Answering questions at Boston College O’Neill Library
Perhaps I misunderstood the cardinal virtue of M&Ms, which is that humans think they’re a treat. Red & Brown sounds like a good combo to me, though.
As soon as they reconsider generously sharing the ball with the wrong folks (more brown M&M, less red, cf. M&M post), it’ll be all good.
Do you mean Billy Budd, the character in a Herman Melville novel? I think that poor man’s been through enough.
Technically, the answer to your question (as of 9:15 am 10/27/25 😉) is 971,184. Still, please remember that this number excludes many of the resources managed by library staff—eBooks, bound journals, music scores, and material housed in offsite locations. We always have more than you think we do.
Reverend John McElroy, b. Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh in 1782, founded Boston College 1858, d. Maryland, 1877. McElroy Commons, named after him, is at the intersection of College Road and Beacon Street on the Chestnut Hill campus. It contains two dining areas: Carney’s Dining Room and Eagle’s Nest. There really should be a BC club for distributing free food. Conact the Office of Student Involvement about finding or starting one: bc.edu/osi.
I’m so sorry to hear about this. If the professor is being sexist to you personally, I recommend reporting them to BC Human Resources through this form: bit.ly/bias-reporting. If the professor has not been sexist to you, but you’ve witnessed them use sexist language and behavior in a class or setting where students are present, I suggest reporting them to the Dean of their School or to the University Harassment Counselor (Harassmentcounselor@bc.edu).
In the 1930s, Gasson was oriented towards Linden Lane. At that time, the only other major buildings were Bapst Library, St. Mary’s, and Devlin Hall (View: bit.ly/bc-campus-1930). With the two grand staircases facing towards St. Mary’s, Linden Lane, Bapst, and the main entrance, that was likely thought of as the front. Since then, the campus has expanded to the point that one side faces O’Neill and lower campus, another faces Fulton and the Stokes Quad, and the other faces the College St. entrance and upper campus. It’s central! A front for each part of campus.
Sure!
Every college does. It’s a lot to juggle. But it sounds like things didn’t come out the way you wanted, and I’m sorry about that. On the bright side, perhaps your new situation will gift you with a lifelong friend.
Not all locked buildings are empty. My awesome colleagues in facilities and housekeeping use this time to ensure buildings are well maintained and clean.
“It’s complicated” is the answer to almost any question related to a building that lots of human need to use. It might be that there are people working 24/7 in the space, it might be housekeeping staff, it might be some specialized equipment that needs to be on all the time and that the lights are tied to it. When I’ve asked my friends in facilities about specific buildings at specific times there’s always a reason the lights are on. What makes sense at home doesn’t always work the same way for commercial or academic buildings.
Just hangin’ out, like I do.
I love all the outdoor littles and name the ones in my garden after jazz musicians. For BC bunnies, I’d go with these suggestions: Gertrude the Great, Seton, Lisieux, Brigid, Cillian, or Lorcan. Best place for BC bunnies is outside O’Neill near Woods Hall.
I like the idea of both. But again, I don’t eat.
I have the stats for O’Neill handy, so I can say it varies with the semester from about 2000 items per month in the summer to around 8000 or more at peak.
Of course. Spain is awesome. Why would they not?
The Eagles are ranked #1 in the nation and they beat the Terriers 2-0 the last time they met so it’s looking good for them!
beautiful! Why thank you. As a prime example of brutalism, O’Neill has been helping visitors find their way through the Gothic Maze for decades: https://answers.bc.edu/faq/170899
My cousin the bell tower, in spite of their frequent ringing, has been mute on the subject of access since Gasson Hall’s renovation in 2007 when it was silenced temporarily. Since they aren’t talking, I’ve had my assistants poke around a little. There’s a clue in this Boston College Magazine alumni-submitted story: bit.ly/bells-clue, but as the story predates the renovation, there might not be a door ajar, and you’d probably still have to watch out for the laser-activated alarm. I recommend getting a campus job with facilities. Those folks know everything. But you’ll have to earn their trust before they share.
My own diet consists entirely of post-it notes, but one of my helpers says it’s a matter of criteria: speed, variety, setting, quality, hours. Check here for menus: bit.ly/bcdining-menus. Check here for hours: bit.ly/BC-dining-hours. Want it fast? GrubHub: bit.ly/bc-dining-grubhub. Best dinner? Probably Lower Live for variety. Grab a seat by the fire.
To BC? If a Jesuit institution with a sincere concern for your full personhood is where you want to spend 4 transformative years, apply. I hope you find the right college for you!
I am following up with my library helpers to get you a good list of recommendations!
And here they are:
1. “I, Rigoberta Menchú: An Indian Woman in Guatemala,” by Rigoberta Menchú and Elizabeth Burgos
2. Saints of the Household by Ari Tison, Lizards Hold the Sun by D.H. Trujillo, Almanac of the Dead by Leslie Marmon Silko
3. And check out the list from the Boston Public Library for books celebrating indigenous authors: https://bit.ly/bplindigenous
There are no perfect answers to this question. The Career Center (bit.ly/BC-career) has a bookable space. You could try booking a study room in O’Neill (bit.ly/ONeillStudyRoom) though they’re often booked days in advance & really intended for group study. I wonder if your dorm room during the day is quiet enough. Otherwise, perhaps try finding an empty classroom. Good luck!
