Category: Boston College

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What are your feelings on Amy Poehler?

What are your feelings on Amy Poehler?
What are your feelings on Amy Poehler?

Ah, Amy.. I remember her fondly. When I was young, she & her friends’ laughter graced this building on occasion. I know she’s become quite the star because we have many tv series and films that feature her, and her book Yes Please (O’Neill PN2287.P565 A3 2014). Little known story: her road to stardom started with seeing an audition poster for the BC improv troupe My Mother’s Fleabag taped to a walkway, and spontaneously deciding to try improv (and acting) for the first time. Read more in this 1991 Heights article: bit.ly/bc-amypoehler.

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How do you celebrate Chinese New Year?

How do you celebrate Chinese New Year?
How do you celebrate Chinese New Year?

I’ll be celebrating Chinese New Year with the entire library on February 16th when we are having multiple therapy dogs visit (in honor of the Year of the Dog, of course) as well as a new year’s wishing activity and some traditional giveaways. All of the events will be in the Reading Room on the 3rd floor of O’Neill. Watch the space across the lobby from me for a related book display too!

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Why did the Administration cancel the Romance Language Floor in Vouté?

Why did the Administration cancel the Romance Language Floor in Vouté?
Why did the Administration cancel the Romance Language Floor in Vouté?

According to the article in the Heights yesterday (bit.ly/VouteRomanceIsGone), the administration decided too few students were benefiting from the program to justify the resources necessary to keep it going. Sounds like many students are quite unhappy about this; I think it’s a good idea to let the decision-makers know how their decisions impact you.

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I don’t think I belong here in BC

I don't think I belong here in BC
I don’t think I belong here in BC

I’m sorry you’re feeling that way – it’s hard to feel like you don’t belong. Depending on your reasons for thinking you don’t belong, you may want to speak to your academic advisor, Advising Center staff (bit.ly/BC-advising), or Counseling Services ( bit.ly/BC-counseling). I hope that they are able to give you a reason to stay, but if you find your best option is to transfer, I wish you all the best!

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Who makes the music playlist in Mac?

Who makes the music playlist in Mac?
Who makes the music playlist in Mac?

My assistants have tracked down an answer! Music is played in McElroy during dinner, though some late-night managers also choose to play music. The dinner and late night managers in McElroy get to choose it; they usually stream either a YouTube set list or Pandora. The choice is entirely up to them, as long as it’s appropriate.

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Why is BC willing to ignore all of its Jesuit values when dealing with the grad student union?

Why is BC willing to ignore all of its Jesuit values when dealing with the grad student union?
Why is BC willing to ignore all of its Jesuit values when dealing with the grad student union?

That would be a good question to ask Father Leahy. BC’s public position is similar to arguments made by Columbia (bit.ly/bc-columbia) recently. A BC FAQ (bit.ly/bc-unionfaq) addresses questions about Catholic social teaching and other issues from the administration’s perspective. The BC Graduate Student Employees Union addresses those issues this way: bit.ly/bc-grad-union. You might also be interested in the work of the Catholic Labor Network (bit.ly/bc-CLN), and this brief history of Catholic institutions and collective bargaining in America: The Jesuit Review (bit.ly/bc-am).

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Should I go to Ecuador?/Will my parents let me by Feb 5? Who knows!

Should I go to Ecuador?/Will my parents let me by Feb 5? Who knows!
Should I go to Ecuador?/Will my parents let me by Feb 5? Who knows!

Ecuador sounds like a great adventure. If I weren’t so attached to the Library, I’d book a seat and go with you! I don’t think I know your parents, so in response to your second question, I have to agree… who knows! Just read up on safety and health precautions so you arrive prepared. The U.S. State Department travel site is a great place to start your research. Go to: bit.ly/usdos-ecuador

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Why does BCPD claim off campus housing isn’t their territory when we are scared of robberies yet they camp out there on weekends to bust parties?

Why does BCPD claim off campus housing isn't their territory when we are scared of robberies yet they camp out there on weekends to bust parties?
Why does BCPD claim off campus housing isn’t their territory when we are scared of robberies yet they camp out there on weekends to bust parties?

You’ll get some chances to ask BCPD directly: BCPD is planning to carry out a series of “knock & talks” among off-campus dwellings in conjunction with the Boston Police Dept. The first ones are actually tonight (Wednesday, 2/21). That might be a good time to ask about patrols & parties. There will also be a “Police & Pizza” event tomorrow (2/22) at 2150 Comm Ave, 5-7pm: bit.ly/BCPD-pizza-feb22.

Here is some coverage in The Heights about the BCPD/BPD initiatives & outreach about break-ins among off-campus housing: bit.ly/BC-break-ins

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What does a guy have to do around here to get a snow day?

What does a guy have to do around here to get a snow day?
What does a guy have to do around here to get a snow day?

The Wall believes the weather has to be hazardous to humans, rather than just annoying, for BC to close. You can also try one of the snow day superstitions, such as sleeping with your pajamas on backwards, a spoon under the pillow, or flushing an ice cube down the toilet. (Though I wouldn’t count on it!) Ask again if you’d like a more detailed answer.

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Can we get a hot water boiler in the library please

Can we get a hot water boiler in the library please... AGREED!!
Can we get a hot water boiler in the library please… AGREED!!

You are not the first to request this. Library staff met with people to determine the logistics and cost. Apparently it is not so simple or cheap. I’ll forward your request and try to start the conversation yet again, even if I end up IN hot water rather than supplying it.

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Why is the mens room on the first floor of O’Neil now a family room.

Why is the mens room on the first floor of O'Neil now a family room. Now more people are going to use that. Can it be changed back?
Why is the mens room on the first floor of O’Neil now a family room. Now more people are going to use that. Can it be changed back?

Facilities Management designated approximately 50 single-occupant restrooms across campus as gender neutral. The single-occupant bathrooms at O’Neill’s first and third floors were among the bathrooms that received this new designation. The Library will submit your feedback.

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How do I know if someone is going to make a good roommate?

How do I know if someone is going to make a good roommate?
How do I know if someone is going to make a good roommate?

Rather than trying to find a good roommate, think about whether they are a compatible roommate for you. Consider your personality and what you want in a roommate and then have a candid conversation with your potential roommate. Be open as part of that process. It can be tempting to focus on the other person as the root of any conflict, but try to acknowledge how your future roommate will see your habits and actions as well. If you find someone that you can have this sort of honest conversation with, I think you’ll find you’re on the right path to a successful roommate relationship.

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Why are parking permits so expensive?!? There is no way I could afford one.

Why are parking permits so expensive?!? There is no way I could afford one.
Why are parking permits so expensive?!? There is no way I could afford one.

According to the Wall’s friends at Parking and Transportation, it’s mostly two things. The first is lack of space on campus, which creates a lot more demand than supply. The second is more subtle: prices are partly high to encourage people who can to use other ways to get to campus, like the campus bus system, public transit, bikes, or feet–that makes for a greener campus, a healthier community…but it also helps with the first issue. The walls at T & P are sympathetic, as is this Wall.

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Where can I find people that are into acting, performing and showbusiness on campus?

Where can I find people that are into acting, performing and showbusiness on campus?
Where can I find people that are into acting, performing and showbusiness on campus?

Join a student group! BC is fortunate to have a ton of great student groups that you can connect with, including groups on everything from acting (Dramatics Society) to musical theater (Musical Theatre Wing) to the oldest collegiate improv group in the country (My Mother’s Fleabag). Check out the Student Organizations website for these & others: bit.ly/BCStudentOrg

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What is the Woods College? Is that a part of BC? Are their classes easier?

What is the Woods College? Is that a part of BC? Are there classes easier?
What is the Woods College? Is that a part of BC? Are there classes easier?

The Woods College of Advancing Studies (bit.ly/BC-Woods) is part of BC. It offers 13 undergraduate majors, 5 graduate programs, and 9 professional  studies certificate  programs. It is designed for students who have to work full time or have other daytime commitments. The courses are as rigorous as any others at BC (many of the professors also teach regular graduate and undergraduate courses.) Notable alumnus: Boston Mayor Marty Walsh.

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My new years resolution is to settle, settle into university, friendships, community, church and be still.

My new years resolution is to settle, settle into university, friendships, community, church and be still.
My new years resolution is to settle, settle into university, friendships, community, church and be still.

Sheer poetry! Everyone should adopt a resolution like this. The Answer Wall loves stillness, and though I enjoy settling, building engineers tell me settling walls and foundations can cause structural problems. But you humans, please enjoy settling into your communities, and please enjoy stillness. I can’t recommend stillness enough. You might enjoy the book The Art of Stillness: Adventures in Going Nowhere, by the travel writer Pico Iyer. (O’Neill and TML Libraries BJ1496 .I84 2014)

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Will anyone issue a statement against the president’s recent comments on African countries and immigrants of color? … #2nd this

Will anyone issue a statement against the president's recent comments on African countries and immigrants of color? ... #2nd this
Will anyone issue a statement against the president’s recent comments on African countries and immigrants of color? … #2nd this

The Cardinal of Boston, Sean Patrick O’Malley, wrote a blog entry about civility in response to the President’s comments: bit.ly/Cardinal-civility. Many other officials–especially of the nations and regions named–have responded as well. A group of African ambassadors called the comments “outrageous, racist and xenophobic,” and it is on the agenda of the upcoming African Union meetings in Addis Ababa next week. The Haitian ambassador said the comments were “misinformed or miseducated” about Haiti. There has been no officially released statement by BC; however, many universities, BC included, hosted events honoring Martin Luther King this week; perhaps honoring him was response enough.