On the night of Oct. 17, hundreds gathered around the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Boston Common for a “Rat Cult Meeting.” The event centered around the Rat Queen — whose real name is Sariah Wertman — a social media star who dons a papier-mâché rat mask and kazoo disguised as a trumpet while performing on the streets and trains of Boston. 

Despite the festival’s off-putting name, fear was the last thing on the attendees’ minds. The event was packed with rat-themed activities including a costume contest, games and “rat prizes.” Attendees chanted “cheese” and “rat cult,” waving flashlights in the air as the Rat Queen danced to rodent-themed songs like the theme from the Disney movie “Ratatouille.” 

The Daily Free Press spoke to an organizer named Kevin who, remaining in character, called himself the “sniveling minion of the Rat Queen.”

Kevin named the event’s goal simply: “to be very silly and use our free will for the benefit of life satisfaction for all involved.” 

Kevin said he was surprised at the turnout but expected the crowd’s high “excitement level.” The large numbers, he said, will allow for future events celebrating rats. 

Liam Kusmin, a 21-year-old cheesemaker from Vermont, said the event being framed as a cult meeting was misleading. Instead, it was simply about having a good time.

“I’ve always liked seeing people enjoying themselves, having fun, enjoying life,” he said. “That’s really what this is all about.”

Kusmin even brought a homemade, beer-infused sharp cheddar as an offering to the Rat Queen later that evening. He also plans on attending the second Rat Cult Meeting in Salem on Oct. 21.

“Trying to get everyone to come together and have a good time, it’s really cool,” Kusmin said. “I think [the Rat Queen’s] a really cool person for that.”

Other attendees were not as avid fans as Kusmin and attended the event to quell general curiosity and intrigue.

Devin Stearns, of Manchester, New Hampshire, attended the event after seeing an Instagram post from the Rat Queen. He said he was immediately surprised by the turnout and general atmosphere  — he was expecting a smaller crowd, some games and maybe a speech.

But upon arriving at the Common, he noted the scale of the celebration and festivities. He said the crowd was “larger than [he] was ready for.”

“Everyone seems very excited to be here with all the cheering and screaming and general revelry,” Stearns said. “I’m having a great time.”

When asked if he would attend similar events in the future, Stearns said, without hesitation, “Yes, definitely.”

One attendee, Kyle Linatopi, who is unfamiliar with the Rat Queen, stumbled upon the event after hearing the crowd screaming chants.

“We have already been blessed with some cheddar cheese, and it’s a good time,” Linatopi said. “It’s very entertaining.” 

For some Rat Queen fans, however, the festival was not what they expected.

Damien Nguyen, a 19-year-old Northeastern student, said he learned about the gathering from a video on the Rat Queen’s Instagram page showing her running around the Common in costume. 

Nguyen said he thought it was interesting to see so many people dressed up as rats, but he expected more rat-centric activities and found the event somewhat disorganized.

“I thought they’d do more rat activities … like squeaking, scurrying,” he said. “But that’s on me for expecting it to be a full-blown spectacle.”

Nevertheless, Nguyen said he was glad events like the Rat Cult Meeting are happening. He said he has only lived in Boston for a month and didn’t expect much nightlife or “kooky” events like this one. 

The festival, however, made him excited to discover more of what the city has to offer, he said.

“It just drives me to look for more things to do,” he said. “Because if I can find events like this in Boston and people who are willing to take their time off doing this stuff, then … I need to be better at finding these events.” 

Eric Wong: Live Sound Performance

Friday, Oct. 23, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at MIT List Visual Arts Center, 20 Ames St., Cambridge

Interested in finding new music? Incorporating spatialized sound, Eric Wong, will explore “human relationships” using auditory perception.

“Wicked” Rush Tickets

Friday, Oct. 23 to Nov. 15, times vary, at Citizens Opera House, 539 Washington St., Boston

Students can buy $30 rush tickets for any Citizens Opera House showing of “Wicked,” Broadway’s second-highest-grossing musical of all time. With a valid student ID, venture into the Emerald City and the world of Oz before Dorothy and her dog arrive by catching tickets exactly two hours before curtain call.

Boston Landing Halloween Movie Night: “Halloweentown”

Saturday, Oct 24, from 3:30 to 8 p.m. at 91 Guest St., Boston

Feeling the fall vibes? Get your tickets for an indoor showing of “Halloweentown.” Admission is free, but tickets are limited. RSVP on Eventbrite or arrive early.

Boston’s Theater of Magic: Halloween Edition

Saturday, Oct. 31, 4:30 p.m. at 215 Charles St., Boston

Inside the hidden theater at The Liberty Hotel — formerly the Charles Street Jail — you’ll find a high-end illusion and mentalism show hosted by magician Christopher Wayne. With limited seating, reserve early for the close-up magic show and history-packed setting can get you the perfect spooky mood.

MFA’s Kawada Kikuji: Chizu (The Map) exhibit 

Saturday, Oct. 24 to July 18 at Herb Ritts Gallery, Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston

Opening this week, an MFA exhibition showcases post-WWII avant-garde Japanese photography from the photobook Chizu and the museum’s extensive archives.

Tierra Del Sol: Día de los Muertos Showcase

Saturday, Oct. 31, 9:30 a.m. at 4225 Washington St., Boston

Start your Halloween festivities early with this outdoor folk dance performance celebrating the traditions of Día de los Muertos by Tierra del Sol, telling stories of the dead through dance.

Boston Legacy FC played their final home game of their inaugural season Oct. 16, finishing with a 2-1 victory over Racing Louisville FC.

This was also the team’s last home game ever at Gillette Stadium, as the Swans are preparing to play the entirety of the 2027 season at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Following 2027, the Legacy are set to play in White Stadium, their soon-to-be permanent home, in 2028.

Despite playing in several locations, fans showed up across New England all season long.

“We welcomed over 30,000 fans into Gillette for our inaugural home opener,” said Jennifer Epstein, controlling manager of Boston Legacy FC, in a postgame interview. “It was incredible validation that Boston was ready to bring a new professional women’s soccer team back to Boston and start play in 2026.”

Although the Legacy are a new team, this is not the first time Boston has been a part of the National Women’s Soccer League puzzle. After being a part of the inaugural NWSL class in 2013, the Boston Breakers ceased operations in 2018.

Women’s sports weren’t on the same rising trajectory then as they are now, though.

“People are there, not just to be sports fans and fans of a really competitive team, but for something bigger, for that purpose of seeing women and women’s sports succeed,” Team President Jennifer van Dijk said.

The most passionate among the fans are the Boston Legacy FC Supporters Group, a group of dedicated enthusiasts that lead crowd chants and promote a positive environment on game days. Women’s soccer fans in Boston haven’t had a place to channel their passion since the Breakers folded almost a decade ago, but the group provides them an outlet to do so.

“Centreville is just a very intimate stadium, and [the fans make] it even better,” forward Sammy Smith said postgame.

While the stadium holds a mere 10,500 compared to Gillette Stadium’s 64,628-person capacity, it’s important to recognize that women’s sports are growing. The Legacy don’t have the average attendance to fill an NFL stadium, but they have the attendance to sell out in Pawtucket.

Several different sides of this inaugural season, whether it be in the stands or on the field, centered around choice.

Following the NWSL’s 2024 collective bargaining agreement, expansion teams no longer had the ability to draft players, so players chose to sign with the Legacy for their inaugural season.

“Every single player that came here chose to do that,” Epstein said.

Without any idea of what the team’s chemistry could look like or what the potential environment could be, there’s a large risk that comes with that commitment.

“This season exceeded all my expectations,” midfielder Annie Karich said.

Karich will go down in history as the first-ever player signed to the Legacy.

Legacy ownership made players their priority throughout the season and is looking forward to opening the team’s new performance center in Brockton by January 2027. The center will contain several amenities, including a locker room, medical and recovery care, weight rooms, a film room and a kitchen.

“There’ll be a lot of synergy and a lot of opportunities to continue the build in one amazing facility,” Epstein said.

The facility exemplifies the Legacy’s strive for players to reach their fullest potential, which they already made strides toward by the end of this season.

“We are getting [to] the place that we want,” said head coach Filipa Patão postgame.

The Legacy won four of their last six games after starting their season 0-5.

It’s a matter of trust that ended up being rewarding in the long run. That trust also applies on the field, where players are learning not to rush and keep their composure. This is essential during high-pressure moments, including the team’s 4-2 late-game win over the Portland Thorns — in Portland, one of the rowdiest NWSL venues.

After their end-of-season turnaround and winning the final game of their season in front of a home crowd, the Legacy now have a ground to build from.

“It’s not easy to be a women’s sports fan today,” van Dijk said. “We are here to build this experience and this club in a way that makes it easier for us to grow that fanbase.”

The players have the fans, the facilities and the coaching. The offseason turnaround will be quick, with the NWSL having its earliest start in the history of the league on Feb. 11. Despite the fast transition, the franchise is excited for what the future holds and equally excited to build on their early support.

“No one does it like Boston fans,” Smith said.

The program provides “last-mile service,” which bridges the gap between existing transit stops and residential neighborhoods.

“Right now, you can get many places on the T, but you can’t actually get to where you’re trying to finish up,” said Terrance Regan, adjunct professor at Boston University’s City Planning and Urban Affairs program. 

The Link Bus free shuttles program is financed through an approximately $11.5 million, three-year federal grant from the Federal Highway Administration’s Congestion Relief Program, which is distributed by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, according to a city press release. 

“One of the things that the city will need to think about is after the federal money runs out, what is the value of the service, and are they willing to pay for it?” Regan said.

Matt Moran, transit team director at the Boston Transportation Department, said the program is a three-year-long pilot for these additional shuttle routes. BTD plans to collect data from the  program to determine if the new routes are serving the public effectively.

Moran said the data analysis will aid outreach for alternative funding such as state grants or prospective collaboration with private institutions. It will also help devise a strategy for potential expansion. 

The Link Bus program took inspiration from the preexisting volunteer-run 45-year-old Mission Hill Link buses, Moran said. 

“First off, they are neighborhoods that have historically been underinvested in,” Moran said. “From an equity standpoint, we knew we needed to include those.”

Moran said the chosen neighborhoods have had a lot of development in recent years, and the BTD wanted to connect people with jobs, medical appointments, grocery shopping and bring these neighborhoods together.

The City of Boston is working with the Transportation Management Associations, which form public-private partnerships to reduce traffic congestion, in the Allston-Brighton, Charlestown and Seaport neighborhoods, said Amanda Caparoso, a transportation program planner for the BTD.  

Caparoso added they are working internally and with community organizations and members in the Roxbury and Mattapan neighborhoods to determine shuttle routes and stops. 

The TMA shuttle routes will launch in early 2027, as the partnering nonprofits have already performed their own community engagement processes, Caparoso said. The city-run shuttles will follow in the fall of 2027, since the city still needs to conduct their own community engagement process.

Scott Mullen, transportation demand management director for A Better City, the Allston-Brighton TMA, said the new Link Buses are not designed to compete with the MBTA’s services but instead complement them.

“For those who want to stay in the neighborhood, they have a one-seat ride to connect where the T doesn’t,” Mullen said. “And for those who want to connect, either coming into the neighborhood from other lines or connecting to other lines to go outside the neighborhood, we really are that first last-mile solution.”

The shuttles’ service hours will be determined by what each of the five communities indicated they would want to see for supplemental services, Caparoso said.

Mullen said he has been working with BTD since 2021, when they undertook the Allston-Brighton Link study.

“We got tons of community feedback, tons of engagement, developed the routes and have been working to find resources to actually fund it, which is what we now have through the federal grant,” Mullen said. 

Anthony D’Isidoro, president of the Allston Civic Association, said the process to get free and accessible shuttle routes has “taken a bit longer than we had hoped.”

“Working class people need to get to work, and they can’t spend half their salaries on transportation,” D’Isidoro said. “If this can help close the network and fill in those gaps that are lacking and provide people more choices than they currently have, we’re hoping that those choices will be a smarter choice than driving a car.”

D’Isidoro said he hopes this free shuttle service will provide Allston-Brighton residents with increased flexibility and more options for efficient transportation.

Regan said he hopes to see the program eventually coordinate with BU, giving broader access to free public transportation for students as well as city residents.

“I’m all in favor of experimentation, but I’m also in favor of analyzing it when it’s done,” Regan said. “If it works, keep doing it. If it doesn’t work, get rid of it.”

Senior guard Aoibhe Gormley remembers making it all the way to the Patriot League championship game her freshman year. The Boston University’s women’s basketball team came close to the crown but fell short to College of the Holy Cross in a 61-55 loss. 

Since then, the team has been unable to get back to the big game, falling in the quarterfinals the last two seasons. As Gormley prepares for her final season at BU, time is running out to finally capture a Patriot League title.

“That’s our big goal this year, and that’s pretty much the only goal,” she said. “It’s win or you’re done.”

Gormley and her fellow captain, senior guard Bella McLaughlin, are looking to lead the Terriers to the top of the Patriot League. On the heels of a season that saw the Terriers go 11-20 and 6-12 in the conference, the two veterans are taking matters into their own hands, establishing a new and improved culture in hopes of taking the program to new heights. 

“Culture-wise, we are in a really good spot, and a much better spot than last year,” McLaughlin said. “[BU head coach Melissa Graves], the coaching staff, Aoibhe and I, as well as everybody on the team has really taken the steps to see that happen.”

Much of improving team culture, according to the captains, happens off the court. McLaughlin said the Terriers have participated in leadership and culture sessions with their BU leadership and development director and attended sports psychology sessions together. 

The coaching staff is also bought in. With Graves on maternity leave, assistant coach Katie Nelson has stepped up to become the acting head coach –– a role she assumed Sept. 10.

“In practice, I think that the coaches have this really cool, improved mindset,” McLaughlin said. “[assistant coach Clint Williams] has come in and brought a lot of energy. Coach Katie has done an amazing job. All of them have done an amazing job in [Graves’] absence.”

Despite Graves’ distance from the team, her presence is still felt.

“Coach Graves has been super involved,” said Nelson. “We talk to her every single day on updates on the team, and she is still heavily involved in our progression plan.”

A testament to the group’s improved culture, Nelson said she believes the players will hold each other accountable this season.

“We want to focus on being a more player-led team this year in terms of stepping in when things aren’t going to the standard that they should be,” she said.

Gormley and McLaughlin were both captains last season, but they hope to improve their leadership roles this year.

“With my first time being a captain on a collegiate team, there was definitely some big learning moments for me, things that I think … I could’ve handled differently or better.” McLaughlin said. “At the end of the day, it was all just a learning experience.”

The roster saw a significant amount of turnover in the offseason: two players graduating and three transferring to other schools. In their place, the Terriers welcomed four freshmen and one transfer student. Despite the personnel changes, teammates new and old are already clicking on the court.

“It’s been very, very energetic,” Gormley said. “I’d say probably the best practices I’ve had in four years at BU just because of how excited everyone is to be there.”

With the change in personnel comes a new playstyle for the Terriers, and the team’s leaders have different ideas for what that could entail. McLaughlin sees their lineup, which is shorter than prior years, as an opportunity to play faster. Gormley hopes to see more total possessions per game than last year. Nelson is aiming for the team to score 65 or more points each contest.

While the on-court product for the squad might look different this season, the primary objective remains the same: secure their first Patriot League championship in program history. 

After coming close three seasons ago, McLaughlin is relishing the opportunity to chase the title one final time.

“Especially for my senior year, I feel so grateful that this truly is my favorite team to play on, to play with, to be around,” she said. “I would love nothing more than to end my college career at Boston University, with this team, with a Patriot League championship. That would really be the cherry on top.”

Election Day in Massachusetts, which takes place this year Nov. 3, has not included this many ballot questions since 1994. More than three decades later, the nine proposals on this year’s ballot have the potential to reshape the rules governing elections, access to the ballot and other major policies.

Three measures particularly relevant to college students — questions three, four and eight — support a nonpartisan primary, voter registration on election day and the repeal of marijuana’s legalization.

Question Three: A primary system revision

If passed, the proposed law would eliminate political party primaries in Massachusetts and replace them with an all-party primary system. Candidates, regardless of party affiliation, would be placed on the same primary ballot. Those registered would vote for one candidate, and the two candidates with the most votes would advance to the general election ballot. 

Additionally, the proposed law would require candidates for governor and lieutenant governor to run and be listed jointly on the ballot in the primary. Currently, candidates for governor and lieutenant governor are listed separately on the primary ballot and are later combined for the general election. It would also provide political party status to any group whose candidates for any statewide office received at least 3% of the ballots cast in the state primary.

Sen. Lydia Edwards, D-Mass., opposed the measure in a GBH News interview, claiming the current primary system allows for more diverse and first time candidates to run. 

“[The current primary system] allows for more individuals to be able to express who they are without being concerned about big money coming in and clouding them out,” Edwards said. “This current system has produced the most diverse state house we’ve ever had … This current system is doing some good things.”

Former Gov. Charlie Barker supports the measure, saying all-party primaries would give voters more choice and compel elected officials to reach across the aisle to voters from other parties if they want to win election.

“Massachusetts is at its best when we put good ideas and good government ahead of politics, because the real work begins after campaigns end,” Barker said, according to Vote Yes on 3, a campaign spearheaded by the Coalition for Healthy Democracy.

Dillon Simmons, a sophomore at Boston University who is from Massachusetts, said he voted yes on Question 3 and believes the measure would shift focus to individual candidates rather than parties.

“I’m a big advocate of trying to get rid of the two-party system,” he said. “This kind of felt like a step closer to that.”

Question Four: Election Day voter registration

If passed, the proposed law would allow eligible individuals to register to vote or update their voter registration address on Election Day. The registration’s current deadline is ten days before an election.

Should the law pass, an eligible voter could register to vote on Election Day by going to their precinct’s assigned polling location during voting hours and presenting proof of residency — such as a photo I.D. or paycheck — and signing a written oath stating they are a citizen of the United States and are at least 18 years old.

The proposed law states voters who registered previously would not be able to change their party affiliation on election day.

Celia Canavan, executive director of the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, wrote in a statement to The Daily Free Press that the organization endorses a yes vote on Question 4. It may be the most important question for college students to watch, she wrote, noting that students often don’t realize they are eligible to vote in Massachusetts until after the voter registration deadline.

“Election Day Registration would allow students to register to vote at the ballot box … In the Boston area, this is especially important, as students are among the highest populations of residents in these districts, yet don’t currently have the confidence that they can cast a ballot and have it be counted,” Canavan wrote. “Question 4 allows us all to do just that: cast a ballot that counts.”

Republican Party chairman Amy Carnevale formally opposed the measure on the grounds that same-day voter registration risks the integrity of voter verification.

“Election security depends upon meaningful verification before voting,” she wrote. “This ballot question would replace advance review with hurried, same-day judgments that could create avoidable vulnerabilities in election administration, increase the risk that unlawful ballots could affect close contests, and weaken confidence that every ballot was lawfully cast.”

Question Eight: Marijuana sale and possession

If passed, the proposed law would end recreational marijuana sales in Massachusetts and strengthen limits on its possession. People aged 21 or older could legally possess or gift one ounce or less of marijuana, including no more than five grams in the form of concentrate. The legality of medical marijuana would not be impacted. 

For people younger than 21, the proposed law would make possessing two ounces or less of marijuana a civil infraction subject to a $100 fine, forfeiture of the marijuana, completion of a drug awareness program and community service and notification to their parents or legal guardian of the offense and penalties.

A vote yes on would repeal the legalization of marijuana, a vote no would keep it legal.

According to WBUR, Kevin Sabet, founder of the advocacy group Smart Approaches to Marijuana — which funds the Coalition for a Healthy Massachusetts, who back Question 4 — claims the cannabis industry is leading the country “right into the mess that Big Tobacco created for over a century of lying to the American people about the harms of cigarettes.”

“Question 8 is simply about the commercialization of marijuana,” he said. “It doesn’t touch the individual’s right to use.”

Ryan Dominguez, executive director at Massachusetts Cannabis Coalition, wrote in opposition to the measure on the grounds of public health and safety, as well as the outcomes for jobs and small businesses. 

“For ten years, Massachusetts has regulated marijuana, ensuring that products are tested for safety, packaged and labelled properly, and sold in licensed businesses to adults 21 and over,” he wrote. “Question 8 would undo that progress, returning marijuana to the illicit market where there are no safeguards in place.”

Junior Daryl Nguyen intends to vote in Massachusetts in the midterms. Nguyen said he could see both sides of the debate, but had concerns about the measure’s potential impact on Boston businesses. 

“It doesn’t sound like it’d be enforced in the way that it’s trying to be publicly advertised,” he said.”

Daryl emphasized the importance of college students voting.

“I think it’s really important that, as students … we voice our opinions for who represents us [and] how we represent ourselves,” he said.

Boston University College Republicans endorsed Amy Acton, the Democratic candidate for Ohio’s gubernatorial election, in an X post Sept 7. College Republicans of America tweeted in response Oct. 13, claiming the endorsement was grounds for expulsion from the national organization. The back and forth tweets quickly snowballed into an online cat fight between the chapters.

“Endorsing a Democrat candidate for any race is grounds for expulsion from the College Republicans of America,” CRA wrote. “We will not tolerate traitors or ‘panicans.’”

Brenden Poteet, CRA’s social media director, tweeted in the X thread, calling BUCR “loser doubters.”

BUCR promptly responded: “Endorsing a political candidate is not ‘treason’ lol get over yourself.”

BUCR Vice President Colin Sharpe said the decision to endorse Acton stemmed from a conversation among the club’s executive board about their dislike for Vivek Ramaswamy, the Republican candidate for the Ohio gubernatorial race. He said the endorsement was “basically unanimous.”

“We were just like, ‘Wait, we have a platform here where it would potentially be a big deal if we endorsed the Democrat,’” Sharpe said. “We’re a Republican student organization on campus, so that does carry a little bit of weight.”

Sharpe said an X post Ramaswamy made in 2024 was the reason for BUCR’s disapproval, as the Republican candidate made disparaging remarks about American culture. 

Ramaswamy wrote in his post that American culture has “venerated mediocrity” for years and makes people less hard working. This is why top tech companies prefer to hire non-Americans for high paying jobs, he wrote.

Sharpe said Ramaswamy’s post contradicts his gubernatorial campaign and is another driving force behind BUCR’s endorsement of Acton.

“There are plenty of people who live in China or Syria, even Canada, who would say their culture is better than American culture,” Sharpe said. “But they don’t live in America. They especially don’t try to run for governor of American states.”

Sharpe said an out-of-state endorsement is not usual for BUCR. However, the organization felt a public statement in support of Massachusetts Republican candidates would not attract as much attention from students, due to the state’s popular left-leaning politics, he said.

Junior Addison Rezsnyak was not as surprised at BUCR’s decision to weigh in on an out-of-state election. 

“I can understand them not focusing on things here because I think Massachusetts is pretty Democratic,” Rezsnyak said. “I guess it would make sense if they were doing a little bit more outreach elsewhere where they knew they might have a bigger impact.”

Divya Gummuluru, BU College Democrats president, wrote in an email to The Daily Free Press that college chapters endorsing candidates from different states is not common, “but it’s not unheard of.”

“We hope this endorsement comes from a place of genuine reflection and agreement on Dr. Acton’s policies,” Gummuluru wrote.

Rezsnyak said BUCR’s endorsement and the decision to stand by it are “formidable” and signifies the student organization chose who to support in an “educational” way beyond party affiliation.

“Even if they’re not a group I totally agree with, I still think it’s respectable that they’re not taking pushback or bullying from the national chapter,” Rezsnyak said. 

Junior Lucas Briggiler said he believes the endorsement is “not very significant.”

“I’m not going to think that they’re shifting left because they’re endorsing a Democrat,” Briggiler said. “To me, it doesn’t really say much.”

Junior Ben Reinhart questioned if BUCR’s endorsement was influenced by Ramaswamy’s Indian racial background.

“I’ve always kind of joked Ohio’s going to go either sexist or racist in this election,” Reinhart said. “I will not lie, it did cross my mind that that could be what’s happening here.”

In a statement to The Daily Free Press, Sharpe assured that BUCR did not take Ramaswamy’s racial background into consideration for its endorsement.

“For one, half of our executive board is Indian,” Sharpe wrote. “Our endorsement was because Vivek has terrible ideas.”

Reinhart, who is originally from Columbus, Ohio, said he found the endorsement of a candidate for an election in Ohio “very odd.”

“I can guarantee there is no one in the state of Ohio who is listening to the [BUCR],” Reinhart said. “But maybe I’ve been proven wrong and there’s some dude in Cleveland who’s like, ‘Yeah!’”

Despite the threats and craftily worded tweets from the CRA, the BU chapter has not been expelled, and the relationship between the two organizations remains amicable.

“There’s great people in their organization, and I think ultimately we want close to the same goal,” Sharpe said. “I’m not too angry at them.”

Years later, Daniel Choe and his family turned their shared love for Korean home cooking into Bap Street, which opened at 1026 Commonwealth Ave. in mid-September. Choe said the establishment serves Korean comfort dishes inspired by the meals and traditions that shaped his upbringing.

“It’s kind of like pizza if you were to grow up in America, right?” he said. “Every time you taste it, you just recognize something from your past.”

Daniel Choe said he wanted to help his mother, Grace Choe, achieve her dream of opening a restaurant after operating multiple nail salons. Drawing on his college education in hospitality management, Daniel Choe saw an opportunity to pursue a business that brought together his family’s professional backgrounds.

His wife, Rebecca Choe, oversees the restaurant’s marketing and design, while his aunt, Julie Na, draws from her experience operating barbecue restaurants in South Korea to work alongside Grace in the kitchen.

Opening Bap Street meant selling the nail salon the family operated in Needham for three years and giving up the stability of an established business, Daniel Choe said. 

“Even though [the nail salon] was very successful, we kind of just folded it all up and took a risk,” he said. “Let’s do what we’re really passionate about.”

Despite the demands of running a new business, he said he has embraced the unpredictability of each day. 

“I’m here, I’m there, I’m doing multiple jobs at the same time,” Daniel Choe said. “It’s kind of fun that way. Every day is not repetitive.” 

Bap Street’s menu features kimbap, bibimbap and tteokbokki. He said the family occasionally travels to New York and New Jersey to source high-quality ingredients and preserve the flavors they grew up eating.

“Obviously, we can’t fly to Korea and get our stuff every day, but we do the best we can with our ability,” Daniel Choe said. “We’re willing to go as far as driving to go pick it up ourselves.”

Bap Street’s opening day drew neighbors and business owners who stopped by to sample the food. Since then, Daniel Choe has enjoyed building relationships with returning customers, particularly Boston University students. 

“That’s something I didn’t expect I would get here,” he said.

Curtis Masa, a first-year BU graduate student and Bap Street employee, said he has experienced the family’s attentiveness firsthand. 

“During downtime, we eat lunch, and sometimes the aunties will cook up something special,” Masa said. “I’m Filipino, and my mom’s the same way.”

Among the customers drawn to Bap Street was Carly Supria, a Boston College senior from Indonesia, who stopped by for lunch and ordered the spicy pork kimbap. Having grown up in an area where Korean food is popular, she appreciated finding a similarly casual option in Boston.

“It helps fill a gap where you want Korean food, but it’s fast, and it’s [something] that’s easier to eat,” Supria said. 

Daniel Choe recalled one customer telling him that the food reminded them of their mother’s cooking.

“When I hear something like that, I don’t even know how to respond,” he said. “It’s such a compliment. I’m really grateful for that … we pour everything into here.”

He credits much of that response to his mother and aunt’s dedication. 

“My mom and my aunt, even at their age, they really give it everything they’ve got,” Daniel Choe said. “They want customers to enjoy their food, even if it’s something as simple as kimchi or just a kimbap.”

The family’s shared trust has made the challenges of operating a business together deeply rewarding and worthwhile, he said.

“I have 100% trust in the members that I own this place with,” Daniel Choe said. “The fact that I get to work next to my mom and my aunt and my wife every day, I think it’s definitely a blessing.”

Though Bap Street may one day expand beyond Commonwealth Avenue, its first location will always hold a special place in Daniel Choe’s heart.

“You hear about those Boston restaurants that have been there for a long time, and everybody knows it,” he said. “I hope to become one of those one day.”

Five years ago, over 600 Boston University students gathered to protest the University’s handling of sexual assault, rallying around a message: “Our University Has a Rape Problem.” 

Amid recent allegations of a gang-rape at Cornell University and growing criticism of the institution’s response, the national conversation about sexual violence on college campuses has reignited.

“Sexual violence on college campuses is inherently a long-standing problem,” said Michael Coursey, director of marketing for the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network — the largest anti-sexual violence organization in the U.S. “While we are in the news in this moment, it unfortunately is all too common of an occurrence.”

BU recorded 229 internal sexual-misconduct reports the 2022-2023 academic year — the most recent data reported publicly by the University — an increase from 150 the previous academic year. Only data from the 2022-2023 and 2021-2022 academic years are available. 

BU spokesperson Jill Jess wrote in a statement to The Daily Free Press that BU’s Survivor Advocacy, Response & Prevention Center is experiencing an increase in engagement at the moment. 

She would not offer the most recent data on how many survivors they have assisted and provided counseling for by the time of publication.

Reyes Almeida, president of Its On Us Boston University — a student-led campus organization focused on sexual assault prevention — said many survivors he has met at BU decide not to report their sexual assault.

“BU is just like any other higher education institution,” Almeida said. “A lot of people who are assaulted during their time at BU do not seek to report it to the University because of fear of backlash or fear of [insufficient] resources.”

A 2024 Boston University campus climate survey — the latest of its kind to date — found that one in five undergraduate women who responded reported experiencing sexual violence during the surveyed portion of the 2023-24 academic year. The same survey found 4% of undergraduate men and 12% of transgender and nonbinary undergraduate respondents reported similar experiences.

The survey randomly sampled 10% of BU’s undergraduate and graduate student populations, approximately half of whom responded. The demographic composition closely matched BU’s student population in terms of race, ethnicity, international status and other characteristics, according to the survey’s findings.

Only around 10% to 20% of respondents who experienced sexual or gender-based misconduct in the survey said they disclosed their experience to a university representative. Meanwhile, 93% of survey respondents reported being aware of SARP.

SARP, established in 2012, provides confidential counseling, crisis intervention, advocacy and support services for survivors of sexual violence. The center also offers prevention education and bystander-intervention programming.

Coursey said he believes there are a few reasons why students may not report their experience despite knowing about SARP.

“There are so many variables when a survivor chooses to come forward,” Coursey said. “[There is] a belief in systems that may not be set up to protect them, whether that is a campus system that a person may feel as though they won’t get the justice that is owed to them, so they have a reluctance to speak out.”

Coursey added that fear and stigma are “very powerful” motivators to keep people isolated and afraid to come forward. He pointed out the “imperfect victim,” where victims of sexual violence are villainized based on the circumstances they were in when they were assaulted.

“A person was not sexually assaulted because they were drinking,” Coursey said. “They were sexually assaulted because a perpetrator sexually assaulted them.” 

Almeida said the gap between those who experience sexual assault and those who report it speaks to sexual violence being “swept under the rug” at the national level. 

He pointed to President Donald Trump, who has been found liable for sexual abuse, as an example of how allegations of sexual violence can be overlooked or dismissed, even among those in positions of power.

“This sends a message to every person, especially young people who experience sexual violence, that it doesn’t matter what I do if I report it, if I tell anyone about it, because at the end of the day, my perpetrator is still going to have power,” Almeida said. “They’re still going to be able to be members of society and not face real consequences.”

Almeida said It’s On Us, which offers sexual assault prevention trainings, has had trouble scheduling training with fraternities and other student groups in the past. 

“A lot of them would brush us off and be like, ‘Oh, we already have to do this required training about sexual violence,’” Almeida said. “‘We don’t really need another one from you guys.’”

Following the Cornell rape allegations, he said student groups are now more open to the idea. 

“We have to use this anger that we feel … about cases like the Cornell Seven case to actually pressure the administration to change for the better,” Almeida said. “People need to understand that we can do something about this, and we have power.”

Another measure of sexual violence on campus is reported through the Jeanne Clery Act, which requires all colleges and universities participating in federal financial aid programs to publish campus crime statistics and details regarding efforts taken to improve campus safety by Oct. 1 annually.

The past 10 years of Clery data, from 2015-2025, finds eight reports of rape are reported annually on average on the Charles River Campus. The Boston University Medical Center campus reports an average of two. 

Reported rape counts at the Charles River Campus fell from six to three from 2024-2025, while Boston University Medical Campus experienced is largest spike in the past 10 years, jumping from two reports in 2024 to eight in 2025.

“Any changes from year to year may reflect broader public-safety challenges in the area surrounding the Medical Campus and hospital rather than incidents occurring exclusively within University facilities,” Jess wrote in a statement to The Daily Free Press. 

Six of the eight reports occurred on BUMC campus, with one reported in a residential area. The other two reports were on public property. Clery statistics refer to publicly owned areas within or immediately adjacent to BU’s campus that are accessible from campus.

Jess wrote that BU’s CRC and BUMC have very different environments, noting the medical center is located in a “large urban medical and research setting.” She added its Clery geography differs significantly from that of the primarily academic and residential CRC. 

Of the three reports of rape on CRC’s campus in 2025, two occurred on an on campus residential area, and one was classified as off campus. 

Jess wrote annual counts can fluctuate and reports are often received through non-police Campus Security Authorities. Changes in a single year’s data should not be interpreted as evidence of a sustained trend, Jess added.

“Behind every number in these reports is a real person’s account of harm, and we can’t talk about sexual assault as just statistics,” Jess wrote.

Coursey and Almeida said people should channel the renewed attention surrounding sexual assault into sustained advocacy for stronger prevention and accountability on college campuses. 

“We don’t have to make it our everyday crusade and the only issue that we care about and ever talk about. But it is important that we talk about it,” Coursey said. “It is important that tomorrow, and a week from now, and three months from now, we continue to demand ‘no more.’”

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