Answering questions at Boston College O’Neill Library
I’m sorry to report that there is nowhere on campus that stockpiles newspapers, because BC’s custodial staff is very efficient about making sure all newspapers get recycled.
You should be able to retrieve it at bit.ly/BUStudentlink.
In general the difference between a BA and a BS is the type of coursework required for each. Typically a BA has broader and more varied coursework, while a BS is more focused on the major. So if you’re absolutely, positively sure of what you want to do, a BS might be the better choice. On the other hand, if you’re not sure or interested in lots of different things, a BA might be right. You will need to look carefully at the coursework required for the two degrees and do a good self-assessment: What do you want? What are you interested in? What’s your learning style? And so on. And do ask for help and input from school counselors and family. It’s a difficult decision; best of luck in your studies!
A Master’s Degree is usually a step on the way to a career, or a way to get required credentials for a career already begun, such as teaching high school. So, what you need to do first is figure out a career path, and then find out whether a master’s degree is required or useful as a career boost. Many workplaces (such as libraries) offer the benefit paying for courses toward a degree, in which case you might want to start working in a field before paying out of pocket. I recommend checking in with BC’s Career Center (bit.ly/BC-career) if you’re a BC student or recent graduate.
I’m sorry Monster triggers unpleasant memories for you. Taste can be strongly tied to memories. This short article in Science Daily (bit.ly/TasteMemories) explains some of the underlying mechanisms. Maybe get your hydration and caffeination needs met with something else that doesn’t bring you back to a bad time?
I cannot tell you how students feel about Gasson, as they have not divulged that information to me, but I can tell you a bit about Gasson and you can perhaps infer its meaning. Gasson was the first building built on this campus, in 1913. It houses many classrooms and department offices and a few very special places as well. One is room 305, the Fulton room (actually an amphitheater) and home to the Fulton Debating Society, with a Gothic arch ceiling adorned with a variety of oratorical quotes. Painted on the walls is the list of all Fulton debate winners, from 1890. Another notable place is the big function room on the first floor: Gasson 100 (aka “the Irish room”) was originally used as an assembly and lecture hall and now hosts everything from concerts to parties to Irish dancing. Just outside this room is the rotunda, with a very large and impressive white marble statue of the Archangel Michael overcoming Lucifer. And, finally, let’s not forget the Gasson Tower and its four bells that chime the passing day. I can hear them here and they certainly remain in my memory!
It’s fine to be sad sometimes – everyone is – but if you are “too sad” it’s probably time to look for some help to deal with it. Counseling Services has lots of experience helping sad students, so please consider contacting them (bit.ly/BC-counseling or call 2-3310). The Wall hope you find more joy very soon and is rooting for you.
Getting voluntary compliance with any sort of standard is always difficult. The Wall has 2 suggestions: 1) Have a carrot. Find a way to reward those who do follow the standard without punishing those who don’t. 2) Start ’em young. Students, junior faculty, and early career staff are far more receptive to the idea that presentations and work need to follow standards, even if it’s not a requirement. The more that brand standard pops up around the department, the more normalized it will be such that anything different looks strange. Good luck!
I love Taiwan. It’s such a crazy blend of Chinese, Japanese, and Taiwanese culture, with Buddhist, Confucian, and Daoist temples of all kinds, all of which have intricately carved & colorfully painted walls. I don’t eat (I am a wall), but one of my library assistants says to get scallion pancakes from one of the many walk-up windows, oolong tea, and if you’re into that kind of thing, squid-on-a-stick, a popular snack at seaside places like Yehliu. But you need more walls on tall subway platforms in Taipei, or else all the babies will blow away!
I would recommend going to the Boston University website for admissions: bu.edu/admissions. Or did you really mean Boston College, which is where this wall is located? Don’t worry, it’s a common mistake. The two institutions are totally unrelated (except by a major ice hockey rivalry), even though the names are so similar. Here is a link to BC admissions: bc.edu/bc-web/admission. I hope you find the information you’re looking for there, because I’d like to meet you when you enroll!
![Ở đây có ai nói tiếng Việt không??? [Is there anybody speaking Vietnamese here?]](http://library.bc.edu/answerwall/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/aw071618-2.jpg)
Why, yes, as a matter of fact, I do have a helper here who is fluent in Vietnamese. Other languages I get assistance with: Akan, Ashanti, Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Greek, Gujarati, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Irish, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Twi.
One of the Library’s main objectives is to provide users with professional, courteous and timely service. If you feel that our customer service needs improvement, please contact Rodrigo Castro, Head Librarian for Access Services at 617-552-4834, or at castrord@bc.edu.
I’m sorry a boy did something that aggravated you. People are prone to be aggravating. Here are some ways to be aggravating: lie or exaggerate, do something after being asked to stop, fail to listen, break confidences, mind others’ business, brag, complain unproductively, argue frequently, take credit for someone else’s idea, talk over someone, keep silent about what’s bothering you, explain as if someone else is clueless, make broad indefensible generalizations, forget a date or appointment, assume the worst of someone else’s behavior, be quick to aggravate, pretend innocence after doing something aggravating… do any of these sound familiar? Let’s all make a solemn vow to minimize how much we do these things, & we’ll all get along a little better.
Even walls need rest for part of the year, but my helpers and I do miss having students and other folk to talk to.
Why don’t you come on over? (Because, you know, I’m pretty much stuck right here, though occasionally my peeps bring me to conferences and other nice places.)
According to Pantone, the semi-official gods of color, there are 14 different colors of pear. Check them out here: bit.ly/PearColor. However, there is one color Pantone missed…
It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity. The cool temps in libraries are a side-effect of the primary reason for the A/C: to keep books from getting moist. Mold & mildew thrive in moist environments, and when they thrive, they destroy paper. Too keep the books dry, libraries run the A/C a little more than humans like. Keeping paper dry, in fact, was the reason behind the invention of the first A/C by Willis Carrier – read about it here: bit.ly/Atlantic-AC. Ever notice how the stereotypical librarian image involves a cardigan? Brrr! Librarians agree!
There is a description of the bells of Gasson (did you know there are four of them?) in “The Spirit of the Heights,” a history of BC written by University historian Thomas H. O’Connor and published in 2011. Here’s the part about the ringing: “… from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., the bells would announce each quarter of the hour, and every 60 minutes they would toll the exact hour. At noon and again at 6 p.m., the Gasson Tower bells sounded the Angelus as an invitation to all who heard it to pause for a moment of prayer or reflection. The works originally required a twice-weekly hand-winding, but the bells went automatic in the 1960s.
Yes, you can use it to pay at all of the BC bookstores, see details bit.ly/TakesEagleBucks.
You can using Eagle bucks, but not Optional Dining Bucks in the bookstore. Other places you can use them are detailed here: bit.ly/TakesEagleBucks. Some types of funds roll over to next term or are posted to your student account at graduation. For more info see bit.ly/EagleCardFAQ or contact Student services (2-3300 or studentservices@bc.edu).
