As a wall, I’ve never had coffee myself. But my human friends make a good argument that the Chocolate Bar in Stokes has the best coffee, followed closely by Hillside.
Best coffee on campus?
Please help me understand why students care more about late night changes than racist incidents on campus?
It must be frustrating when others don’t share or voice your pressing, legitimate concerns. But people can also care about a multitude of things. That person who cares about late-night might also care about racist incidents, but might need this very reminder. Nor is their concern for late-night necessarily universal. Keep having conversations about what’s important to you, and find people who help amplify those concerns. I know it can be tiring. To keep your faith in humanity, focus on the times that earn your faith more than the times that don’t.
Quid est veritas?
According to the poet, truth is beauty, and that is all you need to know. bit.ly/bc-keats
I’m really stressed about applying to my study abroad program, because I think I might miss a deadline.
Hang in there! Breathe! There is a lot going on at the beginning of the semester and it can be difficult to find the time for everything. I understand there is a Study Abroad Fair on Sept. 12 (Conte Forum, 6-8 pm), where you will be able to speak with program reps, faculty, and returning students. If you can make this event (put it in your schedule now!) perhaps their advice and guidance on the process would ease some of the stress. Hopefully, things will calm down a bit for you but if time management is a problem, you may want to seek some tips at the Connors Family Learning Center (just down the stairs and straight ahead). <3
Favorite quote?
“There are four kinds of people in the world, Ms. Harper. Those who build walls. Those who protect walls. Those who breach walls. And those who tear down walls. Much of life is discovering who you are. ” P.S. Baber
How do I find a career thats right for me if I’m best at reading/writing?
Reading and writing are excellent skills to have; they are needed in a variety of careers, from journalists to teachers to best-selling novelists to publishing jobs to lawyers to … the list is almost endless. Which one to choose? You might try investigating a few of the career paths that sound interesting to you. Go on informational interviews. See if you can shadow someone for a day. Try to find a way to *do* the work: look for an internship or volunteer. It’s really difficult to narrow down career choices: the Career Center (bit.ly/BC-career) can be a great resource to help you sort it out.
What is the point of life? – J.S. Bach
When you come to a fork in the road, take it. –Abraham Lincoln
#HowStopPriestSexualAbuse?
That is tough to answer within Post-It length. There is a social science literature on the subject (bit.ly/bc-abuse-prevention), Many books have been written on clergy sexual abuse in the last decade, and most attempt to make suggestions for how to make things better (bit.ly/bc-clergy-sexual-abuse). A BC faculty member, Thomas Groome from the School of Theology and Ministry, was recently part of a conversation about the Pennsylvania grand jury report and responses to it (bit.ly/bc-on-point). For thoughtful Jesuit-informed discussion of this and other issues, America Magazine is a useful place to go: bit.ly/bc-america
Please help me understand why they’re changing late night!
Dining Services made the changes partly because of staffing issues, but partly because the move presented an opportunity. Some menu changes are still in the works based on feedback they received through class year Facebook pages. Watch for more news coming soon from Dining Services.
How to get to BC?
To parody the old Carnegie Hall joke: Study, study, study! More seriously, if you are wondering how to become a BC student, check out the admissions website (bit.ly/BC-admissions). They have information about BC (is it the right school for you?), the kinds of things they consider when making the decision (it’s more than just grades), and different ways to visit the campus and get to know more. The Wall wishes you all the best!
Favorite Pink Floyd Album?
A Momentary Lapse of Reason… Just kidding! My favorite Pink Floyd album is…drumroll please… The Wall
Where can I get alcohol?
Alcohol licensing in MA is pretty arcane. It is generally divided into 2 categories: retail and on-site consumption, and those are sub-divided into “Wine and Beer only” and “Wine, Beer, and Liquor”. Each city has a finite number of each kind of license to sell, after which no one else can serve/sell alcohol. Walking distance from campus are 2 bars: CitySide and Mary Ann’s which both serve alcohol. Reservoir Wine and Spirits is the closest retail outlet.
How to find a girlfriend/boyfriend?
Be yourself! Get to know people: chat with people in your class while waiting for the professor. Offer to buy someone coffee or share a table at lunch. Join a few clubs and get to know everyone. The more people you get to know, the more likely you’ll find someone special. Oh, one final thing: did you ever notice how it’s hard to talk to someone when their staring at their phone? That ‘s true for people trying to talk to you, too. Make yourself accessible.
How to be more humorous?
Read funny books. P.G. Wodehouse’s Right Ho, Jeeves (O’Neill Library PR6045.O53 B75 2000) is one of a classic series of satires of upper-class English gentry. Or you might prefer classic American humor: Mark Twain’s Roughing It (O’Neill Library PS1318 .A1 1996) or Innocents Abroad (O’Neill Library PS1312 .A1 1996) are both humorous travelogues, the first in the American West, and the second in Europe and the Middle East. And watch comedy. Ask your friends who they think is funny, and watch them. If you think they’re funny, too, watch more. Finally, read this article from Psychology Today about how to be funny: bit.ly/8-steps-funny
Be the spirit join the band
I’d love to except for the, you know, marching part. One of the best things about the library in August is listening to band practice down the hill.
What’s your opinion on boba tea?
As a wall, I don’t get to experience that joy, but I asked one of my helpers and she told me it was the perfect marriage of a delicious drink and chewy goodness. It does tend to be pricey, though, so you might want to explore the various make your own recipes on the internet.
I am leaving Boston & the country tonight. Will you miss me?
I will indeed. I hope you will come back to visit sometime (until then you can keep up with me online at library.bc.edu/answerwall). And I wish you much happiness and success and safe travels! <3
Will 45 get impeached – Ben and Jerry
That’s up to the House of Representatives.The impeachment of President Clinton in 1998 was voted on by the House after a recommendation by the House Judiciary Committee, so the Wall would watch for developments there and for statements by its members. Here’s the list: bit.ly/bc-house-judiciary. If you’re interested in the details of how it has worked with prior presidential impeachments, our Hein Online database has a nice collection of documents: bit.ly/bc-impeach
What is the best dorm on campus? Do you like your life as a wall??? :)
Though as a wall I’m predisposed to think walls make the dorm, I suppose it’s actually the occupants who make any dorm the best dorm. IOW, I’m guessing that award would change from year to year. Students do heartily wish to get into the “mods,” though (bit.ly/BC-mods), perhaps because they’re a little more like houses than dorms. Yes, I love my life as a wall, especially now that I get to express myself and answer questions. (You know the expression “if walls could talk”? Let’s just say few buildings would be very quiet.)
Is there somewhere on campus where I can pick up old newspapers/Chronicle issues to use for packing & moving?
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.