BOSTON COLLEGE LIBRARIES AND SPECIAL ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

BC has a first-rate extensive library system consisting of seven service centers on the Chestnut Hill and Newton campuses. The O’Neill Library is the largest and most extensive and serves as the main library service facility. All of the library administrative offices, except those for the Law Library, are also located here. While being the principal study spot for students, O’Neill is also known to be conducive to a number of non-academic activities. The third floor is especially known as a place to meet people and socialize, yet surprisingly, most parts of the library are still quiet enough to study. Due to the fact that the couches and chairs are very comfortable, one often tends to feel relaxed and at home.

For those who require limited distractions, Bapst Library is the best place to study. The dim lighting, painted glass windows, and wood and stone walls tend to foster academic thought (or at least something resembling it).

In addition to the libraries on campus, BC is also a member of the Boston Library Consortium and the Boston Theological Institute. Because of these memberships, BC students have full use of the Boston Public Library and the Massachusetts State Library. Library services (including borrowing books) at the

following campuses are also available to BC students: Boston University, M.I.T., Northeastern University, Tufts University, University of Massachusetts, and Wellesley College. If you want to travel further you also have borrowing privileges and access to the University of Connecticut and Williams College libraries as well. You may gain admission to any of these libraries by showing a valid BC ID. You should ask a librarian at O’Neill for more information about borrowing books from those libraries.

Most of the resources at the libraries are easily accessed from anywhere in the world by choosing the libraries home page to begin your exploration: http://www.bc.edu/libraries/. The Quest catalog provides information on books, journals, microforms, media, and special collections available at the eight libraries at Boston College, including the holdings of the geophysics library at Weston as well as those of St. John’s Seminary. On campus, all libraries have computers for your use in accessing the resources, but you can also use your laptop if it’s equipped with a wireless card.

LIBRARIES

Bapst Library

Phone: x23200

Bapst Library is named for the first president of Boston College and was the original library on campus. It currently is the Art Library and provides the home to resources in Art and Art History for the entire BC community. The new Bapst Student Gallery opened in 2004 and holds exhibits that highlight the creative works of Boston College students. If you want a quiet place to study, Bapst is the place to go. Known as the “quiet library,” there are three floors of different study environments, including individual study carrels and spacious tables for over 400 students. The Graduate Research and Study Space is located in the mezzanine in the Kresge Reading Room. Graduate students can check out computers loaded with software to work on their assignments. Lockers, copy machines, including a color copier, and scanners are also available.

The John J. Burns Library of Rare Books and Special Collections

Phone: x23282

Burns Library is internationally recognized as the premier repository for Irish materials in the United States. Students are cordially invited to use the collections or simply to view library exhibits. A Memorial Labyrinth for alumni lost on 9/11, located on the front lawn of this library, was constructed and dedicated in 2003.

This library is accessible from the Comm. Ave. doors of Bapst and houses some 130,000 volumes and over 15 million manuscripts in a beautiful, secure, and climate-controlled space. Holdings include unique, illuminated, medieval manuscripts; examples of the earliest printed books; original manuscripts of Nobel Prize winning authors William Butler Yeats, Samuel Beckett, George Bernard Shaw, and Seamus Heaney; and the library and papers of Graham Greene. Of special note are collections of the authors Francis Thompson and Hilaire Belloc; the Irish Collection; the Williams Ethnological Collection (Caribbean and West African cultures); the congressional papers of Thomas P. Tip O’Neill, Jr., Robert F. Drinan, S.J., Edward F. Boland, and Margaret Heckler; the Jesuitana Collection; the Rev. William J. Leonard, S.J. Liturgy and Life Collection; and Balkan Collection.

Educational Resource Center

Phone: x24920

Located in Campion Hall, the Educational Resource Center (ERC) serves

the specialized resource needs of the School of Education faculty and students. The center includes a high technology classroom for use in teaching methods courses, a hands-on workroom to enable students to make teaching materials such as posters, charts, etc., a computer area with the latest computers and other technology available to school systems, and an audiovisual area.

The ERC collection consists of children’s literature, elementary and secondary textbooks, psychological and educational tests, curriculum guides, audiovisual materials, instructional manipulatives, educational software, serials, and reference materials relating to the K-12 environment.

The Law School Library

Phone: x24405

The Law School Library, located on the Newton Campus, has a collection of approximately 350,000 volumes of legal and related materials, most of which are non-circulating. It includes primary source materials consisting of reports of decisions and statutory materials with a broad collection of secondary research materials in the form of textbooks and treatises, legal and related periodicals, legal encyclopedias, and related reference works. The library possesses substantial and growing collections of international and comparative law works. The law library also subscribes to LEXIS and WESTLAW for computer-assisted legal research. Access to LEXIS and WESTLAW is restricted to students currently enrolled in the law school.

Boston College Law School faculty, students, staff, and all faculty of Boston College have access to the Law Library facility and collection. Boston College students and staff who are engaged in research or studies that require the use of legal material also may use the Law Library. Students should be prepared to present their BC ID and sign in. Alumni of Boston College Law School and of Boston College may have access to the library and may use law library materials on site.

The Newton Resource Center

Phone: x24412

The Newton Resource Center is located on the lower level of Trinity Chapel on the Newton Campus. It is a very quiet place to study. Open to all students, it is intended to serve primarily as a study area for undergraduates who live on the Newton Campus. The center maintains a small reference collection and a selection of current newspapers and journals. There are also computers and a printer available for student use.

The Newton Resource Center also houses the majority of O’Neill’s circulating books in the A sections and the Z sections of the collection. Requests for any material to be delivered to the O’Neill Library may be made online.

O’Neill Library

Phone: x24470

The Thomas P. O’Neill, Jr. Library is named in honor of the famous BC alumnus, former Massachusetts Congressman and Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.† There is a permanent exhibit honoring the life and work of the Speaker on the second level which is worth checking out.† The Thomas P. O’Neill, Jr. Library contains the main research collection for the University. The collection consists of over 1.6 million volumes, more than 13,000 active serials, a large government documents collection, and materials in audiovisual formats, including a music and video collection.

The Electronic Information Center (EIC), located on the main (entrance) floor, is your connection to the world of information. Over fifty workstations provide access to Quest, the libraries' information system.

The reference collection, circulation desk, interlibrary loan, course reserves, current periodicals, and a document services center are also located on the entrance level. The circulating collection can be found on the entrance level and the two levels above it.† Microform materials and government documents are on level one.† The Media Department and the Connors Family Learning Center, a peer to peer tutoring center, are on level two.

Social Work Library

Phone: x23233

This library contains a comprehensive collection of materials focusing on professional social work practice, including clinical social work, social policy/planning and administration, social research methods, and the social aspects of health care, gerontology, substance abuse, racism, and other current issues. The collection includes 38,000 volumes, 300 serial subscriptions, and 250 videos. Two full-time librarians are available to assist students with research questions in social work, social policy, and related subjects. Located in McGuinn Hall, the Social Work Library serves the entire Boston College community.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Office of AHANA Student Programs

Phone: x23358

Located at 72 College Road, the Office of AHANA (African-American, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American) Student Programs (OASP) seeks to promote the academic achievement of undergraduate students of AHANA descent through performance monitoring, advising, tutorial assistance, special workshops, and other services.† During the summer, OASP sponsors the Options Through Education Transitional Summer Program, which familiarizes entering AHANA students with Boston College’s academic and administrative resources, strengthens their scholastic skills, and acquaints them with the surrounding community.

Center for International Partnerships and Programs (CIPP)

Phone: x23827

International study opportunities exist for BC students in all fields at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Study abroad enables students to gain new perspectives on their field(s) of study, acquire cross-cultural awareness, improve foreign language proficiency, and live in challenging environments that stimulate both personal and intellectual growth.

Boston College administers 70+ academic year, semester, and summer programs through their network of partner universities in more than 30 countries. Beyond BC's own programs, students may also consider approved external programs administered by other U.S. universities and organizations, as well as direct enrollment in approved foreign universities.

Boston College believes that study abroad should be fully integrated into the BC major whereby students build a strong foundation in their discipline, undertake progressive coursework abroad, and return to BC for upper level courses and seminars. BC also strongly encourages students to incorporate study abroad into thesis research, service learning, and fellowship candidacy. Therefore, students should begin planning for study abroad in the freshman year.

CIPP works closely with departments to pursue full integration of study abroad, to maintain clear study abroad guidelines, and to inform faculty of developments within BC's partner institutions. The A&S Junior Class Dean and CIPP advisors collaborate to monitor the academic standing and progress of A&S students before, during, and after study abroad.

A&S students must meet the following criteria to be eligible for study abroad:

• An overall GPA of 3.2 or higher

• Good progress towards meeting core requirements

• The equivalent of one year of the language proficiency requirement

• Good progress towards completing major requirements.

The basic steps for study abroad are:

• Attend the CIPP Study Abroad Fair on Wednesday, September 21, 2005

• Attend a CIPP Study Abroad Information Session (offered every Monday and Thursday throughout the academic year)

• Research program opportunities and major requirements

• Schedule an appointment with a CIPP International Study Abroad Advisor (ISA)

• Under the guidance of an International Study Abroad Advisor (ISA),

students select a program of study abroad, complete an application, and obtain department and college clearance.

For more information, please contact CIPP at Hovey House, 258 Hammond St., (617)552-3827 or visit www.bc.edu/international. Director: Marian B. St. Onge

Honors Program (A&S)

Phone: x23315

The Honors Program within the College is one of the oldest in the country. It was started in 1958 to challenge superior students to work to the best of their potential, to provide a more integrated approach to the core subjects which all Boston College students are required to take, and to organize these studies historically, in the belief that students should have a solid foundation for the more specialized studies they subsequently do in their majors.

There are also honors programs in the Carroll School of Management, the School of Nursing, and the School of Education. Their requirements differ from those of the A&S Honors Program.

The A&S Honors Program offers gifted students a comprehensive liberal arts curriculum. A small percentage of entering A&S freshmen (about 150) are invited to join the program each year based on their high school and aptitude test performances. Occasionally, sophomores enter this program through a recommendation.

Honors students complete a major in a regular A&S department while satisfying additional honors requirements. To remain in the program, students must ordinarily maintain a 3.4 GPA. Submission of an honors thesis during senior year under the oversight of a department professor is optional. If you see seniors frantically working away at the library in March and April, do not be misled. They are not seniors studying for finals (a tough task for the 2nd semester senior), but they are more likely Honors students trying to get that thesis completed.

Irish Studies

Together with the Irish Institute and the Irish Collections at the Burns Library, Irish Studies is a component of the Center for Irish Programs at Boston College, which is headquartered at Connoly House on the Chestnut Hill campus and includes a Dublin office and meeting facility at 42 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin.

The Irish Studies Program offers undergraduate students a diverse, challenging, and rewarding curriculum. The program is committed to providing the highest standard of undergraduate and graduate education in the field of Irish studies in North America. Within the wider university community, the program is committed to providing access to Irish culture, history, art, and politics through courses, symposia, exhibits, and concerts.

Beyond the university, the program will continue to serve as the leader and standard bearer in the field of Irish studies. The Irish Studies Music Program works both within the university and without by encouraging the study and performance of Irish music.

The program develops and oversees graduate and undergraduate courses and

degrees related to Ireland; organizes cultural and political programs; develops initiatives locally and worldwide pertaining to Ireland; collaborates with the Center for International Studies for student programming and faculty exchanges in Ireland; and collaborates with History, English, Fine Arts, Music, Black Studies, the University Libraries, the Law School, the School of Education, and the McMullen Museum on Irish programming.

Pre-Law Program

Phone: x23273

While there is no formal requirement or major for the Pre-Law Program, it offers a variety of services for those interested in pursuing a law degree. Advisement on courses, information on Law Schools and Law Services, instruction on application procedures, Deans’ Recommendations, and assistance in choosing the right law school are among the services available through the program. Also, the Pre-Law Program has an LSAT preparation course as an alternative to outside preparation courses. The cost for the course is approximately $50.

You may be listed in the Pre-Law Program on your transcript by turning in a form available at the Registrar’s Office. For more information, contact the office of the Pre-Law Advisor, Dean Joseph Burns at x23273.

Premedical/Predental/Preveterinary Program

Phone: x24663

Similar to the Pre-Law Program, the Premedical/Predental/Preveterinary Program is not a major. Rather it is a program of study guided by advisors who help students prepare for further education in a health professions graduate school. In contrast to the Pre-Law Program, there is a prescribed group of courses that one must complete in order to fulfill the Premedical/Predental/Preveterinary Program requirements. These courses are: one year of Introductory Biology with lab, one year of General Chemistry with lab, one year of Organic Chemistry with lab, one year of Physics with lab, and one year of English (regardless of advanced placement). In addition, one year of Calculus is highly recommended. These subjects make up the majority of the material on the MCATs and DATs and are, therefore, stressed. Most students take the required courses in the following order: Chemistry, Biology, English, and Calculus during freshman year, Organic Chemistry during sophomore year, and Physics during junior year. Note that every student is different and it may take three or four years to complete the required courses. These requirements still leave plenty of room for electives, especially during junior and senior years.

A faculty advising committee oversees the program, which is chaired by Dr. Robert Wolff in the Biology Department. This committee provides a variety of advising and counseling programs that help prepare students for their eventual applications to health professions graduate school. The Premedical Office is located in Higgins Hall, Room 648. The staff in the office can answer many of your questions. The office also provides a variety of advising packets (e.g. “Freshman Packet”) which are extremely useful. Call x24663 for details or visit their web site at www.bc.edu/premed

The Program for the Study of Faith, Peace, and Justice

Phone: x23886

This program offers students the opportunity to examine how the promises of the major faith traditions relate to the work for peace and justice. This program, assembled by the student with advice of an FPJ faculty advisor and requiring the approval of the FPJ Director, follows a sequence of three stages: (1) general introduction, (2) structured exploration, and (3) integrative synthesis. The Program sponsors courses, campus events, and special activities for its participants. A&S or CSOM students who meet the academic requirements of the Program may minor in Faith, Peace, and Justice Studies. Alternatively, students may choose to concentrate on faith, peace, and justice concerns within their major field. In either case, the same pattern applies (i.e. an introductory course, UN 160 The Challenge of Justice, four intermediate courses taken with the advice and consent of the Director, and finally, UN 590 the Senior Seminar Project). For further information, contact Prof. Matthew Mullane (Gasson 109), x23886.

PULSE Program

Phone: x23495

This program provides students with an opportunity to combine social advocacy and service field work in the community with academic study. Students can satisfy all of their core requirements in Philosophy and Theology through a year-long course entitled Person and Social Responsibility. The core course is not open to seniors. Elective PULSE courses can be taken at any time. Availability is on a first come, first serve basis. PULSE courses are offered every year at various times.

Through field placements, students can encounter and respond to a wide range of social problems. Placements are chosen according to the availability of reliable supervision and the opportunity for significant student involvement. There are over fifty different service placements.

Besides the class, PULSE courses require 10-12 hours of service per week. For field work, students may choose from a number of areas of social work, which include the following: Rosie’s Place (a shelter for homeless women); Cambridge Guidance Center (a big-brother/big-sister opportunity for special children); and the Suffolk County House of Correction. For most students who have been involved with it, PULSE has been a rewarding and worthwhile experience. We highly recommend it! For further information, contact the PULSE office (McElroy Hall, Room 117), x23495.

Reserve Officers Training Corps (R.O.T.C.)

If interested in pursuing and augmenting a college education with R.O.T.C., Boston College students may cross-enroll in Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (Northeastern University host school; Extension Ctr. at BC Carney Hall #113/114). Qualified students may be eligible for four year scholarships which currently pays 100% tuition, some books/fees, and $250-$400 stipend based on class year (Freshman, Sophomore, etc.). Possibilities for 2 or 3 year scholarships exist. Limited A.R.O.T.C. scholarships are also available for qualified School of Nursing students through the Partnership in Nursing Education program (call Dean Loretta

Higgins, 552-4274). BC has a benefits package that comes with the scholarship. For general information, contact Associate Dean D. Michael Ryan, 552-3470, or BC Army R.O.T.C., 552-3230.††Air Force R.O.T.C. is cross-enrolled with Boston University. Qualified students may be eligible for two, three, or four year scholarships, full or partial tuition, some books/fees, and $200-$400 per month stipend while in class. For general information, contact Associate Dean D. Michael Ryan,

552-3470, or the Department of Aerospace Studies, BU, 353-4705.

Navy R.O.T.C. is cross-enrolled at Boston University. Those who qualify may be eligible for three and four year scholarships which pay full tuition, some books/fees, and $250-$400 per month stipend based on class year (Freshman, Sophomore, etc.). For general information, contact Associate Dean D. Michael Ryan, 552-3470, or the Department of Naval Science, BU, 353-4232.

While most Army classes/drills/training are held at BC, all Air Force and Navy activities are at BU. The R.O.T.C. programs can provide such benefits as leadership/management skills, self-discipline and confidence, career opportunities and training, physical fitness, and for those qualified, selected student scholarship opportunities.

University Capstone Courses (UN 500 to UN 599)

A course for seniors: Reserved for seniors and second-semester juniors only, the Capstone Program is designed to cap off college by facing the questions of life after graduation. The Capstone Seminars (UN 500-599) directly address the hopes and anxieties that seniors face but seldom find treated in traditional courses. They relate the life and learning of the past four years to the life and learning ahead. The Capstone Seminars take seriously the struggle to integrate four crucial areas of life: work, relationships, free time, and the search for the purpose of existence.

Ask some inevitable questions now, not later!

How did my education prepare me to live? With everything I want to do, what will I have to compromise? How can I balance my career and my family? Can I find work with a higher meaning than my income?

Special features of the course:

Faculty from 18 different departments

Each section limited to 15-20 students

Class meetings held in leisurely, informal settings

Innovative teaching methods, such as keeping a journal,

interviewing a working person, taking job aptitude

inventories, and/or writing your own autobiography

Interdisciplinary reading

Guest speakers from professional life

See their hot new website for tips on how to register -- and how to get into a Capstone even if you're shut out: www.bc.edu/capstone. The website cues you into the different professors, shows you their syllabi, and lets you compare the Capstones.

To register for a Capstone Seminar, you must be a senior or a second-semester

junior to take the course. Different Capstone Seminars will be offered each semester. All Seminars are interdisciplinary: you may register for any one of the seminars as a University (UN) course. And remember -- several Capstone Seminars are cross-listed, both as University courses with a UN number and also as courses in the department of the professor offering the course. In case a course is closed, be sure to check whether there is space under its cross-listed number. So if, for example, UN 510 is closed, try to register for the class under CO 470, and vice versa. The Seminar counts as an elective for all students, and some Capstones satisfy the Cultural Diversity Requirement. Check out their new website! Or contact the director: Prof. James M. Weiss Telephone (617) 552-3897 Director, Capstone Program, Department of Theology Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467

GRADUATION/HONORS

Graduation

Graduation for seniors who complete all requirements usually takes place in mid-May. The last exams end a week and a half before Commencement Exercises. This week, when only seniors or BC employees are allowed to stay on campus, is known as Senior Week and, for many, it becomes the most memorable time in their four years of college. The Senior Week Committee sponsors a number of elaborate “seniors only” events throughout the week.

A Degree With Honors

Boston College bestows a Latin honor on a pure percentage basis which varies each year. This is determined based on a student’s eight-semester cumulative average as compared to the rest of the graduating class of a school. A degree with a Latin honor is broken down into three groups:

Summa Cum Laude-top 4.5%---95.50%-100.00%

Magna Cum Laude-next 9.5%---86.00%-95.49%

Cum Laude-next 15%---71.00%-85.99%