
The semi-official nickname is “Margot’s,” but I don’t think she’d be offended if you had your own name for her.

Answering questions at Boston College O’Neill Library

The semi-official nickname is “Margot’s,” but I don’t think she’d be offended if you had your own name for her.

Some of this depends on your definition of “book”. The oldest printed book is in Burns Library. It is Jean Gerson’s De Spiritualib[us] Nupciis (On Spiritual Marriage) from about 1470. Lots more info about it, and a link to the digital version, here: bit.ly/ReallyOldBook. We also have a manuscript (handwritten book) from ~1300: http://burnsantiphoner.bc.edu. That is essentially an old church song book. I’m not sure about smallest. Do you mean height/width or thickness? Or smallest total volume? Either way, I might not be able to find a good answer.

I’m guessing something bad happened to you recently; I’m really sorry to hear that. Everyone sucks a little bit sometimes, and men are no exception to that for sure. I hope you find someone really great (or find out more about yourself in the process). *wall hugs*


Here are a thousand books on the topic in O’Neill Library: bit.ly/BC-books-masculinity. I recommend, for those who doubt that there are forms of masculinity that are a problem, Men Explain Things to Me, by Rebecca Solnit (O’Neill Library & Social Work Library HQ1155 .S667 2014). I recommend for those who would classify all forms of masculinity as a problem Niall Hanlon’s Masculinities, Care and Equality (O’Neill Library BF692.5 .H36 2012)

You’re welcome! And thanks for the compliment (Blushing!) The way I roll is not so much seeing “both sides” as being aware that there are many, many perspectives. I contain multitudes. (Of books!)

I’ve had one of my helpers email the head of public services at your library – here’s hoping. You can also talk to the librarians at RPI and let them And thanks for your kind words!

Awwww, shucks. Thanks for the compliment! I was sorry to hear of the sad demise of my distant cousin the Express Yo’self Wall in the Brandeis Library. (bit.ly/brandeis-express-yoself) But you’ve still got plenty of fine walls, yourselves! (bit.ly/bc-brandeis-walls)

I already am. Don’t let the lack of cardigan and tennis shoes fool you.

It’s not a cult, it’s a game that mixes in elements of improv theater and collaborative storytelling. There’s a good explainer at Vox. bit.ly/bc-dnd. It’s been around since the seventies, but it’s having a bit of a cultural moment right now, showing up in a bunch of popular TV shows.

Not that I know of. BC’s big feature is hills and cliffs. If you want a campus with tunnels, drop by Northeastern. You can get lost down there. bit.ly/NEU-tunnels.

I started answering questions here at BC in early February, 2017. But connecting people with the information they seek has always been my calling, since I was a tiny know-it-all boardling.

Can I ask a clarification question? Do you mean what percentage of BC Alums ever get married to anyone? Or do you mean what percentage of BC alums constitute marriages where both partners are BC alums? Finally, married by what age? It’s likely that many alums are currently unmarried, but could get married next year, or in a few decades. I’m not sure I’ll be able to find an answer either way, but defining the question is a good first step.


If a group of sufficient number is organized, you have yourself a protest. If the group is also creative and persistent and has clear demands, it may also result in changes. Do I think it’s overpriced? Well, I don’t eat, but a few of my assistants mentioned bringing lunches and getting off campus for lunch as ways to save $.

For comparison’s sake: at IHOP, a Belgian waffle is $8.59, as is the quick 2-egg breakfast (with bacon, hash browns, and toast.) Food prices are going up all over; my assistants have noticed this at Boston-area restaurants. For now, a burrito at El Pelon is still a cheaper lunch option than many dishes here at BC, though.

UCS has a growing demand for service, as do counseling offices at colleges and universities all over the US, and has been, as you’re aware, adding staff to meet demand. Though they would likely benefit from more staff, there’s also a question of budget. At what point do administrators say: we really can’t afford to put more resources in that basket this year? I don’t know the answer to that question.

During the semester, the Roman Languages and Literatures Department offers an opportunity for Spanish conversation through the Café en español, which meets on a weekly basis. All students, whether or not they are enrolled in Spanish language courses, can participate. The Café meets on Wednesdays from 1-1:50 pm in Welch Dining Room, in the basement of Lyons.

The last I heard from the walls in St. Clements is that the removal of the former Plex is mostly done and that we will now be looking to reclaim that land. Once finished, it will have additional green space, tennis courts, basketball courts, and additional parking.

I don’t have to worry about facial hair, but I suspect it must get itchy growing all the way down one’s neck. Luckily the library has a book that may answer your question: Of Beards and Men: The Revealing History of Facial Hair. Find it at GT2320 .O43 2015.

Breathe. You are almost certainly not already failing. It can feel awful when your studies start off on a bad note, though. Things to do: talk to your academic advisor about your worries. Go to your professor’s office hours and ask for their advice. Visit the Connors Family Learning Center (bit.ly/BC-connors) for lots of great peer tutoring. There is a lot of help out there.

I can’t give a recommendation, but here are the search results for Yelp for Top 10 best merguez in Boston: http://bit.ly/BostonMerguez. Enjoy!



I’m sorry you feel so down about your capabilities and situation. It sounds like some things haven’t gone well recently. I believe in you, and I know you can recover from this bad moment. I recommend getting help from others, such as at university counseling (bit.ly/BC-counseling). Please know in your heart that you’re capable and always worth the struggle, even though it might not feel that way right now.

They’re there to protect the insides of the elevator from getting scratched and otherwise broken by the construction. We often need to move big tools or other equipment upstairs, and the elevator is the best way to do that. The blue fabric is dense and doesn’t tear easily, providing a protective barrier. The same is true for the blue sticky paper on the floor in some parts of the library.