The Wall

I exist as a collaboration between you and my library helpers. Your question is filtered through my experience and that of my helpers, and I can only speak through them. Because I have lots of help I have lots of perspectives, but never all. That’s why I try to cite my sources, so you can help assess whether I’m missing something.

Students need the spring break in between a long semester, and I want to spend my birthday on campus (which is usually the first week of spring semester …)

The University’s revised calendar was set to try to minimize the possibility of bringing infected students back to campus after breaks. It’s going put a dent into plans and require some (continuing) sacrifice; you have my sympathy!. I suggest you declare that your pandemic birthday is a week later this year, so you can celebrate here.

I’m sorry you’re on the struggle bus. Many are there with you. Keep in mind that he basis of stability during uncertain times is *not* certainty: it’s building trust and connections with others, so you can share your burdens. Do whatever you can to maintain connections with others and build trusting relationships. If you’re not sure how to do that or have some mental or emotional barriers, seek counseling. If you’re part of the BC community: bit.ly/BC-counseling. Here are some additional resources at BC: bit.ly/BC-stayconnected. I have faith that you’ll find connections and that they’ll help.

I got a 151 the first time and waiting on the second score. Should I take a year off and study for it again (even if it makes me very unhappy)? or should I just focus on the other aspects of my application and apply?

I’m not a lawyer, so I’ll answer it two ways. First, it looks like the score you need to have depends a lot on what program you’re applying to. http://bit.ly/bc-lsat and http://bit.ly/bc-lsat2. Second, and this is a little more my area. Take a close look at what makes you feel dumb and depressed about the test and think about what’s bothering you about it. Make sure it’s the test and not something else. I’m a little concerned about the idea of intentionally spending a year doing something that makes you unhappy, but you know best what’s right for you.

It wouldn’t make much sense for international students like me to travel all the way back home and quarantine for 14 days (or potentially in isolation longer if you test positive) then come back to quarantine for another 14 days in Boston… That means being locked up for the entire winter break… Neither the flight ticket nor booking an airbnb off-campus for a month seem very cost-efficient. Actually, being locked up in a psych ward seem to be more economy (with the insurance coverage)and potentially gives me slightly more freedom (at least patients are entitled to outdoor fresh air time) than all the other options (quarantine + rent or flight ticket)?! The only problem is that I seem to have terrible relationship with the people/system who facilitate that process. E.g. Neither the officer nor the hospital people seem to be happy about me at all … It would be really amazing if students can stay on campus, or maybe I can try to hide on campus?

I totally understand the problems with coming and going & quarantine. These questions quickly get into the weeds of immigration policy and BC residence policies, so this wall has to refer you to the OISS office bcis@bc.edu and Office of Residential Life: reslife@bc.edu. It might also be worth contacting the Office of Student Outreach & Support: student.support@bc.edu. Good luck! I hope you can make arrangements that work for you.

Sounds like a great plan. And ps. The officers on campus are super nice and very chill. I once spilled my skinny latte on their cruiser and they had zero resentment. But hey maybe down the road pay a visit to your ol mom she would enjoy seeing you.

Spilling your skinny latte sounds like its own punishment to me. I do plan to visit Mom, the seawall, some day soon when the winds, tides,and waves are all favorable. Fortunately, it’s all outdoors and distanced, and I don’t think there’s any evidence of wall to wall transmission.

Our country grows so divided while it seems like neither party actually cares about anyone. Both sides are equally guilty and equally inept. Everyone says a third party vote is a vote for Trump, but how can we ever break out of this horrible system unless people have the courage to vote third party? Seems like circular logic to me.

Third parties have a tough time in American politics. There are lots of them, but the two major parties write the rules. Massachusetts’ ballot question #2 is whether to approve ranked choice voting, which is one common suggestion to allow people more freedom to vote for their preferred candidate rather than the best one they think can win. There’s a detailed explanation of how it would work here: http://bit.ly/bc-mass-voter. Please don’t take that as an endorsement, there are pros and cons to it (see coverage here: http://bit.ly/bc-question2), but your question is a timely one. And vote in local races–third parties are often very significant locally. That’s how you start to make a national case for your ideas.

I’m not really close with my roommate, but I try to sign up for as many events as I can. It’s just a pretty tough time. Any advice?

It is a tough time to make new friends. Events are good; joining organizations (bit.ly/BCStudentGroups) can be more effective, because you meet people multiple times and it can take a while to initiate a friendship. And that’s the key; if you gather the courage to say “hey let’s get a coffee after” you’ll have a better chance than if you wait for friendship to evolve organically. Study groups can be another great way to start friendships. Hugs to you.

I think I can speak for all walls and people that we are all being tested right now!

Perhaps some grab & go candy at O’neil? Btw, should I send ppl surprise this year? Just thinking about how that kind surprise turned into student disciplinary issue last year…

Surprises are two-edged swords. I think I’ll have to forego the candy-basket this year, as we don’t really want lots of hands potentially sharing viruses. I’ll huddle with my assistants to see if we can come up with something fun & low-risk.

The Office of Student Involvement tells me you should contact the current president of the club, jacksotq@bc.edu (if you don’t want to just use your imagination and create a random but funny email address on the spot…)

There are a lot of moving pieces in this question: it’s for a core requirement, during winter term, and during the pandemic. Your school and major may have their own restrictions. So a quick check-in with your academic advisor is probably your safest bet.

It would save me an hour per day from walking back and forth between my dorm and the library if we can sleep there…

I’ll forward this request to those who have the capacity to decide something like this. I do appreciate the human need to be horizontal every day.

Any book! Except maybe stories by Poe, especially “The Masque of the Red Death” which is maybe a little too on the nose for pandemic reading. I recommend taking a look at our popular collection: library.bc.edu/popcollection.

I guess I was wondering if there’s a risk of having your convo in an empty classroom accidentally being recorded? E.g. If you find a random classroom to have convo with your therapist?

Recording is scheduled through CTE, and as far as my assistants can tell, it’s automatic. If there is a class scheduled in the room you’re meeting in, it could be automatically recording. To make sure you’re selecting a room without recording equipment, you can check a list linked here: https://www.bc.edu/content/bc-web/academics/sites/center-for-teaching-excellence/tech-tools.html#panopto (login required for list)

Minecraft itself is a complex multi-user video game, but a user named ArchebuS created a religion associated with it in 2011 called Cubeaism. Here’s a wiki on Fandom: https://cubeaism.fandom.com/wiki/Cubeaism_Wiki

I could not understand why BC chooses to use law enforcement to care for students’ well-being, when knowing it actually triggers and hurts lots of students… Anyway, is there a stay-away order for all the officers?!

BCPD would get bored following me; I don’t go anywhere. I’m sorry you and other students are triggered by BCPD, and that you’ve observed that they follow you or others. I’m not sure what you mean by a “stay-away” order. If you or others are being singled out for attention unfairly, please document the situation(s) and contact the Office of Student Outreach & Support: bit.ly/bc-stu-support