Page 299 – The Answer Wall

February 2, 2018February 2, 2018

Why is BC willing to ignore all of its Jesuit values when dealing with the grad student union?

That would be a good question to ask Father Leahy. BC’s public position is similar to arguments made by Columbia (bit.ly/bc-columbia) recently. A BC FAQ (bit.ly/bc-unionfaq) addresses questions about Catholic social teaching and other issues from the administration’s perspective. The BC Graduate Student Employees Union addresses those issues this way: bit.ly/bc-grad-union. You might also be interested in the work of the Catholic Labor Network (bit.ly/bc-CLN), and this brief history of Catholic institutions and collective bargaining in America: The Jesuit Review (bit.ly/bc-am).

February 2, 2018February 2, 2018

How would I find a boyfriend as a guy?

While there are places and apps that make hooking up easy, they don’t work well for someone trying to find a meaningful same-sex relationship. The best way to find a partner is the same for any gender configuration– join groups that bring together people that share your interests or ask friends to introduce you to potential mates. Above all be casual about the process; it always takes longer than you want. Just remember that there is someone out there who is also looking for you, and you will find each other. You might start with BC resources: bit.ly/BCLGBTQ and even the Commonwealth has a website for LGBTQ youth: bit.ly/MA-lgbtq

February 2, 2018February 2, 2018

Is carrot season over?

Vegetable availability often relies on the region you live in – in the North East, carrots are technically a fall season crop, harvested between late July and mid-December. However, carrots are usually available in shops all year round since farmers are able to protect their crops from frost and harvest them during the winter season as well. Additionally, they can be shipped in from other regions when the local harvest is over. You should be able to find carrots quite easily at your local grocer’s or market.

February 1, 2018March 1, 2018

How many languages do you speak? | Also why do u choose this font?

There are speakers of at least 26 languages from Akan to Vietnamese willing to help me out, but if a question comes in in a language that is not one of these, I am shameless in reaching out for help beyond the library! And the font? It made me nostalgic for my old typewriter.

February 1, 2018March 1, 2018

I love this puppy! More pics!

There will surely be more pups! (Watch for many, many pups on February 16, the Chinese Lunar New Year that begins the Year of the Dog. Here’s a preview:

February 1, 2018February 1, 2018

O que é melhor: churrasco ou feijoada?

Well, I have to say I LOVE both. In fact, I am not sure I would choose one over the other. Instead, I would go with a feijoada com churrasco de Chão e farofa… Ah, e uma caipirinha feita com uma boa cachaça… Simplesmente delicioso!

February 1, 2018February 1, 2018

Should I go to Ecuador?/Will my parents let me by Feb 5? Who knows!

Ecuador sounds like a great adventure. If I weren’t so attached to the Library, I’d book a seat and go with you! I don’t think I know your parents, so in response to your second question, I have to agree… who knows! Just read up on safety and health precautions so you arrive prepared. The U.S. State Department travel site is a great place to start your research. Go to: bit.ly/usdos-ecuador

February 1, 2018February 1, 2018

Will YOU be my Valentine oh dear Answer wall?

I will absolutely be your Valentine, dear human. Please understand, though, that I may be a Valentine for others as well, because I deeply believe that love provides the best foundation.

February 1, 2018February 26, 2018

Why does BCPD claim off campus housing isn’t their territory when we are scared of robberies yet they camp out there on weekends to bust parties?

You’ll get some chances to ask BCPD directly: BCPD is planning to carry out a series of “knock & talks” among off-campus dwellings in conjunction with the Boston Police Dept. The first ones are actually tonight (Wednesday, 2/21). That might be a good time to ask about patrols & parties. There will also be a “Police & Pizza” event tomorrow (2/22) at 2150 Comm Ave, 5-7pm: bit.ly/BCPD-pizza-feb22.

Here is some coverage in The Heights about the BCPD/BPD initiatives & outreach about break-ins among off-campus housing: bit.ly/BC-break-ins

January 31, 2018February 1, 2018

Suggestion: can we make tissues at the circulation desk a thing?

I will make sure my library assistants are made aware of this need.

January 31, 2018February 1, 2018

(in Greek): [redacted], no one is my name

[redacted] οΰτις έμοι γ’όνομα ([redacted], no one is my name) — [redacted]
οΰτις έμοι
γ’όνομα ([redacted], no one is my name)

You’ve gotta watch out for falling rocks when you try that approach. (Odyssey 9.480). bit.ly/bc-odyssey. (p.s. The Wall can’t decide if it’s missing something, but our no-names policy also applies in Ancient Greek. Even if one also claims to have no name)

January 31, 2018January 31, 2018

Admiror, O paries, te non cecidisse, qui tot scriptorium taedia sustineas

Non nobis solum nati sumus. (Cicero, De Officiis 1.22) bit.ly/bc-cicero

January 31, 2018January 31, 2018

How do I ask someone to be my Valentine?

Think of all the risks, and become more comfortable with them. Then just dive in, and say, “Will you be my valentine?” Some kind of object imbued with human sentiments of romance (chocolates, flowers… or perhaps a book, for bookish types…) might sweeten the deal.

January 31, 2018January 31, 2018

Which is worse? Person A who looked at Person B’s phone w/o his permission Or Person B who actually is doing something Shady and got caught by A? A&B are dating polyamorously

If two people have mutually agreed to be in a polyamorous relationship, then having a relationship with another person isn’t “shady” at all. Although they may have rules about openness and honesty that are being violated. It sounds like at least one person in the relationship isn’t actually comfortable with the polyamory, which is something they may want to discuss. However, if the relationship truly is polyamorous, then snooping would be a violation of trust and privacy. It is possible for both people to be at fault here: Person A for snooping and Person B for cheating (if the relationship isn’t an open one). Both need to take responsibility for their actions if they want the relationship to move past this.

January 30, 2018January 30, 2018

What does a guy have to do around here to get a snow day?

The Wall believes the weather has to be hazardous to humans, rather than just annoying, for BC to close. You can also try one of the snow day superstitions, such as sleeping with your pajamas on backwards, a spoon under the pillow, or flushing an ice cube down the toilet. (Though I wouldn’t count on it!) Ask again if you’d like a more detailed answer.

January 29, 2018January 29, 2018

Can we get a hot water boiler in the library please

You are not the first to request this. Library staff met with people to determine the logistics and cost. Apparently it is not so simple or cheap. I’ll forward your request and try to start the conversation yet again, even if I end up IN hot water rather than supplying it.

January 29, 2018January 29, 2018

Hi powerful Wall, Do u know what is WMD short for :)

Did you write WMD? I love Wikipedia for those pesky acronyms and initialisms. Search Wikipedia, and you will likely land on a disambiguation page like this: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WMD. Which, in this case, tells me it might be short for: weapon of mass destruction or weighted mean in statistics or wiggle-match-dating or wiggle matching in carbon dating or Westmead railway station, Sydney, Australia, station code or Wymondham railway station, Wymondham, England, station code or World Malaria Day!

January 29, 2018February 1, 2018

Why is the mens room on the first floor of O’Neil now a family room.

Facilities Management designated approximately 50 single-occupant restrooms across campus as gender neutral. The single-occupant bathrooms at O’Neill’s first and third floors were among the bathrooms that received this new designation. The Library will submit your feedback.

January 29, 2018January 29, 2018

Answer Wall! It’s so good to be back!

It’s wonderful to have you back! We don’t like to be left behind when you travel, so do know that many of our resources are available across the globe. Go in through the library homepage (library.bc.edu), and you should be able to access our ejournals, eBooks, and databases. Reference help is also available by email, phone and 24/7 chat at libguides.bc.edu/ask-a-librarian.

January 29, 2018January 29, 2018

How to start my own religion?

All you have to do is believe you’ve found The Truth. Oh, do you want other people to follow it? In that case, you have to believe utterly in the truth, have sufficient charisma that a few stalwarts begin to support you, and your message, values, and practices have to appeal to enough people that you gain a significant number of followers. If you want your religion to last beyond your own lifetime, that’s when it gets really tricky: you’ll need some sacred texts and/or objects, ritual language and practices, and an inner core of trusted believers to carry the torch beyond your demise. For more info, read Max Weber On Charisma & Institution Building (O’Neill Library HM131 .W38).