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The independent student newspaper of Northeastern University

The Huntington News

The News presents ‘Lifestyle Wrapped 2024’

Editor's Pick

The Huntington News

CAMPUS
CITY
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LIFESTYLE
OPINION
MULTIMEDIA
PRINT
ABOUT
DONATE

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The independent student newspaper of Northeastern University

The Huntington News

Search this site

The Huntington News

CAMPUS
CITY
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
OPINION
MULTIMEDIA
PRINT
ABOUT
DONATE

More

The independent student newspaper of Northeastern University

The Huntington News

Search this site

1

The exterior of the Khoury College of Computer Sciences building. The college recently announced changes to its curriculum, phasing out core classes such as Fundies 1, Fundies 2 and Object-Oriented Design.

Op-ed: Northeastern’s redesign of the Khoury curriculum abandons the fundamentals of computer science

2

A student places their plate on the rotating dishwasher racks at Stetson East. Swipe2Care was established in 2018, allowing students to donate three unused meal swipes a week.

Food insecurity plagues college campuses like Northeastern’s. The solution isn’t that simple.

3

Students walk around Northeastern's Boston campus. Northeastern’s acceptance rate dropped to 5.2% for the Class of 2028 fall 2024 admissions cycle, but students doubt the number is representative of the university’s selectivity and quality.

Northeastern is more selective than it has ever been. But students doubt the numbers paint a full picture.

Column: 2025 Grammy nominations: potential snubs, intriguing surprises

Column: 2025 Grammy nominations: potential snubs, intriguing surprises

Zoleigh Borg (left), a third-year human services major, and Alison King, a second-year business administration major, perform "BFF" from "The SpongeBob Musical." Photo courtesy Gabriella Purvis.

‘Through Thick and Thin’: NU Stage’s fall revue shows friendship behind the curtain

Column: The best holiday gifts for the most ultra-specific people in your life

Column: The best holiday gifts for the most ultra-specific people in your life

The cast of "Noises Off" performs at Lyric Stage Boston. The characters in the play practiced and put on their on their own play called "Nothing On." Photo courtesy Mark S. Howard.

Lyric Stage Boston’s ‘Noises Off’ gives audiences a peek into the chaos of live theatre through farce

huntnewsnu

In letters penned over a century ago, Northeastern

In letters penned over a century ago, Northeastern’s first president warned colleagues of the threat a future leader with too much power could pose to the university.

During his tenure as president from 1898 to 1940, Frank Palmer Speare — also Speare Hall’s namesake — restructured Northeastern’s administration and founded the law school in 1922. But the university’s survival after he stepped down from the top position was at the forefront of his mind, The News found through a review of his letters in Northeastern’s archives.

“If one of our men should become bull-headed, domineering, dictatorial, unreasonable, hot-headed and animated by sledge hammer methods,” Speare wrote in a 1923 letter to Galen D. Light, who served as the secretary of Northeastern at the time, “this man could do irreparable damage as he would be quick-tempered, obstinate, brazen, outspoken and undiplomatic.”

Click the link in our bio (@huntnewsnu) to read the full story.

Story by Elsa O’Donnell @elsaaodonnell
Photo and document courtesy Northeastern University Library, Archives and Special Collections

"On a university level, what makes for a good comp

"On a university level, what makes for a good computer science curriculum?" writes contributor Derek Kaplan.

"One of the most common career paths for a computer science major is as a software developer. An effective university curriculum must prepare computer science students with the skills needed to be successful in their careers as developers."

"The field of software development, however, changes faster than the Boston weather. A curriculum focused on current industry trends risks becoming obsolete before students even graduate. So how can Northeastern teach students skills that will stand the test of time? The university, which recently announced it would completely overhaul its curriculum, must carefully and thoughtfully consider this question."

Click the link in our bio (@huntnewsnu) to read the full op-ed.

Op-ed by Derek Kaplan @thederekkaplan
Photo by Jessica Xing @jessx.photo
Graphic by Daniel Patchen @dpatch57

Interested in joining The Huntington News, Northea

Interested in joining The Huntington News, Northeastern's independent student newspaper? Our first meeting of the semester is Monday, Jan. 6 at 8 p.m. in 163 Holmes Hall. You’ll get to meet our editorial board, hear article pitches and learn how to get started in writing or multimedia. You can join The News at any point in the semester by attending a weekly meeting. Join our Slack at the link in our bio for all communications. DM us with any questions!

2024 had its fair share of year-defining social me

2024 had its fair share of year-defining social media trends, live events and highly anticipated releases. Through all the highs and lows, contributors to The Huntington News’ Lifestyle section were there to cover them. As always, many of the biggest pop culture moments formed around the year’s most popular and iconic media. To take a look back on 2024, the Lifestyle editors asked The News’ staff to submit their picks for the best film, television show and album of the year.

Here are the staff’s top picks, as well as a personal recommendation in each category from Lifestyle editors Darin, Claudie and Christina.

Click the link in our bio (@huntnewsnu) to read the full story.

Story by Darin Zullo @darin_zullo, Claudie Bellanger @claudiebellanger and Christina McCabe @christinarmccabe
Photo by Ian Dartley @iandartley / Photos courtesy Searchlight Pictures, Universal Pictures, Metro Goldwyn Mayer Studios, Warner Bros. Pictures and Netflix
Designs by Catherine Gore @catherine.does.nothing, Liza Sheehy @lizasheehyy and Emma Liu @emmaliliu

In 2023, the United States Supreme Court struck do

In 2023, the United States Supreme Court struck down affirmative action in college admissions, fueling feelings of frustration and isolation in Black students at Northeastern. Though Northeastern is still reckoning with a 35% drop in Black student enrollment seen in the Class of 2028, the university made notable leaps in the late 1960s to appeal to Black students, The Huntington News found through a review of archives from Asa S. Knowles’ presidency.

Knowles, Northeastern’s third president from 1959 to 1975, encouraged Black students to advocate for changes at the university that would benefit them and Northeastern’s educational mission. During his tenure, Knowles oversaw the implementation of a Black studies program at Northeastern, the establishment of the African American Institute and an increase in Black student enrollment.

This post is part of The Huntington News' new weekly "From the Archives" series, a collection of stories exploring how Northeastern became Northeastern through a review of hundreds of documents from the past century.

Click the link in our bio (@huntnewsnu) to read the full story.

Story by Sarah Mesdjian @sarahmesdjian
Photos courtesy Northeastern University Library, Archives and Special Collections
Design by Catherine Gore @catherine.does.nothing

When it was first established in 2011, the New Co

When it was first established in 2011, the New College of the Humanities — now Northeastern University London — operated out of a small townhouse in the heart of Bloomsbury, London.

The New College of the Humanities, or NCH, which merged with Northeastern in 2019, was established at a time when the humanities fields were under threat in higher education. The college’s founder, British philosopher Anthony Clifford Grayling, assembled prominent academics in the United Kingdom and decided to build an institution that would focus exclusively on preserving the humanities.

While NCH’s acclaimed faculty and desirable location made it promising, building an institution from scratch proved to be a challenge. Owned by a for-profit company without degree-granting powers the college generated a negative stir in U.K. higher education. By 2018, the small London school was struggling to meet financial goals and looking for a silver bullet.

When Northeastern — a university with a student body nearly a thousand times NCH’s size — stepped in to acquire the ailing college in 2018, some of NCH’s stated goals were set aside. Now, NU London is trying to weave the humanities throughout its new programs, attempting to reconcile its original mission with the STEM focus that Northeastern often prioritizes at satellite campuses.

Click the link in our bio (@huntnewsnu) to read the full story.

Story by Frances Klemm @francesmklemm
Photos courtesy Ahana Sinha

Graduate student Abigail Hassman and senior Benjam

Graduate student Abigail Hassman and senior Benjamin Godish wouldn’t have known they were going to become CAA champions in high school, but the pair have taken the Northeastern running program by storm.

The runners, Hassman in her final year and Godish in his second-to-last, gained consecutive titles at the cross country CAA Championships Nov. 1, where Hassman became the first female runner in CAA history to win three individual championships. These wins earned both Hassman and Godish the title of CAA Cross Country Runner of the Year in 2024. It marked Godish’s second time receiving the accolade and Hassman’s third time, making her the first female runner to win three individual titles in Northeastern history.

Now, the two look to dominate in indoor track for the remainder of the season. Hassman hasn’t wasted any time — at the opening indoor track invitational, she broke her own school record in the 5,000 meter race.

Click the link in our bio (@huntnewsnu) to read the full story.

Story by Frances Klemm @francesmklemm
Photos courtesy Jim Pierce, Northeastern Athletics

After their win against Bentley Dec. 3, the Huskie

After their win against Bentley Dec. 3, the Huskies invited those under 12 to join them on the ice for a youth skate. Sports editor Elli Einset interviewed players about the experience and what it means to connect with the next generation of hockey.

Reporting by Elli Einset @ellieinsetphotography
Video by Samantha Balagot @sam.balagot12, Elli Einset and Annika Sunkara @annikasunkara

Ticket sales for the 2025 Beanpot tournaments have

Ticket sales for the 2025 Beanpot tournaments have begun, with Women’s Beanpot tickets currently available and the rollout for Men’s Beanpot tickets beginning this week.

2025 marks the 72nd edition of the men’s tournament and the 46th edition of the women’s tournament. The Huskies are seeking to defend both the men’s and women’s titles in February, with both teams pursuing their third consecutive Beanpot title. The last time the Northeastern men’s hockey team went on a three-win streak during the Beanpot finals was when it won the title in 2018, 2019 and 2020. The women’s team went on an eight-game win streak from 1984 to 1991.

Beanpot tickets are in high demand every year. This past January, Northeastern students reported trouble obtaining tickets after they ran out in minutes. In the past, students have also reported issues accessing tickets through Ticketmaster.

Click the link in our bio (@huntnewsnu) to read the full story.

Story by Kristina DaPonte @kristinadaponte
Photo by Sofia Sawchuk @fotosbysof

“The story of Jews over the past century is one

“The story of Jews over the past century is one of deep pain and tragedy, yet also resilience and defiance, and their shared story relates to all humans more than most realize,” writes reviewer Daniel Patchen. “In his sophomore directorial outing ‘A Real Pain,’ Jesse Eisenberg explores modern Jewish history to craft a poignant exploration of inner, prolonged pain rooted through the complexity of the Jewish experience.”

“The film follows cousins David (Eisenberg) and Benji (Kieran Culkin) Kaplan, who travel to Poland to learn about their Jewish heritage following the death of their grandmother, a Holocaust survivor. As he bears witness to painful remnants of the Holocaust, David also struggles to accept Benji’s overly extroverted yet deeply troubled personality.”

Click the link in our bio (@huntnewsnu) to read the full review.

Review and graphic by Daniel Patchen @dpatch57
Photo courtesy Searchlight Pictures

Filip Nadratowski doesn’t know what Swipe2Care,

Filip Nadratowski doesn’t know what Swipe2Care, Northeastern’s meal swipe donation program, is. Jacob Berman recalls getting emails about the program but is unclear on how to donate swipes. Kate O’Mahoney has donated meals several times but often forgets to go through the process.

Swipe2Care, established at Northeastern in 2018 through a collaboration by the Student Government Association, Dining Services and Student Life, allows students to donate leftover meal swipes to other students in need, according to Northeastern’s website. Students can donate up to three swipes per week using the Student Hub, and students in need can request up to two meals per week after filling out a form asking them to “briefly explain [their] circumstances.”

Though the program has been around for years, many students say they don’t know about meal swipe donations or wish the process was better advertised. Nadratowski, Berman and O’Mahoney all said they would donate more of their leftover meal swipes — or donate more consistently — if the process was simpler, automated and better advertised.

Click the link in our bio (@huntnewsnu) to read the full story.

Story by Emily Spatz @emilymspatz, Kate Armanini @kate.armanini and Sofia Garrett @sofia.garrett
Photos by Sofia Garrett

In April 2023, Clarissa Caslli, a second-year busi

In April 2023, Clarissa Caslli, a second-year business administration major, lost $1,000 because of a scam email she received through her Northeastern Outlook account.

Awaiting the start of her first semester at Northeastern, Caslli was still a senior in high school when she received an email from a sender who identified themselves as the “Human Resource Unit” of the Ford Foundation. The email, obtained by The News, described a part-time job that offered up to $500 per week. Interested students were instructed to email a “Dr. Walter Brandon” from a personal email account, not their Northeastern one.

“I emailed back, and then there was a thread of emails that went on before anything took place,” Caslli said. “One of them was me sending a picture of my ID.”

“Dr. Brandon,” who said he was a clinical counselor, mailed fake checks to Caslli, which she deposited into her bank account. Once the money appeared in her account, he asked her to transfer $1,000 to a third party using Zelle. However, when the checks from Brandon bounced a few days later, Caslli realized she had never received real payment from him and lost $1,000 of her own money.

Click the link in our bio (@huntnewsnu) to read the full story.

Story by Elsa O'Donnell @elsaaodonnell and Katarina Schmeiszer @katarina_1618
Design by Alexa Coultoff @alexacoultoff

Are you looking for a gift to brighten someone’s

Are you looking for a gift to brighten someone’s holiday season, but you’re unsure what to get them? How do you know what to get your older brother and his girlfriend who live far away from you? What about your best friend, who you can’t live without? Maybe even your long-distance boyfriend? Save your questions and look no further; this gift guide will help you find gifts for (almost) everyone in your life.

Click the link in our bio (@huntnewsnu) to read the full column.

Column by Caroline Baker Dimock @carolinebakerdimock_
Design by Catherine Gore @catherine.does.nothing
Graphic by Harrison Zuritsky @zuritzz

2024 had plenty of newsworthy events and changes i

2024 had plenty of newsworthy events and changes in store for Northeastern, and The Huntington News was there to cover it all. From breaking campus news, city features and sports recaps to reviews, columns and op-eds, thank you for turning to us for your news this year. We can’t wait to bring you even more in 2025. To view our Huntington News Wrapped homepage and revisit some of our top stories from this semester, using your computer, visit huntnewsnu.com.

Northeastern University presented updates to the 2

Northeastern University presented updates to the 262 St. Botolph Street Multipurpose Athletic Facility to the Boston Civic Design Commission — Design Committee B for review and public testimony Oct. 22. The project is intended to replace the 114-year-old Matthews Arena as a priority of Northeastern’s 10-year Institutional Master Plan, or IMP. Matthews Arena currently holds hockey and basketball games, commencement ceremonies and various community events. With the new facility, the university plans to expand its purposes through four distinct sections — an arena, a turf, a basketball court and a student recreational space.

“[The sections] don’t really fit on the site in a conventional manner, so we’ve been required to fit it on this in a stack manner, which we think is very exciting,” said Bryan Schabel, a design director at Perkins & Will, the architecture and design firm spearheading the project.

According to the current design, student-focused centers — the recreational space and the turf — would be nestled vertically above the lobby on the side of the building facing the Gainsborough Garage, while the athlete-focused centers — the arena and basketball court — would be located on the opposite side.

Click the link in our bio (@huntnewsnu) to read the full story.

Story by Amelia Ballingall @amelia6grace
Photos courtesy Boston Planning and Development Agency

The Northeastern University dance team, or NUDT, a

The Northeastern University dance team, or NUDT, and club athletes graced the packed stands of the Cabot Center with their dancing skills in a “Dancing with the Stars”-inspired fundraiser Dec. 7, which featured minute-long routines that showcased the dance skills of the club athletes and their partners.

“Dancing with the Stars” is an ABC Network hit series where celebrities pair up with professional dancers to perform choreographed ballroom routines for a panel of renowned ballroom dancing experts. The NUDT-sponsored event drew inspiration from the series despite dance routines deviating from the classic ballroom dancing style in “Dancing with the Stars.”

“I have no previous experience dancing, and Olivia was super patient with me. She wrote things down and took a lot of time to help me get the steps down,” third-year civil engineering major Brent Donlon, a member of the men’s club hockey team, said of his partner Olivia Aragon. “She went above and beyond, and I think we are going to do really well tonight.”

Click the link in our bio (@huntnewsnu) to read the full story.

Story by Paloma Welch @paloma_welch
Photos by Margot Murphy @murph.photo

Previously, students struggling with their calculu

Previously, students struggling with their calculus homework would have to rely on class notes, scour the internet for solutions or wait until the next office hours. However, with the advent of “Ada,” this drawn-out confusion may become a thing of the past at Northeastern.

Artificial intelligence bots designed by Northeastern’s mathematics department are being rolled out in calculus classes. Through the College of Engineering, researchers and professors are crafting and refining Ada, an AI bot to help students with their calculus work.

Ada, named after famous mathematician Ada Lovelace, is in its pilot phase in calculus classrooms. Ada is specifically designed for Calculus 1 for Science and Engineering, according to Abby Williams, a professor in the mathematics department. Williams said Ada’s creators uploaded the course textbook to Ada, so the AI is able to recognize problems from specific sections.

Click the link in our bio (@huntnewsnu) to read the full story.

Story by Lawrence Brown @_lawrencebrown_
Design by Catherine Gore @catherine.does.nothing

The News held its semesterly Paper Plate Awards, a

The News held its semesterly Paper Plate Awards, a ceremony celebrating the work of its editors and staff, Dec. 2. Deputy campus editor Zoe MacDiarmid interviewed recipients of the Best Story and Best Reporting awards, among others, about the efforts that culminated in their eventual recognition at the event.

Reporting by Zoe MacDiarmid @zoe.macdiarmid
Video by Jake Guldin @jake_guldin, Zoe MacDiarmid and Annika Sunkara @annikasunkara

The last time President-elect Donald Trump was in

The last time President-elect Donald Trump was in the Oval Office, most undergraduate students at Northeastern were in middle school.

Though some remember the rhetoric — mostly anti-immigrant, sexist and inflammatory LGBTQ+ sentiments — that marked his first stint in the White House, students and experts say his second presidency is likely to do more damage to marginalized communities. While Massachusetts state legislators have vowed to do everything in their power to stave off Trump’s possible damaging policies, students are concerned his speech will embolden extremists and that his administration’s agenda will negatively impact their lives over the next four years.

“I’m worried about how many of my family members and community would be directly impacted by Trump’s immigration rhetoric,” said Kevin Mai, a fourth-year bioengineering major whose parents are immigrants from Vietnam. “I know that currently a lot of the focus on immigration is on immigrants coming from Latin and South America … [but] when one domino falls, the rest fall too. How long will it take before the focus shifts to immigrants from other regions?”

Click the link in our bio (@huntnewsnu) to read the full story.

Story by Emily Spatz @emilymspatz and Kyle Kucera @kylekucera
Trump photo courtesy Gage Skidmore, flickr
Design by Liam Saven @liam.saven

"What’s better than meeting Timothée Chalamet?"

"What’s better than meeting Timothée Chalamet?" writes news correspondent Grace Phillips. "If the recent fascination with celebrity look-alike contests is any indication, it’s finding 50 of his doppelgängers in one place — and some lucky attendees left having interacted with both."

"A much-anticipated Chalamet look-alike contest took place in New York City at Washington Square Park Oct. 27, and it didn’t disappoint. Superfans and fascinated onlookers thronged to judge the competitors — along with Chalamet himself. What started with the 'Dune' and 'Wonka' star in New York snowballed into a global trend. More than normalizing fan behavior and raising questions about beauty standards for men, the recent obsession with celebrity look-alike contests reflects communities in need of distractions from political realities and gender-based tensions."

Click the link in our bio (@huntnewsnu) to read the full column.

Column by Grace Phillips @__gracephillips__
Photos by Jessica Xing @jessx.photo

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