It’s not a recording, but the ringing has been automated since the 1960s.
Who rings the bells in Gasson? Is it a recording??!
Why does BC have so many bathrooms?
The number of bathrooms does not seem excessive to me, given the number of people on campus – and there’s the problem that people all get out of class at the same time and have the same need. in fact, my niece, who is a Wall in the Level 2 women’s bathroom, says the crowds in there can get pretty bad during the times between classes – it makes her feel anxious.
How can I introduce design thinking…
To paraphrase a fruit-themed company’s public statements, design is not just how it looks, it’s how it works, and the effect on the people who use whatever it is you’re designing. This sounds a little like the Jesuit emphasis on forming the whole person: mind, body, and spirit.
How much does BC pay to get a membership of MFA (Museum of Fine Art)
I don’t know! But I’ll have my assistants look into it.
I have been looking for a BC rifle gun club. … Does BC even have enough ‘courage’ to have one?
I don’t see a rifle and gun club listed in the current clubs at BC. But that doesn’t mean you can’t start one (bit.ly/BCNewClub)! That’s not to say that there won’t be plenty of red tape, and you’ll likely have to find a way to store weapons off campus. I recommend talking to the Harvard and MIT clubs and getting insight on how they manage their operations before approaching BC. Good luck!
Can I get a refund on residential dining bucks at the end of my exchange semester?
According to BC Dining, no, it’s not refundable at the end of the semester, though it does roll over till Spring if you are still enrolled then.
What should the new plex be called?
The semi-official nickname is “Margot’s,” but I don’t think she’d be offended if you had your own name for her.
I’m actually from Brandeis, but I agree, BC looks great!
Awwww, shucks. Thanks for the compliment! I was sorry to hear of the sad demise of my distant cousin the Express Yo’self Wall in the Brandeis Library. (bit.ly/brandeis-express-yoself) But you’ve still got plenty of fine walls, yourselves! (bit.ly/bc-brandeis-walls)
Are there any tunnels on campus?
Not that I know of. BC’s big feature is hills and cliffs. If you want a campus with tunnels, drop by Northeastern. You can get lost down there. bit.ly/NEU-tunnels.
What percentage of BC alums get married?
Can I ask a clarification question? Do you mean what percentage of BC Alums ever get married to anyone? Or do you mean what percentage of BC alums constitute marriages where both partners are BC alums? Finally, married by what age? It’s likely that many alums are currently unmarried, but could get married next year, or in a few decades. I’m not sure I’ll be able to find an answer either way, but defining the question is a good first step.
How about do you think UCS can benefit from more staff?
UCS has a growing demand for service, as do counseling offices at colleges and universities all over the US, and has been, as you’re aware, adding staff to meet demand. Though they would likely benefit from more staff, there’s also a question of budget. At what point do administrators say: we really can’t afford to put more resources in that basket this year? I don’t know the answer to that question.
What will the green space look like where the plex used to be and when will it be done?
The last I heard from the walls in St. Clements is that the removal of the former Plex is mostly done and that we will now be looking to reclaim that land. Once finished, it will have additional green space, tennis courts, basketball courts, and additional parking.
Why are there pieces of blue fabric in the walls of the elevator?
They’re there to protect the insides of the elevator from getting scratched and otherwise broken by the construction. We often need to move big tools or other equipment upstairs, and the elevator is the best way to do that. The blue fabric is dense and doesn’t tear easily, providing a protective barrier. The same is true for the blue sticky paper on the floor in some parts of the library.
I have always wanted to tour/see the inside of the Gasson Bell tower…
My cousin the bell tower, in spite of their frequent ringing, is mute on the subject of access. There’s a clue (bit.ly/bells-clue) but it predates renovation. Here’s a bit of a virtual tour: bit.ly/BCM-gasson, and another: bit.ly/burnsblog-gasson. I’ll see what else my assistants can find out & update you if there’s news.
Best places to nap on campus?
A helper told me there are some sweet chairs outside the bathrooms in Robsham. Take a break.
When is the roadwork between the garage and O’neill gonna end???
The latest we’ve heard is that it should reopen September 20th or early the following week. Which would be terrific, because my helpers keep going down to Level One and then hitting themselves in the head and muttering “d’oh!”
Does S.L.A.M. (poetry/spoken word) still exist?
No fear – Soul, Love, and Meaning still exist at BC. I reached out to the lovely folks at the Arts Counsel and they said the next event is an open mic called Sunset SLAM!, Sept. 18, 7:30pm, McGuinn 121. You can contact the organizers at bostoncollegeslam@gmail.com
Can whoever stole my blue bike kindly return it to 2k?
Oh, that’s very sad. I do hope someone gives your bike back! For now, did you know BC has a Bike Share program? Email bikebcinfo@bc.edu for more info – you’ll need to take a safety training before you can borrow one. Also, never feel bad about calling Eagle Escort – that’s what they’re for.
Can you provide some resources to learn more about the history of the movement calling on BC to divest from fossil fuels?
Climate Justice at Boston College (https://orgsync.com/123146/chapter) is the organization you’re looking for. Here is their history: climatejusticebc.com/who-we-are/cjbc-history. Bill McKibben talked here in April 2016 (bit.ly/heights-mckibben), but the BC divestment movement started before then as “BC Fossil Free” (bit.ly/heights-2013-fossil-free). I recommend heavy use of BC Heights (bcheights.com) and newspapers.bc.edu – search “divest”. Also try The Gavel (bcgavel.com).
It’s nice to see the Student Affairs Realignment.
Thanks for your kind words! I’ll pass them along to Student Affairs and to library staff.