Category: Boston College

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Three part question

Three part question: 1. Di BC dining halls compost? 2. Does BC Dining Services itself (kitchen prep, catering, etc.) Compost? 3. If (2)=no, Who would I talk to to encourage Dining Services to compost? Thanks
Three part question:
1. Do BC dining halls compost?
2. Does BC Dining Services itself (kitchen prep, catering, etc.) Compost?
3. If (2)=no, Who would I talk to to encourage Dining Services to compost?
Thanks

The general answer is mostly yes! 1 – Corcoran and McElroy now have “post consumer food waste” composting for what’s left over after eating. 2 – Yes! All dining halls compost kitchen prep waste. As for Q3, several student groups such as UGBC Environmental Caucasus and EcoPledge have engaged with BC Dining to help bring this all about. BC Dining has several other initiatives regarding sustainability, see: bit.ly/BCDiningSustainability

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Why do forced triples exist?

Why do forced triples exist?
Why do forced triples exist?

Unfortunately, there are simply more students at BC than there is housing. Forced triples exist for the same reason that housing isn’t guaranteed for all four+ years you’re at BC. BUT there are some advantages: 1) you’re on Upper, which is pretty great; 2) reduced room and board costs makes the bill a bit easier to pay (or loans a bit smaller). The best thing to do is just embrace the minimalist lifestyle and find things to do outside your room. Good luck!

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Why can the university afford to plant new grass each year but can’t pay for more space for the orchestra & chamber music programs to practice in?

Why can the university afford to plant new grass each year but can't pay for more space for the orchestra & chamber music programs to practice in?
Why can the university afford to plant new grass each year but can’t pay for more space for the orchestra & chamber music programs to practice in?

The grass is grown on a sod farm just for Boston College; this contract gives BC a good price break. Buildings and building spaces are much more expensive and require lots of planning and then ongoing maintenance. That said, I have heard that BC is looking very closely at existing spaces that would be suitable for practice, performance and collaborative study. I think the answer to your question is that BC can afford both grass and student spaces- we just need to see what their final plans are for student spaces.

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C.A.B are unprincipled losers with bad music taste – Y/N?

C.A.B are unprincipled losers with bad music taste - Y/N?
C.A.B are unprincipled losers with bad music taste – Y/N?

The invitation to B.o.B. to perform at BC (reported recently in The Heights: bit.ly/BC-BoB-heights) has created notable controversy, as reported in the Boston Herald (bit.ly/herald-BoB). A group of faculty sent a letter on the morning of 4/30 (bit.ly/BC-faculty-BoB) with 174 faculty signatures to the BC administration requesting that BC issue a response “reinforcing Boston College’s mission to live out the social justice imperatives inherent in its Catholic and Jesuit heritage and disavowing B.o.B.’s conspiracy theories and anti-science and anti-Semitic proclamations.” Clearly, anti-Semitism is not a Jesuit value. C.A.B. has defended its choice by drawing a distinction between his talent and his personal views, and added that they are “happy to meet with and listen to the concerns of those students who may be offended by our selection.” Though I’m always here to listen & respond, I suggest that making concerns known to the C.A.B. directly (bostoncollegecab@gmail.com) has a better chance of creating results than telling me, a mere Wall.

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is anti-Semitism a Jesuit value?

is anti-Semitism a Jesuit value?
is anti-Semitism a Jesuit value?

The invitation to B.o.B. to perform at BC (reported recently in The Heights: bit.ly/BC-BoB-heights) has created notable controversy, as reported in the Boston Herald (bit.ly/herald-BoB). A group of faculty sent a letter on the morning of 4/30 (bit.ly/BC-faculty-BoB) with 174 faculty signatures to the BC administration requesting that BC issue a response “reinforcing Boston College’s mission to live out the social justice imperatives inherent in its Catholic and Jesuit heritage and disavowing B.o.B.’s conspiracy theories and anti-science and anti-Semitic proclamations.” Clearly, anti-Semitism is not a Jesuit value. C.A.B. has defended its choice by drawing a distinction between his talent and his personal views, and added that they are “happy to meet with and listen to the concerns of those students who may be offended by our selection.” Though I’m always here to listen & respond, I suggest that making concerns known to the C.A.B. directly (bostoncollegecab@gmail.com) has a better chance of creating results than telling me, a mere Wall.

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Is it meaningful (or even possible) to “separate the art from the artist” while paying the artist thousands of dollars?

Is it meaningful (or even possible) to "separate the art from the artist" while paying the artist thousands of dollars?
Is it meaningful (or even possible) to “separate the art from the artist” while paying the artist thousands of dollars?

The invitation to B.o.B. to perform at BC (reported recently in The Heights: bit.ly/BC-BoB-heights) has created notable controversy, as reported in the Boston Herald (bit.ly/herald-BoB). A group of faculty sent a letter on the morning of 4/30 (bit.ly/BC-faculty-BoB) with 174 faculty signatures to the BC administration requesting that BC issue a response “reinforcing Boston College’s mission to live out the social justice imperatives inherent in its Catholic and Jesuit heritage and disavowing B.o.B.’s conspiracy theories and anti-science and anti-Semitic proclamations.” Clearly, anti-Semitism is not a Jesuit value. C.A.B. has defended its choice by drawing a distinction between his talent and his personal views, and added that they are “happy to meet with and listen to the concerns of those students who may be offended by our selection.” Though I’m always here to listen & respond, I suggest that making concerns known to the C.A.B. directly (bostoncollegecab@gmail.com) has a better chance of creating results than telling me, a mere Wall.

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Why did BC discontinue the Minute Maid Cranberry Apple Raspberry bottle juice?

Why did BC discontinue the Minute Maid Cranberry Apple Raspberry bottle juice? I got it a lot early this semester at the downstairs vending machine and at Hillside. But suddenly I couldn't find it anymore :(
Why did BC discontinue the Minute Maid Cranberry Apple Raspberry bottle juice? I got it a lot early this semester at the downstairs vending machine and at Hillside. But suddenly I couldn’t find it anymore 🙁

BC subcontracts with the vending machine companies, who are the ones who make decisions about which products to sell in their machines. I recommend contacting the vending company to express your preferences: service@abvendingco.com. In the meantime, perhaps you could make a trip to a grocery store & buy several to tide you over until the end of the semester.

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In Christian America & at BC, where does the line between religious freedom & discrimination fall?

In Christian America & at BC, where does the line between religious freedom: discrimination fall?
In Christian America & at BC, where does the line between religious freedom & discrimination fall?

Is there a line “between” religious freedom and discrimination? It seems to this Wall that many expressions of religious freedom – such as Dr. King’s – were also expressions *against* discrimination. If you’re referring Hobby Lobby & similar legal cases, then you might be interested in these books in BC Libraries: bit.ly/BC-hobbylobby.

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How can BC justify paying a Holocaust denier to perform at Modstock??

How can BC justify paying a Holocaust denier to perform at Modstock??
How can BC justify paying a Holocaust denier to perform at Modstock??

I get the impression from this article in the Boston Herald (bit.ly/herald-BoB) that the C.A.B. has justified B.o.B.’s appearance here by drawing a line between his beliefs and his art. The lyrics of “Flatline” reference the holocaust denier David Irving: “Do your research on David Irving/ Stalin was way worse than Hitler”. B.o.B. didn’t do his research with this book: Telling lies about Hitler : the Holocaust, history and the David Irving trial, by Richard Evans, O’Neill Library KD379.5.I78 E95 2002. There are also a few books by Irving in our collection, from an era before he engaged in holocaust denial. BTW, B.o.B. is a flat-earther, too, and though I like flat–I’m a wall, you know–, there aren’t many sources within my walls that support that pre-Copernican view of the cosmos.

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Will BC get a separate communication school or put it into Lynch?

Will BC get a separate communication school or put it into Lynch?
Will BC get a separate communication school or put it into Lynch?

A wall in St. Mary’s South tells me that the Communication Department is currently in an academic review, which means they have external people who look at their strengths and challenges, a potentially helpful moment to move forward. They are not having any conversations about either moving to Lynch or having a School of Communication, both of which would be surprising major changes; the department anticipates remaining part of the MCAS in future years.

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How can an institution of such esteem and moral conscience, breeding “men & women for others” justify something as self-serving as continously investing fossil fuels?

How can an institution of such esteem and moral conscience, breeding "men & women for others" justify something as self-serving as continously investing fossil fuels?
How can an institution of such esteem and moral conscience, breeding “men & women for others” justify something as self-serving as continously investing fossil fuels?

In response to a 2015 student march, a spokesman for the university stated that the endowment exists to serve academics, financial aid, and student formation, not to serve any social justice purpose. More coverage in the Heights: bit.ly/bc-fossil-fuels. This is a perennial question–I got one like this last year around Earth Day, too.

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Can you please tell me some fun facts about Tip O’Neill? Thank you!

Can you please tell me some fun facts about Tip O'Neill? Thank you!
Can you please tell me some fun facts about Tip O’Neill? Thank you!

1) Tip O’Neill collected donkey statues throughout his career. You can view some in the Tip O’Neill exhibit room on floor 2. 2) The nickname “Tip” came from a Canadian baseball player named James “Tip” O’Neill. The origin story is murky. 3) He graduated from Boston College in 1936. Read more about Tip in his memoirs, Man of the House: the life and political memoirs of Speaker Tip O’Neill: E840.8.O54 A3 1987.

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How do I get to the LGBTQ Resource Center?

How do I get to the LGBTQ Resource Center?
How do I get to the LGBTQ Resource Center?

While there isn’t a LGBTQ Resource Center on campus, if you head over to Mahoney Hall 448, you can meet with Caroline Davis, Assistant Dean for Student Outreach & Support or the Grad Assistant for LGBTQ+ Student Outreach and Support who works with her. They serve as a hub for resources on campus and are always happy to meet with community members and provide support. To get to Mahoney Hall 448, head to the first floor of O’Neill and walk across the bridge to Mahoney Hall. You will enter on the fourth floor of the building.

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Is it okay to smoke weed on campus?

Is it okay to smoke weed on campus?
Is it okay to smoke weed on campus?

No, it is not. Section 4.3.2 of the Student Guide specifies that “…Boston College prohibits the possession and use of marijuana…” and goes on to say that “On November 8, 2016, Massachusetts became the fifth state to vote to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. Despite this pending change in law, Boston College’s policy remains unchanged: the possession, use, consumption, manufacturing, sale or distribution of drugs, including marijuana, by students or employees is prohibited.” You can read more in the Student Guide: https://www.bc.edu/publications/studentguide/

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As a wall, what architectural style are you most attracted to?

As a wall, what architectural style are you most attracted to?
As a wall, what architectural style are you most attracted to?

It seems to me that columns, cornices, balconies, windows, and rooflines have enough admirers. What about the walls that hold it all together? For this reason I lean towards Bauhaus, esp. Walter Gropius, who started The Architects Collaborative, the group that designed my walls (bit.ly/oneill-architects). Thumbs up for O’Neill Library!

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How much does it cost to redo the grass each year?

How much does it cost to redo the grass each year?
How much does it cost to redo the grass each year?

Here’s what facilities has to say about this: “… it’s not as much as everyone might think. Sod is a relatively inexpensive ground cover with a market unit price of around 28 cents a square ft. The amount of area we typically replace is 1.25 percent of the gross square footage in managed turf spaces across the campus which is around 3.8 million sq ft. … because of the operational size and disruption to campus folks are under the impression it is an expensive undertaking but relative to what else goes on here on a daily basis it’s really not.”

OK, but how much are the labor costs?
OK, but how much are the labor costs?

Facilities responds: That kind of specific expense information is not shared publicly, as it involves negotiated deals with private companies. Facilities recommends that if students are curious, they can call around to some different companies and explore the current marketplace. BC enters into a multi-year agreement with its vendor so there is price stabilization over a three year period. We have a really good agreement with our current vendor and when it was put out to bid with other vendors they were very competitive.

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How can I get a better pick time next semester??

How can I get a better pick time next semester?
How can I get a better pick time next semester??

Academic Advising assures me, that while there is no way to game the system of the algorithm that determines individual pick times, you will have a better pick date next year, by dint of your class year. And do contact faculty for an override, if a class is really important to you. Here’s to getting into the classes you need!