Güle güle!
Goodbye BC!!!
What’s the oldest book not still returned in O’Neill or BC in general?
I’m not sure what you mean: the oldest book currently checked out?
If you mean oldest publication date, my library assistants attempted to glean this information by wrestling with the information system, and it turns out to be a much more complicated process than anticipated. IOW: we don’t know. If you mean longest checked out, theoretically, that would be 4 years because faculty and staff can check items out for a year and renew 3 times. If a book hasn’t been returned after its last possible due date, it’s marked “missing,” after a month and is no longer checked out, so the checked-out clock stops. IOW, again, we don’t know. My assistants might not always have all the answers, but at least they’re honest about it!
Update 4 years later (July 2023) : a patron recently returned a book they found in their attic, which they’d checked out over 20 years before while working on their master’s thesis.
Ever to Excel! @2019FET
αἰὲν ἀριστεύειν!
Why are the library doors so heavy?
They are automatic doors, set to work with the disability access buttons as you approach. The mechanism makes them a little harder to open if you’re not using them automatically, but makes it much easier for lots of people who would have trouble with a standard door.
I failed a class right before graduation & it isn’t being offered again. I’m worthless.
You are not your grades, or the classes you take. Your worth as a person is something you have regardless of how you score or what you do for work. Do your best, and maybe figure out if you can do a little better next time. It will be OK. And if you’re really sad about that particular class, look for another way to learn what it teaches.
What happened to the heavy-duty stapler??
Staplers (plural). Between short life-spans and repeated kidnapings (stapler-napings?), the library was having such a hard time keeping up with replacing them (often more than once a week, at $20 each) that there was a decision to stop. Staff are exploring options such as affixing a weapons-grade heavy-duty stapler to a work area with a heavy-duty cable or a strong adhesive, or in a locked room with closed-circuit cameras. (That’s a joke. Sort of.)
Why do we have to graduate?! :-(
Though I’m always sad to see people go, I’m happy to think they are commencing the rest of their lives, well prepared by their BC education to prosper and make the world more just & peaceful. Best of luck!
Why can’t I graduate sooner? :)
There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens. (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
I don’t wanna be a Sophomore.
The only way out is through. But brainstorm about ways you can make sophomore year more appealing and meaningful. Are there some opportunities you haven’t yet had a chance to try at BC? Some new goal you can set for yourself for the year? People you want to get to know? Effect political change? I’d hate to see you going through the motions when there’s a whole awesome year ahead for you to experience and give yourself to.
Can we have therapy cats?
This is a common request, but word from On High is that we’re sticking with dogs for now.
I always debate whether to sleep at O’Neill or go back to my dorm around 3/4 am. Can we have some beds at O’Neill?
I will forward your request to the decision makers, but I suspect beds will not be arriving soon. I have seen people in the library carrying pillows, so they have been able to find accommodations somewhere in O’Neill- creative furniture relocation may be your solution.
What’s the strangest thing to happen here this week?
The Wall sees all, tells some.
Who would win in a fight between all the deans?
IDK, but I’ve heard Dean Tom Mogan runs as if he’s training for Rocky 9.
Can I reserve a seat for final week in library?
The library is quite crowded during finals week and seats are not reservable. Finals are an exciting time for me with all the activity. I recommend arriving at the library early in the day, like 9:00 am, to find a spot. Check for alternative spaces here: bit.ly/FinalsSpace
Who is Ben Thomas?
There are lots. Why not ask him yourself?
Can we get new doors on the bathroom stalls?
Well, gosh. I should consider myself lucky that I don’t ever have to face the embarrassment of eliminating my waste products in front of other walls. Which campus bathrooms are you talking about?
Thanks for clarifying! I’ll have my assistants put in a work order to get that fixed.
Why do idiots drive the wrong way in Comm Ave garage? I just want to hit them. Also why do they double park! :(
Some of my assistants have also had this reaction to double-parkers, who are either unskilled, unmindful, or selfish. However, I recommend patience with wrong-way drivers. Many BC visitors use the Comm Ave. garage, and someone driving the wrong way may be on their 5th college visit & can hardly remember where they are, let alone which way to drive in a dim garage with only moderately clear directional markings.
Is it true that BC Dining takes $100 for a “stealing” fee?
I doubt it, but I’ll have my assistants look into this.
Update, 5/2/19: Dining Services says, “No, this is not true and a common misconception. Reach out to the One Card office if you have specific questions about your account and spending.”
How do I register to have a therapy cat in my dorm :(
If the cat is a service animal or is required for a medical need, contact Residential Life (reslife@bc.edu or 2-3060) and Disability Services (disabsrv@bc.edu 0r 2- 3470). The Animal Policy is here: bit.ly/BCAnimalPol.
Why does BC not provide enough counselors at UCS for the amount of students who seek their services? ?
Here’s what UCS said in response to a similar question in January: “While UCS is staffed at levels at least equal to most of our peer institutions, and is always available to students in crisis that day, there is still the reality that students seeking ongoing longer term therapy may have to wait up to a couple of weeks for an appointment. We are piloting a new initiative offering same day consultation appointments for students seeking to address an identified problem in a rapid access fashion. We hope that this will help more accurately and quickly meet student mental health needs. We are always interested in feedback of all sorts, and strive to improve our service to the BC community.”