On Monday, July 20, 2020, Northeastern’s Senior Vice President for External Affairs, Michael Armini, sent an email to a listserv of approximately 220 university leaders. The university, and the world, were in the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the purpose of the email was to provide a select group of faculty and administrators with the latest information about how Northeastern has managing the crisis.
The email was sent at precisely 8:05 am east coast time—even though the university has campuses in several time zones—and referred to simply as “The 8:05.”
While the early messages were largely COVID-centric, over time Armini mused about other happenings at the university. Although the initial audience was contained to a leadership list, soon The 8:05 was being passed on to hundreds of other faculty and staff. A supplemental listserv was developed and eventually more than 750 members of the Northeastern community were eagerly awaiting Armini’s weekly missives.
After the pandemic officially ended on May 11, 2023, The 8:05 continued. Armini wrote about everything from college rankings to varsity athletics. In fall 2024, The 8:05 was converted to a blog format. What follows below are selections from the initial emails. New entries will be added periodically.
Yes, it’s been a while. I apologize for the unannounced hiatus. I have a couple of excuses to offer up—and a new path forward. Hear me out.
Our current undergraduates—and prospective undergrads—are all Gen Z, which is why it’s worth spending a little time to understand them.
I had to do a quick web search yesterday to confirm that “winningest” is indeed a real word.
Often, in a crisis, too many unprompted actions (issuing statements, releasing videos, holding press conferences) pours gas on the fire.
When the social media platform TikTok came on the scene in 2018 it was very much the domain of Gen Z.
My colleagues and I in External Affairs are constantly looking for ways to quantify and track the university’s brand strength.
Yesterday on Carter Field in Boston hundreds of people assembled representing dozens of countries.
Everyone knows how much I admire the work of Northeastern’s award-winning photographers.
Every week I hear colleagues talking about the NCAA transfer portal—the new database of college athletes seeking to switch schools.
So, based on the success of the Grey Poupon commercial, why didn’t Northeastern buy a Super Bowl ad yesterday?
A few weeks ago, CNN, The Washington Post, BuzzFeed, and Gannet News announced hundreds of newsroom layoffs.
Northeastern was recently featured in Starbucks’ popular “Been There” series, which had previously been focused on U.S. cities and states.
On my way here this afternoon I called my dad and thanked him. He served in the United States Navy in the late 1950s.
We are reminded of the importance of faculty chairs as trustee Alan McKim gives $25 million to establish 8 chairs in President Aoun’s name.