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UMass Boston's independent student newspaper

The Mass Media
Muslim protestors pray outside the main campus of Columbia University to protest the immigration arrest of Mahmoud Khalil March 14. Now, amidst President Trump’s crackdown on student activism, SJP Vice President Max Hershman said, “It’s nerve-racking, but we’re not going to stop fighting.”
Trump cracks down on ‘antisemitism’
Students walk by the newly-renamed Phillis Wheatley Peters Hall. File photo.
Wheatley to be renamed Wheatley Peters Hall
Students wait by the JFK/UMass commuter rail stop. Jeff Loussaint, a UMass Boston student who commutes to campus by the commuter rail, noted a lack of fare collection at certain times of day.
Audit uncovers issues with commuter rail contract
Department of Education releases DEI complaint form
Corrections: Vol. LVIII, Issue 12
Students wait by the JFK/UMass commuter rail stop. Jeff Loussaint, a UMass Boston student who commutes to campus by the commuter rail, noted a lack of fare collection at certain times of day.
Audit uncovers issues with commuter rail contract
Patrons visit the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum days after the museum’s reopening.
JFK Presidential Library reopens, reinstates staff
Image by King of Hearts via Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 4.0
Mass. joins 15 state attorneys general in issuing DEI guidance
A Boston Fire Department ladder truck extends toward a burned window at 7:58 a.m. Tuesday.
Live Updates: Harbor Point apartment fire
Organizers and attendees pose in front of a banner for the Pokemon Go Community Ambassador program, the group which organized the Wild Area event.
Players gather in Boston for Pokemon Go Wild Area: Global 2024
Students walk by the newly-renamed Phillis Wheatley Peters Hall. File photo.
Wheatley to be renamed Wheatley Peters Hall
USG gathers for their General Assembly meeting on March 5 in University Hall.
USG passes resolutions supporting transgender and undocumented students
Caroline Coscia speaks to union members at the Feb. 18 town hall.
Administration declines to appear at town hall meeting
Student government nominations open
Brittany Broski sits down with Amma Marfo to talk to the UMass Boston community Feb. 21.
A conversation with Brittany Broski: ‘I don’t wanna be known as kombucha girl’
The labs of the Integrated Sciences Complex host a plethora of researchers, studying everything from oral cancer to assistive technology in visual impairments to environmental justice. Because of these dedicated individuals, UMass Boston joins the list of 187 universities classified as R1 research universities.
UMass Boston awarded R1 research classification
Demonstrators lined the back of the Campus Ballroom during an information session in October, protesting the recent updates to the space use policy and university administration’s enforcement of the policy.
Former police commissioner Edward Davis consulted on updated protest policy
Students gather in the One-Stop Financial Office after UMass Boston guaranteed free tuition for eligible students through the Beacon Pledge.
UMass pledges free tuition for high-need students
Chancellor Robert A. Corrigan giving the address at the 1980 Commencement held at the Columbia Point campus plaza between the Quinn Administration Building and the Joseph P. Healey Library. Corrigan served as Chancellor from 1979-1988. Photo from the University of Massachusetts Boston digital collections.
Former UMass Boston Chancellor Robert Corrigan dies at 89
Campus activism heats up: UMass Amherst student protestors arrested
Corrections: Vol. LVIII, Issue 12
Corrections: Vol. LIX, Issue 11
Corrections: Vol. LIX, Issue 10
Corrections: Vol. LVIII, Issue 6
Corrections: Vol. LVIII, Issue 2
Vocalist and guitarist Will Donahue, guitarist Maxx Nunn, bassist Sammy Scott and drummer Isaiah Rowe formed their band in 2022 under the name Lunch Money. Photo courtesy of YELLOW
Berklee band ‘YELLOW’ debuts new alt-rock EP
Founder of the Queer History Club Shane Brown leads a meeting about queer erasure under the Nazi regime.
How a student club is keeping LGBTQ+ stories alive
UMass Boston alumni Shahnawaz Anwar, Ananta Chakravartula, Paul Dyson, Katie Gauthier, Rhonda Hodge and Natalia Rosero will compete in the Boston Marathon this year, raising money for the Krystle Campbell scholarship. File photo.
Alumni ‘Run for Krystle’ in Boston Marathon
Sharon Milien displays her first solo exhibition in the Critque Space in University Hall.
Bringing the ‘HEAT’: Sharon Milien’s solo art debut at UMass Boston
Emanuel Zayas runs up court, after becoming UMass Boston’s newest 1000 point scorer.
Men’s basketball, Emanuel Zayas, back in the playoffs
Meet Maryam Halimi, an Afghan woman making history
Dr. Susan Tan, Assistant Professor of English, has written several children’s books, including “Ghosts, Toast, and Other Hazards.” (Submitted by Susan Tan)
Inside the imagination: An interview with Susan Tan
Executive Chef Jocelyn Aurelien smiles for a portrait in the Dining Commons.
Executive Chef Jocelyn Aurelien makes waves in UMass Boston dining
Elizabeth Fay was an editor for “The Afterlives of Frankenstein: Popular and Artistic Adaptations and Reimaginings,” which released in 2024. (Submitted by Elizabeth Fay)
The impact of Romanticism: An interview with Elizabeth Fay
Professor John Fulton, author of "The Flounder" and one of 35 winners of the National Endowment for the Arts grant. Submitted by Prof. Fulton.
Prof. John Fulton earns NEA grant for ‘The Flounder’
The Blue Stage at Boston Calling of 2023.
Get ready for Boston Calling, coming Memorial weekend
Vocalist and guitarist Will Donahue, guitarist Maxx Nunn, bassist Sammy Scott and drummer Isaiah Rowe formed their band in 2022 under the name Lunch Money. Photo courtesy of YELLOW
Berklee band ‘YELLOW’ debuts new alt-rock EP
Students listen to music while studying.
Six albums to ease your stress during midterms season
Water boils in a pot on a stove. Cooking can be simple and easy if you plan ahead and use only a few ingredients.
Beginner cooking tips to up your kitchen game
Kathy St. George and Sam Simahk (center) with (from left) Meagan Lewis-Michelson, Kerry A. Dowling, Ronan Green, and Billy Meleady during "Going Up." Photo courtesy of Nile Scott Studios.
SpeakEasy’s “A Man of No Importance” honors the work and life of Oscar Wilde
Kathy St. George and Sam Simahk (center) with (from left) Meagan Lewis-Michelson, Kerry A. Dowling, Ronan Green, and Billy Meleady during "Going Up." Photo courtesy of Nile Scott Studios.
SpeakEasy’s “A Man of No Importance” honors the work and life of Oscar Wilde
Grand Kyiv Ballet enchants with ‘Swan Lake’
Grand Kyiv Ballet enchants with ‘Swan Lake’
A student observes Beth Campbell’s “Shifting,” a mobile piece commenting on familiarity and memory.
‘(Re)Visiting’ celebrates the history of visiting artists at UMass Boston
Professor Cat Mazza of the Art Department showcases her work in a gallery at Northeastern University. Photo courtesy of Cat Mazza.
Cat Mazza’s ‘Network’ blends tactility and tech
Sharon Milien displays her first solo exhibition in the Critque Space in University Hall.
Bringing the ‘HEAT’: Sharon Milien’s solo art debut at UMass Boston
The Brattle in Harvard Square has been a hub for cinephiles since 1953.
Keeping cinema alive at The Brattle Theatre
Bob Dylan performing in 1978. Photo by Chris Hakkens is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
Knocking on cinema’s door: Exploring Bob Dylan’s legacy in ‘A Complete Unknown’
Moviegoers enter for a daytime showing at the AMC at Boston Common. Photo by Saichand Chowdary / Mass Media Staff
Get excited for these upcoming 2025 releases
Rachel Zegler and Jaeden Martell, who play Laura and Eli, both starred in Y2K, which was released in December of 2024. Photo by Nicole Rivelli via A24.
Reimagining the ‘millennium bug’: Kyle Mooney and Evan Winter discuss A24’s ‘Y2K’
Pedestrians walk past the Boston Common AMC movie theater.
Flying high: ‘Wicked’ reimagines the land of Oz
The Blue Stage at Boston Calling of 2023.
Get ready for Boston Calling, coming Memorial weekend
Vocalist and guitarist Will Donahue, guitarist Maxx Nunn, bassist Sammy Scott and drummer Isaiah Rowe formed their band in 2022 under the name Lunch Money. Photo courtesy of YELLOW
Berklee band ‘YELLOW’ debuts new alt-rock EP
Students listen to music while studying.
Six albums to ease your stress during midterms season
Bob Dylan performing in 1978. Photo by Chris Hakkens is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
Knocking on cinema’s door: Exploring Bob Dylan’s legacy in ‘A Complete Unknown’
Pedestrians walk past the Boston Common AMC movie theater.
Flying high: ‘Wicked’ reimagines the land of Oz
Mar 1, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) skates with the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
“We’re all heartbroken:” Major trades take their toll
Women’s softball celebrates 10 wins over spring break. Photo courtesy of Beacons Athletics
Women’s softball makes history on spring break
Junior Matt Hutchings prepares to pass the ball in the men’s lacrosse game on March 8. Photo from Beacons Athletics
Men’s lacrosse starts break strong, loses streak
Men’s baseball player Nick Farnacci scores a run in their spring break game against Wheaton College. Photo courtesy of Beacons Athletics
Men’s baseball wins two, loses two in Auburndale
Men’s baseball catcher catches a strike last seaon.
Men’s baseball scorch through opening stretch of six
The team sits with coaches during a timeout.
Women’s volleyball winning, but lost LEC opener
Men’s soccer player Diego Gisholt sprints down field in game against UMass Dartmouth on Oct 2.
Men’s soccer drowns the Anchormen in LEC playoffs
UMass Boston Softball players gear up at a recent game. Photo provided by Beacons Athletics.
Softball continues strong as season’s end approaches
Outfielder Mariano Jimenez stares into the field after a tough loss on May 2. Photo provided by Beacons Athletics.
A breakdown of baseball’s season, and what’s to come
A photo of UMass Boston's Women's Lacrosse Coach Hannah Khin. Graphic provided by Beacons Athletics.
Recruitment strategies of UMass Boston coaches: Hannah Khin
Drake Maye and the Patriots showing signs of growth
Everything you need to know for Super Bowl LVIII
Illustration of Bruins’ right winger Trent Frederic. Illustration by Bianca Oppedisano / Mass Media Staff.
Don’t poke the bear: Bruins fans have nothing to worry about
Men’s March Madness Final Four features one of the most unique lineups ever
Image of a stadium. Image sourced from CalMatters.  
With another Super Bowl in the books, what’s next for football?
Guard Emanuel Zayas dribbles the ball on the court. Photo by Dong Woo Im / Mass Media Staff.
Men’s basketball drowns Rhode Island College
UMass Boston junior sprinter Dorinda Okorji wins Second LEC Track Athlete of the Week / Photo and graphic courtesy of Beacons Athletics.
Track and field keeps showing promise with spike in performance
Forward Keriann Farina shoots the ball against Rhode Island College at a home game last semester.
Women’s basketball losing streak extends to four in a row
Men’s hockey players huddle during a home game. Photo courtesy of Beacon Athletics.
Men’s hockey picks themselves up after minor slip on ice
Forward Katie Wilbert shoots the puck against Salem State University at a home game on Jan. 26. Photo by Dong Woo Im / Mass Media Staff.
Leah Bosch leads women’s hockey to sixth straight victory
U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as U.S. Vice President JD Vance reacts at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 28, 2025. REUTERS/Brian Snyder
Decorum’s swift exit from American politics
Associated Press White House reporter Darlene Superville and AP photographer Ben Curtis are told by a U.S. President Donald Trump administration member that they have been denied from joining the White House press pool in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., February 15, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
Journalistic integrity is more important than ever
Mar 1, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) skates with the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
“We’re all heartbroken:” Major trades take their toll
With the threat of an impending recession, UMass Boston students can look at on-campus resources like U-Access and The One Stop along with creative skills to save money.
Crafting skills aren’t essential now — but that might change
A Palestinian walks past graffiti and the rubble of buildings, ahead of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, February 27, 2025. REUTERS/Ramadan Abed
Ownership does not require love: considering imperial efforts to occupy Gaza
UMass Boston raised tuition by 2.5 percent in the 2024-2025 school year.
A look into the rising cost of college education
The fight to value life and the fight for living wages
Students enjoying the Quad, which was completed earlier this year.
The need for sustainable urbanism at UMass Boston
Open letter to administration regarding Oct. 8 vigil
Posters and infographics from UMass Boston’s Students for Justice in Palestine’s Memorial for Martys of Gaza event.
Navigating between two worlds: How UMass Boston can support students from war-torn countries
Feb 12, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) attempts a free throw against the San Antonio Spurs during the third quarter at the TD Garden. Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
It’s time to give Jayson Tatum his due credit
Celtics spread joy with visit to Boston Children’s Hospital
Students gather at Emerson College’s encampment for Palestine on Thursday, Photo submitted by Elijah Horwath / Mass Media Staff.
Universities are violently repressing free speech—what’s new?
Students boarding the shuttle bus at the Campus Center. Photo by Saichand Chowdary / Mass Media Staff.
Why finding an affordable apartment feels like chasing a unicorn
Students sit outside the Campus Center over the summer. Photo by Olivia Reid / Photography Editor.
UMass’ economic contributions: More than just numbers
On power: An appeal to the reformers
On power: What is to be done now?
An American Flag on the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, Aug. 31, 2023.
How to wage real American war
UMass Boston Professor Johnathan Celli works in his lab, amid rising disbelief in scientific fact.
RFK Jr. amplifies traditional American skepticism and misinformation
A vigil last fall semester was ordered to disband by university administrators for lack of advance notice.
What does it mean to be “For the Times” in times like these?
On power: An appeal to the reformers
Dear UMass Boston Administration
On power: What is to be done now?
A vigil last fall semester was ordered to disband by university administrators for lack of advance notice.
What does it mean to be “For the Times” in times like these?
Are professional coaches really hired to get fired?
Letter to the Editor: Climate change denial threatens America’s security
Letter to the Editor: Respect pro-Palestinian protestors
Letter to the Editor: Israeli Apartheid Week
Letter to the Editor regarding Israel and Palestine
Letter to the Editor
Ask Bobby #41: Remember last Valentine's?
Ask Bobby #41: Remember last Valentine’s?
Ask Bobby #40: Skincare
Ask Bobby #40: Skincare
A “Big A— Fan” is placed by the residence halls to combat coastal wind by blowing it straight back to the ocean. Dakota Brown for The Mass Media
University fights back against wind on campus
Ask Bobby #39: Illegitimate illegitimate sons
Ask Bobby #39: Illegitimate illegitimate sons
Written by Dakota Brown and illustrated by Bianca Oppedisano / Mass Media Staff
Ask Bobby #38: Bobby returns
Vol. LIX, No. 13
Vol. LIX, No. 13
Vol. LIX, No. 12
Vol. LIX, No. 12
Vol. LIX, No. 11
Vol. LIX, No. 11
Vol. LIX, No. 10
Vol. LIX, No. 10
Vol. LIX, No. 9
Vol. LIX, No. 9
UMass Boston's independent student newspaper

The Mass Media
UMass Boston's independent student newspaper

The Mass Media

Abigail Fontz, Arts Writer

Abigail Fontz (she/her) is a junior majoring in English and communication. She has been working for the Arts & Lifestyle section since fall 2024, and loves writing about film, music, and literature. She hopes to be a fiction writer in the future and enjoys reading in her free time. She joined The Mass Media to share her reviews and promote local businesses/artists.

All content by Abigail Fontz
Students listen to music while studying.

Six albums to ease your stress during midterms season

By Abigail Fontz, Arts Writer
March 24, 2025
Founder of the Queer History Club Shane Brown leads a meeting about queer erasure under the Nazi regime.

How a student club is keeping LGBTQ+ stories alive

By Abigail Fontz, Arts Writer
March 24, 2025
Brittany Broski sits down with Amma Marfo to talk to the UMass Boston community Feb. 21.

A conversation with Brittany Broski: ‘I don’t wanna be known as kombucha girl’

By Abigail Fontz, Arts Writer
March 10, 2025
The Brattle in Harvard Square has been a hub for cinephiles since 1953.

Keeping cinema alive at The Brattle Theatre

By Abigail Fontz, Arts Writer
March 10, 2025
Sharon Milien displays her first solo exhibition in the Critque Space in University Hall.

Bringing the ‘HEAT’: Sharon Milien’s solo art debut at UMass Boston

By Abigail Fontz, Arts Writer
February 24, 2025
A patron browses for books, as the next addition to The Hunger Games saga is set to release March 18.

Midnight in Panem: Harvard Book Store celebrates release of ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’

By Abigail Fontz, Arts Writer
February 24, 2025
Sharon Milien displays her first solo exhibition in the Critque Space in University Hall.

Sharon Milien displays her first solo exhibition in the Critque Space in University Hall.

Dr. Susan Tan, Assistant Professor of English, has written several children’s books, including “Ghosts, Toast, and Other Hazards.” (Submitted by Susan Tan)

Inside the imagination: An interview with Susan Tan

By Abigail Fontz, Arts Writer
February 10, 2025
A student reads in the Student Activities Office. Photo from The Mass Media archives

Feeling stuck? Here are five books to help overcome a reading slump

By Abigail Fontz, Arts Writer
February 10, 2025
Bob Dylan performing in 1978. Photo by Chris Hakkens is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Knocking on cinema’s door: Exploring Bob Dylan’s legacy in ‘A Complete Unknown’

By Abigail Fontz, Arts Writer
January 27, 2025
Pedestrians walk past the Boston Common AMC movie theater.

Flying high: ‘Wicked’ reimagines the land of Oz

By Abigail Fontz, Arts Writer
December 12, 2024
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