“It’s one thing to give somebody a book and say ‘If you want to know more about X read this,’” Frederick said. “I think that’s one way to intervene. But the more of yourself you get involved in learning—your physical self, your intellectual self, your emotional self, etc. — the more meaningful what you learn is to you as a human.”

“If you’re going to be in a relationship, grow up and be a part of the relationship,” Bracher said. “Have an adult relationship, and if you want to get out of the hurt feelings and the BC lookaways, you’ve got to be able to talk about your feelings.”

“When you are in a difficult position but find someone who doesn't judge you and tries to teach you, and even tries to learn from you, it is an amazing thing that can change your life, that can put you on the right path,” Alabi said. “And that's what they're doing. That's what their goal is.”

The autumn bustle of Boston College students this year is shadowed by the upcoming U.S. presidential election. With November quickly approaching, the student body is tasked with finding its role in the next chapter of American history, walking the line between abstraction, activism, and apathy.

“University President is a tough job right now,” Rather said. “There’s been tremendous turnover. There’s been tremendous stress. So I think it’s incredibly difficult, even more reason that I think it’s important that BC continues with a Jesuit president to continue that tradition.”