Boston College - Sub Turri Yearbook (Boston, MA)

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Father James Larkin offers Communion at St. Mary’s chapel. Bishop McEleney stops to talk with a student at a Jesuit social. Father Donovan r Boston College: A Jesuit University At the largest Catholic University in the country, students may feel that a religious aura must permeate every comer of the campus. The Jesuit influence is present. However, one does not see Jesuits teaching every course, or running every department. For that matter the Jesuits are not even mentioned in the University charter. Instead, the Jesuits have concerned themselves with providing students with an education and a system of values. Evidence of this exists in various campus programs, such as PULSE, where students are placed in social service settings, and this placement is combined with philosophical and theological reflection in the classroom. The motto “Ever to Excel” reflects the Jesuit committment to excellence in education. The core curriculum requirements place emphasis on a well-rounded education that is mandatory at this liberal arts University. The Catholic community is catered to, with three masses daily at St. Mary’s Chapel, and masses throughout the campus on weekends. The Jesuits stress participation. Students are encouraged to join the campus ministry and take an active role in the Church. The religous figures, crucifixes and stained glass, the Jesuit socials and retreats offered, are all examples of this religious heritage. 11

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r 1 During the past few years the Chestnut Hill campus has experienced tremendous physical changes. What precipitated this growth? The University was challenged, as were all universities in the 70’ s, first to attract a large number of outstanding applicants in a world where the number of high school students has been declining yearly, and to keep them happy once they arrived. Boston College expanded, not just in size but in the quality of facilities that are offered to all students. Over four years the sound of construction has never ceased. The clamour of the bulldozer and pile diver often seemed to be a substitute for the ring of alarm clocks. The products of this clamour include: a parking garage, a dormitory, a theatre arts center and the beginnings of a central library. These buildings have consumed considerable amounts of open land and not all have been blessed with student approval. The opening of the theatre arts center this fall strengthened the University’s belief in and support of the arts. At last the performing arts has a facility that has long been deserved. The need for South Street and Pine Manor housing was eliminated by 800 beds that the New Dorm provided. The dorm also allowed numerous commuters to become campus residents. For those remaining commuters the garage began to alleviate the parking crunch. Construction on the long-awaited library has just begun and only future classes will be truly able to appreciate the facility. No longer will students roast or freeze in Bapst dungeon, or look in Fulton, then Cushing, then McGuinn, then Gasson, then ... for a place to study. Many students though, lament the fact that the library came at the expense of Hillside hill, St. Mary’s garden, and much needed parking space. Upon completion of the library the campus will have been redefined. J 13