What campus resources should new students know about?

What campus resources should new students know about?
What campus resources should new students know about?

So many! Campus Life has a great web page with links to health and wellness resources, lists of student groups and sports and recreation opportunities, and to info about arts programming and practice around campus. http://bit.ly/bc-new-student-resources. Here’s a list of everything you can do or borrow at the libraries: http://bit.ly/bc-ug-library. (Hint: watch for therapy dogs around the libraries during exam periods).

I think I fall in love with Boston College. What should I do? (I am so exciting now)

I think I fall in love with Boston College. What should I do? (I am so exciting now)

Are you a student here? There’s nothing wrong with being in love with your school. Or are you applying now? Then I hope that you are accepted and can come show BC all the love. Or are you someone who likes to hang out on campus, but don’t attend or plan to attend? That’s great too. There are many opportunities for members of the larger community to experience the joy of BC and show BC their love!

How to find a girlfriend during international student orientation. Serious question!

How to find a girlfriend during international student orientation. Serious question!
How to find a girlfriend during international student orientation. Serious question!

What’s the rush? If you don’t find a GF that week, there is always the next week. Regardless of when it happens, finding a significant other almost always starts with introducing yourself then saying something complimentary to the person. If they are interested, they will say something nice back. If they don’t, respect them by backing off. An even better approach is to change your goal to finding some friends. With luck, one of those friendships will grow into a deeper relationship.

What do you guys really do at your desks?

What do you guys really do at your desks? (besides working)
What do you guys really do at your desks? (besides working)

I think it’s unclear to non-librarians exactly how many spreadsheets are involved in library work. One of my helpers used to work in an accounting department and libraries have that beat. There’s also more tea than you’d think. Everyone’s office is decorated a little differently, and people have an incredible array of interests. Stop by and say hello, and tell them The Wall sent you.

Is “parameterization” or “parametrization” correct when describing which parameters describe a statistical model?

Is "parameterization" or "parametrization" correct when describing which parameters describe a statistical model?
Is “parameterization” or “parametrization” correct when describing which parameters describe a statistical model?

The Oxford English Dictionary recognizes both as options (and even parameterisation, imagine that!), so you can choose the one you like. I ran a Google Trends search to see usage of the 3 spellings over the past 15 years (bit.ly/Paramewhat); “parameterization” was the clear winner.

Can someone explain to me why it is SO hard to find a therapist? This is not a complain to BC as I know UCS & The Dean of Students Office provides good referrals & follow-up.

A research simulate patients calling psychiatrist in Boston area found only 18% success rate in booking an appointment. doi.org/110.1176/appi.ps,201400051. Another research shows students of color are less likely to connect with off campus referrals when referred by counseling. doi.org/10.1300/J035vZZn02_03. Another research shows that generally SES & race difference correlates with appointment offer rates - certain SES/identity are less likely to get therapy appointment doi.org/10.1177/0022146516647o98. Just trying to show intersectional factors + effect on seeking mental health resource & How Hard it is to find. And some community center has a 5 month waitlist...can someone explain to me wy it is SO hard to find a therapist? This is not a complain to BC as I know UCS & The Dean of Students Office provides good referrals & follow-up.
A research simulate patients calling psychiatrist in Boston area found only 18% success rate in booking an appointment. doi.org/110.1176/appi.ps,201400051. Another research shows students of color are less likely to connect with off campus referrals when referred by counseling. doi.org/10.1300/J035vZZn02_03. Another research shows that generally SES & race difference correlates with appointment offer rates – certain SES/identity are less likely to get therapy appointment doi.org/10.1177/0022146516647o98. Just trying to show intersectional factors + effect on seeking mental health resource & How Hard it is to find. And some community center has a 5 month waitlist…can someone explain to me why it is SO hard to find a therapist? This is not a complain to BC as I know UCS & The Dean of Students Office provides good referrals & follow-up.

Thank you for sharing those articles! I’m sure many people would welcome an answer to this question. Finding a good therapist can be very difficult. To be honest, finding all kinds of medical specialists can be very difficult. But because of the complexity of mental health issues and the wide variety of approaches to mental health treatment, it can be very hard to find a specialist who is a) a good match for one’s needs, b) available, and c) covered “in-network” in one’s insurance plan. Layer cultural differences on top of these complexities, and it’s clear that making productive appointments is what engineers would call a non-trivial problem.

Out of curiosity….who’s on the Behavioral Evaluation Team?

Out of curiosity....who's on the Behavioral Evaluation Team? Like what are their roles/positions?
Out of curiosity….who’s on the Behavioral Evaluation Team? Like what are their roles/positions?

The Dean of Students Office is responsible for the group; there is representation from across campus departments, including UHS, Residential Life, Campus Ministry, BCPD, University Counseling Services, Conduct Office, Office of Outreach and Support, the Provost’s office and others. Find more info at the website (bit.ly/BC-BET) or by contacting Caroline Davis at the Dean of Students office.

Is a double major worthwhile?

Is a double major worthwhile?
Is a double major worthwhile?

I think it depends on what you want out of it, and how you like to work. Two majors equals two sets of required courses, so you might have fewer choices about what classes to take, or it might take more time to get all of them done. Two majors would give you the chance to go fairly deep on two interests; one major might give you the chance to go deeper on one of them. Some people double major to give themselves more job options. If you’re feeling indecisive think carefully about whether two sets of requirements and work are what you want–it can sometimes be easier to change majors than to do two. Talk to your advisor, and to professors in both of the programs you’re interested in and they can give you a better idea of what’s involved and what makes sense for you.

Why are there so few free parking spots on campus?

Why are there so few free parking spots on campus?
Why are there so few free parking spots on campus?

I’m so grateful I never have to leave campus and come back and find a spot. This summer, the parking situation is tighter than usual because of construction issues. One of my helpers tells me it is easy to find parking before 8 AM, if you can make that work into your schedule.

4 deaths in 4 months… wrong?

4 deaths in 4 months... wrong? [drawings of hearts & stars obscure text]
4 deaths in 4 months… wrong? [drawings of hearts & stars obscure text]

It’s sad and disheartening. All the walls at BC will miss them. I like the drawings of hearts and stars, though. Thanks for those, whoever added them. If I had arms I’d offer you a hug. Please know that the walls of the library and all the other campus buildings are here to support you, and there are many humans, too, who can do the same: friends, family, BC’s professors and staff. We all want the same thing: that everyone here will thrive. Counseling (bit.ly/BC-counseling) and pastoral counseling (bit.ly/bc-pastoral-counseling) are always available.

Can BC Libraries please acquire “Flights” by Olga Tokarczuk?

Can BC Libraries please acquire "Flights" by Olga Tokarczuk? She's probably one of the most important contemp Polish authors and this book won the Man Booker prize...
Can BC Libraries please acquire “Flights” by Olga Tokarczuk? She’s probably one of the most important contemp Polish authors and this book won the Man Booker prize…

Thanks very much for the suggestion. Sounds like something we should acquire! I have forwarded it to our librarian for Slavic and Eastern Languages and Literatures, Nina Bogdanovsky, who immediately ordered it.

Can you help me get a date with a girl on uprising?

Can you help me get a date with a girl on uprising? (redacted name?)
Can you help me get a date with a girl on uprising? (redacted name?)

Can I help in a direct way, like intervene on your behalf, perhaps write eloquent love poems for you? No. My advice is the same for starting any relationship. Start small: coffee, locally. Be friendly, be direct & honest, respect boundaries, and be yourself. If it works, it works, if it doesn’t, move on. (BTW, I’ve got a policy of no names, which is why it’s crossed out.)

I want to donate money to some institutions to help their goals. Which ones do you recommend?

I want to donate money to some institutions to help their goals. Which ones do you recommend?
I want to donate money to some institutions to help their goals. Which ones do you recommend?

It’s wonderful to hear that you want to share with others! What are some of your passions or concerns? The Libraries subscribe to a resource called GuideStar (BC access only: bit.ly/bc-guidestar) where you can find key information about thousands of non profit organizations. Included in the database are important details such as key organizational players and financial data. Have fun exploring!

Is North Dakota an actual state?

Is North Dakota an actual state?
Is North Dakota an actual state?

Yes, North Dakota is an actual state. A conflict between the U.S. and ND constitutions had many believing that ND was not a state. However, the issue was resolved during the 2012 election. In 1989 Rand McNally left both Dakotas and Oklahoma out of a road atlas to save space, but I don’t think that’s directly related. bit.ly/bc-rand

When will the democrats get it together for the presidential race.

When will the democrats get it together for the presidential race. Its like watching Game of Thrones but in real life.
When will the democrats get it together for the presidential race. Its like watching Game of Thrones but in real life.

As my distant cousin the Magic 8-Ball often says, “Cannot predict now.” There are certainly many contestants. If by “get it together,” you mean have a single consistent message, the late great Will Rogers said it best: “I am not a member of any organized political party. I am a Democrat.”