Answering questions at Boston College O’Neill Library
Shout out to everybody working hard right now, and to everybody who’s still feeling a little wobbly. I’d love to see some pictures of other walls in your life. And I’m curious how the Million Dollar Steps are holding up.
I’m glad to have had some corporeal company! Now that the library is closed and empty but for a few stalwart staff members, I am redoubling my efforts to push my assistants to build me a temporary online home. I hope you remain safe and well in your stranded state.
| Decisions about 2020-2021 have not yet been made, and the course and duration of the pandemic is highly unpredictable at this point – much will depend on what responses governments and individuals make. We’ll have to hope for the best at this point. |
I’m sad for your class., and I’ll miss you. You’ll certainly have stories for your grandchildren, like those who lived through polio quarantines & closings in the 1950’s.
I ❤️ the class of 2020, too. I wish it hadn’t had to end this way. ?
I totally get you. This is my home and I understand why it feels like a home to you, too. Stay well and come back when you can!
Yes! The most up-to-date information can be found on BC’s Coronavirus FAQ page: bc.edu/coronavirus
Everyone processes things differently. For seniors, this is their last chance to have fun and blow off steam before entering the “real world”. But seriously, the University can’t require that students be gone from their dorms with less then 24 hours notice – that would be cruel to those that will already struggle to find housing and/or transportation. Some students don’t have to worry about these things and suddenly find themselves with plenty of free time and the need to blow off some steam. Thus, partying.
BC is a conservative institution (not necessarily in the political sense, but in the adaptability sense). It is the nature of conservative (again, not necessarily in the political sense) institutions to be slow. They follow rather than lead, they look to what other institutions are doing first and copy them only when that change is deemed necessary. That is a function of the leadership/institutional culture at the top. Sometimes that works to their advantage, but it is not an ideal leadership style in crisis situations. I will say that opinions about the quality and nature of the administration’s decision-making process vary significantly from person to person amongst BC faculty and staff as well.
BC is a tight community, even among grads, so I’m sure you will get some closure, but you may have to augment the solutions BC is able to create in these circumstances. Perhaps you will be able to gather a group of BC friends in your region after the worst of the pandemic passes. Or maybe you can gather with friends online in some way if waiting until post-crisis will be too long. Keep an eye on bc.edu/commencement. I’m sure they’re working hard on new plans, and will post updates as they can.
You did! You’ll have had a strange and abrupt end to your senior year, but you’ll still have all memories and learning and friendships that came before. Class of 2020, The Answer Wall salutes you and wishes you a brilliant future.
It’s very sad, especially for you seniors. It’s been decided this is the best way to protect the health of the most people, and we’re all going to be missing out on some things for the good of all. I will miss you – please come back and visit if you can when the danger has passed.
It’s too early to say. I’m sure you can trust BC to make decisions informed by the most current advisories by the CDC & for the health of the whole community. For updates, monitor the BC Coronavirus page: bit.ly/bc-corona.
Your frustration is evident and shared by others (although always not with such strong language). BC has determined that some aspects of sexual health conflict with its Jesuit Catholic mission (see Health Services policy at: bit.ly/UHSservices). Over-the-counter products are available in nearby stores, and there are physicians and clinics in the area that can provide reproductive health counseling and services.
My helpers and I have only seen mice, not rats – are you sure they’re rats? In any case, Facillities is aware of the problem and taking what measures they can.
No worries, they assure me they were not offended.
I’ll make sure those in the library who control these things will hear your request.
I had a nice chat with those in the know about our resident rodents. Basically, O’Neill is open 24/5, is very well-used, and allows snacks. Under these circumstances, mice are going to feel encouraged. Facillities is aware of the issue and does what it can. There are certainly ghosts on the 4th, though – I found 51 results in just the Ghosts in Literature subject heading…
There really aren’t any large organizations involving humans that are free from corruption. It’s also relevant in reading things about unions that there are people with money and influence (usually business owners) who would see them as evil whatever they did. Pope Francis sees them as an important safeguard for the human dignity of workers. http://bit.ly/bc-labor2. A scholarly source like this Companion to the American Labor Movement can give you some context on why unions formed: http://bit.ly/bc-labor1
The grad student union cites a variety of Catholic social teaching in its own support: bit.ly/bc-cst. BC’s stated position is that “graduate student unionization in any form undermines the collegial, mentoring relationship among students and faculty that is a cornerstone of this academic community” That’s a quote from a longer statement by Provost David Quigley. bc.edu/bc-web/sites/unionization
According to the Commencement FAQ: “…tickets are not required for the main ceremony or diploma ceremonies in normal weather conditions. In case of severe weather, some diploma ceremonies are held inside or under tents requiring tickets.” That is surely because of space limitations in tents and indoor venues.
My apologies! I mis-read the question. (I’m only human… well, I’m not, but I do have very occasional lapses of attention.) I will have my assistants look into the limit. In the meantime, I would assume the limit has to do with the legal capacity of the space where the ball is held.
Indeed, we would all do better to have a bit more humility. I think many of the Jesuits on campus would take exception to the characterization of them as “elitist,” especially given that Father Leahy lives in a small, modestly furnished apartment, not the palatial home of most college presidents. If you’d like to discuss more about the Jesuit faith and why they do things a certain way, I would encourage you to contact campus ministry: bit.ly/BC-ministry.
