Answering questions at Boston College O’Neill Library
I’m sorry you feel mistreated by BC. I recommend bringing your grievances to the relevant offices: for housing, Residential Life – bit.ly/res-life, and for clubs, Office of Student Involvement – bc.edu/osi. You belong here.
Though I am the mighty Answer Wall, my powers are limited, and I doubt I have the capability of single-handedly bringing Late Nights back to what it was. I can, however, have my human assistants pass your request along to Dining Services, and perhaps you can do so yourself as well: bit.ly/BCDiningComment.
Books prefer cool temperatures and low humidity–it helps them live long lives and avoid problems like mold. There are way more of them than humans here, so that’s why. All the librarians have sweaters and such in their offices, so it’s not just you.
I sympathize with the human necessity of clothing and its care. Residential Life, who oversees the laundry machines in campus housing says $1.75 per wash or dry ($3.50/load) is comparable to most college laundry machine costs, and less expensive than most local laundromats. The machines are not industrial-sized, but they are normal-household-machine-sized. If you would like to advocate for different machines or laundry services, contact the Quality of Student Life Committee: bit.ly/BC-QSLC.
I hope you’re not suggesting that your tuition should go down the toilet. Facilities Management says they have received a few other complaints as well, and are meeting with the vendor to look at better options. Your tuition covers about 62% of the overall BC budget and 70% of it goes to instruction, student aid, and academic/research support. As for seat covers, they don’t protect against germs, and toilet seats generally have fewer germs than the door handle. If you are concerned about germs, the best defense is to wash your hands well and keep your hands away from your mouth and eyes.
Thanks for the feedback! O’Neill does provide chargers for the following brands: Apple, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Samsung, Sony, Asus and Acer. An order for Surface chargers has been placed and these should be available for loan shortly.
<3
Here is the response from Admissions: Enrollment management is a complex endeavor. BC’s predictive enrollment models are highly effective in using historical yield patterns to forecast future enrollments. As effective as these models typically are, historical data do not always perfectly forecast future decisions that admitted students will make. For example, the admission offers extended to the sophomore Class 2021 resulted in a larger number of students accepting our invitations than our models predicted. Enrollment Management quickly accounted for this change by updating the enrollment models for the Class of 2022 – and then enrolled the current freshman class almost exactly as the models forecast. What can we say? BC is a popular destination.
BC Dining loves to get feedback – I’d contact them at bit.ly/BCDiningComment My helper tells me there are good low/no fat options available at the salad bar in Lower. I hope you’re able to find food that meets your needs!
Dining Services responds: “The lines have been longer than we have experienced in the past so we are working on some menu changes to increase the speed of service. The first few days of classes at dinner were particularly challenging but we have noticed some improvement. We will be offering Mobile Ordering at Addie’s Loft soon so that will help students in a hurry since they can order in advance and then just pick up without waiting in line. We plan to have this up and running soon.”
The wall is reliably informed that supervisors are continuing to review applications. Keep the faith, and check your email daily in case you are invited to an interview.
Yes, indeed, that sounds like it would be mighty convenient! I’m sure cost is an issue. Here’s what my human assistants heard from Information Technology: “ITS is actively working with UGBC and the Quality of Student Life Committee to accommodate changing student printing needs, while balancing the costs and support associated with it.”
As a reasonably old wall, I remember a time when many buildings on campus didn’t have AC at all, the Rec included. Imagine living in a dorm without AC, going to class without AC, and then eating in a dining hall without AC. We walls enjoy AC as much as humans do, so I’m sympathetic. There are 2 bits of good news: 1) Winter is coming, and the lack of AC won’t be a problem for much longer; and 2) The new Connell Recreation Center will be open in summer of 2019 and will be fully Air Conditioned! Hold out out just a little longer.
Just waiting for your question, Dean Boynton. You will find your book “Virtuoso Teams” just in front of me on the Answer Wall display (the print copy of “The Idea Hunter” is checked out). P.S. Will my acolytes be in an updated version of “Virtuoso Teams”; I think they are most deserving … ?
Unfortunately, it is a case of waiting to be called for an interview. Due to the number of applications, the library is unable to respond to each candidate. Rest assured that supervisors are actively reviewing applications and trying to identify students whose availability and experience are a match for their needs. Hang in there.
I’ll pass your feedback along to Dining Services. If you’d like to do so yourself with more specificity about how or why Addie’s late night is horrible, use this form: bit.ly/BC-Dining.
BC’s Campus Ministry would be happy to help with that. There are lots of Catholic-oriented programs, naturally, but also programs and groups for other faiths as well. The office is next to the Eagle’s Nest in McElroy, or you can visit them on the web: bit.ly/BC-ministry
As a wall, I’ve never had coffee myself. But my human friends make a good argument that the Chocolate Bar in Stokes has the best coffee, followed closely by Hillside.
It must be frustrating when others don’t share or voice your pressing, legitimate concerns. But people can also care about a multitude of things. That person who cares about late-night might also care about racist incidents, but might need this very reminder. Nor is their concern for late-night necessarily universal. Keep having conversations about what’s important to you, and find people who help amplify those concerns. I know it can be tiring. To keep your faith in humanity, focus on the times that earn your faith more than the times that don’t.
Hang in there! Breathe! There is a lot going on at the beginning of the semester and it can be difficult to find the time for everything. I understand there is a Study Abroad Fair on Sept. 12 (Conte Forum, 6-8 pm), where you will be able to speak with program reps, faculty, and returning students. If you can make this event (put it in your schedule now!) perhaps their advice and guidance on the process would ease some of the stress. Hopefully, things will calm down a bit for you but if time management is a problem, you may want to seek some tips at the Connors Family Learning Center (just down the stairs and straight ahead). <3
Dining Services made the changes partly because of staffing issues, but partly because the move presented an opportunity. Some menu changes are still in the works based on feedback they received through class year Facebook pages. Watch for more news coming soon from Dining Services.
