J. Crew U?

What do you get when you cross a sweet, sheltered, suburban student with J. Crew's fall catalogue? According to writer Steve Almond, the answer is Mr. or Miss Boston College.

Almond's article "Class Distinction," which appeared in October's issue of Boston Magazine, provides a Cliff's Notes-like guide to distinguishing Boston-area university students. To develop his critique of each university, Almond relied on his own experience as an adjunct professor at Emerson and BC, as well as information from his fellow professor "pals." Although Almond has very few positive things to say about any of his subjects, the humor in his tone is undeniable.

According to Jon Marcus, professor of communications and editor of Boston Magazine, the "bottom line" is that the article was meant to be satirical in nature. Comedy aside, students wonder if there are elements of truth embedded in Almond's commentary.

From his own experience, Almond believes that BC "specializes in suburban Catholic kids who are sweet, sheltered, and extremely well dressed. The entire campus looks like a J. Crew catalog with a slight hangover." This statement may not come as a surprise to some at BC. Many agree that the students here are clean-cut and dressed to impress.

Jaime Onofre, A&S '05, admitted that BC often looks like a sea of "J. Crew and Abercrombie" while Casey McCarthy, A&S '07, compared the atmosphere on campus to that of a "prep school." There's no denying that style is prevalent here, but does everyone fit Almond's stereotype? Are BC students in fact "all white Irish-Catholic beer-drinking clones" as the Princeton Review stated?

But a glance across the Dustbowl, BC's own virtual fashion runway, shows a more diverse spectrum. Jeans? Everyone has them. Sweatpants? Not just for athletes. Pajamas? Sure, why not? BC apparel? Everywhere! Even the tables in McElroy sell everything from Kate Spade knockoffs to Indian saris. Is BC just another J. Crew U.? At first glance the answer might seem to be yes, but people who take a closer look find a bit of everything.

Even more controversial than his fashion critique is what Almond believes about the students themselves. He insists that "what the average BC student lacks is edge. These are not the kids who are going to light the world on fire with their rebel energy. They're smart enough, though, and well mannered."

Is it true? Does BC lack "edge" and "rebel energy?" It should come as no surprise to anyone that BC is not UC Berkeley. BC students don't necessarily see banner-waving protesters in the Quad or other students boycotting the dining halls because of price inflation. Yet just because BC students don't rally or picket, does that mean that they are incapable of "lighting the world on fire" with their energy? Do they project the image of a complacent student body?

Dale Herbeck, professor in the communication department, admitted that there is "an edge of truth" in Almond's statement. In his 20 years of experience at BC, Herbeck has seen "very little protest." In defense of his students, Herbeck insisted that "there are a lot of kids making a difference. For every kid that's complacent there are two kids who aren't."

Herbeck also cited programs like Appalachia Volunteers and PULSE as prime examples of students working to change the world. The problem is that these programs do not receive much attention, so it is easy for outsiders to overlook their importance. Herbeck said that everyone knows who won the BC-Notre Dame game, but not many students know what their fellow classmates accomplish through programs like the Festival of Friendship or Jesuit Volunteer Coalition. "Our society publishes the information and stories that we feel are of value," said Herbeck. "Sports and the ACC are a high priority at BC."

Almond's final statement about BC is of particular interest to this year's seniors who will soon embark on their post-graduate journey. Almond believes that when graduates finally leave the comfort of Chestnut Hill, the real world might "prove a bit too cruel for them."

Kristin Markowski, A&S '04, is one senior who admits that the "undergraduate bubble" in which she lives is nothing like the world she is about to enter after graduation. Although she anticipates some "major surprises next year," she said she does not believe that she is any less prepared than her peers at other universities. She laughed at Almond's idea that BC students will not use their energy to "light the world on fire."

"It's silly to say that as an entire school we lack the ability to change the world when we are in reality still in the first quarter of our lives," said Markowski.

Almond's critique characterizes all of the Boston-area university students in the same satirical manner. The overall conclusion he makes is that "most 22-year-olds are really the same basic person. They're full of hope, bluster, monumentally self-absorbed, but also susceptible to moments of unearthly kindness." Youth, according to Almond, is the greatest strength.