THE
HEIGHTS For a Greater Boston College- est.1919
THE HEIGHTS
www.bcheights.com
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
General Chemistry Professor Neil M. Wolfman Dies at Age 66 By Scott Baker News Editor
Neil Wolfman, a chemistry professor at Boston College, died on Wednesday, according to a family-run blog that provided updates on Wolfman’s health to family, friends, and former students. He was 66. Wolfman went on medical leave from BC at the beginning of the 2019 spring semester after being diagnosed with cancer, returning briefly in the beginning of the fall. “Professor Wolfman was an incredible man,” said Tiffany Brooks, MCAS ’21, in a written tribute to Wolfman. “He always made sure to check in with me and meet with me, even after my time in his class was over. I will forever be grateful for his advice.” Wolfman, who taught general chemistry, instructed many students throughout his years at BC, particularly those in the chemistry department or on the pre-med track. “When I was applying to medical schools, Professor Wolfman gave me his home and cell number saying that he had to be the third phone call when I got accepted after calling my mom and dad,” said Kanwal Ojha, BC ’19, in a written tribute. “The minute I gave him that phone call, he dropped what he was doing in his busy schedule to find me on campus. After he found me and
gave me a big hug, I looked up at him and realized that he had tears in his eyes. “To think that I am just one out of the hundreds of students who Professor Wolfman was so invested in speaks volumes of the lives that he touched and the immense legacy that he has left.” The son of Holocaust survivors, Wolfman was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. and grew up in the Bronx. After graduating from the Bronx High School of Science in New York City, he attended New York University as an undergraduate before moving on to Cornell University for his master’s degree and a doctorate in biophysical chemistry. After graduating, Wolfman began his career in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry. He worked at Pfizer Inc. for 29 years. Wolfman began to feel unsatisfied with his job, he said in a 2014 interview with The Heights. He decided then to return to academia, applying for a part-time position at every university in the Boston area. Wolfman worked as a parttime professor until he became full time in 2013 after retiring from Pfizer. In the 2014 interview, Wolfman said that he fell in love with chemistry at 7 years old after watching an M&M’s dye dissolve in club soda. “I thought, ‘That’s it,’” he said. “I want to dissolve M&M’s in club soda for the rest
of my life.” Just as the M&M’s experiment helped Wolfman along his career path, Wolfman helped students find their own path. “As a very lost senior, Professor Wolfman helped me find my way and my future career as a pediatric nurse practitioner,” said Courtney Gleason, CSON ’20, in a written tribute. “I sat in his office countless times asking for advice and trying to figure out what was important to me in my future and career. I graduate this May in honor of him, because I truly would not be where I am today without his support and guidance. Rest easy NW.” Sara Posada, BC ’18, wrote that Wolfman served as her mentor at BC and was the reason she is studying dentistry at Columbia University. Her first year at BC, she said, hit her hard, as she was living across the country from her family in California and needed to study harder than she ever had. “Spring semester of freshman year, I showed up at Professor Wolfman’s office to ask him for a letter of recommendation so that I could transfer schools,” Posada said. “I was terrified because I didn’t know him that well, and I was scraping by with average grades in his class. He welcomed me in, and despite not knowing me, took the time to ask me about myself and make me feel
EMILY SADEGHIAN / HEIGHTS ARCHIVES
comfortable. Spoiler: I ended up staying at BC, and Professor Wolfman became the person I would go to whenever I wanted any advice or guidance. “He was always honest but caring. He had the best stories to tell and helped me achieve my goals whenever he could, whether it was by giving me someone’s email, writing me a letter of recommendation, putting in a good word for me, or just boosting my confidence. Signing up for Professor Wolfman’s class was the best decision I made at BC, and I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to spend some time
with this amazing, caring, generous man.” In his interview with The Heights, Wolfman described his motto: “Try to do the right thing.” “I can’t say that I’m successful in every single circumstance,” Wolfman said in the interview. “I want to try to do the right thing. I feel that my job here goes beyond teaching the class. I feel like my job here is to enable the success of as many kids as possible, however they define success. I can get no greater satisfaction than that.”
See Wolfman, A3
BC, QuestBridge to Begin Partnership CAB Introduces Boston The organization City Limits Concert matches prospective
low-income students.
By Jack Miller
Heights Senior Staff
The Office of Undergraduate Admissions announced on Thursday that Boston College will partner with QuestBridge, a nonprofit organization that helps low-income students apply to colleges and universities, beginning with the class of 2025. Director of Undergraduate Admissions Grant Gosselin said in an interview with The Heights that the QuestBridge partnership will help an underserved population find their way to BC. “We are looking to always continue to diversify our student body to work toward our efforts around social mobility and helping students continue to find great matches in the college process,” Gosselin said.
The organization successfully placed over 2,000 students from families earning less than $65,000 in 2019—QuestBridge’s 15th year of operation—according to a QuestBridge release. Just over 15 percent of BC students come from such families—the bottom 60 percent of the national income scale, according to a 2017 study by the New York Times. The same study found that about 16 percent of BC students come from families in the top 1 percent, meaning an annual income of $650,000 or more. “We view our responsibility as trying to bring together a class every year that fully represents the world and the country,” Gosselin said. “[Low-income students] are a population that can be difficult to reach, and so QuestBridge seems like the perfect partner for us to try to identify these top students.” Participants must achieve a PSAT or SAT score above 1310 or an ACT score above 28—the 87th and 88th percentile of respective SAT and ACT test-takers,
according to 2019 CollegeBoard and ACT data. “As a proud alumna, I am thrilled that QuestBridge Scholars will have the opportunity to learn, grow, and develop into engaged world citizens within BC’s deep traditions of educating the whole person and living in service to others,” said Miriam Lee, QuestBridge’s Chief Operating Officer and BC ’01, in an email to The Heights. “We are grateful for BC’s commitment to access for outstanding students from low-income backgrounds, and look forward to partnering together to provide life-changing opportunities for our students on the Heights,” Lee added. QuestBridge primarily operates through its matching program, which asks participants to create a ranked list of partner schools, and the schools in turn rank QuestBridge applicants’ desirability. Gosselin said that the matching process can widen the
See QuestBridge, A2
This weekend’s winter concert will take the place of Plexapalooza. By Lauren Wittenmyer Copy Editor
The Campus Activities Board’s (CAB) Boston City Limits concert, which will take place on Saturday at 8 p.m., aims to bring more inclusivity to campus than concerts in the past with its “Electric Soul” theme, according to a statement posted on the CAB Facebook page. Featuring R&B artist DaniLeigh as this year’s headliner, CAB said it hopes to make more students on campus feel included as it branches out to music genres and artists different from those that have been featured in the past. “Boston City Limits hopes to embrace
genres that have not been represented in recent years,” reads the statement. “Boston City Limits: Electric Soul is not only a concert, but an event dedicated to reaching communities on campus who have been traditionally disregarded and silenced. Regardless of ethnicity, religion, ability, gender, sexuality, or race, we want every person at Boston College to feel respected, heard, and seen.” CAB’s winter concert was previously known as Plexapalooza before the Flynn Recreation Complex—known as the “Plex”— was torn down and replaced with the Margot Connell Recreation Center over the summer. It has often featured EDM artists in the past, including RL Grime and Cheat Codes. With the demolition of the Plex, CAB
See BCL, A2
BC Electrician Files Suit Against University, Union Ardeshir Ansari alleged religious discrimination in the suit filed in Nov. By Jack Miller Heights Senior Staff
And Megan Kelly Asst. News Editor
MAGGIE DIPATRI / HEIGHTS EDITOR
Molly Makes Her Mark on Campus
The Labrador retriever puppy frequents the Quad, giving students a much-needed study break during the winter weekdays, see A8.
Ardeshir Ansari, a Boston College electrician, filed a religious discrimination lawsuit against the University and his union, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) 32BJ District 615, in November. The suit involves a policy in the collective bargaining agreement between the union and BC that requires the University to automatically deduct union dues from employees’ paychecks, according to court documents. Ansari, who is Muslim, objects to fi-
METRO
SPORTS
The Seaport’s “Snowport” embraces winter in Boston with festive activities such as ice skating.
This year’s iteration of the Battle of Commonwealth Avenue culminated in a 4-3 win for the Eagles.
A4
A12
THIS ISSUE
ARTS: Big Screen Blues
Compared to nearby schools, BC’s film scene is smaller and less visible................A10
See Ansari, A2
LET IT SNOWPORT
CROSSTOWN CLASH
INSIDE
nancially supporting the union and asked the union to divert his union fees to charity in October 2018, according to court documents. Though union members are typically required to pay dues, Ansari said he believes his religious objection to the union’s activities entitles him to accommodation from the SEUI and BC. In the Supreme Court case Beck v. Communication Workers of America (1988), employers and unions in collective bargaining agreements can require non-union employees to pay fees and dues necessary to fund their representation. Bruce Cameron, a Regent University law professor representing Ansari pro bono on behalf of the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation, declined to comment on Ansari’s specific objection to paying
FEATURES: John DiBello DiBello spent the second half of his junior year in Ecuador working in public health................ A8
INDEX
NEWS......................A2 MAGAZINE............ A8 Vol. CI, No. 1 © 2020, The Heights, Inc. METRO..................A4 ARTS.................... A9 www.bchelghts.com OPINIONS................... A6 SPORTS................ A12 69
The Heights
A2
TOP
3
things to do on campus this week
1
The Boisi Center will be sponsoring a screening of Revolution of the Heart: A Dorothy Day Story in Devlin 101 on Wednesday at 5 p.m. The film’s director, Martin Doblmeier, will be discussing the movie and Dorothy Day herself after the screening.
2
uesday , Jovember anuary 21, MTonday ,N 11, 2020 2019
Dan McFadden of the ACLU of Massachusetts will be visiting McElroy 237 on Thursday at 12 p.m. to discuss the class action suit Pereira Brito v. Barr. A BC Law graduate, McFadden will explore the case’s effects on local immigration detention systems.
3
Ryan Littman-Quinn, the founder of the Botswana-UPenn Partnership Health Informatics Program, will be visiting BC on Thursday to discuss his experiences with U.S. health care and global health systems at 12 p.m. in Carney 452.
NEWS BC, Union Sued for Religious Discrimination BRIEFS Ansari, from A1
The Market Opens at Corcoran
The Market at Corcoran opened on Monday on the first floor of Corcoran Commons, and is meant to be a new convenient way for students to have access to grocery store foods, as well as an alternative to dining hall meals through a pop-up concept. Available at The Market are fresh fruits and vegetables, cooking and baking ingredients, and pre-made meals, among other items. Also served at the Market is Starbucks coffee. In an attempt to give students a break from the monotony of dining hall food, Dining Services also decided to include a pop-up restaurant concept in The Market, which is currently serving a variety of poke bowls. Dining Services’ goal is to change the menu anywhere from two to four times per semester, according to Phyllis Kaplowitz, production manager of The Market. By training staff to specialize in a single dish over a longer period of time, Dining Services hopes to consistently guarantee a well-planned, delicious meal, she said. The Market is a component of a multiyear project to reform BC Dining, which included the opening and redesigning of CoRo Cafe in McElroy Commons, as well as the introduction of Legal Grounds on Newton Campus. There are no current plans for expansion of this project, according to Megan O’Neill, associate director of Restaurant Operations. Dining Services relies on profits made during the school year to pay for its own costs, as well as aid from the costs of other services at BC. Charging higher prices at The Market relative to grocery stores helps Dining Services offset costs and give benefits to the staff, according to O’Neill. “If you go to a grocery store, you’re going to find cheaper costs, but what you’re not going to find is the cashier at Shaw’s making the same benefits as your favorite professor,” O’Neill said.
Retired BCPD Captain Dies Walter M. Durrane, a retired captain of the Boston College Police Department, died on Sunday at the age of 84, according to a statement on BCPD’s Facebook page. Durrane retired from his position as captain of BCPD in 2000 after 28 years of service for the department. “Walter was a true gentleman and a consummate professional,” said Associate Vice President for University Communications Jack Dunn. “He loved BC, and was devoted to maintaining the safety and wellbeing of its students. It was an honor to know and work with Walter. We extend our condolences to his family.” Durrane was born to Martin Durrane and Catherine O’Flaherty Durrane, who immigrated to Boston from Galway, Ireland. Walter, who was born in West Roxbury, Mass., was a resident of Boston throughout his life. In addition to his service in law enforcement, Durrane is remembered for his knack for historical facts, particularly those relating to the history of BC, according to his obituary. In an interview with the Boston College Chronicle at the time of his retirement, Durrane explained his philosophy of resolving all issues “as amicably as possible.” “Just give people a chance, and within two or three minutes, they’ll calm down,” he said. “If you treat people patiently, and listen to their side of the story, things usually get resolved.” Durrane was celebrated at a funeral Mass on Friday morning at St. Ignatius Church and was buried at St. Joseph Cemetery. Durrane’s family asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations to be made in his memory to the BC AHANA Fund.
the dues. The National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation is a nonprofit charity that works to “eliminate coercive union power and compulsory unionism abuses through strategic litigation, public information, and education programs,” according to its website. The foundation has lobbied states to pass “right to work” laws, which exempt nonunion workers from paying any union dues, and has been involved in a number of high-profile Supreme Court decisions, including Beck and Janus v. AFSCME (2018), which struck down public-sector collective bargaining agreements that require non-union employees to pay dues. Ansari’s lawsuit alleges that BC and the SEIU engaged in religious discrimination and quid pro quo religious harrassment by coercing him to abandon his religious beliefs to keep his job. He is pursuing both charges through Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which prohibits employers from discriminating against employees based on religious beliefs and requires that employers accommodate the religious beliefs of their employees, and the Equal Pay Act. Beyond his request for exemption
from union dues, Ansari has asked a federal court to require BC and the SEIU to inform all employees of the possibility of charitable donations in lieu of union dues. Ansari is also requesting damages for the “emotional pain, suffering, and mental anguish” imposed by the University and the union for refusing to accommodate him and threatening his job, according to court documents. In his initial request in October of 2018, Ansari requested that the SEIU divert the union dues deducted from his payroll to one of four charities: the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the Susan G. Komen foundation, Boston Children’s Hospital, or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. After receiving written notice of Ansari’s objection, BC continued to deduct union fees from his paycheck, according to court documents. The union did not provide Ansari with evidence of donations to charity, according to the documents. “Ardeshir is a respected member of the BC community whose dispute is not with Boston College, but with the SEIU,” Associate Vice President of University Communications Jack Dunn said in an email to The Heights. “Boston College has been supportive of Ardeshir since he expressed his desire
not to pay union dues based on his religious beliefs, and we have advocated on his behalf with the union,” Dunn said. “As an electrician at BC, Ardeshir works in a union shop. Boston College serves as pass through for union dues. We pushed the SEIU to distribute his dues to the charity he chose—the ASPCA. The SEIU apparently did not do so in a timely manner, which prompted the suit.” Representatives for the SEIU declined to comment on the lawsuit. Ansari filed charges with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), a federal agency that enforces workplace anti-discrimination laws, in January 2019. The EEOC determined in July that Ansari held a legitimate religious exemption to paying union dues that had not been accomodated, violating his rights under Title VII. Specifically, the ruling determined that “it is unreasonable to think that [the University and the union] still have been unable to figure out how to divert/donate [Ansari’s] dues to a third party charity, some five plus months” after the initial request. The SEIU told the EEOC that it was “still in the process of determining how it can administratively divert dues to charity,” while BC wrote that the University had “made numerous attempts… to contact the Union to discuss the accommodation,” according to court
documents. The University stopped deducting union fees from Ansari’s payroll following the July EEOC ruling. The University has since created a direct deduction to the ASPCA equal to the amount Ansari would owe in union dues as a replacement, according to The Boston Globe. In September, the EEOC found that Ansari could pursue legal action under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the Equal Pay Act after failing to obtain a settlement, although declined to bring a suit itself. In October 2019, Cameron offered a three-point settlement to BC and the union, asking them to post a notice that employees with religious objections can divert union dues to charity, reimburse Ansari for all union fees since October 2018, and agree to divert Ansari’s future dues to charity. Cameron threatened legal action if the terms of the settlement were not met. Cameron told The Heights in an interview that both BC and the SEIU are named in the suit because the responsibility to divert Ansari’s dues fell on both institutions. He also criticized the collective bargaining agreement, arguing that it blurred the lines between paying dues to fund representation and to fund political initiatives. n
CAB Attempts to Diversify Concerts With BCL BCL, from A1 had new creative liberties to change its winter concert, according to CAB assistant directors Dom Conti and Jack Stanton, both CSOM ’22. After a retreat at the beginning of the school year and months of discussion, the organization ultimately decided to take the concert in a new direction by featuring its first R&B artist, they said. “I think we just didn’t want it to be another Plexapalooza,” said Conti. “We debated for a while between dance and R&B because, I mean, we’re humans,” Conti added. “Change is scary. … We kind of looked and said, if we do dance we’re kind of just doing dance to keep serving the same people. We’re doing dance just to do dance, and with R&B we can make a real impact.” Moving away from EDM and the “dancy” environment generated by concerts in the past, CAB decided to take the new winter concert as an opportunity to branch out and try something new in an attempt to further CAB’s mission for the campus—and BC’s mission as a whole—said Conti. Part of CAB’s initial planning of the
concert included a discussion of whether the organization would continue to put on a winter concert. CAB’s decision to hold the concert was in part due to the organization’s effort to diversify its events on campus in an attempt to include all students, said Conti and Stanton. CAB hopes the Boston City Limits concert will reach more students on campus than prior events, as the organization is making an effort to put on events that are more diverse and inclusive, said Conti and Stanton. With a headliner who breaks away from the concert’s themes and genres in the past, CAB wants this year’s winter concert to not only serve the vast majority of the student body, but also students who have felt underrepresented by past events. “I also just think it’s such a big campus with so many people on it, and we’ve kind of just been serving the same people the whole time [with] the same music genre,” said Stanton. “[We’ve] just been kind of rolling out the same concert over and over again. And like Dom said, they’re great concerts, but it’s not our job just to serve the same couple thousand people every time. We want to make it so our concerts can change genres, and people will still be excited about it.”
The Boston City Limits concert will be one of many new CAB events meant to reach out to different communities on campus and expand students’ horizons overall, Conti and Stanton said. “I don’t think it’s a secret that CAB, and BC as a whole, is a very white-dominated campus and group,” said Stanton. “And so I think in recent years we’ve taken great strides into diversifying and making sure that everyone has events that they could go to on campus. So that was a big thing for the concert because concerts are no doubt our
three biggest events of the year.” Conti and Stanton emphasized that the Boston City Limits concert is not the end of CAB’s efforts to make its events more inclusive, but rather it is a starting point. “It’s one of our big missions to make sure that every event we put on has an intent behind it and it’s being made, and being put on in the best way possible so that … people want to come to our events, and people have a place at our events, and people feel included … and just have a good time,” said Conti. n
Photo Courtesy of justin higuchi / Wikimedia Commons
DaniLeigh while performing at a LiveNation concert in Los Angeles, Calif.
BC Aims to Bring in More Low-Income Students QuestBridge, from A1 range of schools that low-income students are considering and aid families lacking knowledge about the college admissions process. “A lot of research shows with underrepresented students, particularly low-income students, there is a significant number that are undermatching in the college process,” Gosselin said. “Low-income students may not have the resources that higher-income students or better-educated families may have about the college process, and many of them choose to go to a local institution and are not realizing their potential.” All partner universities must employ an Early Decision admissions model, which requires applicants to commit to attending the school should they be accepted early. BC switched to Early Decision beginning with the Class of 2024, and QuestBridge was a minor factor in the move, Gosselin said. Consideration of QuestBridge applicants occurs outside of the Early Decision process, rather than as part of the pool, Gosselin said. The University will make a commitment to admit a certain number of QuestBridge students, although the organization does not stipulate a minimum. Students not accepted in the first round can apply through the second round of Early Decision or Regular Decision as part of the
full applicant pool, Gosselin said, although there will be an indication that they applied earlier through QuestBridge. “I’ve long admired Questbridge and its commitment to diversifying the pool of excellent applicants to many of the nation’s best colleges and universities,” Provost and Dean of Faculties David Quigley said in an email to The Heights. “Boston College’s new status as a Questbridge partner will greatly enhance our efforts to recruit students from varied backgrounds across the county, and I’m eager to welcome the first Questbridge participants to Boston College in 2021.” Of QuestBridge’s 42 partners, 18 are ranked in the top 25 of the US News and World Report’s 2020 National University Rankings, which placed BC at No. 37 this year. Three of the schools on the list—Notre Dame, the University of Southern California, and the University of Virginia—have admission pools that largely overlap with BC’s, according to the 2018-2019 fact book. Gosselin lauded the standards for test scores that QuestBridge sets for applicants, and he noted that the requirements are as much about protecting the students as they are about protecting the universities. “There really is very little academic risk, as these students are fully qualified when they come to Boston College, and that’s what we seek in every student we admit, “ Gosselin said. “There are some nonprofits that want
institutions to take risks on students, and they are really trying to push [the students] that way. That doesn’t always set the student up for success if a student comes here and is struggling in their first year.” He also pointed out that 91 percent of Pell Grant recipients at BC graduate in six years—just 1 percent less than the non-Pell population, and the 18th best rate in the country, according to US News and World Report rankings. Gosselin said that QuestBridge was interested in BC for a number of reasons—chief among them that the University already meets full financial need, which the organizations stipulates all participating colleges must do. “A lot of families won’t look at elite institutions for fear that they’re out of reach, [and QuestBridge] works with these families from day one and says every single one of the schools on this list will completely meet your cost of attendance,” Gosselin said. He also pointed to existing on-campus organizations such as the Montserrat Coalition, which provides mentorship and financial resources for low-income students, or the Learning to Learn office, which offers advising and academic support to first-generation students. The University would also attempt to provide specialized support for QuestBridge-linked students at BC, according to Gosselin.
Gosselin added that a student organization for QuestBridge students similar to those existing at other partner schools may be created once they arrive on campus. Students would have to initiate the process with the Office of Student Involvement, he said, though the University may help accelerate the process. Gosselin noted that beyond presenting low-income students with more options, QuestBridge provides the admissions office with the opportunity to reach a greater number of prospective applicants. “There are 20 of us on our staff,” Gosselin said. “We visit over 800 high schools throughout the country and around the world each year, but we had almost 7,000 high schools represented in our applicant pool last year, so it’s not possible physically for us to visit every school out there.” n
CORRECTIONS Please send corrections to eic@bcheights.com with ‘correction’ in the subject line.
The Heights
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
A3
Current and Former Students Pay Tribute to Professor Wolfman Wolfman, from A1 Wolfman was also an instructor in the Gateway Scholars Program, which provides support to first-generation students and students of color in
for clarity. Despite being the man on campus with the scariest reputation, Professor Wolfman was constantly meeting with students to make a difference in
Photo Courtesy of Kanwal Ojha
foundational programs in biology and chemistry. Ashley Bodnar, MCAS ’20, is a member of the Gateway Scholars Program and wrote of the time Wolfman had her Gateway class to his house for dinner. “He cared about each and every one of us so much and was generous enough to open his home to us,” Bodnar said. “I will never forget the bonds he formed with all of us and how great a
their lives, big or small. It was impossible to get lunch with him without at least five other students coming up to say “hello”—that’s just how broad his impact was. But his influence was also deep. Wolfman cared about his students as people and supported us in our endeavors both in and out of the classroom. Professor Wolfman used to play themed music before class. I remember how thoughtful his playlists were and
Photo Courtesy of sara posada
mentor he was. He helped me through some of my hardest times at BC, and I am so thankful for the time I got to spend with him.” A funeral service for Wolfman was held in Nashville on Sunday afternoon, and a memorial service is scheduled to be held in Boston in February, according to the blog post. His family asks that pictures of Wolfman, kind words, and memories be sent to the family at neilwolfmanlegacy@gmail.com. The Heights collected tributes to Wolfman from current and former students at BC. Some responses were included in the obituary above. Below are the other responses. Some of the responses below have been edited
how fun it was to guess the day’s theme, even if we were all stressing about the weekly Friday quiz . Sometimes he would let students make the playlist, and I remember one day he made a playlist specifically for a classmate, and they came in right after the music had ended. In typical Wolfman fashion, he teased about that day for the rest of the semester. You could always count on him for a laugh, a thoughtful comment, or some great advice when you needed it. He will be missed dearly. — Danielle Rinaldi, MCAS ’21 Neil Wolfman … was, at first, a name that was feared. But almost as quickly as that name struck fear into a young student’s heart,
Photo Courtesy of Ashley bodnar
Professor Wolfman was there to quell that person’s soul. The moments with Professor Wolfman that stand out to me are the ones in which he showed his true self. The ones where he scolded you, but not to berate you, but because he knew you were better than you demonstrated. The ones where he laughed with you. Not because he was trying to put you at ease, but because he genuinely thought the thing that you said was worthy of a laugh. The ones where he comforted you. Not merely to calm you down, but to get you to start thinking about how you would become stronger. He was a leader, a guide, and a man of great integrity. I am most grateful to have known him, and I am more saddened to know that others will not get the chance to experience the life that he brings to those around him. Thank you, Professor Wolfman, for everything. — Joe, BC ’16 Professor Wolfman always cared about his students, regardless of the circumstances that stood against them. Freshman year, I missed the first test due to a concussion and took the second in the midst of mono, so I wasn’t really a shining student at the time. Soon after, I passed his office on my way out of Merkert and he stopped me with a simple “sit.” I sat down, scared out of my mind by what he might say to me. He looked at me and simply went, “You seem bright … are you bright?” I stared at him, confused by what he meant, and he repeated himself: “Are you bright?” I responded, “Uhhh … no? … I mean I guess?” He sighed and said he was excited to see me prove myself on the third test and final exam because he believed I could do great, and I was free to go. This was only one of the many moments we had together where even in my darkest days, he quickly encouraged me. He offered his phone number over a long break in case I needed someone to talk to and always reminded me in passing to email him for a meetup. At our final lunch back in September, we talked briefly about his illness but mostly spent the hour discussing how amazed he was at all the previous students who appeared with loving words and encouraging emails offering any help he needed. He asked me about my future plans, couldn’t believe I was already a senior, and we went our separate ways—him to teach Gateway Chemistry and me to ponder over my life since 9 a.m. general chemistry in 2016, trying to make friends, get an A (did not happen), and not be one of the four that dropped after that very first class. I’ll miss Professor Wolfman, he was a great man and an even better friend. I wish I could thank him one more time for seeing some potential in me back in my darkest days and never giving up on anyone who sought his wisdom and guidance. — Lizzy Verish, MCAS ’20 My freshman year, I took general chemistry with Dr. Wolfman per recommendation of Tanya Zeina, another former student. She said Dr. Wolfman was the best teacher she’d ever had, so I knew I had to take his class. I spent most of my freshman year in his office hours and review sessions learning chemistry, but also at the Chocolate Bar eating gelato together and talking about friends, family, and life in general. At the end of my freshman year, he and his wife hosted a lovely dinner for some students, a day I will never forget—one full of laughter, food, and great conversation. For the remainder of my BC career, Dr. Wolfman was like a grandfather to me; he checked in before and after exams, vetted and advised me on relationships, and made himself available whenever I needed. He was someone I could count on, and he was always, always there for me. The Boston College community is losing a great man, but his legacy will live forever—through the students he’s taught and the lives he’s changed. Rest In Peace, Dr. Wolfman, you will never be forgotten. — Madelynn Paul, BC ’18 My very first exam at Boston College was in Professor Wolfman’s general chemistry. I can distinctly remember walking into Devlin the morning of the exam to Professor Wolfman in an allblack suit and a playlist of music that perfectly matched the already tense tone of the room. The playlist ended just in
Photo Courtesy of john wagner
time for the exam to begin, as Professor Wolfman had planned. I knew I failed the exam as soon as I turned it in, and I left the classroom feeling like I did not deserve to be a pre-med student. After I got the exam back, Professor Wolfman took the time to sit down with me and go over what went wrong. We discussed the ways that I could improve my study habits and better manage my test anxiety, and he convinced me not to give up. I will be starting med school in July, and so much of that is due to Professor Wolfman going above and beyond as a professor and mentor. He had such a profound impact on me and so many other students. We have lost a wonderful person, but he left a legacy that will be felt for many years to come. — John Wagner, BC ’18 Professor Wolfman’s devotion to his students extended to everyone, not just those in his class. I was in his general chemistry class my freshman year and had a friend who was in another general chemistry section with a different professor. She was working on a problem set during lunch in Mac when we saw Professor Wolfman having lunch with another student. I remember I told her to go ask Wolfman for help—my friend was hesitant because she wasn’t his student, and he probably would just tell her to ask her TA. I told her he’d be happy to help, so the two of us went over and asked, and he spent 15 minutes walking her through the problem. He cared so much about every student at Boston College, not just his own, and so many students in the greater Boston College community owe their success to him. I feel very thankful to have had him as a mentor. — Bea Lynch, BC ’18 After scoring a 31 percent on the first exam I took in his class, an upperclassman suggested I meet with him for lunch and talk to him about how to improve my performance in his class.
His warmth and willingness to help me in any way he could turned into me confessing my mental health struggles to him, after which he immediately offered me his own love and support and encouraged me to seek help from University Counseling. A year and a half later, he convinced me to study abroad, emailing me afterward and sending me his other students who were undecided about studying abroad to tell them about my experience. He was the most incredible teacher and mentor I have ever had, and he is the reason I’ll be graduating premed from BC. — Laura Stehler, MCAS ’20
Hi Professor, I’m emailing to see if we can come full circle and meet again in the pages of this newspaper. You have made such a huge impact on my life as a student at BC, from that fateful day six years ago when you agreed to be the subject of my very first feature article for The Heights (remember I sent such formal emails and wore a stuffy navy blue blazer to that interview in your office? I was as nervous as you were!) to supporting my first research experience at the Feinstein Institute and ultimately sending me on my way to the lab I love at BIDMC. If there’s anything I know that would make you happy, it would be the fact that everything I learned from you—how to be a good mentor, a good scientist, and a good person—I carry in my heart every time I’m in lab. I’ve gained valuable self-awareness and confidence thanks to you, and I try to pay it forward each day. Whether we chose it or it was chosen for us, science will always be the path we follow. Thank you for showing me that the journey is as fulfilling as it is difficult, and that the people you meet along the way are just as important as the work you are called to do. Thank you for guiding. Thank you for caring. Thank you for believing. I hope I’ve made you proud. — Kayla Fernando, BC ’18 n
Photo Courtesy of lizzy verish
A4
By Isabella Cavazzoni Metro Editor
Boston College has no shortage of on-campus events and activities. From plays to academic talks to this weekend’s first Boston City Limits in the new Plex, BC caters to most interests. In the dorms, Walsh pregames and Mod parties also add to the charm. Ubers get expensive, and all of your friends likely live just a short walk away anyway. All these things make it easy for BC students to stay at home—inside the infamous “BC Bubble.” We forget all that Boston has to offer. We forget that—while definitely not
The Heights
the most efficient form of transportation—the T can take us into the city for less than $3. We forget that we, as BC students, may only call Boston home for these short four years, but it has so many lovely restaurants, theatres, and other destinations that we often lose sight of. Each week, to encourage taking advantage of the city that we call home, a Heights editor or contributor will compile a guide to a weekend in Boston. Let’s get off campus and go beyond BC. Here’s a list of things to do this weekend: Skate at Snowport For $5 plus the price of renting skates, students can take the T into
Seaport for a weekend full of winter festivities. In partnership with Fjällräven and Capital One Café, Snowport is the perfect place to procrastinate next week’s assignments. Off the ice, Snowport also offers iceless curling lanes, warm beverages, and refreshments by Oath Pizza and The Waffle Cabin. Bonus: On Thursday at 6 p.m., break out your mom’s old leg warmers at ’80s Aprés Ski Night—admission is free. Grab a Bite at Buttermilk & Bourbon Spare yourself from the chicken and two sides this weekend. Buttermilk & Bourbon offers a tapas-style experience with southern, New Orleans-inspired
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
fare. A few favorites on the dinner menu include the honey-glazed biscuits, lobster mac and cheese, and house special buttermilk fried chicken. Lower could never. With plates priced between $9 and $17, Buttermilk & Bourbon is an ideal Friday night. Plates are meant to be shared, so grab a friend and don’t forget to make a reservation—it fills up quickly. Get Your Sweet Tooth On The 12th Annual Taste of Chocolate Festival takes place this weekend from Friday to Sunday in Harvard Square. A sweet way to end your week, the main event is a free chocolate tasting from 1 to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Vendors include
J.P. Licks, Blackbird Doughnuts, DAVIDsTEA, and Bluestone Lane, to name a few. Bring your sweet tooth. Catch a Midnight Movie Coolidge Corner Theatre is just a short T ride away on the C Branch of the Green Line—it just so happens to also be the best place to see a movie in Boston. Since 1933, Coolidge Corner Theatre has provided patrons with the best do-nothing activity. For all of the night owls out there, this weekend they’re featuring three midnight movies. On Friday, the 1988 version of The Blob and The Room plays at 11:59 p.m. The Thing, a 1982 film starring Kurt Russell, plays at the same time on Saturday. n
Skating in the Seaport: Snowport Brings Winter Magic to Boston By Francesca Giangiulio For The Heights
The unseasonably warm weather that dominated this year’s Winter Break might not have been exactly the lucky gift that most people made it out to be. Although walking around without a jacket or fears of frostbite was nice, instead it hasn’t felt like a true winter. Many winter traditions were missed out on this year: ice skating on a nearby pond or lake, intense snowball fights, sipping on hot chocolate after being convinced at least three fingers and toes would need to be removed, and so on. But despite the warm weather that opened this week, there is one place to experience everything that may have been missed. Just a quick Uber or, for the fiscally conscious and transportation savvy, T ride away, winter is in full swing at Snowport. Boston’s newest winter destination is located in the heart of the Seaport district. What was previously the Cisco Brewers Beer and Wine Garden has been transformed into a winter wonderland. Sponsored by Boston’s Seaport and in partnership with Fjällräven and Capital One Cafes, Snowport offers a chance to indulge in some quintessential winter activities. From now until the end of February, ice skating, hot chocolate and warm comfort food trucks, tables of boards games to play with friends, and curling courts—an ever-popular winter sport—are open and available to the public. It costs $5 to skate as an adult and an additional $5 for rental skates. The rink is open for free skate Monday through
ALEXA SPITZ / HEIGHTS STAFF
Snowport: Winter Village offers its patrons fun winter festivities, with ice skating, iceless curling, and refreshments provided by vendors like Oath Pizza and The Waffle Cabin. Thursday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday until 10 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Even before arriving at the final destination, the winter spirit is overwhelming throughout Seaport. When even construction cranes are lit up by bright strings of lights, one can’t help but feel the winter magic. Walking into the Winter Village, upbeat music fills the air, and groups of families and friends laugh and en-
joy themselves. The 3,000 square foot ice rink is filled with couples, friends, and children using the adorable penguin-shaped skating helpers alike. Additionally, a row of food trucks lined by evergreen trees and surrounded by tables provided plenty of space to relax and socialize off the ice. With vendors including Oath Pizza and The Waffle Cabin, Snowport has the perfect winter comfort foods to warm you up after a long day of skating—and at reasonable prices.
Across the village, there are two fullsize curling courts, a warming gondola, and tables of games and activities free for public use. Snowport ambassadors are available throughout the village, such as Rosalba Munoz, whose job is to be a guide and provide information on daily activities and events for all patrons of Snowport. “It’s fun to work here because everyday there’s something new, something going around,” Munoz said. “Every day you come to work and expect new
things. The people are smiling, happy. Even with the cold, it’s not bad at all.” Snowport also hosts themed events. Its upcoming college night is on Feb. 6, PJ Party is on Feb. 20, and IceFlow—a hybrid between ice skating and yoga—is on Feb. 22. Snowport also offers lessons for both skating and curling. The perfect destination to escape the libraries this semester, Snowport offers that charming winter feeling and fun festivities in the heart of the Seaport. n
Emory “Andy” Kilgore Reimagines Classic Bar Food By Isabella Thorpe For The Heights
Bar food has never been more sophisticated. A dwelling fit for quality friends and quality bar food, The Emory sits in Beacon Hill near the historical Massachusetts State House, cultivating a relaxing and neighborly atmosphere. Opened in summer 2019, The Emory is Boston bartending veteran Emory “Andy” Kilgore’s first independent venture. Kilgore named the restaurant after the name that five generations of men in his family have, in order to encapsulate a spirit of hospitality, according to the restaurant’s website. This culture of traditions also reveals itself on The Emory’s menu. For example, the baked potato beignets, priced at $11, allude to the affectionate nickname for Kilgore’s grandfather and
a third-generation Emory—“Spuds”— according to an article from The Boston Globe. The dish is a fan favorite, cooked with smoked bacon, parmesan, and cultured cream. R&B music, high ceilings, classical columns, and dim lighting featuring a neon sign bearing the restaurant’s name above the chef ’s countertop characterize this charming yet hip hangout spot. With the option to sit at the bar, gray marble hightops, leather booths, or the communal tables, The Emory creates a casual experience that allows customers to feel comfortable in any way they may want. Executive chef Derek Robert and the staff serve a modern American menu with an inventive and seasonally focused cuisine. The eclectic menu features char-
cuterie boards, a raw bar, and subtle twists on traditional small and shareable dishes. As for drinks, a thoughtful selection of wine, beer, and fun, original cocktails is available. The waiters are welcoming and knowledgeable, suggesting the menu highlights in an easygoing manner. The food is delivered in a spontaneous fashion that allows the customer to digest one dish at a time, as each once is served once it has finished cooking. On a Saturday evening, The Emory is not crowded, but it gradually receives more customers as the night progresses. Open from lunchtime until midnight on weekdays and additionally for brunch on the weekends, the restaurant draws in a crowd seeking comfort after work and school or a fun alternative to traditional “late
night” food. Along with the baked potato beignets, the roasted mushroom dip is a wonderful shareable dish, priced at $17. Made with spinach and mornay and paired with rustic grilled bread, the plate juxtaposes an eccentric taste with a warmth like that of a night spent wrapped in blankets. The pan-roasted brussels sprouts, at $10, are a yummy way to get your veggies. Served incredibly hot, they come with balsamic aioli and candied pecans, blending nicely and curating a sweet taste that contents one’s sweet tooth in a healthy way. More small plates that contribute to the authentic vibe of the restaurant include the heirloom carrots and beef carpaccio—which cost $12 and $13, respectively. The Emory burger, priced at $19, lives up to its reputation as one of the
menu’s best dishes. Topped with pickles and onion jam, the Emory burger also comes served with garlic cheddar fondue, which accentuates the juiciness of the meat and adds a great deal to the savoriness to the dish. The fries that come with the meal are nothing out of the ordinary yet pair well as a standard with the other, more complex dishes. Although dining at The Emory is nothing short of a great experience, some dishes are a bit overpriced and ordering two or more dishes could put a strain on the average college student’s budget. The notorious Emory burger is the cheapest entree, but it doesn’t skimp on deliciousness. The Emory succeeds at marrying a cozy vibe with a more special, intimate ambiance. With its vintage interior and menu of bar food staples, visiting at The Emory is a must. n
The Heights
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
A5
Lily P’s Brings Southern Cuisine to Cambridge Gas Tax is a Good Start
By Rebecca Speer For the Heights
Fried chicken is typically thought of as a southern staple. But what if I told you that you could get a little taste of southern sunshine right here in Boston? Lily P’s on 50 Binney St. in Cambridge was created by chef Chris Parsons as an ode to fried chicken and fresh oysters. The interior of the restaurant has a rustic, barn-like feel—using wood paneling and large barn doors to take its patrons out of the city and into the country. Throughout the restaurant, there are modern touches—the oyster bar has a sleek black finish that uses tile to still give off a southern diner feel. There is a mix between traditional and bar seating, with the upholstery adding black and maroon accents to the restaurant. The feeling in the restaurant is very casual, with a mix of people in business clothes and street wear. The relaxed vibe carries over to the rest of the decor, with shuffleboard, giant Connect 4, Jenga, and multiple dart boards by the bar. Lily P’s is relaxed enough to stop by after work, but fun enough for Friday nights. The food is the main star here, though, bringing the true southern flair to the restaurant. The menu has a multitude of comfort foods, starting with the appetizers. Everything from popcorn with a cheddar and sea salt seasoning to a jar of pickles makes up this section of the menu. Lily P’s also has larger, shareable options, including cornbread with a delicious sweet jam and queso fundido. The queso fundido contains creamy nacho cheese with jalapeños, chorizo, and black beans, all accompanied by fresh tortilla chips that pair perfectly with the savory dip. The appetizers range from $2 to $11.
Lauren Burd
COLLEEN MARTIN / HEIGHTS EDITOR REBECCA SPEER / FOR THE HEIGHTS
The neon lights in Lily P’s remind the diners of the restaurant’s greatest southern specialty—fried chicken—with its retro vibes.. Lily P’s fried chicken stands out. All the chicken is pressure cooked with peanut oil, therefore ensuring it is juicy with a delicious crunch on the outside. The restaurant offers regular, hot, or black pepper honey fried chicken trays, which come with sides such as slaw, french fries with ranch, salad, mac ‘n’ cheese, grilled broccoli, and Carolina rice grits. There is also the option to make the chicken into a sandwich. All sandwiches include a boneless chicken thigh on a Hawaiian roll, with coleslaw and bread and butter pickles on the side. The Veracruz sandwich also incorporates avocado, salsa, and cilantro. The creaminess of the avocado blends perfectly with the spicy, peanut-based salsa,
creating a refreshing take on the standard chicken sandwich. In addition to the sandwiches, there are fresh Massachusetts oysters at the raw bar, costing only $2 per oyster. There are also roasted oysters with a scampi butter sauce if raw oysters are not to your liking. Chicken and oysters may be the main focus of the restaurant, but they are not the only option. Lily P’s also offers burgers, shrimp and grits, and—for the truly adventurous (or perhaps truly southern)—fried catfish sandwiches. The main dishes range from $12 to $15 per plate, with sides costing $4 each. The bar section of the restaurant focuses on local drinks, mainly craft beers, ales, and ciders, along with original cocktails.
For the dessert menu, Lily P’s has a relatively limited amount of options, with ice cream and pie taking center stage. Options include pecan pie, Mississippi mud pie, and caramel apple pie. Each pie is served cold, with the choice to make it à la mode. The caramel apple pie is a well-balanced mix between the sweet caramel flavor and the zest of the cinnamon in the apples. The desserts are around $8 per slice. If the cold gets to be too much in Boston, rather than paying for an expensive Spring Break trip, travel down to Cambridge for the relaxed and warm atmosphere that Lily P’s embraces fully. The chicken itself will make you want to live life a little more southern. n
Newton Holds Community MLK Celebration
By Julia Kiersznowski
Copy Editor
The First Baptist Church in Newton hosted the 52nd Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Celebration, the theme this year being “Know Your Neighbor.” The celebration consisted of speakers and community choirs, all of whom reinforced the message. Rev. S. John Boopalan of the First Baptist Church in Newton began the celebration by offering words of welcome. Boopalan discussed King’s fight for a path of freedom and encouraged the audience to “shed light on those around [them]” in order to continue on King’s path. Boopalan also brought up King’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail.” Each year, reading it reminds him of King’s mission to shed light, he said. Rabbi Allison Berry of Temple Shalom introduced the idea of knowing your neighbor by offering up a metaphor—she told the audience to think about how uncomfortable they get when they are forced to sit in the middle seat on an airplane. She then encouraged the audience members to introduce themselves to someone sitting next to them. “What we do know is that when we share something personal, something real, or something meaningful with that stranger sitting next to us, we open up worlds,” Berry said. “We go to places we might have never
gone. We break down barriers, and we open ourselves up to the possibility of something new. … And maybe by doing this for just a small moment, we can fight hate. We can fight the stereotyping and judgement that marks our world. We can feel seen and maybe a little less alone.” Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller also offered her remarks during the ceremony. She thanked all of the people who made the event possible, then discussed the importance of youth leadership in America. “To the young people in the audience, we adults owe it to you, our next generation, we owe it to you to march tirelessly towards justice and equality, to know our neighbors, to invite others to our dinner table,” Fuller said. “We owe it to you to listen to you carefully and follow your lead.” David Fleishman, superintendent of Newton Public Schools, then spoke about the importance of discussing race at a young age. “For all of us who are white, get a chance to talk about race more than just on Martin Luther King Day—because our students of color do it everyday,” he said. Throughout the program, many students from the Newton Theatre Company’s performance of The Monologue Project: Voices of Color spoke about their personal experiences of being a young person of color. Laila Polk-Thomas spoke about
ANEESA WERMERS / HEIGHTS STAFF
Newton Family Singers leads the community chorus at this year’s MLK celebration. gerrymandering and the suppression of the black vote. “Gerrymandering is the process of redrawing voter districts to fit the demands of a party’s political power. It has been and still is used to suppress the black vote. … The basis of our democracy is the vote, so how can we ever fully participate in this democracy if we are unable to make our voices heard?” Polk-Thomas said. Ashlynn Saint-Preux spoke about how the phrase, “I don’t see color,” is one she finds counter-productive and hurtful to the mission to discuss race openly and
freely. She encouraged the audience not to be afraid to talk about race, no matter how uncomfortable it is. “If you don’t see my blackness, you don’t see me,” Saint-Preux said. “When someone says they don’t see color, it’s as if they’re denying that part of my identity.” Rev. Devlin Scott of NewCity Church spoke near the end of the ceremony, encouraging audience members to make room for others, just as King did. “So I’ll leave you with this: Dr. King had a dream, now we have a mission. … Let’s really know our neighbor,” Scott said. n
Closures of the Week Red Line Shuttle buses replace Red Line service between Alewife and Harvard for track work on most weekends until April 26. Orange Line No Orange Line service between Sullivan and Tufts on weekends starting Fridays at 8:45 p.m.) until Feb. 16. Buses provided between Sullivan and Haymarket. Green Line available between Haymarket and Copley Green Line - D Branch Shuttle Buses replace D Branch service between Kenmore and Reservoir on weekends until Feb. 23.
In the face of increasing climate change concern, Massachusetts—in collaboration with 11 other states and Washington D.C.—unveiled a framework agreement led by Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker this past October. The initiative aims to lower greenhouse gas emissions from transportation. This agreement, titled the Transportation Climate Initiative (TCI), would be a “cap-and-invest” system, in which the government limits the total amount of emissions from an industry. As time goes on, this cap gets lower and lower, allowing less emissions and cleaner air. Essentially, the TCI would charge fuel companies for the carbon emissions associated with the gas and diesel that they sell and invest that money drawn into public transportation. For Boston, this money (which is projected to be about $500 million per year, according to a press release) would go toward the MBTA. The downside is that the government fees on fuel companies will lead to a gas price increase of about 5 cents to 17 cents on the gallon. Support has especially been seen from Chris Dempsey, director of Transportation for Massachusetts. “Massachusetts residents deserve a robust and equitable regional agreement that will clean up our air and enable new investments in our transportation system statewide,” Dempsey said to The Boston Globe. Opposers to the TCI say that the tax is classist toward the middle class, who are essentially being punished for driving. Several coalition groups joined forces to write a letter, ultimately describing the TCI as a “sin tax,” a tax used to punish bad behavior. “We do not believe that driving to and for work, transporting children to school, transporting goods, going to the grocery store, and all the other necessary activities that generally require a vehicle should be treated by governments as a sin,” the letter reads. Additionally, there is criticism revolving around the constitutionality of the TCI. In Massachusetts, for example, Baker is instituting the deal as an executive order, so he doesn’t need to get it voted through the legislature. But since the deal is resulting in what essentially is a tax for the states’ citizens, many say that it should be voted through the legislature like any other tax. There is also doubt upon one of the seemingly most positive outcomes of the TCI: an improvement in public transportation. States such as Rhode Island and Maine lack convenient forms of public transportation, thus the money accumulated from the TCI could help to create more effective and green ways to travel. But this is only if the money does indeed go into public transportation as it’s supposed to. There is growing distrust that the money generated from the TCI deal will go into public transportation as promised. Thus, the TCI could leave states’ citizens with less access to personal automobile use and no public transportation improvement. There is definitely a case to be made for both sides here. While there is an unfairness in the TCI toward the lower and middle classes, the same case could be made for any governmental tax on goods and services—and at least this tax is going toward a greater good by addressing pollution issues. Yet the TCI makes more sense for some states than others. Even if the money generated in states such as New Hampshire and Maine do indeed go to improving public transportation, there is doubt that this will be enough money to completely reform and increase public transportation in these states. In order to get states’ citizens committed to the TCI, state governments should release detailed plans on how they are going to use the tax money to innovate their transportation systems. In this way, they can gain more public trust. The plan may need some reforming, but initiatives that work address the reality of climate change are worth ironing out rather than being dismissed. The TCI is a great start.
Lauren Burd is a metro columnist for The Heights. She can be reached at metro@bcheights.com.
The Heights
A6
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
Editorial
QUOTE OF THE week
BC Must Take Complementary Steps to QuestBridge Partnership to Increase Economic Diversity Boston College’s recently announced partnership with QuestBridge, a nonprofit organization that helps low-income students apply to college, is a step toward making BC more economically diverse. QuestBridge, however, is not a be-all, end-all solution— other complementary actions must also be taken. The University must view QuestBridge as one method through which to improve diversity at BC. According to a 2017 New York Times report, 16.1 percent of BC students come from the top 1 percent of incomes (more than $630,000 per year), while 15.2 percent come from the bottom 60 percent of incomes (less than $65,000 per year). The college application process can be an issue for low-income applicants—the resources that may be available to students from high-income backgrounds, such as tutoring for standardized tests and college counselors, often aren’t options for those from low-income backgrounds. QuestBridge aims to help firstgeneration students whose families might have little experience or knowledge about the college admissions process.
QuestBridge’s speciality is in matching high-achieving , low-income students with elite universities that they may not have previously considered. According to a 2009 study, students from low-income backgrounds perceive that they’re priced out of elite institutions, so they don’t apply to them. QuestBridge has not historically been enough to increase overall economic diversity in partner universities. A comprehensive study in Research in Higher Education found no statistically significant increase in overall economic diversity at institutions after they partnered with QuestBridge. The study did, however, find an increase in economic diversity in schools that had implemented complementar y measures alongside QuestBridge. BC should continue to look for other innovative options for attracting applicants from lowincome families. Other elite universities, such as the University of Chicago and Bowdoin College, are test-optional. According to a study by the National Association for College Admission Counseling, being test-optional helps uni-
“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language, and next year’s words await another voice.”
versities enroll a higher percentage of lower-income students. As a Jesuit institution, BC has a responsibility to take a holistic approach to admissions—and this means recognizing that a student’s standardized testing scores may at times be more indicative of their privileges than of their preparedness for college. Standardized testing scores are influenced by factors including parental education and income—high-income students, on average, perform better than their low-income peers. It takes a significant amount of money, time, and test-specific education to perform well on standardized tests. Though the SAT has recently initiated a move to factor in a student’s adversity score, the ACT has not followed suit. BC should look beyond its collaboration with QuestBridge in order to find students who may not have the standardized test scores required for the program. Drawing upon its Jesuit values, BC has a responsibility to increase its economic diversity—in order to do so, it needs to consider complementary measures to QuestBridge.
- T.S. Eliot
Ingredients: - 2 oz. cachaça (Brazilian Rum) - 1 Lime - 2 tsp. white granulated sugar (to taste) - Ice Preparation: 1. Add sugar to cocktail shaker. 2. Quarter whole lime. 3. Add lime pieces, muddle thoroughly and with great vigor (read: make it squishy). 4. Pour in cachaça. 5. Add a large handful of crushed ice, 6. Shake. Hard. 7. Pour unstrained into large rocks glass. 8. Drink
Caiprinha Recipe Jacob Schick / Heights Senior Staff Ingredients: - 2 oz. cachaça (Brazilian Rum) - 1 Lime - 2 tsp. white granulated sugar (to taste) - Ice
Preparation: 1. Add sugar to cocktail shaker. 2. Quarter whole lime. 3. Add lime pieces, muddle thoroughly and with great vigor (read: make it squishy). 4. Pour in cachaça. 5. Add a large handful of crushed ice. 6. Shake. Hard. 7. Pour unstrained into large rocks glass. 8. Drink. IKRAM ALI / HEIGHTS EDITOR
customer service Clarifications / Corrections
Advertising
Delivery
The Heights is produced by BC undergraduates and is published on Mondays during the academic year by The Heights, Inc. (c) 2020. All rights reserved.
The Heights strives to provide its readers with complete, accurate, and balanced information. If you believe we have made a reporting error, have information that requires a clarification or correction, or questions about The Heights standards and practices, you may contact Colleen Martin, Editor-in-Chief, at (617) 552-2223, or email eic@bcheights.com. To have The Heights delivered to your home each week or to report distribution problems on campus, contact Sophie Lu, General Manager at (617) 552-0547 or email at gm@bcheights.com. The views expressed in the above editorials represent the official position of The Heights, as discussed and written
Editorial
The
Established 1919
Heights
The Independent Student Newspaper of Boston College
Colleen Martin, President, Editor-in-Chief Sophie Lu, General Manager Abby Hunt, Managing Editor
The Heights is one of the most effective ways to reach the BC community. To submit a classified, display, or online advertisement, call our advertising off ice at (617) 552-2220 Monday through Friday.
by the Editorial Board. Comments on the editorial can be sent to opinions@bccheights.com.
Brooke Kaiserman, A1 Editor Meegan Minahan, Visual Director Scott Baker, News Editor Emma Healy, Sports Editor Jillian Ran, Arts Editor Maeve Reilly, Magazine Editor Isabella Cavazzoni, Metro Editor Maddie Haddix, Opinions Editor Owen Fahy, Special Projects Editor Maggie DiPatri, Photo Editor Haley Hockin, Copy Chief Emily Rosato, Layout Editor
The Heights reserves the right to edit for clarity, brevity, accuracy, and to prevent libel. The Heights also reserves the right to write headlines and choose illustrations to accompany pieces submitted to the newspaper.
Letters and columns can be submitted online at www.bcheights.com, by email to editor@ bcheights.com, in person, or by mail to Editor, The Heights, 113 McElroy Commons, Chestnut Hill, Mass. 02467.
Business and Operations Maya Taha, Graphics Editor Gretchen Haga, Social Media Director Maddie Phelps, Online Manager Éamon Laughlin, Multimedia Editor Stephanie Liu, Outreach Coordinator Madeleine Romance, Assoc. News Editor Megan Kelly, Asst. News Editor Olivia Charbonneau, Assoc. Sports Editor Grace Mayer, Assoc. Arts Editor Nathan Rhind, Asst. Arts Editor Danny Flynn, Assoc. Magazine Editor Anna Lonnquist, Asst. Magazine Editor
Gavin Zhang, Assoc. Metro Editor Julia Remick, Asst. Metro Editor Ikram Ali, Assoc. Photo Editor Jess Rivilis, Asst. Photo Editor Sophie Ragano, Asst. Multimedia Editor Julia Kiersznowski, Copy Editor Rachel Phelan, Copy Editor Lauren Wittenmyer, Copy Editor Nadine Akkawi, Editorial Assistant Eric Shea, Editorial Assistant
Ashley Yoon, Operations Manager Amy Vanderschans, Alumni Outreach Coordinator Emily Qian, Collections Manager Mac McGee, Local Accounts Manager Anish Warty, Local Accounts Manager Christine Zhang, On-Campus Accounts Manager Gina Frankis, National Accounts Manager
The Heights
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
A7
Porn Harms You and Your Relationship fiction. A 2010 study analyzed 50 popular porn films, finding that 88 percent of scenes contained physical aggression, and 49 percent contained verbal violence. In addition, 95 percent of the targets of that aggression—mostly women—responded neutrally or positively to that abuse, 69
while the vast majority of perpetrators of that aggression were male.
Adriana Watkins
Porn doesn’t make every user into an abusive
No one really wants to have this conversa-
partner, but it certainly doesn’t teach us how
tion. But with a significant percentage of college
to form solid relationships. On the contrary, it
students watching porn, the issue needs to be
gives the impression that radical, fringe behavior
addressed. After all, one study found that 76.5
—violent sexual practice and the use of others as
percent of college students have used the internet
simple tools for pleasure—is normal or even pref-
for “sexual entertainment,” and in 2018, the
erable to its more respectful alternatives. If we
website Pornhub self-reported that 61 percent
continually feed ourselves the fantasy of objectifi-
of its users were aged 18 to 34. As a culture, but
cation, we’ll find it more difficult to connect with
especially as college students, we need to talk
the people in front of us. More and more studies
about this—because although it seems harmless,
demonstrate the health and relationship problems
porn undermines our romantic relationships and
that porn is associated with. Men and women
distorts the way we view others.
who use porn suffer from more sexual dysfunc-
There are a thousand other reasons why this
tions, risk alienating their romantic partners, and
conversation should happen, ranging from how
are more likely to use coercion or aggression in
porn can create harmful attitudes toward women
sexual settings.
to its addictive nature to its entanglement with
People don’t set out to use porn because they
human trafficking. Most significantly, though,
want these effects. Growing research tells us,
porn sabotages the fulfilling relationships we all
however, that the consumption of this content
crave.
is bound to impact our actions and beliefs over
For now, let’s define porn as the use of media
time. Intentions are secondary here—for example,
to view others’ sexual acts for pleasure. The most
even if we don’t intend to develop lung cancer
immediate danger is that regular porn consump-
or a nicotine addiction, cigarettes will have that
tion teaches us to objectify others, to reduce
effect on us. And porn, like cigarettes and other
them to conduits of our own physical enjoyment.
drugs, can be addictive, making it difficult to
Porn ignores the non-sexual components of a
quit. (If that applies to you, there are a lot of great
person’s identity and reduces the performers to
resources out there, and plenty of reasons to hope
their sexual abilities alone. If we consume a lot
for success. Fight the New Drug, for example, has
of that content, it’s bound to change the way we
a wealth of information and ideas.) Of course,
see others. Essentially, porn tells us that people
even for those whose use of porn hasn’t escalated
are only tools for sexual pleasure—and this is a
to addiction, the negative effects of use remain—
fictional view of human beings, who are amaz-
just like how cigarettes will never be good for you,
ingly complex.
even if you’re not smoking a pack a day.
Violence and domination are a big part of that
People use porn for such a variety of reasons
that it’s impossible to narrow it down to just one. Still, we all have this in common: We want to feel fulfilled, appreciated, and cared about. We pursue these desires in our relationships with others, but porn impedes us by breaking down our ability to relate to, respect, and appreciate romantic and sexual partners. If we’re used to viewing others as objects for sexual pleasure, the transition back to reality—to real love—is difficult. We can’t just “switch off ” that trained objectification on demand. By living between fiction and reality, our partners suffer, and so do we. Ironically, though porn might seem to offer some form of connection or engagement, its skewed version of intimacy pushes us toward further isolation and dependence. It can be an endless road. Porn is an industry, after all—its intention is always to increase our consumption. That’s why, even apart from the abusive culture that it perpetuates and its human rights violations, porn is a stumbling block to one of the most important parts of our lives: strong relationships. It separates us from others and paints a caricature of what healthy love looks like. So at the risk of sounding like prudes or killjoys, we need to talk about porn. As long as it’s part of our culture, it should be part of our conversations. People are bored, lonely, and hurting themselves and each other, but it doesn’t have to be that way. All of us seek some kind of happiness and love, and all of us—at some time or another—look for it in the wrong places. Men and women who struggle with porn shouldn’t have to feel ashamed or abandoned. Porn doesn’t need to have a permanent grip on anyone.
Adriana Watkins is an op-ed columnist for The Heights. She can be reached at opinions@bcheights.com.
Dispatches From Abroad: Week 0 Mary Wilkie “Now boarding flight 203.” That’s the third time I’ve heard that sentence—or some variation of it—in the last three hours. Within the past 24 hours, I’ve had one flight canceled and more delays than I’d like to count. I’m more than ready to get home before I have to leave the country. I’ve gone as deep as I could into the States, amid great plains and chocolate shakes. By the time you read this, though, I’ll have already landed in Italy and be lost in the land of pasta, listening to a language I never learned. In three days, I’ll be leaving to study abroad. Today, though, I’ve been fighting to get on an hour-long flight just to leave Kansas City. I’ve made my way to the middle of America, and it doesn’t want me to leave. More than anything, when I was deciding where to go to college, I knew that I would be studying abroad. When I sent my application to the Office of International Programs (OIP), the process was a little different than it is now: I was to list my top three programs and note which semester I wanted to apply for. One of the three choices had to be for fall semester. This initial application, while a little stress-inducing, was no problem for me. While I didn’t know when or where I’d be studying abroad, I was excited to apply. The hard part, if you ask me, comes in after that. After you get your placement, there’s a bit of a lull, which is much longer if you’re going in the spring semester. After that, you’re on your own to actually apply to the program, and it’s a mad dash to gather all of the documentation for your student visa. OIP offers batch processing for visas, meaning you gather all of your documentation that’s necessary for the process, turn it into your advisor, and he or she sends a large group of visa applications to the consulate of whatever country you’ll be going to for approval. It is immensely helpful—if you have the opportunity to do that, I’d suggest you take advantage. It’ll save you two trips to the consulate, and they’re not always in the most convenient
Rice Krispies Treats
Sour Patch Watermelons
Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down
of locations. It’s a complicated process, however, so even with that extra hand, it’s really up to you to figure out what you need and how to get it. It’s an application that requires a lot of random documentation, and your flight information, so you’ll want to start early—sometime when you’re home—before you go. And as surface level as this seems, the fact that BC has fully updated
Sunchips
Reduced-Fat Cape Cod Chips
its entire website makes it much easier to find the web resources that OIP provides. While the University has said that the application process for the 2019-2020 academic year was largely successful, the fact that it denied any students at all from all of the programs it listed is
How to Fling Butter onto McElroy Ceilings Grace Christenson Last year, it seemed that the universe was against me. Or, at least it was against my investigative ventures, all of which ended in failure. I could sense the cosmic tides were changing, though, when the first family dinner of the holiday season coincided with Festivus (arguably the greatest meme holiday of all). To my chagrin, we did not partake in the traditional Festivus pole, Airing of Grievances, or Feats of Strength—however, I was blessed with a Festivus miracle: my eyes were finally opened to the secret behind the butter packet mystery. Or so I thought. If you’re a faithful reader of this disastrous column, you’ll recall the article I wrote many moons and life crises ago concerning the butter packets on the ceiling of Mac. In said article, I posed a number of questions about the origins of those butter packets, the physics of their stickage, and their relationship to obsolescence. I ultimately resigned myself to a life of dissatisfaction in which I never knew the who/what/where/when/why of the butter packets. In short: I got out of the butter packet game. But as it turns out, entering the world of absurdly niche investigative journalism is tantamount to joining the mafia—just when you think you’re out, they pull you back in. The first in the “they” of the Butter Packet Mafia (BPM) was Jackie, one of the loves of my life whom I met in an 8 a.m. public speaking class that was sort of The Office meets C-SPAN. Obviously, the experience bonded us for life. Jackie therefore immediately texted me upon spotting a tiny rectangle of silver foil on the ceiling of one of the Walsh stairwells at the start of last semester. Suddenly, The Butter Packet Problem (TBPP) became immediately relevant to my existence again. This, however, wasn’t enough to convince me of the merits of reopening the entire investigation. This leads me to the second member of the BPM: Mod-man (loyal readers will recall him as a key player in the second installment of the skunk
investigation). He told me that he, too, had noticed and pondered the butter packets in Mac. While this may or may not have been another lie in hopes of being quoted in this column, it was enough to convince me that the many hours I spent thinking about the butter were not an entirely foreign venture. My readers could relate to my existential, butter-related crisis. Collectively, these experiences emboldened me to discuss TBPP incessantly—sputtering on about it in supermarkets and on sidewalks, to strangers and friends, on Tuesdays, and critically, on Dec. 23. On that fateful night, my uncle called across the table to ask how sophomore year was going. I took this as an invitation to summarize the entirety of that first fat-centered elegy for a captive audience. Instead of taking in my spastic butter babble with a kind of stunned silence, as most do, he smiled back at me and uttered six magic words: “I know how they did it.” I glanced around the room, expecting the rest of my family to have also gone into shock as my uncle exposed his Butter Packet Mafia ties. Instead, my aunts kept yelling over each other, my grandmother looked on with a kind of overwhelmed disapproval, and my cousins were busy making plans to escape to the basement. Apparently, they did not grasp the gravity of the situation. So it was just I who listened as my uncle explained how, spurred by the rebelliousness of youth, he and his friends used to place butter in the center of their napkins and yank the sides to launch it straight up at the ceiling. The method he proposed was elegant in its simplicity, and almost (but not quite) obscure enough to justify the amount of energy I had invested in the whole dilemma. Yet, I could not rest. His butter had not been wrapped—the butter on Mac’s ceiling still had the wrapper attached—so it remained to be proven if his method applied to my very specific concerns. For the rest of the break, I itched to try out his method for myself, but I was foiled by “house rules” and conventions of “socially acceptable behavior”—neither of which, thankfully, exist at college. In order to cope as I counted down the days of my return to Boston, I pulled some of my investigative team (Jack-Jack and Molly) into a dinner discussion of the aerodynamics of TBPP, during which we played out different scenarios using crumpled pieces of paper in lieu of butter. After a
while, our friend Will (fondly known as Free Will) jumped in and stepped on my Festivus miracle. “Oh, are you guys talking about the butter on the ceiling of Mac?” he asked. “Yeah, my friend did that once—he just threw it up there.” *motions swiftly upward with a flat palm* I, having spent a year and a half of my life dedicated to this investigation, let out a small whimper as my soul left my body. Jack put his head in his hands. And Molly? Molly, with equal parts pity and exasperation, groaned: “We just spent 30 minutes debating how to catapult butter onto a ceiling, and it turns out the answer was you just throw it.” Unwilling to let this go without empirically confirming my own idiocy, my roommates and I bought 20 packets of butter and proceeded to an undisclosed location. They only agreed to come on the condition I wore my new camouflage-patterned headlamp, which is super stealthy and therefore a stipulation to which I happily obliged. After comprehensive comparative testing, we confirmed that throwing butter packets achieves the loftiest results. This, combined with Will’s personal testimony, leads me to conclude: the Butter Packet Problem was perpetrated by the teen boys in Mac with their bare hands. I declare this mystery solved. Now that my ego has been inflated by my newfound investigative success, I’d like to participate in the tradition of obnoxious winners and offer a number of unsolicited takeaways. First and foremost: Festivus Miracles are a scam. (You better (butter?) believe my false-hope Festivus experience is going in my Airing of Grievances next year.) Also, if it seems as though there is a remote possibility that something got there by being thrown, it probably did. And, finally: If you chase the meme persistently enough, the universe might let you win once in a while. After countless hours of butter-centric contemplation, a year and a half of painful patience, and prolonged periods of public embarrassment, I emerged with a single victory. And so I say to you: This column may be one giant meme, but it is no joke.
Grace Christenson is an op-ed columnist for The Heights. She can be reached at opinions@bcheights.com.
The opinions and commentaries of the op-ed columnists appearing on this page represent the views of the author of that particular piece, and not necessarily the views of The Heights. Any of the columnists for the Opinions section of The Heights can be reached at opinions@bcheights.com.
unreasonable. Being asked to choose from the leftover programs would be an immense disappointment for any student. This year, hopefully the adjustments OIP made to the application process will ensure that students at least are placed in a program that they initially expressed interest in. If OIP is going to continue deciding for students which program they must apply to, then they ought to give students the space to designate a selection that they are actually considering. I was fortunate that OIP approved my first choice. Still, I wasn’t completely committed to where I wanted to go. My focus was merely on going abroad. I could’ve been placed anywhere, and I would have been all right. That’s not the case for everyone—many students are hell-bent on a particular place or program. While such strong conviction has value under other circumstances, OIP’s ultimate jurisdiction over which program one can even apply to sets students who have that mindset up for disappointment. I’m not suggesting that you shouldn’t care where you go. I am suggesting that you be flexible and take control of the only thing you can control in this situation, which is just the way you handle it. With no intention whatsoever to be cliché—but failing miserably—everyone faces their own obstacles at school, and this doesn’t change during the abroad process. Whether a student’s greatest worry is academic eligibility, placement, social anxiety in a foreign environment, financial ability, or what have you, everyone struggles with the abroad process in one facet or another. I’m not intending to speak for all students who have gone abroad. This is my experience with OIP, and maybe you’ll find things to relate to, but maybe you won’t. Maybe you’ll read something, a little thing, that’ll make you pause. Maybe that second will cause you to really consider, compare, relate, deny, worry a little less. Just for a second, take a step back and look from a different perspective. It’s hard to accept that the whole semester is more or less decided for you. Yes, they’ll consider your opinion, but in the grand scheme of it, it’s out of your hands. This is easy for me to say, so far gone from the application process. But even the toughest of times were worth it. At this point, I’m ready to go—excited to be on my way to another country, nervous to make friends, and sad that I’ll be away from everything that BC is to me. All I’m trying to say is that you can’t anticipate everything—believe me. I didn’t expect to spend 12 of the last 24 hours in an airport, but I’ll make it out. I finished reading a book, called my bank, wrote this column. These things all would have been done at some point, and—after that initial wave of chaos, dread, and immense self-pity—I tried my best to use this time to my advantage. Sitting at a number of gates in Kansas City’s airport for so long drove me insane enough to finally have a moment of clarity. Sometimes life throws things your way that you certainly didn’t want. Maybe OIP will too. But if you really want to go abroad, you have to deal with it. Be adaptable. You’ll take one step forward with the application only to be thrown 10 steps back. You’ll be ready for takeoff, and they’ll delay your flight an hour, then a couple hours, then a couple more. It might throw a wrench in your plans, but you’ll get to where you need to go.
Mary Wilkie is an op-ed columnist for The Heights. She can be reached at opinions@bcheights.com.
The Heights
A8
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
“BC’s New Mascot” Takes BC Social Media by Storm
By Phoebe Drummond
For The Heights
Looking at an aerial view of the Quad on Oct. 23, you would have been unable to detect any green space with the exception of a small spotlight of grass at the center. A nine-week-old yellow Labrador retriever puppy weighing in at just 12 pounds sported a maroon and gold ribbon tied to her collar. Golden fur glinting in the sun, she clumsily pranced around the free space to the delight of the surrounding students. It was a day that Tim Carmichael, BC ’78, said he will never forget. It was the first day he brought his dog, Molly, now approaching five months old, to campus. Molly has become a routine friendly face on campus since the day students flooded the Quad. “Kids were telling me that everyone was texting, and Instagrams were going up in the classes, and teachers were saying, ‘What’s going on here?’” he said. “There was a crowd of probably three or four hundred people standing around.” The Carmichaels are not puppy rookies—Molly is their third Lab. But they were not always dog people. Clare Carmichael, Tim’s wife, was not allowed to have a dog growing up. And when she first brought up the idea of getting a dog, Tim was not on board, she said. Taking matters into her own hands, Clare packed up their car with
their daughters and some friends and drove to a breeder in New Jersey, where the family was living at the time. After paying in full for a tiny female black Lab puppy named Jessie, she told the entire car to stay quiet about their new family member. That night at dinner, the Carmichaels’ middle daughter, who Clare described as “dog crazy,” announced that Clare had bought a puppy. Tim said he was surprised, but ready to step up and take care of their new dog. From then on, the Carmichaels loved life with a Lab. Their second dog, Maddie, moved with the Carmichaels from New Jersey to Connecticut eight years ago when she was around a year old. Then, after moving to Chestnut Hill last spring, Maddie spent her final year of life strolling through campus, just as Molly now does. Tim would walk Maddie behind CLXF, past Shaw House, and then through Middle Campus to arrive at the Tree of Life fountain. Students passing by would gather to watch Maddie swim laps in the water. Maddie spent her last day alive on campus—Tim said he brought her to the tailgates before BC football took on North Carolina State on Oct. 19 before she died later that night. “What do you think we should do?” Tim asked his wife when they woke up the next morning. “I don’t know, maybe another dog, a little dog,” his wife replied.
MAGGIE DIPATRI / HEIGHTS EDITOR
Students regularly incorporate quality time with Molly into their days.
But deep down, the Carmichaels knew that their next dog would be little only during her puppyhood. “We’re Lab people,” Tim said. Two days without a Lab was two days too long for the Carmichaels. On Oct. 22, Molly went home with them from Dunrovin Farm in Halifax, Mass. Further cementing Molly’s attachment to BC, Carmichael said the owner of Dunrovin Farm grew up with BC men’s hockey coach Jerry York in Watertown, Mass. Clare said she forgot how much energy puppies have. Molly is constantly moving and chewing on everything from toys to watches, she said. To channel her energy, Molly enjoys her fair share of bully sticks and is learning some tricks. She now sits, lies down, and shakes on command. Although Molly has not found her way into the fountain where Maddie swam, she has staked out her own places on campus. She can consistently be found wandering around the campus’ green space—but Tim said that the teachers also invite her into their classrooms, and she can even be seen exploring the Rat or Fulton Hall. Tim typically brings Molly to the Quad twice per day in 90-minute increments, first around 10 a.m. and then again around 2:30 p.m. Tim said that it is the perfect amount of time for Molly to get some fresh air, run around, and exhaust her seemingly endless energy. “It tires her out,” he said. “So when she leaves here, she’s falling asleep in one of the students’ arms.” This window of availability also gives students plenty of time to fit Molly into their own schedules, whether it be to take a photo of her, play catch, or give her belly rubs. “Students come up to me and tell me that it made their day after an orgo exam or something like that,” Tim said. This holds true nearly three months after Molly started coming to campus. People still make frequent puppy pit stops— whenever Molly is bounding around the quads, there are students nearby, snapping pictures, playing tug-of-war with one of her toys, or just petting her. During a break from petting Molly
MAGGIE DIPATRI / HEIGHTS EDITOR
Molly has been featured on numerous BC-related Instagram accounts. outside of Fulton, Rachel Duquette, MCAS ’21, said seeing the new campus pet brightens her day. “It’s encouraging because she’s so happy, and it’s a good break from classes and everything,” Duquette said. Emily Kraus, MCAS ’21, agreed that seeing Molly is a massive stress reliever. Kraus said that in her time at BC, Molly is the first dog she can remember with such a strong fan base. “People have brought their dogs to campus in the past, but I don’t think it’s been this big,” Kraus said. “I think part of that is because she comes every day, and she has her own Instagram page.” Molly reminds other BC community members of pets that they are missing back home. “I left my dog back at home, and my dog is also a puppy, so seeing her is really nice,” said Belen Fernandez, a visiting scholar from Uruguay. “Just seeing another puppy, and seeing another dog, and being able to hug her is really nice.” If students cannot find the time to see Molly in person, there are plenty of opportunities on social media to see what she has been up to. BC-related Instagram accounts, such as @bccampusmin and @ gassongrams, have featured pictures of Molly themselves. A student, who wished to remain anonymous, started an Instagram account devoted to Molly on Nov. 8, called @mol-
lyonthequad. On this account, the student posts pictures and shares Instagram stories of Molly that other students send in. “I had this random urge to create an account for Molly,” the student said in an Instagram direct message. “Most of my pictures/videos are from friends or DMed submissions from other students. … It’s been insane to watch how quickly Molly’s IG account has blown up. … I’m excited to have a place where everyone can share their love for Molly.” The first post on Nov. 8 introduced Molly to the internet with a photo of her standing in front of Gasson. As of Jan. 20, the account has a following of more than 3,400. “Make way @bcbaldwineagle, the real mascot is in town #gameday #rolleags #[eagle emoji],” was the caption of a close-up of Molly walking in the Quad on Nov. 9. But @bcbaldwineagle on Instagram feels no threat. “There’s no competition between us because Molly and I support BC in different ways,” said @bcbaldwineagle in an Instagram DM. “But in the end of the day [sic], both of us love making people happy. It’d be great to take a picture with her and maybe even work with Molly at a game someday.” And while the reality of game day may change with new head coach Jeff Hafley, the excitement surrounding Molly won’t be going away any time soon. n
DiBello Studies Gender in Ecuador’s Public Health Sphere By Maddie Phelps Online Manager In the heart of Ecuador, there is a guinea pig farm. There are about 100 of the furry creatures scurrying around while their owner, Alessandra, raises them. To the locals, these guinea pigs are called “cuy,” and they are in their most desirable form when cooked on a plate. After over half a year of living in Quito, Ecuador working in public health, John DiBello, MCAS ’20, imagined he would spend his final days in the country relaxing in a park near his host family’s home. Instead, he found himself taking an hour and a half long bus ride to be with Alessandra, eating cuy for the very first time from her farm. Beginning in January of 2019, DiBello spent the second semester of his junior year bouncing between the Universidad San Francisco de Quito Medical School and the rural town of Pifo. Alongside Iván Palacios, director of Global Health at the university, DiBello dedicated himself to investigative work and research in health care. Before venturing to Ecuador, however, DiBello took part in service work much closer to home. Early on in his time at BC, DiBello knew he wanted to help people whenever he could. While balancing school with being a member of BC’s marching band and the Liturgy Arts Group, DiBello also immersed himself in caring for those in need in Boston. He worked as an intern at Boston Health Care for the Homeless, Action for Boston Community Development, and Newton-Wellesley Hospital. But these interning opportunities in Bos-
ton were just the beginning of DiBello’s drive to help others. After working in Boston, DiBello made the decision to spend the latter half of his junior year doing work beyond the United States’ borders. Once he traveled to Ecuador to study abroad, DiBello spent a significant amount of time in Pifo. It was in this small, quiet town about an hour outside of the bustling capital of Quito that he helped care for the elderly population. Whether it was doing yoga with a group or taking patients’ blood pressure, DiBello helped make the often daunting world of health care feel like a family for the patients of local clinics. When he wasn’t working, DiBello lived in the home of an Ecuadorian host family. From the very first day of his arrival, his host parents, Ingrid and Rubén, welcomed him as if he were part of their family. The close relationship he developed with them, he said, was one of the most memorable aspects of his experience. “They wouldn’t just go to bed because it was late,” DiBello said. “They made me coffee, chatted with me, and listened to my horribly broken Spanish.” Once the spring semester ended in May, DiBello left Ecuador to return to the United States. But he wasn’t satisfied with just one semester abroad. So DiBello applied to return to Ecuador for the summer to continue similar work in public health. After explaining his plan to continue said work, he received a grant through the Clough Center for the Study of Constitutional Democracy, which is run by the law school campus.
LEO WANG / HEIGHTS STAFF
John DiBello spent his summer in Ecuador working in the realm of public health.
The center’s internship grant for undergraduate students allowed DiBello to head back to the country that had been his home for months in order to continue helping the community. Upon returning for June and July, DiBello concentrated his research and work on gender equity, specifically in adolescents. Though there has been a push for empowerment for women and their reproductive and sexual health in the past 20 to 30 years in Ecuador, DiBello said Palacios explained how the existence of rape culture was still a big problem. DiBello dedicated time to investigating a multitude of topics, including male attitudes toward women, the power imbalances that lead to unwanted teenage pregnancies, abusive relationships, and psychological violence—all which remain common in Latin America. Such investigative work is particularly relevant in Ecuador, as the country currently has the third highest teen pregnancy rate in Latin America. “We’re asking the question of ‘why?’— why is it that young girls are being forced into these situations, knowing that, if we’ve tried to address questions of gender interactions without any real progress, we should also be focusing on not just women, but men in promoting equity,” DiBello said. DiBello helped Palacios start a program, which went by two names, called Grupo de Adolescentes or Club Social de Verano, which translates to “Adolescent Group” and “Summer Social Club,” respectively. These clinics, or “centros de salud,” were located in the towns of Pifo, Lumbisi, Puembo, and El Quinche. They serve as safe spaces for teenagers to visit during summer vacation, which DiBello said are essential to building trust between Ecuadorian teenagers and health clinics. Now up and running, the clinic is sustained by the university and its medical students. There, local teens can stop by and have fun in a productive way, while also feeling safe and comfortable. “The idea is that health education isn’t necessarily just visiting a classroom once a month to talk about a topic, but instead, using [a] social model of the clinic not just serving as a clinic, but as a community center,” DiBello said. “From that perspective, your clinicians are not just people who treat you, but care for
you in the community.” The opportunity to simultaneously work alongside doctors and researchers in the university and with both young and old locals alike perfectly combined DiBello’s interests, he said. While researching and focusing on the more investigative work touched on his passion for public health, spending time with patients and making them feel at home incorporated his love for the humanities. This experience also allowed DiBello to explore a variety of interesting concepts, such as why certain people appear to be more valued by society than others. His work in the clinics with the local elderly population gave him the chance to understand these people—not just on paper, but in real life. Those interactions became the most important takeaway from his trip, he said. “During the quiet moments where I would get to hold the fact that my experience was so unique—like a bus ride back that I’d have by myself—I’d just think about how I had been so wonderfully welcomed into the lives of people who didn’t necessarily have to welcome me,” he said. The relationships he formed with the locals showed DiBello how different Ecuadorian culture is from life in the United States. Even something as basic as an introduction varies. While Americans might ask people what they study or do for a living, Ecuadorians ask to hear about their families instead. These ways of life, he said, can teach us about our priorities as a nation. “Here, time doesn’t mean showing up perfectly to appointments, but time is measured in relationships,” DiBello said. “It’s learning to live a little bit more. I’m trying my best to carry that back here, which is very difficult.” With his Ecuador experience behind him and his senior year underway, DiBello looks to a potential future in medical school—which he said he’ll seek to balance with service opportunities like the ones he had in Boston and Ecuador. While he’s thousands of miles away from Ecuador now, DiBello’s work didn’t end once he arrived home to BC. He and Luke Murphy, MCAS ’20, continue to finalize the data they collected with Palacios at the elderly centers. Murphy traveled to Ecuador the semester before DiBello to pursue similar public health work, largely fueled by his interest and
studies in biology at BC. The two had known each other since freshman year through being in several classes together, but they connected on a deeper level after working at the same site with Palacios. Once it was DiBello’s turn to travel to Ecuador and Murphy returned home to BC, they remained in touch and bonded over working in the same places in Ecuador with some of the same medical students. “Over the summer, I got a FaceTime from [John] on the first day he was working with the adolescent club,” Murphy said. “He and [the med students] were talking together, and I got to see the work they were doing. It was fun.” Though Murphy said some of the work he and DiBello continue to do, such as cleaning up data about the elderly Ecuadorians at the center, is remedial, having DiBello there has made the experience far more enjoyable. Even being thousands of miles from the work sites, both are still making an impact on the lives they had touched in Ecuador. With his last semester at BC underway, DiBello reflected on what such an immersive trip meant to him. The experiences he had and the knowledge he gained in the public health field on his trip, he said, will assist him in the career he plans on pursuing in his future. And the way he learned to bond with others will stay with him for a lifetime. “I’ve learned that it is sometimes worth spending an extra three hours on a bus to share a meal with somebody,” DiBello said. “If we all lived like that, we might be a bit healthier and a bit happier.” It was that very final day in Ecuador that perfectly encapsulated what his trip meant to him, DiBello said. When the community at the clinic for the elderly heard he had never tried cuy, they took him to see Alessandra at her guinea pig farm. The two were strangers, but that didn’t hinder her from inviting him to spend his last day with her. Because of Alessandra, his host family, and the hundreds of Ecuadorians he met during his time abroad, DiBello has started trying to make relationships the center of how he lives his life. “There’s real power in connecting with people and allowing yourself to have love, food, plantains and, sometimes, cuy,” DiBello said. “I would love to live like that every day.” n
A9
The Heights
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
‘The Outsider’ Weaker Than Other King Adaptations By Grace Mayer Assoc. Arts Editor Stephen King is the king of horror. Just in this past year alone, King’s novels have inspired numerous screen adaptations: It Chapter Two, Doctor Sleep, Pet Sematary, and Netflix’s In the Tall Grass. Yet in HBO’s adaptation of King’s 2018 novel The Outsider, the dark TV series doesn’t amount to much suspense—rather, the episodes are weighed down with slow, lingering shots; dragged out plotlines; and a narrative that elicits more gloom than terror. The 10-episode series dives into a criminal investigation with a supernatural twist. An 11-year-old boy’s body is found in the Georgia woods. Due to a slew of
eyewitness accounts and physical evidence, such as numerous fingerprints and surveillance footage, Little League coach and local English teacher Terry Maitland (played by Jason Bateman, one of the show’s producers and the director of the first two episodes in the series) is immediately incriminated. Detective Ralph Anderson (Ben Mendelsohn) is convinced Maitland is the killer. But Anderson, whose own son died of cancer, lets his personal life influence the investigation, clouding his judgment. He’s quick to condemn Maitland, arresting him publicly, branding him a guilty man, and consequently ostracizing Maitland’s family. But just as quickly as Anderson arrests him, contradicting evidence surfaces: Maitland wasn’t even in town the night of the
TV
THE OUTSIDER RICHARD PRICE DISTRIBUTED BY HBO RELEASE JAN. 12, 2020 OUR RATING
HBO
murder. He was 70 miles away at a teachers conference, and there are videos to prove it. In the first episode, the plot bounces between these eyewitness accounts and the day of Maitland’s arrest, but as the evidence both for and against Maitland’s arrest piles up, the first episode ends suspensefully: How can a man be in two places at once? It’s this very question that propels the show’s plot—which becomes increasingly more complicated as the show progresses. The show takes traditional horror and crime tropes and infuses them with supernatural components. The series doesn’t just focus on the boy who was murdered or on whether Maitland is responsible for the murder—it also highlights eerier events affecting Maitland’s and Anderson’s families. Maitland’s youngest daughter is tormented in her dreams by an invisible, outside force, and in many scenes, a mysterious figure is seen silently watching. Playing into the “outsider” theme, many of the shots in the series are framed from a distance, through doorways, and at odd angles, lending weight to the idea that there is someone or something observing from the outside. For both writer Richard Price, whose credits include The Wire, The Deuce, and The Night Of, and producer Bateman, The Outsider is their first foray into the horror genre. Yet true horror elements only exist in small doses in the show.
The Outsider focuses more on the characters’ grief and an overarching somber tone rather than scare and suspense. As Anderson continues to mourn his own son’s death, a funeral is dragged out, murders and a suicide are graphically depicted, and each character takes a turn facing the camera with prolonged expressions of agony. The show’s cast, consisting of Bateman, Mendelsohn, Julianne Nicholson, Mare Winningham, and Cynthia Erivo, is well chosen—especially Mendelsohn and Erivo. Erivo effectively depicts Holly Gibney, a psychically gifted sleuth, with an awkward intensity, but it’s disappointing that her character isn’t introduced sooner in the show. To explain the unexplainable, Gibney is hired by Anderson’s team. For those unfamiliar with King’s work, Holly Gibney was first introduced in the trilogy Mr. Mercedes, and she’s reintroduced in the book and the TV series The Outsider. While Anderson remains grounded in the facts gained from his investigation, Gibney pushes him to consider new possibilities. As the investigation extends beyond Georgia’s borders, where the story begins, Anderson and Gibney learn to navigate the mystery as outsiders themselves. But they soon learn that being perceived as an outsider only creates greater division. It leads to pointed fingers, families being pulled apart and ostracized, and individuals feeling stuck—on the outside looking in. n
Halsey Wears Her Heart on Her Sleeve on ‘Manic’ By Julia Landwehr Heights Staff Manic, Halsey’s third studio album, certainly lives up to its name, taking listeners on an emotional roller coaster that chronicles Halsey’s past romances, strained relationships, and soul-searching efforts. The 16-track album gets better as it goes along, but it maintains that classic Halsey sound throughout, always balancing on the line between emotional and hysterical, her lyrics poetic yet honest. Manic begins with “Ashley,” which is Halsey’s given name. The song acts as an unmasking for her—an intentional shift away from the artificial plots and worlds that accompanied her two previous albums: 2015’s Badlands and 2017’s hopeless fountain kingdom. Back in June, Halsey spoke with Rolling Stone ahead of her album release and said that Manic would be “hip-hop, rock, country, f—ing everything.…” Halsey did not hold herself back, allowing herself to explore a variety of musical styles. On “3am” Halsey embraces rock, and the track sounds like something you would expect to hear from early Imagine Dragons. She maintains the same level of angst in “killing boys,” but utilizes a completely different sound, coyly singing, “Tell me, have you ever keyed a Ferrari before?” over a stripped pop melody and a booming, repetitive bass.
“Finally // beautiful stranger,” by far the most hopeful song on Manic, is full-on country pop. The song almost seems like something from the mind of Kasey Musgraves, but Halsey’s distinct pop voice still works alongside the lazy acoustic guitar. Not only does it dip its toes in different genres, Manic is also structured in a unique way. It features collaborations from alternative singer and rapper Dominic Fike, early aughts icon Alanis Morisette, and SUGA from K-pop star group BTS. Each song, titled “Dominic’s Interlude,” “Alanis’ Interlude,” and “SUGA’s Interlude” respectively, marks specific thematic shifts as Halsey moves through Manic. Each interlude is a pause for both the audience and for Halsey, a new voice entering the conversation that saves Manic from getting trapped in the deep recesses of Halsey’s mind. SUGA, Alanis Morisette, and Dominic Fike ground Halsey’s emotional traumas, adding another perspective and echoing the lyrics and sentiments that Halsey sings. Manic isn’t without its flaws, however. “Graveyard,” “Without Me,” and “You should be sad”—all released as singles ahead of the album’s release—are low points of the album. The lyrics aren’t as poetic or impactful as the ones on Manic’s other track. The real success of Manic comes from Halsey’s songwriting. In “Forever … (is a long time),” Halsey belts out what sounds
like poetry, her voice cracking as if she might burst into tears. The lyrics are beautiful and personal, truly Halsey at her best: “To my surprise, not six feet high / Who’d reach and grab the moon if I / Should ask or just imply / That I wanted a bit more light / So I could look inside his eyes / And get the colors just right.” With all of the aforementioned emotions, it would be easy for Manic to dissolve into dramatic dysfunction. Yet Halsey is able to avoid the temptation and instead succeeds in producing something that is simply honest. There is something so youthful about Manic that gives it this edge. In “929,” the last song on the album, Halsey reflects on
her childhood, asking “Well, who am I? I’m almost 25 / Can’t remember half the time that I’ve been alive / ’Cause half was in a cheap apartment / And half was on the Eastside (Eastside).” After dissecting her memories and feelings, Halsey comes to the conclusion that she hasn’t really figured it out—fitting for an album that truly is manic. The album art, featuring Halsey with a thoughtful expression, rainbow hair, and glitter makeup, gives the impression that she’s really just a kid trying to figure out who she is after being in the mainstream-pop spotlight since she was in her early 20s. Manic is Halsey growing up, trying to make sense of it all, and reveling in the fact that she’s got a long way to go. n
Greeted by an already standing audience, Leslie Jones not only takes the stage but dominates it in her new comedy special, Time Machine. The special premiered January 14 on Netflix, marking Jones’ latest outbreak since she left Saturday Night Live in 2019 after five seasons. From the genuine joy breaking through her laughter and smiles throughout the hour, it’s clear that Jones is in her element performing stand-up, a fact that not only softens the blow of her departure from SNL, but also serves as an exciting glimpse into Jones’ future endeavors. Jones begins the special with high energy that mirrors the crowd’s. Sporting a knee brace on the out-
side of her jeans, Jones assures the audience that she truly no longer cares about what others think of her. She stands as a strong, fiery woman unashamed of the possibility that she may intimidate men because she “looks like she can fight.” Her confidence is as contagious as her laughter. Throughout the whole special, it’s hard to dissect exactly which bits were pre-written and which were composed on the spot. Jones jumps from vividly describing stories of attempting to seduce Prince and fighting her ex in a dog park to jumping off the stage to attack front-row audience members and taunting a woman for wearing a Little House on the Prairie sweater in her 20s. One thing is clear, though: Jones was made to perform. Laughing un-
TV
LESLIE JONES: TIME MACHINE DAVID BENIOFF AND D. B. WEISS DISTRIBUTED BY NETFLIX RELEASE JAN. 14 2020
NETFLIX
‘ME & YOU TOGETHER SONG’ THE 1975
Climate change, generational resentment, mental health, and now…nappies— the British slang term for diapers. “Me & You Together Song,” the latest single from The 1975’s upcoming Notes on a Conditional Form, is the band’s warmest yet, borrowing cyclical guitar chords that sound as if they were pulled from ’90s pop-rock radio. Although Matty Healy and Co. took on far-reaching themes in previous singles from the album—“The 1975,” “People,” and “Frail State of Mind”—the band’s cryptic frontman gets personal on “Me & You Together Song.” Between the simple four-line chorus, Healy acknowledges the rumors about his sexuality that have continuously circulated since the band’s debut, thanks to his penchant for glittery eyeshadow and leather pants: “Oh, it’s okay, lots of people think I’m gay.” Intrigue starts and stops with Healy’s arguably still ambiguous sexuality—the pitch for a picket fence future (hence the nappies) comes addressed to a female friend. The song lacks the jarring punk pastiche of “People” or slick techno simping of “Frail State of Mind.” And really, “Me & You Together Song” lacks the inspired restlessness that has cemented the band as a bona fide Gen-Z-Millennial-cusp whisperer. The youthful adrenaline of “Sex,” all too taboo upon its release in 2013, has never seemed further from reach, even while it lingered in the biting lyrics of 2018’s “Love It If We Made It.” A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships is undoubtedly a tough act to follow, but “Me & You Together Song” proves retreating from the sprawling album’s daring experimentation isn’t the way to do it. n
MUSIC VIDEO TONIE CHASE
‘AMNESIA’ MANIC HALSEY PRODUCED BY CAPITOL RECORDS RELEASE JAN. 17, 2020 OUR RATING
Jones Proves Staying Power With ‘Time Machine’ Heights Staff
KAYLIE RAMIREZ
MUSIC
CAPITOL RECORDS
By Shannon Carmichael
SINGLE REVIEW
controllably at her own jokes at times, at one point she audibly exhales as her face falls into a beaming smile: “This is so fun.” Audience participation is a constant throughout the hour—at one point the whole room breaks into song, echoing Tevin Campbell’s “Can We Talk?,” with Jones leading them through the chorus. Standing alone on stage beside a stool and a microphone, she turns both objects into props that enhance the hilarity of her storytelling. Using the long cord of the microphone, she raises it above her head and allows the cord to cascade down her back to give the audience a more exact image of the ponytail weave of her 20s. Leaning over the stool at one point, she wobbles toward the audience on what has now become her walker as she imitates her 90-year-old fed-up self. Laughter is one of the few things in life that keeps us grounded. Jones seems to understand this well, proving time and time again throughout her special that a good sense of humor is essential to living in the present. Behind the constant sexual references, the vivid descriptions of her promiscuous past, and the hilarious scream-laughing at her own jokes, Jones incorporates life lessons that elevate her routine from strictly comedy to something deeper. The special’s title, Time Machine,
turns out to be a metaphor for the time Jones spends reflecting on both her past and present. Before the crowd is brought to its feet again and the credits roll, Jones concludes her special by exploring what it would be like if she came across a real time machine. She admits she would return to her 20-year-old self to deliver her wisdom. She would tell herself that it’s all going to be OK and that she should eat a vegetable every once and while. She would tell herself to lean into her passions and be confident in her humor. But alas, she accepts the truth to be that the 20-year-old Jones would not be the least bit receptive to her advice. She must live it out herself and experience life. She concludes that her 90-year-old self would greet her with rage for worrying about her future when she is still so young. Living in the present is hard. Keeping your mind from wandering off from the path where your feet stand is more difficult than it may seem. With her ability to find humor between the lines of her past stories, Jones proves to be a champion of reflection. At the same time, though, she is a master of living in the present. Laughing, singing, and dancing through life appears to be her strategy. With no time machine to speak of, she has accepted the fact that we can’t change the past and we can’t see the future, so we might as well embrace today. n
BAS
Sudanese-American rapper Bas released visuals for his song “Amnesia” on January 14. It is one of four songs from his EP, Spilled Milk 1, which was released in early August of 2019. Bas might be familiar to fans of Dreamville Records, the label founded by J. Cole, as one of the rappers signed to it. On Revenge of the Dreamers III, the label’s third compilation album, Bas lends a verse to two songs—“Costa Rica” and “Down Bad”—which are the first and third most streamed songs on Spotify from the album, with a combined total of about 135 million streams. Since Dreamville and J. Cole released a director’s cut of their compilation album on Friday, Bas’ timing seems apt. Now in the peak of “RealFeel” zero temps and piercing winds, the release of “Amnesia” might have been all we needed to get through the rest of this forsaken season. The song’s faded melody pairs well with the opening scene, where a black, female protagonist happily plates a fresh, steaming plate of jollof rice—a West-African-based dish. In this 17-second scene, the camera captures smaller components of the action: cuts of steam rising through the top of the pot, headshots of a muted conversation, and high-definition photos of glassware. The footage is quick and choppy, with a faded filter and warm overlays. In the following scenes, Bas, Kiddominant, and Ari Lennox introduce themselves individually before appearing together. Despite the song’s quick tempo, everyone sways gracefully to the beat. The video becomes more interesting to watch as juxtaposed bird’s-eye and low-angle shots file across the screen. The “Amnesia” video resurrects the spirit of summer through fashion. A fusion of various prints, colors, and textures enlivens the screen and ties the video’s theme together well. “Amnesia” ends in the only way it should: with a colorful daytime party—one of the ultimate highlights of summer—captured through both moving and still images. n
ARTS
A10
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
@BCHeightsArts
Boston College’s Hidden Film Scene Although BC isn’t a school widely recognized for its film program, beneath the surface there’s an active community of talented student filmmakers taking advantage of all that the department has to offer.
By Nathan Rhind Asst. Arts Editor
The Boston Student Film Festival seeks to bring together student filmmakers from around the Boston area to showcase their short films. Noah Harper and Brigitte Gong, the producer and marketing director of the Boston Student Film Festival, respectively, described it as an inclusive event that welcomes new voices, stories, and perspectives from many first-time filmmakers. “We had this astounding space epic called Starman last year about this astronaut-robot-alien-person that lives in Boston. ... It was like a blockbuster in 10 minutes,” Harper said, describing one student’s submission to the film festival. Students from 12 institutions of higher education in the Boston area submitted a total of 29 films. None were from BC. Despite the lack of representation from BC at the festival, there is a community of students on campus who are dedicated to film. As of 2018, BC had 37 film majors and 45 minors, and the school boasts two clubs devoted to film:
BC film professor Robert Heim, who also teaches workshops at Boston University, has insight into how BC’s film department compares with another, more well-known film program. While BU specializes more in the fields of digital media and visual space—the nitty gritty of how to create compelling visuals—BC prepares students for more traditional career paths in the industry, he said. And yet, while BC’s film department helps students get started in traditional careers in the industry and clubs such as Hollywood Eagles help students get valuable production experience, Schlageter said that this doesn’t always translate into peoples’ perception of the film scene at BC. Schlageter is president of Hollywood Eagles, a club dedicated to bringing BC students’ stories and creative ideas to the screen as short films. While its members have many ambitions, she said, they face some major hurdles that make it difficult to realize these creative goals. One obstacle, Schlageter said, is that it is difficult for students to set aside time from their busy lives to pursue creative projects not necessarily required by their academic schedules.
‘x’ amount of hours out of your week to dedicate to filming a project that is just a side passion for you,” Schlageter said. In addition to the time crunch created by busy academic schedules, Schlageter said that another challenge the Hollywood Eagles face is securing actors to perform in their short films in the face of numerous other acting opportunities on campus. While the club does have theatre majors, many of them are committed to performing in school plays and musicals. It is difficult for them to find time in between classwork and theatre commitments to help other student writers and directors bring their film ideas to life. Without access to experienced actors and actresses, the club members are often forced to work with what they have at their disposal. And while it is a positive that many club members are willing to act, the composition of the club sometimes dictates the storylines. “And so sort of to cater towards both of these realities—having it hard to get people outside of the club to act in [short films] and having a lot of [club members] be males—now our script follows a kid on a male soccer team with a lot of his male friends,” she said. “It sort of steers
JESS RIVILIS / HEIGHTS EDITOR
Heim teaches filmmaking skills at Boston University as well as BC, where he says the curriculum is more traditional. Hollywood Eagles and the Film Society of Boston College. Nevertheless, when people think of Boston College, film is rarely what comes to mind, said film major Meghan Schlageter, MCAS ’22. “When I tell people outside of BC— or even in BC—‘I’m a film major,’ a lot of people initially think, ‘Why aren’t you at BU?, or someplace still in Boston that maybe has a more known film program?’” she said.
While she said that the diverse range of liberal arts classes at BC can often lend nuanced, rich influences to short films, she acknowledged that there are also some pitfalls that come with this rigorous curriculum. “One of the downsides, I think, of being at a liberal arts [school] is … that a lot of people have a lot of time commitments, and if [film] isn’t necessarily their major or what they want to dedicate their life to, it can be hard to take
the projects we do in terms of access to actors and what we have.” Hollywood Eagles now has more female members than in years past, and Schlageter is proud of the hard work and dedication she showed to become president in her sophomore year. But the club still has a long way to go, Schlageter said, in terms of getting women into administrative roles, calling the shots rather than just being on the performance side. Schlageter touched on how some of the
JESS RIVILIS / HEIGHTS EDITOR
The ground floor of Devlin Hall houses Boston College’s film department. same problems facing Hollywood Eagles are also affecting the wider industry. “It’s actually relevant now because there’s a whole scandal—because the Academy Award nominations just came out, and no female directors were nominated,” Schlageter said. “That’s causing a whole scene just in the broader aspect of film.” One of the widely perceived snubs in the Best Director category was of Lulu Wang, whose film The Farewell was released to critical acclaim for its humorous yet poignant portrayal of a Chinese-American family reckoning with the terminal illness of its matriarch. Wang is a BC alumna, who graduated in 2005 with a bachelor of arts in creative writing. In addition to the struggle to find actors, the film scene also faces trouble with securing the use of equipment. Schlageter said that another way BC could improve its filmmaking scene and better help students would be allowing better access to equipment and fostering a mutual respect and trust between students and professors. She said that BC has a lot of high-quality equipment but sometimes restricts when and where students can use it. “[For] me personally and a group that I was working with in a cinematography class, we wanted to use one of these really nice cameras, but we ended up having to return it because we weren’t allowed to use it outside of the classroom,” Schlageter said. Heim said that a way BC could help its student filmmakers is by listening to what equipment they need to complete their projects. In his classes, Heim teaches the technical skills that are vital for any student on campus looking to explore filmmaking, building the foundation for groups
such as Hollywood Eagles to reach their goals. While he said that nice equipment can help, he noted that the skill of the filmmaker is the most important. “I tell [students] that every camera basically has the same functions: They all have a record button, they all have a lens, and they all have ways to control the light going into it,” Heim said. “The first day of every class I teach, I tell them the best camera is the one you have with you. ... I also tell them it’s not the shiny hammer that makes the better carpenter.” Schlageter also noted that BC devoting more space for film production and maybe even starting a film festival would help attract attention to the student filmmaking scene on campus. Harper touched on what he gleaned from putting on such an event last year, as producer of the Boston Student Film Festival. “It was a really great opportunity to see how creative and innovative all the students are in the area,” Harper said. “There are obviously some ones that didn’t have the best production values or writing, and they were fun to see too. I was really shocked by the innovation and the ingenuity of storytelling.” Schlageter is ultimately optimistic about the future and how the film scene can continue to grow at BC through either organized ventures or students just creating by themselves. Previously, she had been unaware that the Boston Student Festival even existed, she said. “Now that this has been brought to my attention, it’s something that we can even tell people— like, ‘If you’re not making a film through us, shoot something with your friends and submit it. There’s no harm in that you might not get accepted. You might just do it for fun. See what happens.’” n
A Cappella Groups Compete at Riff-Off for Children’s Hospital By Michaela Balboni For The Heights Boston College Dance Marathon held its second annual A Capella Riff-Off in Robsham Theater on Thursday night. Eight a cappella groups came together to battle it out with one another to raise money for Boston Children’s Hospital—The Bostonians, The Common Tones, The Sharps, The Acoustics, The Dynamics, B.E.A.T.S., Against the Current, and The Heightsmen all performed at the event. Although the competition was intense, The Sharps went home with the trophy. The Dynamics opened with “Bring It Home” by Zak Abel and “I Fall Apart” by Post Malone. Their group rendition of the popular Post Malone song featured solos from Gabe Santos, MCAS ’22, and Brooke Joyce, MCAS ’20. The Dynamics’ various soloists helped the groups to hit a wide range
INSIDE ARTS
of notes throughout the performance. The Heightsmen followed with their rendition of Bobby Darin’s timeless “Beyond the Sea” featuring soloist Michael Lyons, MCAS ’21. Their second song, “If You Leave Me Now” by Charlie Puth and Boyz II Men, was a heartfelt ballad led by Patrick McGrath, CSOM ’20, that had the entire audience enraptured. Up next was B.E.A .T.S., which sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” also known as the “black national anthem,” and “Have Mercy” by Eryn Allen Kane with soloist Rebecca Tschoe, CSON ’20. Tschoe performed with an effortless grace that was supported by her fellow B.E.A.T.S. members, who rounded out the chorus with background vocals. The Sharps took the stage next with “When the Party’s Over” by Billie Eilish, soloed by Bianca Tjoeng, MCAS ’22. Tjoeng was followed by “Alive” by Sia with soloist Ellie Falanga, MCAS
‘The Outsider’
’23. The juxtaposition between Tjoeng’s emotional performance and Falanga’s confident tone showed the group’s wide range. Against the Current sang “You Raise Me Up,” popularized by Josh Groban, and “Rise Up” by Andra Day with soloists Joon Park, MCAS ’21, and Ryan Lee, CSON ’20, respectively. Both soloists had great chemistry with their fellow group members. The Acoustics began with a creative mashup of “B ellyache” and “Ocean Eyes” by Billie Eilish with soloist Iggy Im, MCAS ’22. The group then showcased multiple soloists during a performance of “Genius” by Sia, Diplo, and Labrinth. They created beautiful harmonies that played off one another. Second to last was the Common Tones with “Here Comes Goodbye” by Rascal Flatts and “Shotgun” by George Ezra. Soloists Brianne Lee, Lynch ’22, and Keenan McAuliffe, MCAS ’22, executed a crowd-enchanting
The latest Stephen King adaptation to be released, HBO’s ‘The Outsider’ revels in doom and gloom...........................................A9
performance that led to thunderous applause. Finally, The Bostonians closed the first round with “Higher Love” by Kygo and Whitney Houston and “Evergreen” by YEBBA. The group members had an effortless stage presence that conveyed their confidence and passion. After each group performed two songs, the judges deliberated while audience members had the chance to vote for their fan favorite through Boston College Dance Marathon’s Instagram account. Robsham was packed to the brim as students entered votes for their favorite group. The judges of the night—John Finney, director of the University Chorale; Sebastian Bonaiuto, BC’s director of bands; Emily Murphy, a professor in the music department; and Nova Wang , CSOM ’21—sele cte d The Sharps and The Common Tones to progress onto the second round. The
‘Leslie Jones: Time Machine’
Comic Leslie Jones proves in her new Netflix stand-up special that she can command a stage...................................... A9
fan-picked favorite was The Acoustics. The Sharps sang a powerful rendition of “Somebody to Love” by Queen with dedicated dance moves and powerful high notes that had the audience clapping and cheering for the soloist, Lilly Higgins, MCAS ’20. The Common Tones followed with a mashup of Jessie Ware’s “Say You Love Me” and Bob Dylan’s “Make You Feel My Love,” which featured solos from Daniela Poulat, Lynch ’20 and John Ross, Lynch ’23. The Acoustics closed the night with “September Song” by JP Cooper, a show-stopping song with powerful vocals by Tonye Ikoli, MCAS ’20. At the end of the night, The Sharps became two-time Riff-Off winners, clinching first place. Yet all groups brought their best to the competition, and with Robsham packed full of enthusiastic audience members, the evening was a success for Boston College Dance Marathon. n
‘Manic’..............................................A9 ‘Me & You Together Song’....................A9 ‘Amnesia’...........................................A9
The Heights
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
A11
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Despite Forcing Turnovers, Eagles Drop Third Straight Game By Emma Healy Sports Editor
Since Boston College men’s basketball’s season-defining victory over then-No. 18 Virginia, the Eagles have struggled to connect on offense, leadBoston College 62 i n g to th re e straight losses. Wake Forest 80 Two games in a row, the Eagles tallied under 55 points, and Sunday’s game against ACC rival Wake Forest told a very similar story. Though the Eagles’ (9-9, 3-4 Atlantic Coast) offense was quiet overall, the top scorers came out to play nonetheless , and guard Derr yck Thornton’s team-high 15 points was his first double-digit effort since BC’s win over Cal back in December. He also notched three rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Just three players reached double digits on the night, and the Eagles’ attack was too little to take down the Demon Deacons (9-8, 2-5). Jay Heath notched 14, and CJ Felder netted 10 points to round out the
Eagles’ top three. Wake, on the other hand, had four players in the double digits, including a standout 20-point performance from Brandon Childress to lead the Deacons. A s a re sult of Nik Pop ov ic ’s back injury, the Eagles tested out a new starting lineup featuring Luka Kraljevic in his first career start. After a four-point, four-rebound performance, he fouled out 20 minutes into the game. The Eagles started off slow from behind the arc, going 0-9 from distance until Kamari Williams drilled one with seven minutes left in the first half. Because of the slow start, the Eagles still trailed by six after Williams added three points to the tally. Throughout the game, the Eagles went 6-of-29 on 3-pointers. Though the game ended up at a lopsided 80-62 margin in favor of Wake, it didn’t seem like a runaway at first. With three minutes left in the first period, Andrew Kenny drilled his first collegiate 3-pointer to bring the Eagles back within two. Then, a pair of free throws from Jairus Hamilton tied
the game up, but that was the closest the Eagles would get. Wake came out firing in the second half, and the Deacons nailed their first three field goals of the half, including two from behind the arc. They then went on a 13-0 run to take a 20-point lead over BC, and though the Eagles tried, they struggled the rest of the game to cut such a huge deficit. With just 10 minutes left in the game, the Eagles had shot a dismal 25 percent from the field in the second half. They ended the game at 38.1 percent from the field and just 20.7 percent from 3-point range, a mark they have struggled on all season. The Eagles are averaging just over 28 percent from distance on the year, and Sunday’s game was a major step back for them in that category. The Eagles were also below their season average in points per game by two points, which is a testament to their offensive struggles so far this year. Jim Christian’s squad has been working on improving shooting percentages all year but has yet to show any marked improvement.
allison lee isley / ap photo
Andrew Kenny looks defeated as the Eagles fall to Wake Forest in North Carolina.
A major strength for the Eagles in Sunday’s game, however, was forcing turnovers. BC notched 21 points off turnovers—more than a third of its total tally. The Eagles forced the Deacons to cough up the ball 16 times, including seven steals, which helped give the offense a chance when the game looked like a runaway.
With more conference play coming up for the Eagles, they will have to figure out how to improve their connection of offense while maintaining a strong defensive mentality. The Eagles will have to continue to capitalize on turnovers if they want to have a chance in ACC standings before the postseason arrives. n
New Coaches May Be Solution to the Eagles’ Defensive Woes Defensive Solution, from A12 bearing the same excitement that the BC community had first seen from Hafley. “I’m gonna try to get around to all the games and all the teams that I can,” Hafley said in an interview to NESN during Saturday’s game. “I want [the BC community] to feel like they’re a part of it.” With the Heights brimming with excitement for the new faces of the football program to get started, Hafley confidently declared in front of the sold-out crowd that the Eagles would become more competitive within the ACC than they have been in previous seasons. And Hafley’s assertive statement was not without merit—he has proven
his ability to refine a program in a short period of time. In just one year with the Buckeyes, Hafley built the best defensive squad in the nation, according to an article by Max Olson of The Athletic. Ohio State ended its season with an 82.5 percent stop rate on all drives, earning the top placement in that category and just barely edging out both Clemson and Georgia, who both ended their seasons with an 82.4 percent stop rate. The Buckeyes had the fourth best improvement rate in the nation, increasing their stop rate by 12.2 percent from their 70.3 percent stop rate in 2018. BC, on the other hand, had the largest decline in stop rate, with an 18.3 percent decline from 2018 to 2019. On a list that ranked the top
130 defenses, Boston College fell at 119th with an overall stop rate of 55.8 percent. While BC does not have the same starting point that Ohio State had, Hafley is still optimistic that the team can vastly improve its contention status at least in the ACC, if not nationally. “We’ll take a strong look at what we have [defensively] … but we’re going to be aggressive,” Hafley said to NESN. “For me, defense is built on fundamentals and technique. … I don’t want to overcomplicate it on defense. It’s very similar to what I did when I was at Ohio State last year.” With former Cincinnati Bengals’ linebacker coach Tem Lukabu taking over for Bill Sheridan as the Eagles’ defensive coordinator, Hafley has high hopes for BC’s defensive side. Aazaar
Abdul-Rahim, defensive backs coach, and Vince Oghobaase, defensive line coach, make up the rest of BC’s defensive coaching unit alongside Lukabu. All of these hirings are part of Hafley’s determination to leave the defensive woes of the Eagles’ 2019 season in the past. Lukabu has been cited as being one of the sport’s bright defensive minds, and his experience in coaching at both the college and professional level will help in aiding the Eagles to a new level of defensive maturity. Abdul-Rahim, on the other hand, gained his prior coaching experience solely through the college sphere, most recently as the defensive coordinator at Massachusetts. He is known for his ability to find and recruit top college prospects that have the poten-
tial to have a positive impact. Oghobaase completes the trio of defensive coaches as the youngest, at only 32 years old. Similarly to Lukabu, Oghobaase has served as a coach at both the collegiate and professional level, coming most recently from UCLA as the team’s defensive line coach. Prior to joining the Bruins in 2018, Oghobaase had worked as the assistant defensive line coach for the San Francisco 49ers for two seasons. With this much experience joining the Eagles’ coaching staff, it’s hard to ignore Hafley’s bold claim. If he believes that the ACC will have more rivalries come the 2020 season and BC’s new coaching staff ameliorates each of the Eagles’ deep-rooted issues, there’s a good chance that his assertions will come to fruition. n
MEN’S HOCKEY
Eagles Top the Terriers in Sold-Out Battle of Comm. Ave. Hockey, from A12 unscathed. BC was hit with its first penalty of the night when Hardman was called for tripping, and after two minutes of constant action from the Terriers, the Eagles very narrowly escaped an equalizer. Throughout the season, the shots that have been the most deadly to Knight are the ones he can’t see clearly. Halfway through the period, BU capitalized on that. Patrick Curry
took advantage of traffic in front of the Darien, Conn. native, once again closing the gap between BC and BU. Late in the period, the Eagles were again in the dog house. Drew Helleson was called for tripping in the Eagles’ territory, giving BU the opportunity to secure its first lead. But for the second time of the night, the Eagles came away unharmed. Seconds later, the Terriers were the ones being called, following a hard hit by Sam Stevens, leaving BU to start the final frame much like the second: a
player down. The E agles settle d in around Tucker in the opening minutes of the frame. While unable to convert on their power play, it didn’t take long for their top line to make itself known. With a pass from David Cotton, Hutsko whipped a shot past Tucker, pulling ahead once again. Following Hutsko’s goal, the Eagles were immediately called for checking in the offensive, putting pressure on BC’s defense. Patrick Curry capitalized within the first minutes of Gra-
ham McPhee’s penalty, tying up the game for the third time. With just over five minutes left, BC’s first line struck again. Julius Mattila picked up a pass from Cotton in the circle and made his way through his defenders to look for Hutsko. He didn’t get the chance, because his pass deflected off David Farrance’s back and past Tucker, putting the Eagles ahead of the Terriers once again. BC closed out the frame a player down after a call on Ben Finkelstein for checking. After BU pulled Tucker,
the Eagles’ defense was given its toughest challenge of the night—but it was ready for it. BC killed the 4-on6 to close out the game ahead of its Comm. Ave rivals. For head coach Jerry York, this matchup is a special one for both the team and the fans. “It was a fun game to coach,” said York. “The players are so excited, on both teams. It’s a must-see for a hockey fan at every level, to see BC and BU play.” n
WOMEN’S HOCKEY
Two Late Goals for Vermont Lead to 2-2 Tie in OT Thriller By Jack Coleman Heights Staff Before Conte Forum would be filled with Eagles fans cheering for Boston College men’s hockey against Comm. Ave. rival Boston University on Saturday night , Vermont 2 an incredBoston College 2 ible overtime thriller took place between Boston College women’s hockey and Vermont. While the Eagles (12-9-3, 11-7-2 Hockey East) maintained an early twogoal lead, the Catamounts eventually found the net and evened the score to send the game to overtime, where play remained at a 2-2 stalemate. Senior Delaney Belinskas had both of the Eagles’ goals on the night, an impressive effort that head coach Katie Crowley attributed to her parents being in town for the weekend. Within 20 hours, the forward had five goals total between the two games against Vermont (9-10-6, 6-8-4). The first goal came when Belinskas brought up the puck from mid-ice. She faked out a Vermont defender and sent the puck up to Hannah Bilka, who faked out the last player behind the puck. With Belinskas cutting down the middle of the ice toward the goal, Bilka
quickly sent the puck her way again. With nothing between her and Catamounts’ goaltender Blanka Skodova, the senior slid the puck in to give the Eagles an early lead. Later in the period, in the midst of a BC power play, Bilka nearly doubled the lead, but in the act she stumbled over Skodova in goal. A few Vermont players rushed Bilka to confront her, but the refs broke up the scuffle before anything started. From that moment on, the game became very chippy. The most impressive goal of the night happened to be Belinskas’ second. For the first two periods, the Eagles pushed the puck up the ice in transition and outskated many of the Vermont players. Belinskas passed multiple defenders, and with no one in front of her, she sniped a shot from the face-off circle right past Skodova. Although this was the final BC score of the night, the game was far from over. Throughout the game, the Eagles had packed the defensive line with up to three Eagles players surrounding the sole Vermont player with the puck. This scrappy style of defense lent to numerous opportunities for chippy play and rough hits by members of both teams.
One such moment came when Cayla Barnes got into a scuffle behind the goal with Corinne McCool. Barnes fell to the ice after hashing it out with McCool, and not willing to go down without a fight, she set a hard shove on McCool, sending her spiraling to the ice. This went unnoticed, but then the pair found themselves going at it behind the goal, which finally caused the refs to stop play and issue penalties on both sides. Throughout the rest of the game, there were numerous similar shoves and near-fights, but that did not stop Vermont from getting on the board with a goal of its own from McCool after she returned to play following her penalty. All of the previous fighting carried into the third period as a hoard of players got into it. It started when Vermont’s Hailey Burns plowed into BC’s goalie, Maddy McArthur, causing Barnes to come rushing to her defense. Again, more penalties ensued, and Vermont was able to even the score when Theresa Schafza notched her first tally. For the rest of the game, the Eagles looked increasingly tired and were not getting out as fast in transition as they had at the beginning of the game.
kait devir / Heights staff
Jillian Fey battles a Vermont forward for the puck along the boards in Conte Forum.
Again, numerous shots just nearly missed the net, but the game would be sent to OT, where only Schafza had a final shot that nearly went through the legs of McArthur. “I think we need to take more advantage of our power plays and find a way to score,” Crowley said about the close game.
“Every game means something, and we need to really start to step up our game and play like how we should play. Our team is young, so we need to keep working, trying to get better, and learning from our mistakes for next weekend against Providence.” n
A12 TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2020
SPORTS
@HEIGHTSSPORTS
MEN’S HOCKEY
BEANTOWN BATTLEGround
JESS RIVILIS / HEIGHTS EDITOR
In a preview of the first-round Beanpot matchup for the Eagles, the schools on Comm. Ave. came out swinging, and it took a last-minute stand to take down the Terriers. BY NICOLE PLA Heights Staff It’s impossible to understate the importance of Saturday night’s matchup between Boston College men’s hockey and Boston University. As one of the de epBoston University 3 est rivalries in Boston College 4 Beantown, the preview to February’s Beanpot tournament opener was a make or break for both No. 5 BC (14-5, 8-3 Hockey East) and BU (7-7-5, 4-3-4). After a game that came down to the final seconds, the Eagles walked away ahead
of the Terriers in front of a sold-out crowd, 4-3. The Terriers felt the pressure of the game and were consequently called on the first penalty of the evening for having too many players on the ice. The Eagles lead Hockey East and rank third nationally in power play percentage at 28.6 percent, but despite the advantage, the Eagles narrowly missed their scoring opportunities in the first man advantage. Despite the physical back-andforth play, BC was creating more scoring opportunities than the Terriers, who were having a hard time cracking
the Eagles’ defense. “This is an easy game for us to get up for. It’s a big rivalry game,” said the Eagles’ Logan Hutsko. “We brought a lot of energy, and feeding off each other helps a ton. We have such a great bond and locker room, and we’re all rooting for each other.” It looked as though the Eagles were going to secure an early lead when Alex Newhook pulled away from his defender. Goaltender Sam Tucker jumped on the puck to stop the play, robbing the freshman of a goal. The Eagles responded quickly. In a sequence that mirrored Newhook’s,
Hutsko pulled away from BU’s defense. He successfully faked out Tucker, lighting the lamp to put the Eagles on the board. The Eagles then gained a second power play when Logan Cockerill collided with Hustko, a hit that the junior needed a moment to shake off. The Terriers killed off their second penalty, keeping the Eagles to a onegoal lead. Shortly after the game returned to full strength, Patrick Harper ripped a shot through traffic and through Spencer Knight’s legs, equalizing the score, but BC quickly regained its
lead. Mike Hardman proved why the third line is just as deadly as the first with a wrap around shot that Tucker couldn’t see, and the Eagles headed into the locker room with a singlescore lead in place. Extracurricular activity from Wilmer Skoog put the Terriers in the box for the third consecutive time, forcing them to open the second period a player short. While the Eagles created a multitude of scoring opportunities for themselves, the Terriers escaped their third penalty
See Hockey, A11
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
BC’s Prolific Offense Shines in Conference Win Over Georgia Tech BY ASA ACKERLY For The Heights This week has been test after test for Boston College women’s basketball against some of the best in the ACC. After Thursday’s hard Boston College 55 fought loss Georgia Tech 48 against No. 5 Louisville, BC headed south to face another of the ACC’s top teams. The Eagles (10-8, 3-4 Atlantic Coast) proved up to the test, edging past Georgia Tech (14-4, 5-2) by a score of 55-48. BC never trailed in the game. The game was a clash between opposing strengths for the two teams. BC came into the game with the second best scoring offense in the ACC, while the Yellow Jackets are tied for the nation’s best
scoring defense. BC’s balanced offensive attack ultimately proved too potent for the Yellow Jackets. While the Eagles’ 55 points are more than 20 below their season average, it was nevertheless an impressive offensive performance against a lockdown GT defense that has held its opponents to a measly 48.8 points per game. BC came out firing early. Guard Makayla Dickens hit a 3-pointer only four seconds into the game, and BC quickly built a substantial 12-3 lead. Emma Guy was dominant in the first quarter, scoring a pair of layups off perfect entry passes from Cameron Swartz. Georgia Tech fought through shooting woes all afternoon, making only a pair of its 20 attempts from distance and shooting 25.9 percent from the field.
Despite their scoring struggles, the Yellow Jackets fought hard all game and never let the Eagles open up a comfortable lead. Georgia Tech responded to the Eagles’ fast start with a run of its own, and the first quarter ended 17-15 in BC’s favor. BC started hot in the second quarter as well, riding more stellar plays from Guy and a series of Georgia Tech turnovers to earn a 28-15 lead. Again, Georgia Tech refused to let its offensive struggles get the best of it, clawing back to cut the Eagles’ lead to six by halftime. The Eagles were plagued by foul trouble all afternoon. Guy and guard Marnelle Garaud each picked up a second foul early in the second quarter, and BC head coach Joanna Bernabei-McNamee chose to sit them for much of the period. They both picked up a third foul right after halftime
and were benched again. With Guy and Garraud sidelined, the Eagles needed someone to step up offensively in the second half. Taylor Soule eagerly filled the role, dominating the boards as she picked up six points in the third. She finished with a team high of 13. Jasmine Carson and Lotta-Maj Lahtinen led the Yellow Jackets with 10 points and three steals apiece. Despite their ability to overcome poor shooting in the first half, the Yellow Jackets’ brief flashes of comebacks were disappearing down the stretch. The Eagles finished the third quarter with a 10-point lead and seemed poised for an easy victory when they led 52-39 with only 3:10 left. Just as the game’s conclusion seemed beyond doubt, Georgia Tech’s dominating defense came alive. The Yellow Jackets’
full-court press gave the Eagles trouble, and GT took advantage of a series of turnovers to cut the deficit to four with 45 seconds left. Jaelyn Batts came up with a huge block with eight seconds left for the Eagles, and Dickens hit a free throw to seal the game. The return of Swartz, who was sidelined for the last two contests with a leg injury, was huge for BC. She scored nine points and was very effective at getting the ball to Guy and Soule in good positions down low. Her impressive comeback performance was cheered on by a personal fan section as she took advantage of playing so close to her hometown. BC’s impressive performances against some of the ACC’s best bode well for the team to turn a corner as it heads deeper into conference play.
Hafley Will Propel BC Football With School-Wide Support OLIVIA CHARBONNEAU It’s about time for everyone to get on board with Boston College football, and a sold-out Conte Forum of Eagles fans would agree. “The ACC is gonna start to have a lot more rivalries than they think they do,” BC head football coach Jeff Hafley said at Saturday’s men’s hockey game. “But, to do all that, I’m gonna say the same thing I said in my press conference. … I’m gonna
INSIDE SPORTS
ask you guys again to get in.” In his short time on the Heights, the former Ohio State defensive coordinator has already made a great impact on not only BC’s football program, but the entire school. Hafley has made an effort to attend numerous games in support of other BC sports. First, he attended BC men’s basketball’s stunning upset over the reigning national champions, Virginia. And more recently, Hafley made an appearance at Conte Forum for BC men’s hockey’s victory over rival Boston University. Before the game had even started, Hafley was making connections with people. With 10 minutes remaining before puck drop, Hafley
made an appearance at each of the two main student sections, tossing personal pizzas to awaiting fans. Then, during the first intermission of the Eagles’ eventual 4-3 win over the Terriers, Hafley made a compelling speech, inspiring each and every member of the BC community to “get in.” Hafley’s message—one dating back to his first press conference in Chestnut Hill—has become a motto of the football program. With the announcement of each new coach added to Hafley’s growing staff came the message “get in.” The new members of the program all come
See Defensive Solution, A11
JESS RIVILIS / HEIGHTS EDITOR
Jeff Hafley addresses a sold-out crowd during the men’s hockey game on Saturday.
WHOK: Eagles Tie With Vermont in OT Game MBB: BC Drops Third Straight to Wake
WOMEN’S HOCKEY.............................. .... A11 In the second game of a weekend series, BC played to a The Eagles struggled to connect on shooting on COLUMN, CONTINUED............................. A11 2-2 draw with Vermont in Conte Forum......................A11 Sunday night and fell to the Demon Deacons........... A11 MEN’S BASKETBALL...................... A11