Skip to Main Content
The Independent Student Newspaper at Boston University

The Daily Free Press

The Independent Student Newspaper at Boston University.

The Daily Free Press

The Daily Free Press

Nathan Philips, a professor in the College of Arts and Sciences Department of Earth and Environment, and Alice Arena hold signs at Philips’ demonstration at Marsh Plaza March 5. Philips regularly uses his office window on the fourth floor of BU’s College of Arts and Sciences to display political messages to passersby along Commonwealth Avenue. PHOTO BY PHOEBE MILLER

‘Say his name’: BU faculty, graduate workers reflect on University responses to political speech

Lauren Albano March 30, 2025
With the recent executive crackdown on universities for pro-Palestine activism, the incident with Phillips’ signage sparked dialogue among BU faculty and students over administrative responses to free speech on campus.
One Silber Way. A Boston University Metropolitan College lecturer filed a $5 million class-action lawsuit against the Trustees of BU Feb. 21 alleging the University failed to pay her on time, reportedly violating the Massachusetts Wage Act. ANH HUYNH/DFP PHOTOGRAPHER

BU lecturer files $5 million class-action lawsuit, alleges University violated state wage laws

Madyline Swearing February 28, 2025
BU lecturer files $5 million lawsuit against the Trustees of Boston University, alleging violation of state wage laws
Protestors march down Commonwealth Avenue toward 1 Silber Way during the Boston University Graduate Workers Union walkout on May 1. BUGWU and BU reached settlement agreements Dec. 19 for two outstanding charges filed during the strike. KATE KOTLYAR/DFP PHOTOGRAPHER

BUGWU reaches settlements with BU, University sends notices

Kayla Baltazar February 16, 2025
Boston University sends out notices regarding graduate workers settlement agreements
A student walks into the Boston University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences in April. Boston University announced that it would not accept applications for multiple doctoral degree programs for the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences for the 2025-26 academic year. ZOE KU/DFP PHOTOGRAPHER

Graduate students express ‘shock,’ ‘outrage’ over doctoral program cancellations

Karyna Cheung November 25, 2024
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences will not be accepting applications for the 2025-26 academic year for multiple doctoral programs
Boston University Graduate Workers Union marches outside Warren Towers in a walk-out on Sept. 5. Today, BUGWU ratified its first union contract, ending its almost seven-month long strike. KATE KOTLYAR/DFP PHOTOGRAPHER

BREAKING: BUGWU ends strike after seven months, ratifies first contract with University

Kayla Baltazar October 16, 2024
The Boston University Graduate Workers Union ratified its first contract with the University today, ending a nearly seven-month-long strike.
A protester waves a Palestinian flag outside Agganis Arena, where Boston University President Melissa Gilliam’s inauguration took place. Multiple protests by the BU Graduate Workers Union, BU Students for Justice in Palestine, BU Young Democratic Socialists and BU Palestine Liberation Coalition occurred around campus during the inauguration. KATE KOTLYAR/DFP PHOTOGRAPHER

Unions, student groups hold protests during BU presidential inauguration

Kayla Baltazar September 27, 2024
Boston University Graduate Workers Union, BU Students for Justice in Palestine, BU Young Democratic Socialists of America and BU Palestine Liberation Coalition protested during the presidential inauguration of Melissa Gilliam today
The Boston University Graduate Workers Union protests outside the George Sherman Union on Boston University’s campus Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. They later marched to WBUR, where members of the BU Board of Trustees were present.
PHOTO BY CRYSTAL YORMICK

‘No work, no inauguration’: BUGWU protests before BU presidential inauguration

Crystal Yormick September 25, 2024
BUGWU picketed outside of WBUR CitySpace in protest of the recent retaliations against graduate workers.
Boston University Graduate Workers Union members and supporters march down Bay State Road toward 1 Silber Way on Wednesday. BUGWU organized a walkout on Wednesday in response to Provost Ken Lutchen’s emails regarding the strike. ANDREW BURKE-STEVENSON/DFP PHOTOGRAPHER

BUGWU calls undergraduates, faculty, staff to join walkout in response to Provost emails

Camille Bugayong May 2, 2024
On Wednesday, BUGWU called BU undergaduates and staff to join a walkout in response to emails from the Office of the Provost.
Graduate workers marched from Marsh Plaza to CDS during a strike for improved wages and benefits on March 25. After a semester of strikes and rallies, union members are left uncertain about their contracts as the academic year ends. MOLLY POTTER/DFP PHOTOGRAPHER

Students, administration uncertain about BUGWU strike as semester ends

Maya Mitchell April 29, 2024
Uncertainty faces Boston University students, administrators and union members regarding about union contracts and academics as the semester comes to an end. 
Nana Boateng, a third-year law student and research assistant at BU School of Law. The Boston University Graduate Workers Union enters its third week of striking for higher wages and increased benefits. MOLLY POTTER/DFP PHOTOGRAPHER

BU graduate workers reflect on living conditions, union demands as strike carries on

Truman Dickerson April 10, 2024
BU’s current policies impose a mental burden for graduate student workers, who are approaching their third week of striking for higher wages, better benefits and university acknowledgement.
A protester with a sign supporting the Boston University Graduate Workers strike at a rally on March 25. College of Arts and Sciences Dean Stan Sclaroff emailed faculty recommending the use of artificial intelligence to assist with classes while graduate teaching assistants are on strike. BRENDA GONZALEZ/DFP PHOTOGRAPHER

BU community reacts to CAS dean suggestion to replace striking graduate teaching assistants with AI tools

Samantha Genzer April 5, 2024
As a result of the BUGWU strike, the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences suggested the use of generative AI tools to replace striking graduate students in an email sent to colleague's this week. Students, professors and graduate workers express discontent with the idea.
Members of the Boston University Graduate Workers Union march from Marsh Plaza to the Center for Computing and Data Science on March 25. BU’s Office of the Provost updated its payroll policy to withhold compensation from striking employees. MOLLY POTTER/DFP PHOTOGRAPHER

Office of Provost changes payroll policy amid BUGWU strike

Abigail Hassan April 4, 2024
An updated payroll policy was added by Boston University’s Office of the Provost as the Boston University Graduate Workers Union strike continues.
Load More Stories
Activate Search
boston university graduate workers union