B9
The Heights
Monday, October 25, 2010
Humor
College Connections
A wolf in sheep’s clothing
Dustbowl goodbyes are bittersweet
Mike Wolf Sure, Boston College. Okay. Stokes Commons … right. I really can’t believe you think you can pull the wool over our eyes like this. Maybe you’ll trick a few kids, but not this one. I’m not going to be silent and pretend like the “construction of Stokes Commons” isn’t a cover-up. I didn’t get my Faith, Peace and Justice minor by being idealistic and gullible. Students deserve to know the truth. You can’t just throw up a big green fence and hide your intentions. This is bigger than you and me, BC. This might even be worse than when we found out that no one in the theology department has actually ever met God. Now, I’m usually not one for fear mongering or scare tactics, but I think the suspicious demolition of the Dustbowl calls for wild speculation and mass hysteria. Here’s what I am almost positive is really going on: dinosaurs. What do I mean? Has it occurred to you that perhaps BC found out that our school was built over mass deposits of hundreds of dinosaur bodies? T-rexes and brontesori used to roam like crazy all over Chestnut Hill. Until they died in the Flood or something. Now, their bones are buried under the Dustbowl. Think about it. Why else would they have all that heavy machinery digging down, tearing up the earth? Unless Stokes is going to be exclusively for BC’s subterranean community, things just aren’t adding up. But why is this being kept secret, you ask? Why not share the exciting news with the student body and finally give the pre-archeology students something to do? Oil, that’s why. Some of those dinosaur bones must have melted into oil or whatever and now BC officials are going to be rolling in it. If it’s kept secret, then BC doesn’t have to report the earnings and pay taxes on them. So they’ll use some of the money to throw up a shoddy new building (Stokes Commons … more like HOAX Come-on!) and put the rest in their back pockets. I guarantee you that within the next 10 years, all faculty and administrative offices will be redone entirely out of velvet and silk, while the student body is still paying $15 for a buffalo chicken sub. The other possibility is that the biology department is in on this one. Getting a little cloning action in. BC might very well be secretly harvesting the DNA of dead dinosaurs so they can reanimate them and build a dinosaur theme park on Newton Campus. We should be able to have a say in whether we clone a triceratops or an ankylosaurus first. Meanwhile, this is all kept hush-hush so Father Leahy can be the first one to ride around on a raptor. Selfish. So what if I don’t have any hard proof and can’t back up my claim? So what if several medical professionals have told me that I suffer from acute megalomania and extreme delusions and paranoia? So what if I haven’t left my room in weeks and will do anything for a little bit of attention and / or excitement? Next time you walk around the “construction site,” don’t just look at the big green wall of lies. Look through it.
Francesca Bacardi
you should strive to make your friends’ birthdays the best they can be. College adds new challenges for doing so, but a fantastic day is definitely achievable. Think about what your friend likes best, and expand your ideas into a full day of fun. Your friend will be thankful and happy to celebrate such a good birthday away from home.
Remember that time we didn’t have the Dustbowl anymore? Oh wait, I do, and I think the entire campus does as well because it’s right now and lasting for approximately the next two years. Remember that time all we got was a simple e-mail from the administration basically saying, “Oh, hey! By the way, starting Monday, the Dustbowl will officially be shut down for two years. Welcome Stokes with open arms when it’s finally here!” Let me start off by saying in no way am I slandering the 10-year Institutional Master Plan (IMP) that has been in the works forever and has been talked about for even longer. I couldn’t be more excited for what will eventually be the new Boston College, with its bigger and better facilities. Granted, I will no longer be a student here and won’t be able to enjoy the renovations, but at least I will be able to say I attended this fine institution. What I am not excited for, however, is the lack of greenery on campus. The Dustbowl is iconic in so many ways, and now all that is left of it is an ugly, tall fence with bulldozers and piles of dirt. With the Dustbowl gone, where are we supposed to do the stereotypical college activities that we all dreamt about as high school students? You know what I’m talking about – throwing a Frisbee on the grass, reading in the shade, lying out and catching the few rays that are left before the dreaded New England winter … all of that now taken away with a simple e-mail two days before the imminent closure. With the Dustbowl such a key aspect of our campus, you would think the administration would give us a touch more warning before fencing off our little bit of green space. First, it was Gasson Hall. Sure, I don’t mind having class in McElroy, the O’Connell House, or any other unusual locale this semester, but what I do mind and I’m sure others probably do as well, is the inconvenience of the closing of Gasson on top of the Dustbowl. I understand that the renovations had to start sometime, and inconveniences were unavoidable, but on a campus that pretty much consists of zero greenery aside from those two small spaces next to Bapst Library and St. Mary’s, taking away the Dustbowl is practically a tragedy. Sure, the Brighton Campus exists and there is certainly far more grass over there than anywhere on the Upper, Middle, Lower and probably Newton Campuses, but no one thinks to go there because there is nothing over there that a BC student would be interested in (that is, until BC completes the IMP). As a freshman, I traversed Comm Ave. to go to the Theology and Ministry Library for my theology class’ final paper (not because I was an overly ambitious student, but because we had go there to research instead of having class). I can still remember, to this day, thinking about how much more open space they had than Main Campus, but I was honestly so distracted by the curvy roads and confusing layout that I just kept on trekking, trying to find the mysterious Theology and Ministry Library that I didn’t notice anything else at the time. After that journey, I never returned to that campus and I’m now a junior. The last thing I heard about it is that there is a garden that students can make use of as part of BC’s efforts to be “green,” which is probably the most ironic thing I’ve ever heard. I really commend all of BC’s efforts to become a “green” campus, especially the students who run the green organizations, such as EcoPledge. To be green requires a lot of effort on different fronts – recycling, conserving energy, water, etc. – and EcoPledge promotes all of that through the various events it hosts and other efforts it puts forth. However, it just seems odd to me that with all of these noteworthy green initiatives, we have zero green to enjoy for ourselves. Instead, we have cranes, smog, too much dirt, and a lot of loud noise. Like I admitted earlier, I know the renovations had to commence at some point, and destruction of the greenery was inevitable, but I wish students had a place to just relax outside while the weather is still warm, and someplace to return to come springtime. Without the Dustbowl, spring at BC just won’t be the same.
Megan Cain is staff columnist for The Heights. She welcomes comments at features@bcheights.com
Francesca Bacardi is a staff columnist for The Heights. She welcomes comments at features@bcheights.com
Ceclila Provvedini/For the Heights
The Head of the Charles is an annual event that attracts student atheletes from across the country, around the world, and of different skill levels.
Charles, from B10 atmosphere is very lively and the race is just a lot of fun.” In order to compete, the BC women’s varsity crew and men’s club crew both invest themselves fully in the sport. Both teams endure 5:00 a.m. practices six mornings a week plus supplemental weight and cardiovascular workouts. The teams are also required to keep a rigorous summer workout schedule to assist in a smooth adjustment to the season. The teams consist of rowers of mixed experience levels, allowing student athletes to experience the sport and its camaraderie regardless of their skill level. BC competed against many teams, including those from Boston University, Harvard, Queens College in Canada, and even a team from Germany. The Regatta is a unique chance for rowers to gain exposure to different teams and take part in a special tradition. Rowers and crew fans alike are united over the course of the weekend to share the spirit along the Charles. “I started rowing at BC without any prior experience, but came to love the sport,” Charnowski says. “This year is my third on the team. Crew challenges me daily, and I have grown tougher both physically and mentally. My teammates are some of my best friends. As a team, we are committed to helping each other through the intense morning practices and grow quite close.” The women’s team consists of 19 rowers, a mixture of walk-ons and recruits. Charnowski attributes the team’s success to the fact that all the women are athletes who thrive on competition. Ross Tremblay, a captain for the men’s team and A&S ’12, shared Charnowski’s team spirit and was eager for the Head of the Charles. Tremblay has been rowing since high school, but truly enjoys racing at the college level at BC. “Most of our team began rowing here at BC, and it has been great to compete at a high level in a sport that requires unity and dedication,” he says. “Since
the start of the season, our training has focused on preparing us for this one race. And even having to deal with several setbacks early in the season, such as a fairly serious injury to one of our captains, we are confident that we’ll turn some heads this weekend.” Boston’s Regatta was designed to harmonize sport with city. The course challenges the participants while offering incredible views of downtown Boston and Cambridge. Starting at the Boston University Boathouse, the course stretches for three miles, passing underneath five bridges and following the shores of Cambridge. Spectators line the five bridges, and the banks of the river are flooded with white tents of refreshments and other vendors. Racing enthusiasts, family and friends of participants, and those just looking for a fun event, are able to take part in the Boston tradition, even if they are not the ones competing. Rachel McMonagle, A&S ’12, went to the Head of the Charles for the first time this year and enjoyed the experience. “The Regatta was a very picturesque scene, with the skyline in the background of the river,” she says. “It was great to see people from all over the country in one spot cheering on the teams and participating. I saw athletes from high schools and colleges all over the country.” Allie Bowman, A&S ’13, went to the Regatta both Saturday, to support her roommate on the BC team, and Sunday, to see a cousin participating in the high school races. “Seeing how the race process worked was really interesting, and having BC there made it even that more special,” she says. “I thought it was great to see a sport that doesn’t get as much publicity. The amount of support around at the Charles this weekend was so cool.” Spectator support is a great part of the Head of the Charles atmosphere, and is incredibly important for the athletes throughout the course. Rowing is a demanding sport, and requires stamina and dedication. With a course of only three miles, the competing teams aim to
Mike Wolf is a staff columnist for The Heights. He welcomes comments at features@bcheights.com
finish the race in less than 18 minutes. The Charles is more than just rowing, though. The race incorporates obstacles composed of fellow boats, bridges, and buoys that all contribute to making the navigation difficult. The course requires skill as well as strength, making the championship title quite impressive. “During every single workout and race, there’s a point where each individual has to make a decision to either submit to the physical pain and decrease his effort, or to refocus and disregard the discomfort,” Tremblay says. “Getting past this mental barrier is one of the most difficult parts of the sport, yet necessary for success. The best part of rowing is knowing that everyone in your boat gave the race everything they had.” Coaches, watching from the banks of the river, find race day to be both extremely stressful and rewarding. They must trust in their team’s preparation as well as the knowledge of each boat’s coxswains, the team members who essentially coach the boat from the water, giving instructions and warnings. Coffin has rowed for 12 years and is currently part of Union Boat Club in Boston. He enjoys sharing his love for the sport with the athletes, as well as cultivating more fans. “Coaching at Boston College is the realization of one of my great ambitions,” Coffin says. “I have always regarded my coaches as key figures in my life. Naturally, I have always wanted to be one. I couldn’t ask for a better group of athletes, and watching the team’s energy and numbers grow has been extremely gratifying.” Even with the Head of the Charles now complete, the rowing teams will continue to wake up at the crack of dawn and get in their boats for tough practices for the rest of the season. The time spent in the boats this past weekend will provide fond memories as well as motivation for future triumphs. The Head of the Charles clearly shows that crew is more than simple sport; it is a lifestyle and a well-honored tradition here at BC and beyond. n
Ceclila Provvedini/For the Heights
How-To
Ways to make birthdays special away from home Megan Cain
We’ve all been there. The clock ticks from 11:59 p.m. to 12 a.m., and we hope that there are knocks on the door, a buzzing phone full of new text messages, or balloons hung in the room. Birthdays. Everyone has one, and for a lot of people, it occurs during the school year. There are no parents around to bake a cake or throw a party with clowns. Most people would agree that they like their birthday to be a special day, so here is how you can make your friend’s birthday the best day yet, even while away at school. Try to be the first to wish your friend a happy birthday. This can be done in several ways. The easiest one is to send a text message at midnight, and while this is simple, it can really go a long way. If 10 people send your friend a text right at the beginning of her birthday, it makes her feel special (and not to mention popular). A more personal way of wishing your friend happy birthday is to show up at her dorm room at midnight, yell “Happy birthday!” and make a big fuss that she is now a year older. The idea is to let her know that you remembered her birthday … without having Facebook tell you about it. Decorate. Hang balloons, make posters, and put them on her door or inside her room if you can. Try to center the decorations on a particular
theme that resembles something she likes. This theme could be anything from her favorite movie to the sport she plays. She’ll notice the attention you gave to her interests and appreciate the thought you put into decorating for her birthday. Also, decorating her door will attract more attention to her birthday from floormates, ensuring extra happy birthday wishes. Another way to really draw attention is to put a large “Happy birthday” sign in the window, facing the outside. This is especially effective if you have a big bay window in Vandy or 90. With all of the decorations, she won’t forget that it is her special day. Make cards. These are a fun way to be creative and also express why the birthday person is a great friend. You can make them yourself or buy them, even at the bookstore. From humor to general wishes, cards never cease to make the birthday person happy. Don’t forget to include the date and year on the inside of the card. Some people like to save their cards to look back on them as a memento, and the year is crucial in remembering the experience. Buy or make a cake, or whatever treat your friend desires. We all have sweet memories of our families baking us birthday cakes, or of our elementary school classmates bringing in cupcakes to celebrate their birthdays. Why change that once you get to college? Dessert is a key component of the birthday celebration, so take note of your friend’s fro-yo flavor of choice
or favorite cookie and transform those tastes into a delicious birthday treat. Gather her friends to sing “Happy Birthday” around the cake. Add some candles, and let her make a wish! Just don’t set off the fire alarm. Make unique gifts. The fact that many college students are short on money should not stop you from giving your friend a gift on her birthday. There is really no need to buy a present from the store. Get creative. Think of things that make your friend happy. Maybe it’s the funniest inside jokes you share, her favorite TV show, or BC hockey. Oftentimes, making a gift for your friend that is unique to her personality turns out even better than a store bought gift, and it shows that you know what your friend is all about, both inside and out. Give them attention. Your friend’s birthday is the one day that you need to give up telling your hour-long story. Let her dominate the conversation. Ask her questions about her life and truly try to show an interest in what she cares about. Make her feel like the most special person in the room. As long as your friend is somebody who likes good attention, remember to tell other friends about her birthday. Before your friend knows it, she will be receiving birthday wishes from everyone. Most people want their own birthday to be special and one of the best days of the year. For the same reasons,
Michael Saldarriaga/Heights Editor