark,” a competition between freshmen dorm buildings to reduce energy consumption will start Wednesday and last for two weeks. The competition is sponsored by the Husky Environmental Action Team.
– Melissa Werthmann, News Staff

Baker bringing sweets to Xhibition Kitchen
Judy Rosenberg, author of “The Rosie’s Bakery All-Butter, Cream-Filled, Sugar-Packed Baking Book,” will be in the Xhibition Kitchen Wednesday for a free cooking demo and book signing. Rosenberg started the first Rosie’s Bakery in 1974 and now has three locations in greater Boston.
– Melissa Werthmann, News Staff

Man killed by train at Ruggles
An unidentified man who was struck by an Amtrak train near Ruggles Station Tuesday evening has died, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) spokesman Joe Pesaturo said.
Amtrak Northeast Regional train No. 174 from Richmond, Va., to South Station hit the man around 6:25 p.m. MBTA Transit Police are investigating the incident.
– Gal Tziperman Lotan, News Staff

Months before Northeastern will begin requiring the sophomore class to live on campus, university officials were unclear about specific plans to create more on-campus housing.

Starting with this year’s freshman class, Northeastern requires all students to remain in on campus housing for their first two years. The change, made to improve relations with communities surrounding the university, will cause demand for on-campus housing to rise next year.

In the past, Northeastern has made it mandatory for only freshmen to live on campus, and has allowed students to live off campus starting their sophomore year. The new two year requirement may limit accommodations for students and place further strain on current housing options. John Tobin, vice president for city and community affairs, said the change is for the benefit of students.

“We have a lot of young people that it’s their first time away from home, and in our buildings, dorms and beds that we lease, we have [Resident Assistants], and there are services such as the [Northeastern Division of Public Safety], which supplements the Boston Police Department,” Tobin said, “It’s really for safety, security, and helping to ease our younger students into city life.”

To help accommodate the inevitably higher number of students living on campus, Northeastern is working toward increasing the amount of bed spaces it owns and leases, though Tobin would not comment specifically. For the past seven months, Northeastern officials have been meeting internally to draw out an Institutional Master Plan (IMP) laying out further building developments. Among the discussed plans is a proposed building project next to the YMCA that would create 720 new beds.

Tobin said the university is seeking input from surrounding communities to inform the IMP.

“We’re ready at some point to go out and talk to our neighbors about what our vision is for Northeastern, both here on campus and in adjoining neighborhoods,” he said. “Along those lines come plans for on campus, on how we program buildings and dorms. These plans are very much going to be a large part of the conversation as we move forward in the next 10 or 11 months.”

Tobin said he hopes implementation of the new plan will go smoothly for the university and students alike, but would not comment further on plans to accommodate the increased housing demand next year.

“We want it to be a seamless transition for the students,” he said.

Despite the benefits, some students are still hesitant about the new policy, and feel as if housing limitations should continue to apply only to freshmen.

“I think the new requirement is not very beneficial because there are students that want to live off campus in their own apartments so they can have more freedom. When you live on campus, you’re more restricted,” said freshman Eric Lee, a civil engineering major.

The change in housing rules is intended to increase safety and supervision of students in their first two years at school, Tobin said. Unlike many off-campus apartments, students in university housing are under the school’s jurisdiction and are more centralized around the school’s residential resources.

“It’s only for the first year that it’s important to stay on campus and have that dorm experience,” said Alex Hersh, a freshman computer engineering major. “But for my second year I would prefer to do my own thing. Just to be able to have the apartment I want in the area I want, and the people I want to live with really.”

While some of this year’s freshmen have expressed concerns over the policy, some upperclassmen see a positive side to this change.

“I actually think it’ll be a positive change, and that it’ll help keep the community together. I definitely know that not living in a dorm my second year, it’s a little strange,” said Alexa Torres, a sophomore history major living off campus. “I feel a little disconnected at times, although the school does do a good job at having certain services like an off-campus newsletter. Things ended up working out well for me, but if I had to be on campus for one more year, I think it would have been nice.”