Answering questions at Boston College O’Neill Library
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.
Museums are wonderful spaces for the community. Cardinal O’Malley himself quickly moved out of the home, even when the diocese owned it. Given that, and the fact that the property was sold to fund a settlement for hundreds of children abused by members of the Archdiocese, it would seem in poor taste to give it back. With Boston College as the ultimate purchaser, one could consider the matter a simple shifting of columns in the total balance of items the Catholic Church owns. The Catholic News Agency has more: bit.ly/BCLandSale
I can’t speak BC’s valuation of the art program, but the libraries encourage art displays and frequently host artistic and educational exhibits. All of the BC Libraries have exhibit spaces. Check out the “Trapped In The Middle” photo exhibit showing now at both O’Neill and the SWL, and the colorful Alfred Manessier print exhibit at the TML. In O’Neill, students can display art on the first floor, and proposals are welcome for use of other spaces. Did you see the ceramics exhibit in the lobby last fall?
Is it because they cost a million dollars to build or because you deserve a million dollars for making it to the top? The world may never know…
Chalk boards have such dramatic potential, though. See: bit.ly/HitchcockBB and bit.ly/HiddenFigBB.
Thank you for bringing it to our attention. My assistants will see to it that it will get fixed!
It sounds like you’ve had a bad experience here, and I’m sorry about that. A core Jesuit value is “cura personalis,” care for the person. If you’ve been subjected to racism you’ve felt the pain of that value failing you. Another core Jesuit value, Magis, involves striving to be better. To be better, we have to examine the places where we fail. BC is a school with thousands of people, each with their own feelings and experiences about race. It is likely there are individuals at BC who are racist. It is also likely that others participate unwittingly in structural racism. We all need to examine our own behaviors and rise to the challenge of caring for each other more mindfully.
I’ll report it to the library administration, thanks.
When people devour books, it’s metaphorical. Mice, not so much.
I did answer, but sometimes the little post-its go off and hide! You can always see my answers on my blog: https://library.bc.edu/answerwall/. The answer was: 12/11/19 from Campus Rec: “Campus Recreation allows community members to purchase memberships during the Summer, but not during the academic year. We keep the facility foot traffic during the semester to the students and faculty/staff that are directly affiliated with BC.”
BC housing… sigh… . Res Life knows, believe me. They do what they can to alleviate the pain. (Imagine having to find rooms for 8000 students in such a short period! Non-trivial problem, as engineers would say.) Solutions: Have all of your friends talk to their friends? Put up signs? Put the word out on insta/snap/fb/twitter? I’m sure you’ll find another likeminded person to join your group of friends. Make contingency plans for smaller groups, though, just in case the 8-man doesn’t work out.
There’s an article from University Communications on the BC News site proudly showing off the decorated caps of Commencement 2018, so I expect it’s not forbidden. And they’re amazing! http://bit.ly/BCCaps.
Yes – surprisingly many! See: bit.ly/NotaryBC
