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.

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.

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/

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!

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.

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!

Can you install a shower in O’Neill Library so I can live here?

Can you install a shower in O'Neill Library so I can live here?
Can you install a shower in O’Neill Library so I can live here?

As a resident of O’Neill, I can understand the attraction! We can’t install a shower, but the bathrooms all have soap and paper towels. We don’t have laundry machines, so please bring lots of clothing. Also, you can only live here while we have 24/7 hours, after that you’ll need to find somewhere else to spend the night. Welcome home!

What is being done negotiating the hookup culture on campus?

What is being done negotiating the hookup culture on campus?
What is being done negotiating the hookup culture on campus?

It’s not an easy problem to solve, but there are ongoong efforts here. Faculty both teach classes relevant to changing hookup culture (e.g. Kerry Cronin’s class Dating Project), and conduct research on the subject. The BC Women’s Center holds a “ResTalk” program called “Undressing the Hookup Culture” (see bit.ly/HookupResTalk).

 

Will BC make the NCAA tournament for mens basketball next year?

Will BC make the NCAA tournament for men basketball next year?
Will BC make the NCAA tournament for mens basketball next year?

It’s way too early in the NBA process to know. Bowman and Robinson both declared for the draft, but didn’t hire agents. If they return for next season, then I think we’re almost a lock for the tourney. I don’t think Robinson is coming back, but Bowman might. Still, there’s a lot to be excited about. A lot of great players are returning (Mitchell, Kraljevic) and the freshman class looks strong. I think there’s a very good chance BC MBB makes it next year. At the very least, the team shouldn’t set their sights lower than that.

What should I do if I keep being rejected from student organizations?

What ;should I do if I keep being rejected from student organizations? This year, I go into [?] I wanted to. Recently, I was rejected from 2 SOs that I dedicated a lot of time to. Help.
What should I do if I keep being rejected from student organizations? This year, I go into [?] I wanted to. Recently, I was rejected from 2 SOs that I dedicated a lot of time to. Help.
It must be frustrating and discouraging to put a lot of time into something and feel like your efforts weren’t valued. When you say “rejected,” do you mean you weren’t offered leadership positions? These things can take time, and aren’t always a measure of your worth to the organization. I recommend patience and resilience. I also recommend talking to the Office of Student Involvement about your experiences: www.bc.edu/osi. They may be able to offer new strategies or perspectives.

I love this wall. Where did the idea come from?

I love this wall. Where did the idea come from?
I love this wall. Where did the idea come from?

I’m so glad you enjoy my responses! In the many years since the library opened, I have enjoyed watching students, staff, and faculty come and go, but I wished that I could find a way to become a part of the community and interact with all of my visitors. After lots of thought, I decided that I could serve as a resource to answer all those questions that people have but don’t know who to ask about. It gives me a chance to learn more about the BC community and a chance to give back. I hope you’ve found my answers fun and useful!