A Mod revival: Retro is still 'in'

To most Boston College students, the mere prospect of being in the Mods is an exciting one. Whether it is for tailgating before football games, visiting friends, or actually living there during senior year, the Mods hold special promise in the hearts of the school's many students. Their days of being the dream living for everyone, however, are clearly numbered.

Recently, the administration announced a 10-year renovation plan aimed at closing and eventually tearing down certain facilities on campus so that more space will be available for the construction of newer and more modern buildings. As part of the plan, roughly half of the existing Mods will be torn down in what appears to be an extensive effort to pave the way for newer housing and student facilities on campus.

"There is a systematic plan to take down the Mods, as construction warrants," says Henry Humphreys, director of residential life. "There are new plans to replace them with newer facilities that will improve the overall quality of Boston College."

The Mods were originally constructed in the early '70s in response to the "housing crunch." At the time BC was in need of temporary housing to accommodate the influx of students matriculating to the University. Coupled with the lack of sufficient financial resources, the administration was led to construct the Mods from pre-fabricated homes that had already laid their foundations.

Ultimately, the popularity they gained from mainly upperclassmen ensured that they would stay, at least for the time being. As time passed, the Mods became a tradition passed down over the years; freshmen and upperclassmen alike would frequent them and meet new people, harboring dreams of living there during their last year at BC. Some of these expectations came to pass as new seniors moved in due to the good reputation they gradually gained each year.

Today, however, many of the Mods are antiquated and take up too much space. The administration thus deemed it necessary to replace a good number of them with better housing, which was included it in the 10-year plan, coming as a surprise to many. Half of the units will be torn down to make way for a new, state-of-the-art student center, which is slated to be constructed where the current recreational complex and the Mods stand.

The administration does not yet see a need to tear down all of the Mods because there are new residence halls that will be constructed elsewhere that will provide additional housing, saving money and filling that niche.

"Everything will come down in quarters and sections, including the Mods," Humphreys says, in regard to how the renovation will proceed. "They will not all close down together." When everything, including the Mod deconstruction and installation of the new student center is finished, Humphreys says that it will likely take longer than the stated 10 years, citing the need for an overall set pace for construction involving meticulous planning, designing, and sufficient time for completion. He says the changes would be "positive and progressive."

To this day the Mods are still immensely popular among students, mainly upperclassmen, for a plethora of reasons. Their proximity to the Alumni Stadium make them the ideal place for tailgating before football games. Barbequing is also commonplace during the warmer seasons due to the open space in the Mods.

Distinctive features of the Mods include the generally friendly atmosphere and abundance of students. Most restrictions are generally lighter compared to other residence halls, which makes it easier for residents to meet new people. A number of exciting events are also hosted in the area, which attract large numbers of students.

In addition, because many of the residents know each other and that the units are uniquely constructed and arranged, the Mods generally provide for an unparalleled, close-knit community that attracts many people.

Reactions to the 10-year plan have been mixed. Some view it as a blessing, citing how many of the Mods are old and that the campus needs to be brought up to modern standards, while others say that tearing them down will deprive students of that unique social and living experience.

"I think it's nice that they're modernizing the campus and removing some of the Mods," says Rich Liu, CSOM '08. "The tuition's being put to good use because the campus is a big part of BC life."

Asked whether or not he had any objections to the 10-year plan, he says, "I'm going to miss the Mods in general when I graduate. They had plenty of good memories for me and other people. It's still kind of sad in some ways but it's for a positive change."

It's fair to say that the Mods have left an indelible legacy for the University and have created even better memories for the countless students who have both frequented and lived there over the ages. Although a considerable number of people will miss them as they are removed within the next five to 10 years, it's also rational and comforting to assume that the changes will help move BC forward.