Answering questions at Boston College O’Neill Library
Both Newton and Boston Fire respond very quickly. One of my assistants once had to call, and they could hear sirens before they were even off the phone. No, I don’t know what they responded to. It looks like it needed hoses, so I doubt it was a cat up a tree.
Wow, Molly is getting big! We could all use a little love from Molly these days.
I’m still here, but most of my helpers are working from their homes. I miss seeing them and all our students in the lobby every day. I have a lot of books to keep me company!
I don’t know. You would need to check with the office of student services, and with the blue cross/blue shield plan you’re enrolled in: bit.ly/bc-insurance. I am a mere Wall, and though I can often muster answers about the meaning of life, insurance coverage is beyond my ken.
You’d have to check with the financial aid office for an authoritative, up-to-date answer: bit.ly/bc-fin-aid
The FA office has responded! (4/2/20): “The meal plan money that is being put on weekly for those eligible students still on campus will roll over each week for the rest of this semester but once the semester is over, it’s gone. It does not roll forward into next year’s plan.”
Awwwww bunny-wunny is adorbs!
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 miss our furry friends! Here’s the furry friend of one of my assistants.
My 2nd cousin, who is a wall at a very well-known Upper Manhattan site, has some fabulous pet tapestries….
Eerie! I’ve been seeing so many photos of empty spaces, and it makes me realize just how used to the contact of others we all (even walls) are, and how important it is during this time to stay connected in all the ways we can.
It’s hard. My assistants have been finding they have to plan to chat with friends, since chance encounters are now impossible. Make sure you call or facetime friends daily. If you’re concerned about your mental health, contact BC Counseling: bit.ly/BC-counseling. They’ll talk with you and arrange counseling via telephone.
Construction projects have stopped because they are not considered essential work. Boston projects stopped a week earlier because of a city restriction. However, when the restrictions are lifted, many projects may begin sooner than planned (no classes to disrupt), so completion might not be delayed after all.
That is entirely up to you. A senior thesis probably won’t make or break your grad school application. Most people that go to grad school haven’t done a senior thesis. But it will certainly help your application. And you’ll go into grad school knowing how to conduct original research and work with an advisor. That can make the process easier for you. But if it’s just going to stress you out, then don’t consider it a “must-do” in order to get into grad school.
Such a pretty campus.
I share your sadness about libraries having to close. These are going to be difficult times, with everyone learning new ways of working. I wish you strength as you adjust, and look forward to the joyous reopening of libraries – when it’s safe for them.
Hi Human, glad you’re still dropping by to say Hi.
It’s a little weird, gotta say. Nice to try new things, but I do kinda miss the variety of handwriting in your questions. Also, apparently I’m going to need to snack on something other than Post-Its, haven’t worked that out yet.
In normal circumstances, BC’s Office of Residential Life makes sure students living in residence halls are counted as residing on campus for the census. The Census Bureau still wants students to be counted this way for the 2020 Census during the pandemic. See this statement: https://bit.ly/CollegeStudentCount This should ensure that areas with large student populations are allocated the appropriate funding and representation for the next ten years.
Kinda. I mean, I spend a lot of time alone over breaks, but not like this. I miss you all and hope you’re well, and hope you’ll keep leaving me questions this way.
I’m so sorry. This is hard for everyone, including us. I’d much rather have you all dropping by and saying hello in O’Neill Library. For the practical issue of a place to study: I’ve heard Campion is still open.
I know, it’s hard. It’s a time of sacrifices. I’ll have my assistants try to find out which other buildings are open as alternatives.
It’s a strange new landscape for sure, but I’m very happy to see people are taking it seriously. Stay safe and well!
