Beacon Banter: Student Perspectives
There’s a lot of options with housing at UMass Boston. Some students stay in one place, and others transition to different types during their education. Hear from students as they talk about their journeys.
On-Campus Residence Halls
DeeDee (‘25) is an international student who knew very few people upon arriving in Massachusetts. Living on campus gave her a great opportunity to become more self-confident, while expanding her group of friends. “Through the dorms I met my current apartment roommates, became a Beacon Ambassador, and it’s how I got to meet so many wonderful people.”
Apartments on our Peninsula
Tanatswa (‘25) describes living in the off-campus housing adjacent to campus as “the best of both worlds,” connecting her to the campus experience, while allowing her easy access to her own space. “It has been very convenient living in Harbor Point, across the street from campus, as it is easily accessible to school. I have been able to get to all my classes on time through the shuttle.”
Boston Apartments
Esther (‘25) lives in Dorchester, a neighborhood in the southern part of Boston. “Living off campus as an out-of-state student provides me a sense of independence and responsibility.” She enjoys that she still has easy access to campus resources and activities.
Latest University News
- Biology Team to Survey Reptiles and Amphibians in National Parks with $190K NPS Cooperative AgreementProfessors of Biology Rob Stevenson and Doug Woodhams, from the College of Science and Mathematics, have received a two-year award for $190,000 from the Department of the Interior’s National Park Service to develop a comprehensive survey of reptiles and amphibians in participating parks.
- In Fruit Fly Eyes, UMass Boston Researcher Sees Potential Medical DiscoveriesJens Rister, an associate professor in UMass Boston’s biology department, has just been awarded more than $1,700,000 in funding from the National Eye Institute of the NIH to research a protein that guides the development of color vision in fruit flies. By learning more about the underlying mechanisms, Rister hopes to learn about human diseases such as Oculoauricular Syndrome, a genetic condition that affects eyes and ears.
- Quantum Experts Discuss Impact of Investment on Students, Science and BusinessesFollowing the announcement that UMass Boston will be receiving a $3.8M grant to develop and commercialize quantum hardware, expert panelists discussed the positive impact that investment in quantum research can have.
- College of Management Welcomes a Global Cohort of Dean’s Student AmbassadorsThe College of Management at the UMass Boston is proud to announce its newest cohort of Dean’s Student Ambassadors–an extraordinary group of undergraduate leaders who will represent the College throughout the 2025-2026 academic year.
- UMass Boston Secures $3.8M for Collaborative Expanding Quantum Hardware Development, CommercializationMassTech Builds on its Support of UMass Boston, Western New England University-led Initiative
- Olukemisola “Kemi” Abioye has been recognized as the 2025 Ryan Award winner after achieving the highest cumulative GPA over four semestersAfter years of hard work and learning to balance extracurriculars with jobs, internships, and school, Kemi Abioye received the 2025 Ryan Award at UMass Boston.









