News Articles

War child raps his story

By Chantal Cabrera
On Tuesday afternoon, the sounds of students rushing through O'Neill Plaza were replaced by the songs of Emmanuel Jal, who took to the stage with a rap that summed up the events of his life as a child in Sudan. After his brief poem, which included solemn rhymes like "forced to sin to make a living," "I've seen my people die like flies," and "sometimes I'm doing wrong to make things right," Jal shared his story with the audience in 45 minutes.

Jal, from southern Sudan, was born into a world of turmoil. Early in his childhood, tensions arose between the northern and southern Sudan. His father left his family after a rebel movement was formed in southern Sudan, and could no longer provide for the family.

Senate delivers resolution

By Alexi Chi / Editor-In-Chief
Earlier this week, the Undergraduate Government of Boston College (UGBC) Senate passed a resolution to establish a committee to review the University's new alcohol and drug sanction policy. The "matrix" has been of great student concern since administrators institutionalized this revised policy at the beginning of the semester.

Trends in gender examined

By Caroline Pepek
The question of gender in higher education has always been controversial. From the time Oberlin College opened its doors to women in 1833, the following debate has raged: Which sex is more successful in higher education? Statistically, the answer to that question would be women.

Report examines diversity

By Matthew DeLuca / News Editor
While diversity has been a foremost concern for many universities for more than two decades now, some recent studies suggest that many of the ambitious goals set have not been reached, leaving the success of these programs in question. With an issue as complex as institutional diversity, it is not surprising that the accomplishments of such programs depends on whom one asks.

Flat-screen system to face review, revision

By Ashley Schneider
Last spring, Boston College gave the Undergraduate Government of Boston College (UGBC) permission to install flat screen televisions in Corcoran Commons and the Eagle's Nest to test their proposed Flat Screen Notification System (FSNS). If the system's eight-week extended trial period is successful, the UGBC hopes to gain approval to expand the program beyond current locations to include the O'Neill staircase, Carney's dining hall, The Chocolate Bar, Flynn Recreation Complex lobby, Stuart dining hall, Hillside Cafe, and 21 Campanella Way.

Hillel hosts holiday services on campus

By Alexi Chi / Editor-In-Chief
"L'shanah tovah is a greeting we use to wish each other happy new year, but a more literal translation is 'good change,'" said Leon Ratz, vice president of Boston College Hillel and A&S '11. This greeting was exchanged between students at BC earlier this week during Rosh Hashanah, a holiday commonly referred to as the Jewish New Year.

Software picks frosh roommates

By KyooLee Park
As September approaches, incoming freshmen often become nervous imagining who their first roommate will be. Although not everyone becomes lifelong friends with their freshman year roommate, it is undeniable that the quality of residential life and relationship with your roommate can have a heavy influence on the first year experience.

Student sites not private

By Ian Gatward
Teenagers and young adults often spend hours on social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace, and the students at Boston College are no exception. Students often use these social networking tools to keep in contact with old friends, make new friends, share information, and to do a variety of other things.

Education programs tested

By Nicholas Mackey
Even by his own lofty standards, Roland G. Fryer Jr., a Harvard professor of economics, is facing his most daunting challenge yet: changing the face of public education.

News and Notes

CSOM Dean Boynton says nation in need of "virtuoso team"

Police Blotter: 9/26/08 - 10/1/08