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How has BC’s administration to faculty spending ratio changed?

How was BC's administration to faculty spending ratio changed?
How has BC’s administration to faculty spending ratio changed?

It depends a little on how you define your terms, but using my friend the BC Factbook you can look at summaries of BC’s finances going back a long way. Since you asked for a ratio I’ll answer broadly. If we define “faculty spending” as including BC’s line items for expenses in Instruction, Academic Support, and Research, the ratio of faculty spending to every other expense at BC has been very steady over the last decade. From 2014 to 2022 it has been as low as 41% in 2021 to as high as 44% in 2016. 1% of a billion dollars is still a lot of money. If you want to look at the details or define things differently, the Factbook and BC’s annual financial statements are available online. https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/offices/institutional-research-planning/institutional-research/fact-book.html

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Who was Mr. Oneil?

Who was Mr. Oneil?
Who was Mr. Oneil?

Tip O’Neill was a 1936 BC graduate who went on to a very distinguished career in state and national politics. He ran for and won John F. Kennedy’s House seat when JFK ran for Senate in 1952, and he served as representative for Cambridge and Boston for sixteen terms. He was elected Speaker of the US House of Representatives from 1977 to 1987. BC honored him many times, and he attended the opening of this library in 1981. Here’s a virtual exhibit my colleagues over at Burns library did to comemorate his life: https://library.bc.edu/burns-exhibits/tip-oneill/

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Got broken up with… how do I differentiate their niceties from renewed interest?

Got broken up with... how do I differentiate their niceties from renewed interest?
Got broken up with… how do I differentiate their niceties from renewed interest?

Be honest and brave and communicate directly. Be clear with yourself how you would react if they were interested in getting back together and whether you would want to be “just friends”. Then… ask them what their intentions are This is a hard conversation to have, but it could save you (both) a long period of frustration and possibly unfounded hopes (on one side or the other.)

If they broke up with you they are probably not interested. Onto the next
If they broke up with you they are probably not interested. Onto the next

It would be nice if the heart were so unambiguous. Sometimes it does take some conversations to get clarity in order to move on.

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Do you think there’s truth to the bell-curve meme? (Things that can be seemingly stupid but actually profound at the same time?)

Someone on the less wise end of the spectrum saying “I just do whatever I feel like” might, without thinking, do something that harms themselves or others & regret it. Someone on the wise end of the spectrum saying the same thing might have more sensible possibilities in mind after years of mindful experience & observation. So a statement that appears to be identical in two cases could have two entirely unrelated meanings with very different assumptions and outcomes.

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How do I improve my work ethic + not procrastinate?

Procrastination often stems from a feeling of being overwhelmed by a task. You might try two things on your own: 1. break the task into smaller tasks. “Write the Paper” is not what belongs on your to-do list. Break it into a dozen steps. 2. Tell your inner critic–the unhelpful one–you don’t need their input right now, you’ll do fine on this task. So what if it’s not the Mona Lisa? It doesn’t have to be a masterpiece, it just has to be done. For help with task management, get an appointment at the CFLC for academic coaching: bit.ly/BC-connors

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Best pizza in Boston?

Best pizza in Boston? I've heard of Regina's, Santarpio's, Umberto's, Ernesto's, and Pino's.
Best pizza in Boston? I’ve heard of Regina’s, Santarpio’s, Umberto’s, Ernesto’s, and Pino’s.

My library helpers have a lot of suggestions, and some of them are ones you already know, and some of them come with extra strong approval!

  • Stoked Pizza Company
    • Stoked in Washington Square (Brookline) has great vegan pizza options!
  • Milano’s in Brighton!
  • you’ve already heard of it, but Pino’s is still the correct answer
  • Same Old Place in Jamaica Plain
  • The Pleasant Cafe in Roslindale is the best!
  • Ziggy’s on Washington for New York style slices
    • Ziggy’s Pizza on Washington Street in Brighton. Total hidden gem. Way better than all the other places listed.
  • Joe’s Pizza – Harvard Square
    • There’s a new Joe’s Pizza at Harvard Square, and it’s just as good as the NYC original. Best to eat it fresh there by the slice!
  • Regina’s 
  • Bill’s Pizzeria – Newton Center
  • Bardos – they do South Shore style pickle pizza!
  • Za in Arlington
  • Pini’s in Waltham!
  • Max & Leo’s
  • Brick House Pizza & Grille in Brighton
  • Tenderoni’s at Fenway is really fun as a group!
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How many bricks are there

How many bricks are there in all of the BC buildings combined???
How many bricks are there in all of the BC buildings combined???

Best I can do is an estimate. According to EagleSpace there are about 200,000 square feet of exterior walls in the academic buildings on BC’s campuses. Depending on the size of the bricks you’re probably looking at 4-6 bricks per square foot.

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Why are my friends not friending anymore?

One thing I have noticed is that people often have more going on in their lives than we ever know. There are many reasons you might not feel like your friends are being friends, and often the best way to find out is to ask them what’s going on.

Why no Mod? [drawing of a broken heart]
Why no Mod? [drawing of a broken heart]

Sorry no mod. ?

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What are your best midterm tips?

What are your best midterm tips?
What are your best midterm tips?

Get enough sleep the night before. Plan out your studying in blocks for each subject and stick to it. Study with a buddy (but make sure they’re serious about it.) Take breaks and give yourself rewards. Attend any review sessions that are offered. Remember that while an exam may look like an overwhelming hurdle, it is not a judgement of you as a person. I have faith in you!