How much time do you spend on answering these questions?

How much time do you spend on answering these questions? With these much questions post every day... do we have a specialist who work full-time just to answer the questions?
How much time do you spend on answering these questions? With these much questions post every day… do we have a specialist who work full-time just to answer the questions?

I have a pretty big team of helpers who advise me on what to say, and who do the printing and blogging. So it’s not very much time at all for me, and not a huge amount for any one helper.

Why I dont have a boyfriend? I’m rich!!! Beautiful!!

Why I dont have a boyfriend? I'm rich!!! Beautiful!!
Why I dont have a boyfriend? I’m rich!!! Beautiful!!
I have one. I am not rich or beautiful though. I hope you find one soon.
I have one. I am not rich or beautiful though. I hope you find one soon.

As the great philosopher Sir Paul McCartney once sagely noted, “Money can’t buy me love.” Money can, in the right circumstances, buy partnership and quiet. But that’s not the same as love. The same is true of beauty. Beauty on its own can inspire lust, but rarely love. Love is a deeper emotion that is created by a bond between two people that is the sum of all their experiences together. It is the deepest of friendships. So my advice to you is to search for someone you could see as a friend first, and then determine whether you two would make a good couple. I believe in you!

Pantone 184 or Pantone 186?

Pantone 184 or Pantone 186?
Pantone 184 or Pantone 186?

I misread this as panettone, and was all for it, in either case. But since it’s actually about colors, not sweet breads, I would say it depends on your proposed usage. 186 seems more somber to me, although a very nice color; 184 strikes me as very “pretty in pink.”

Can someone being Section 12 (Civil Committment) still request/choose hospital?

Can someone being Section 12 (Civil Committment) still request/choose hospital?
Can someone being Section 12 (Civil Committment) still request/choose hospital?

If someone you know is engaging in self-harming behavior, please convince them to go to a hospital! I will find out whether they might have a choice of which hospital in the circumstance that they are “sectioned” by an LICSW, but keep in mind that when someone is sectioned, it is because in a clinician’s professional judgment, doing otherwise would likely be lethal.

Will a student be punished/request to go on a LOA if that student voluntarily ask for help after a potential risky/self-harming behavior?

Will a student be punished/request to go on a LOA if that student voluntarily ask for help after a potential risky/self-harming behavior? If so, doesn't this scare student away from seeking support?
Will a student be punished/request to go on a LOA if that student voluntarily ask for help after a potential risky/self-harming behavior? If so, doesn’t this scare student away from seeking support?

Please, if you know of someone who is engaging in self-harming behavior, tell them that a leave of absence is not punitive: it is a recognition that the student needs some time to focus on healing & seek a greater degree of support than might be available while they are also engaged in classwork. I am pretty certain that a decision about a leave of absence in that kind of case is one usually reached in dialogue, not imposed, but I will have my assistants seek clarity on this.

Update from Dean of Students Office: “No, in almost every instance, the Dean of Students Office and other offices on campus work with students to get them connected with the appropriate resources on or off campus and supports them through that process. BC’s Involuntary Leave of Absence Policy is only employed in extreme circumstances. If you would like to discuss this more, including the ways that staff in the Dean of Students Office support students, please contact Caroline Davis, Associate Dean for Student Outreach & Support at caroline.davis.2@bc.edu, 617-552-3470 or by stopping by 448 Maloney Hall to schedule an appointment.”

What do you think of people who break rules for the sake of being stubborn?

What do you think of people who break rules for the sake of being stubborn?
What do you think of people who break rules for the sake of being stubborn?

I ask myself – are they hurting anyone and/or taking an unfair advantage by breaking the rule? Or are they maybe just trying to lighten things up with a gentle prank – as in the case of your Post-It originally being attached to the wall next to me (she’s a very close friend, but answering questions is not in her job description!) In that case, no harm done, and I’m cool with it.

Please put up a guide for how to belly-rub a cat. Thanks! :3

Please put up a guide for how to belly-rub a cat. Thanks! :3
Please put up a guide for how to belly-rub a cat. Thanks! :3

While some cats let lucky humans rub their bellies, many cats are protective of such a sensitive and vulnerable area. But you should feel flattered if a cat exposes its belly to you—it can be a sign of trust! Scritches on the head might be a safer bet, but always remember to proceed gently so you don’t frighten your potential feline friend.

What’s a good name for an undergraduate history journal featuring works from BC history majors?

What's a good name for an undergraduate history journal featuring works from BC history majors?
What’s a good name for an undergraduate history journal featuring works from BC history majors?

That depends on what type of history you expect the journal to cover. Ancient Europe – maybe something greek or latin. Pre-columbian North America – maybe a Native American word? You get the idea. Or if it’s all of history broadly, maybe just a good pun like Pan-a-historia which I think is a fun because it’s close to the modern “panaderia” and I have been told bread tastes good (although the correct Latin would be Omnes historiae). If you’re thinking about starting a new journal, check out the BC-library hosted journals (ejournals.bc.edu). We can help you with some of the management of the publication process so you can focus on finding good content.