Since the earthshattering moment when I discovered that students at Boston University could buy VISA Gift Cards with student “Convenience Points” at the campus bookstore, I have been on a mission to uncover everything and anything cool or useful at BU. Once friends and acquaintances from other Boston colleges caught wind of this endeavor, they too became curious as to what they could uncover. While I still hope to unlock all the mysteries of the many Boston-area universities, I proudly present to you my findings thus far, organized by university.

Boston University

  1. Purchase bank gift-cards (Visa, etc.) at the Barnes & Nobles bookstore using Convenience Points.
  2. At the Student Activities Office (G.S.U.), buy up-to-four $7 Regal Theater movie tickets that never expire with cash or Convenience Points year-round.
  3. BU has a castle. In it, there is a pub. +21 students and faculty enjoy a full menu of delicious food, or casually quench their thirst with the Knight’s Challenge: Drink All 50 Beers, Receive a 20 ounce Chalice. *Convenience Points can be used for food only.
  4. The Ana Howard Shaw Center (School of Theology, 3rd floor) is supposed to headquarter discussions for women – and it does, for 2 hours a week. Escape Mugar Prison and bask in the glory of the cozy couches and free tea and hot chocolate in this always-empty room.
  5. Order Domino’s Pizza late night to your dorm, and pay with Convenience Points.
  6. Miss water parks during the freezing winters? There is a lazy river in FitRec open to all students.

Harvard University

  1. Throw a party for free? The Undergraduate Council “Sip Fund” will pay.
  2. Three miles of  underground tunnels  run beneath the University – even under the Charles to the Business School
  3. Check out this beautiful outdoor courtyard/garden you’ve-never-heard-of in the Center for European Studies:                                                                  
  4. Want some brownie points? Invite your teachers to lunch at either the House or Annenberg dining halls for breakfast, lunch, or dinner on the house.

Northeastern University

  1. Buy up to five $8 AMC movie passes from the Campus Activities Office at 434 Curry. *Cash only.
  2. Co-op students that work full-time for 6 months earn an average of $10,000 – not too shabby.
  3. On campus, in the Student Center food court, are the only Taco Bell and Sweet Tomatoes Pizza restaurants in Boston.
  4. On campus is the original arena for the Boston Bruins, and the once-home-field of the Boston Red Sox.
  5. Use Husky Dollars for a mid-day snack or late night food at the University’s food truck, the Hungry Hungry Husky, nicknamed “H3.”

Tufts University

  1. Use Jumbo Dollars at nearby sushi joint Blue Fuji. +21 students can even use points to buy saki bombs. 
  2. So you’re not into sushi? Drop in to any of these twenty-two restaurants that take Jumbo Cash. Some mention-ables: Chipotle, Subway, Boloco, and Wings Over.
  3. Attend Tufts Film Series in Barnum Hall on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to watch movies for free on the big-screen. The coolest part? They will never show the same movie twice during four years, so have no fear of repeats.


Know cool facts about your school? Have a universities not featured above who might have a tip? GET AT ME, and stay tuned for more Cool and Useful Facts You Wish You Knew.

  • Comment here.
  • Tweet to @TheShadrow.
  • Facebook to BostInno
  • Email to ashadrow@streetwise-media.com
You can read more stories on Boston startups, technology and innovation at https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/inno