# Dash for Boston University students > Dash is an AI sidekick students at Boston University (Boston, Massachusetts) text over iMessage and SMS for deadlines, Blackboard Learn, campus answers and admin. Independent; not affiliated with Boston University. Start at https://textdash.ai/start Page: https://textdash.ai/massachusetts/boston/boston-university Checked: 2026-10-14 ## Key dates at BU - Fri, Nov 6, 2026: Fall last day to drop standard courses with a W; undergraduate pass/fail designation deadline ([source](https://www.bu.edu/reg/calendars/semester/)) - Wed, Nov 25, 2026: Thanksgiving recess begins ([source](https://www.bu.edu/reg/calendars/semester/)) - Sun, Nov 29, 2026: Thanksgiving recess ends ([source](https://www.bu.edu/reg/calendars/semester/)) - Mon, Nov 30, 2026: Classes resume after Thanksgiving recess ([source](https://www.bu.edu/reg/calendars/semester/)) - Tue, Dec 1, 2026: Fall last day to officially take a leave of absence or withdraw from the University ([source](https://www.bu.edu/reg/calendars/semester/)) - Thu, Dec 10, 2026: Fall last day of classes; second seven-week session ends ([source](https://www.bu.edu/reg/calendars/semester/)) - Fri, Dec 11, 2026: Fall study period begins ([source](https://www.bu.edu/reg/calendars/semester/)) - Sun, Dec 13, 2026: Fall study period ends ([source](https://www.bu.edu/reg/calendars/semester/)) - Mon, Dec 14, 2026: Fall final exams begin ([source](https://www.bu.edu/reg/calendars/semester/)) - Fri, Dec 18, 2026: Fall final exams end ([source](https://www.bu.edu/reg/calendars/semester/)) ## Tools and offices - Learning system: Blackboard Learn (https://learn.bu.edu) - Student portal: https://www.bu.edu/mybu/ - 24/7 mental health emergency support: Call 617-353-3569 to speak with a mental health provider, available 24/7/365. Do not use Patient Connect in an emergency. (https://www.bu.edu/shs/emergency-numbers/) - Counseling & Psychiatric Services: Call 617-353-3569 for appointments and assistance. Located at 881 Commonwealth Avenue, West, Boston. Offers counseling, groups, psychiatry and medication services; appointments have no cost and eligibility varies by enrollment status. (https://www.bu.edu/shs/mental-health/) - Office of the University Registrar: Registration, academic records, transcripts and enrollment verification. Phone: 617-353-3612; email: registrar@bu.edu; address: 881 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215. (https://www.bu.edu/reg/) - Financial Assistance / FirstPoint: Financial Assistance: 617-353-2965 or finaid@bu.edu. FirstPoint provides enrollment, financial and academic-record assistance at 881 Commonwealth Avenue, 2nd floor, Monday–Friday, 9 am–5 pm. (https://www.bu.edu/firstpoint/) - IT Help Center: Phone: 617-353-HELP (4357); email: ithelp@bu.edu. (https://www.bu.edu/tech/services/teaching/lms/blackboard/students/) - 24/7 medical assistance: Call 617-353-3575 to speak with a medical provider for assessment and guidance. (https://www.bu.edu/shs/emergency-numbers/) - Interpersonal violence crisis support: Call 617-353-7277, available 24/7, for a crisis counselor supporting those affected by sexual assault, dating violence and other interpersonal violence. (https://www.bu.edu/shs/emergency-numbers/) ## About BU - BU began as a Methodist seminary in Vermont in 1839 and was chartered as Boston University in 1869. ([source](https://www.bu.edu/articles/2021/boston-university-history-class/)) - Students chose a Boston Terrier over a moose as BU’s mascot in 1922. ([source](https://www.bu.edu/timeline/category/campus/page/22/)) - Martin Luther King Jr. earned his PhD in Theology at BU in 1955. ([source](https://www.bu.edu/admissions/why-bu/student-life/terrier-traditions/)) - Every October, BU’s Physics Department drops pumpkins from the roof of the Metcalf Center for Science and Engineering. ([source](https://www.bu.edu/admissions/why-bu/student-life/terrier-traditions/)) - FitRec’s 270,000-square-foot facility offers swimming, yoga, squash, broomball, dance, and rock climbing. ([source](https://www.bu.edu/campus-life/)) - Splash is an annual September recruitment fair where students can explore hundreds of student groups. ([source](https://www.bu.edu/admissions/why-bu/student-life/terrier-traditions/)) - Annual Lobster Night serves students a whole lobster in the dining halls for a meal plan swipe. ([source](https://www.bu.edu/alumni/2022/11/21/blog-bu-traditions/)) - Students avoid stepping on the Marsh Plaza seal because campus lore says it delays graduation. ([source](https://www.bu.edu/alumni/2022/11/21/blog-bu-traditions/)) - Agganis Arena hosts Terrier hockey games and concerts. ([source](https://www.bu.edu/campus-life/)) ## Questions ### What learning system does BU use? Boston University uses Blackboard Learn (learn.bu.edu). Dash can read your courses and deadlines there once you sign in on Dash's secure page; Dash never sees your password. ### When is thanksgiving break at BU? BU's thanksgiving break is Nov 25–Dec 13, according to the school's academic dates. Dash can text you a heads-up the week before. ### When is the last day to withdraw from a course at BU? Fall last day to drop standard courses with a W; undergraduate pass/fail designation deadline (Friday, November 6, 2026). Always confirm the deadline for your own courses with the registrar. ### When are final exams at BU? Fall final exams begin starts Monday, December 14. Dash builds study plans around your own exam dates once it has them. ### How do I contact the registrar at BU? Office of the University Registrar: Registration, academic records, transcripts and enrollment verification. Phone: 617-353-3612; email: registrar@bu.edu; address: 881 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215. ### Where do I get financial aid help at BU? Financial Assistance / FirstPoint: Financial Assistance: 617-353-2965 or finaid@bu.edu. FirstPoint provides enrollment, financial and academic-record assistance at 881 Commonwealth Avenue, 2nd floor, Monday–Friday, 9 am–5 pm. ### Is Dash affiliated with Boston University? No. Dash is an independent AI sidekick made by Dash Inc. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by Boston University. ### How do BU students start using Dash? Text Dash from textdash.ai and tell it you're at BU. Dash sets you up over text right away, no app to download.