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Table of Contents

Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………… 3

Montserrat Office ……………………………………………………………………….. 4

Textbooks …………………………………………………………………………….…... 5

Employment …………………………………………………………………………….... 7

Housing …………………………………………………………………………………... 11

Financial Aid/Resources ……………………………………………………….......…… 14

Requesting Funds ………………………………………………………………………... 15

Study Abroad …………………………………………………………………………….. 16

Scholarships and Grants ………………………………………………………………… 18

Social Life ………………………………………………………………………………… 20

Mentorship Opportunities & Retreats …………………………………………………. 23

Research Opportunities …………………………………………………………………. 30

Frontier Fellowship ………………………………………………………………………. 31

On-Campus Resource Offices ………………………………………………………….... 32

Introduction

Congratulations on your acceptance to Boston College! Becoming a member of this

prestigious institution is something that you should be very proud of! Your hard work and

dedication have proven that you have what it takes to be a successful Boston College student.

Moving on to college from High School is challenging for all students. Although the

challenges may vary from student to student, leaving behind the only life you’ve ever known can

be exciting but intimidating. It also has become clear that the cost of college causes significant

challenges for many. You will find that the student body at BC, like at many institutions, varies

greatly. There are many students that come from privileged backgrounds but also many that

have significant financial boundaries. While this may seem like an isolating challenge, we would

like to let you know that you are not alone. There are many resources here at Boston College to

help you! The traits that helped you succeed in high school will continue to help you flourish

throughout your four years at BC.

The purpose of this guide is to make you aware of the different resources BC has to offer

and to assure you that you are not limited in your pursuit of a great education.

Contacting the Montserrat Office:

The Montserrat Office can be thought of as a big brother or sister on campus! This

should be your number one shop and stop when looking for support. The Montserrat office is

known on campus for it’s wonderfully warm staff and also its inviting office. Many students call

this office their second home. Think of this office as your Boston College coach or a place to

stop in for an occasional hug! Ms. Smiley will be ready to meet you at the door. Ms. Smiley is

Montserrat’s Director and you will soon learn how she got her nickname.

Montserrat can help through your 4 years and beyond. Not only that, but the office can

also help you with a variety of issues. For instance, every year, during the fall and sometime

during the spring semester, Montserrat will hold a clothing drive where students can go in and

pick up clothes for free. When such events occur, Montserrat will always make sure to let the

students know via email. As long as you are checking your email daily, you will be sure not to

miss the opportunity!

If you have an issue beyond the scope of the office, Montserrat will redirect to services

that can help. Therefore, students are advised to consult the Montserrat Office whenever they are

unsure of where to go or who to reach out to for whatever they may need. Remember, the

Montserrat Office is a resource for students, so students are encouraged to take full advantage of

it.

Additionally, throughout the guide, students will be directed to log into the Montserrat

website with their BC credentials. To do so, students can access the website via

“https://www.bc.edu/offices/mission/montserrat/montserratsecure.html", and click on “Enter

Student Section” under “Montserrat Students.” The guide will also ask students to contact

Montserrat staff when needed. Students should do this by visiting the office directly at the

address 36 College Road, Chestnut Hill, MA - 02467, by emailing

([email protected]) or calling the office (617-552-3140).

Textbooks

Montserrat Lending Library

The major key to academic success in any given institution is the ability to access

different sources of information. Students with restricted finances often struggle in this area,

since textbooks are the most reliable, yet the most expensive source of information. It is

important to note that not only are textbooks the most reliable source, but they are often times the

only source professors use when teaching a course. Being able to access the same source as the

professor can be highly beneficial. To address the issue of cost, the Montserrat office provides a

textbook lending service to students, where students receive textbooks from the office in the

beginning of the semester, and return them by the end of the semester at no cost. However, each

student is limited to receiving two books a semester from Montserrat due to the increased need

from students and funding availability.

In order to request a textbook, students should log onto the Montserrat website. Once

logged on, there will be a “Text book” link located on the left-hand side of the page, under

“Enter student section.” Students will be prompted to a page with the link to the full list of

available textbooks, as well as the link to request a textbook, labelled “Link to Book Reservation

Form.”

Library Course Reserves

Another important book resource for students is the course reserves. O'Neill Library

provides course reserves support where students can for a period of 2 hours borrow the textbooks

required for their courses. Since a period of 2 hours may often times be insufficient for reading a

chapter and taking notes, students are advised to scan the textbooks and send the scanned files to

their BC email so they have digital access to the chapters of the textbook pertinent to their

in-class studies.

Online Purchases

Another way to purchase textbooks is to use cheap online resources. Websites such as

Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/) or Chegg (https://www.chegg.com/) offer students the

ability to purchase or rent textbooks at a highly discounted price. A commonly used website to

compare the pricing of textbooks is (https://www.slugbooks.com/). Here, students can search up

a textbook, and see the variation in prices across different websites, and ultimately choose the

option that most suits the student’s needs.

BC Bookstore

Finally, the last option for students is to buy or rent

books from the Boston College Bookstore. If students opt

for this, a rental rather than a purchase is advised. The BC

Bookstore may seem more expensive than other online

alternatives, but the bookstore offers a program to match the

online price from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other

competitors. Bring in an online ad showing a lower online

price at the time of purchase or within 7 days of the

transaction to have the price matched. For more

information, check out the BC Bookstore website.

https://www.bkstr.com/bostoncollegestore/shop/books/information-529756--1/price-match-guara

ntee?cm_sp=PriceMatch-_-PM-_-1111

If you are a student who has bookstore vouchers as part of your Financial Aid package,

be sure to buy your textbooks directly through the Bookstore. If you can not find your textbook

in the bookstore, your professor may have not submitted course book. Email the bookstore

director, Tina Plotegher at [email protected] if this happens.

Affordable Course Materials Initiative

In order to address the escalating cost of academic resources, University Libraries and the

Center for Teaching Excellence offer a small grant program to the teaching faculty who revise

their curriculum to include high quality affordable materials to support student learning at

minimal cost. These high quality yet affordable materials may be in the form of publicly

accessible materials, academic subscriptions or newly-created teaching materials. Since these

grants will go to a select group of professors, these professors will be responsible for notifying

the students of the availability of these materials. It is also expected that these faculty ask their

students to complete an assessment of the materials by filling out a survey. Note that this

opportunity is available to only a few professors each year. The likelihood that students will

have affordable materials for all courses in a given semester is limited but it is an area that many

students do not know about to research.

Employment

On-Campus Employment

Finding jobs on campus can seem like a challenging process for incoming Freshman, but

we are here to make it easy! If students are in need of employment, it is recommended that

students begin contacting different offices as early as possible for opportunities. Under the link

“https://www.bc.edu/offices/stserv/financial/studemploy.html#content_text”, students can find a

list of on and off campus jobs, that can either be work study specific or not. The best way to

begin job applications is to contact the offices using the email address provided in the website.

Typically, employers will request a resume, followed by an interview. Be prepared for this. BC

students are allowed to work up to 20hrs/week on campus during the academic year. On-campus

jobs often pay around Massachusetts minimum wage, currently $11/hr.

There are a few departments at BC that are known to hire considerably more students

than other departments. These departments include the library (O’Neill is the biggest library,

with more employment opportunities), BC campus recreation (AKA the plex), the office of

Student Services, Information Technology Services (ITS) and BC Dining. BC Dining is the

largest employer, hiring 800 students per year, so they are in constant need of students. Night

shifts have a pay differential. Dining shifts also include a free meal! There are also a number of

desk jobs around campus which pay roughly the same, but are nice to have because you can

often get some homework done during your shift. For instance, The Connors Family Learning

Center (CFCL) offers a notetaker position every semester where you take class notes for students

with disabilities and get paid for it. Students typically get a $100 stipend per course, and this is a

great opportunity to make money by simply sharing your notes.

Another important advantage of having an on-campus job, aside from being able to get

your homework done, is the flexibility of scheduling your work hours. Because the offices are

located on-campus, where students make up a good portion of the workers, the employers

understand that no student will have the same academic schedule as the other. For this reason,

employers are more flexible with scheduling and therefore the student’s ability to work will not

be hindered by their academic schedule.

The Montserrat office does a very good job of keeping students updated with new

employment opportunities via email. If students have difficulties in finding a job despite using

the above website, it would be best to visit the Montserrat office and talk to the staff about any

employment opportunities within the office or any other offices that are requesting new students.

In order to begin employment, incoming freshman will need to complete section I of the

I-9 form and register for a direct deposit as a payment method. These can be done at the first

floor of Lyons Hall, where Student Services is located. For more information regarding

paperwork, students can visit the Montserrat Employment page at

“https://www.bc.edu/offices/mission/montserrat/montserratsecure/student-information/employ.ht

ml”.

Check out this Heights



article about working on campus if you are interested in learning

more. http://www.bc.edu/content/dam/files/offices/stserv/financial/pdf/heights_campusjobs.pdf

Off-Campus Work Study Program

http://www.bc.edu/offices/stserv/financial/studemploy/academic/off.html

Students who have been awarded Federal Work-Study for the academic year are eligible

to work off campus through this program. If you decide to work through this program, at one of

the agencies that have contracted with Boston College specifically for this academic year, you

will be an employee of Boston College and will be paid directly by BC. Hours worked in this

program count towards the 20hr/week limit.

Off-Campus Employment

Many BC students may find a part-time off-campus job. While on-campus jobs are

convenient, you may find a different or higher paying opportunity off-campus. BC students have

an online resource for finding part-time off-campus (Non–Federal Work-Study) jobs in the

Greater Boston area through access to CollegeHelpers.com. This is a great place to start if you

are looking for a part-time job. Other online options are out there, such as Care.com to find

babysitting opportunities. There is a local Facebook group named “Newton Babysitting” where

local families post ads searching for help. It is not uncommon for BC students to find families to

babysit for starting Freshman year and continuing with the same family until graduation. Often

babysitting pays much higher than on-campus jobs, typically between $15-$25/hr.

Summer Programs and Employment Opportunities

Students may work 30 or more hours per week (to a maximum of 40 hours per week) but

may not work more than 12 weeks of the summer employment period. Students may only work

more than 12 weeks of our 14 week summer employment period if they average no more than 29

hours per week throughout the summer even if working more than one job for Boston College.

Students who decide to stay at BC for the summer can find a wide array of opportunities

on campus, some of which include free housing. Some of the available opportunities are:

● Opportunities that include housing:

○ Student Admission Program

■ Students tour incoming and/or prospective students

around the Boston College campus

(https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/admission.html)

○ Orientation Leader

■ As an orientation leader, students will receive a

group of incoming Freshman and guide them

throughout the campus for a period of three days

(http://www.bc.edu/offices/fye.html)

○ OTE Preceptor

■ Options Through Education (OTE) is a transitional program for a select

group of incoming freshman who have demonstrated potential and

leadership in spite of financial and educational challenges. As a preceptor,

you will accompany and guide these students throughout the summer as

they take classes, participate in group projects and discussions, and

ultimately fulfill all the requirements of the OTE program

(https://www.bc.edu/offices/ahana/programs/as/ote.html)

○ Summer Reslife Employment

■ Reslife offers a wide variety of opportunities, paid and unpaid, but all of

which include free housing. The breakdown of summer employment

through reslife is summarized below

(https://www.bc.edu/offices/reslife/summer/summerstaff.html)

● Opportunities that do not include housing

○ For on-campus employment, students should visit

(https://www.bc.edu/offices/stserv/financial/studemploy/summer/on.html). In

on-campus opportunities, students will typically find lab work, dining, or office

employments available at BC

○ For off-campus employment, students should visit

(https://www.bc.edu/offices/stserv/financial/studemploy/summer/off.html). The

off-campus opportunities provided by BC include employments at museums, legal

aid bureaus, YMCA, and so forth.

○ Students who wish to find an internship or are looking for longer lasting

employment opportunities related to what they want to do after college should pay

a visit to the Career Center. The Career Center is an office that helps students

achieve their professional goals by helping prepare for interviews, resume writing,

linkedin profiles and even cover letters. Furthermore, the Career Center can

connect you with a career coach and also has a plethora of resources available for

students. If students wish to pursue these opportunities during the summer,

students are advised to consult the Career Center during the beginning of their

Spring semester so that you will have ample time to look through at all the

resources and make the right choices (https://www.bc.edu/offices/careers/)

Housing

Many undergraduates are not provided four years of on campus housing. Therefore, one

of the years (typically junior year), they have to arrange off-campus housing for the academic

year. To confirm whether you have three or four years of housing, log onto the BC portal at

“portal.bc.edu” using your credentials and click on “My ResLife” under “Other Services”. You

will be prompted to a new screen with a dashboard containing four items. Of these four, select

“Web Forms” and this will bring you to a page with a list of options to select from. Select

“assignment history” and in the new page you will be provided with your housing history, along

with how many years of guaranteed housing you have.

Appeal Process

In some cases, students with only three years of housing can appeal for an extra

semester/year of housing. However, appeals are unlikely to be granted unless absolutely

necessary. Therefore, it is important that students have a back-up plan during the appeal process.

In order to fill out an appeal form, visit the “Web Forms” page described in the first paragraph,

and select “Housing Appeal Form.” In the past, the housing appeal form for the following year

has opened during October. Appeals are granted on a rolling basis.

Living Off-Campus

Students who have opted for off campus housing should plan ahead of time so the

process can occur as smoothly as possible. Students should visit

“https://offcampushousing.bc.edu/” for information about specific apartments, prices and their

locations. For more information regarding off campus housing, students may directly contact the

department via the email “[email protected]” or visit the website

“https://www.bc.edu/offices/reslife/offcampus.html.” There is a helpful blog the Residential Life

office runs that is helpful for those planning to live off-campus. http://bcoffcampus.blogspot.com

Students in shared (with housemates) off-campus living situations are spending between

$750 and $1150 each per month for rent. This typically does not include utilities. Most landlords

will require the following when signing a lease: first month’s rent, last month’s rent, and a

security deposit of equal to one month’s rent. If you use a rental agent, there is an additional

realtor’s fee, typically equal to one month’s rent, that is collected by the rental agency.

Students who live off-campus will evidently need to cook and obtain their own food.

However, life is unpredictable and there may be instances when students have no food at home.

What to do? Well, in taking the more expensive route, Cleveland Circle offers a variety of

restaurants such as CitySide, Amelia’s Taqueria, Eagle’s Deli and so forth. Likewise, students

can also visit the Chestnut Hill Mall, where students can find restaurants such as the Besito

Mexican Restaurant and the Japanese restaurant Daikanyama. Both Cleveland Circle and

Chestnut Hill Mall are accessible by BC shuttle buses, where students can take the

Commonwealth Avenue shuttle to Cleveland Circle everyday of the week, and the shuttle bus to

Chestnut Hill Mall on Thursdays, 4PM - 10PM, and Sundays, 11AM - 5 PM.

If students find it difficult to cook enough food for the week, or do not have enough time

to do so, students can also invest in a BC Dining flex plan, where the student will make a

purchase of $800 or $1200, and receive a free bonus amount of $120 and $300, respectively, and

this will count as the student’s meal plan. Students are not recommended to buy food from the

dining hall without having a meal plan, as dining food tends to be very expensive (more so than

the restaurants of Cleveland Circle and Chestnut Hill Mall).

Students that want to pursue less expensive options have to, unfortunately, rely on

fortuitous occasions. Throughout the semester, professors and other faculty members regularly

send out emails about events that serve food as an incentive for students to attend. Montserrat

does this often, so students who are hungry and are looking for some free food should look

through their email to see if there are any events on campus that are serving food. Another

common way for hungry students without a meal plan to eat would be to ask underclassmen

friends to buy them food. Freshman students are required to have a meal plan and most never

use all the funds available. This option should not be used as an on going plan to eat but may

come in handy as a last resort.

Many student go abroad for a semester or go home for the summer but cannot break their

lease. In these situations tenants often sublease their living space to another person for a certain

period of time. This subletter then typically pays the original tenant who then pays the landlord.

Please visit the off-campus apartment database and search for subletters using the housing or

roommate tabs. Also use social networks and word of mouth. Be sure to start this process early

so you are not stuck with paying rent while abroad or home from the summer. If you only need

housing off campus for a summer or single semester it may make sense to simply sublet a space

into someone else’s lease.

Off-Campus Living and Financial Aid

Students are eligible to receive financial aid if they live off campus. The Expected Family

Contribution (EFC) remains the same for the academic year, and aid is adjusted according to the

standard off-campus housing Cost of Attendance. The Cost of Attendance is based on a

nine-month academic year, so the Summer months are the student's responsibility.

When you live off-campus, your student account is billed for only tuition and fees. All

other costs (rent and food) are the responsibility of the student and the family. If your determined

financial aid funding exceeds tuition and fees, a credit balance is created. You may use this credit

balance to cover rent and food.

http://www.bc.edu/content/dam/files/offices/stserv/financial/pdf/1819offcampusinfo.pdf

Financial Aid

Though Montserrat neither has direct access to financial aid credentials, nor can it

directly influence the outcome of a student’s financial aid, Montserrat works closely with both

the Office of Financial Aid and students directly, thus providing a bridge between the two

parties. Therefore, it is recommended that students with any kind of financial difficulty first

contact the Office of Financial Aid. This can be done by emailing the office via

[email protected] with the issue, calling the office by 617-552-33400 or 800-294-0294, or

directly going to the office located at the first floor of Lyons Hall.

If a student feels that his/her needs have not been met or has any other kind of difficulty,

the student is then advised to reach out to the Montserrat staff about the issue. Furthermore, for

students who are unaware of the financial aid process or if financial aid terminologies are

confusing, a video containing an overview of how financial aid works at BC has been provided

to students by the following link “https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXvVWoiyeS4”.

Students seeking more financial opportunities are encouraged to apply to scholarships &

grants provided from BC or elsewhere. For more information about the scholarships and grants

provided by BC, visit page 18 of this guide.

Requesting Funds

Financially restricted students are encouraged to apply for funding if they believe they

are limited by matters of finance. A common example would be the students who commute to

BC by means of the MBTA. With the increasing price of public transportation, students may find

it a financial burden to take the train to school everyday, and therefore the Montserrat Office will

help students pay for their fare if it begins to interfere with the student’s ability to commute to

school.

Funds may be requested by visiting the Montserrat website. Once in the website, students

should log on with their BC credentials by clicking on the “enter student section”. Here, on the

left-hand side, students should see a “Funding Request Form” section. Click on this link, enter

any relevant information regarding the funding, then finalize the request by hitting the “submit”

button at the end.

After requesting funds, students must schedule an appointment with a staff member to

further discuss the funds. This should be done by emailing, calling or directly visiting the office.

Study Abroad

Studying abroad is an opportunity of a lifetime for the Boston College undergraduate

student. This experience is made available to all students and does not need to cause added

expenses in most cases. According to the Office of International Programs (OIP), nearly 50

percent of the student body go abroad sometime during their undergraduate career. If a student is

thinking about studying abroad, the first thing the student should do is take a look at the “Steps

to Study Abroad” guide provided by the OIP in the following link

“https://www.bc.edu/content/dam/files/offices/montserrat/2016-17%20Steps%20to%20Study%2

0Abroad.pdf”. Upon consulting this list, students should attend the collaborative Montserrat and

OIP info session and the Study Abroad Fair both held in early September. It is important to

recognize the date deadlines as applications are usually completed a year in advance. Studying

abroad can take place in the fall semester, spring semester and even during the summer.

Program durations run anywhere from 2 weeks to an entire year. Your field of study may

determine which of these options will work best.

Upon attending both sessions, the student’s next step is to attend a Group Meeting or

make an appointment with an Advising Assistant at the OIP, which will give students a

breakdown of the process. Students are advised, prior to the meeting, to have a narrowed list of

potential locations and to research scholarships and grants that will alleviate the costs of going

abroad. The available scholarship and grant opportunities for study abroad are discussed in the

next page.

After meeting with members of the OIP, students are then encouraged to meet up with

their Financial Aid Associate. If students are unaware of who this person is, log onto the BC

portal and, under “My Services,” there will be a link for “Financial Aid Award Notification.”

Here, students will find their Financial Aid Associate at the top of the page. The reason students

are encouraged to meet up with their Financial Associate is that studying abroad will affect the

student’s financial aid, and it is important for the students to understand how their financial aid

package will be affected and review some options with regards to finances.

Studying abroad is an invaluable experience that will only add to the student’s formative

years at BC. Therefore, students are recommended to pursue this opportunity, but plan and

budget accordingly following the suggested steps above. Further scholarships are available to

cover study abroad expenses. Check out this website for some of these opportunities.

https://www.bc.edu/offices/international/gettingstarted1/Scholarship_Opportunities.html

Important dates for study abroad:

● September 14: Study Abroad 101 group meetings begin

● September 25: Optional region-specific OIP advisor meetings begin

● October 10: Deadline to submit final confirmation forms for all BC and approved

external programs for spring 2018

● December 5: Last day to schedule an appointment with an OIP advisor for early-deadline

BC programs for fall 2018, spring 2019 and full year 2018-19

● December 15: Deadline to choose program for early-deadline BC programs for fall 2018,

spring 2018 and full year 2018-19

● January 30: Last day to schedule an appointment with an OIP advisor for regular BC and

approved external programs for fall 2018, spring 2019 and full year 2018-19 (semester

programs only)

● February 5: Deadline to choose program for regular BC and external programs for fall

2018, spring 2019 and full year 2018-19

● May 1: Deadline to submit final confirmation forms for all BC and approved external

programs for fall 2018 and full year 2018-19

Scholarships and Grants

Scholarships and grants are imperative for student success abroad, as they alleviate

financial burden, allowing students to thrive in a new academic setting by eliminating financial

concerns. Therefore, in order for students to take full advantage of their study abroad experience,

with as few financial restrictions as possible, students are highly encouraged to apply to

scholarships and grants provided by BC. The link

“https://www.bc.edu/offices/mission/montserrat/montserratsecure/student-information/study/sch

olarships-and-grants.html” contains some scholarship opportunities currently available at Boston

College. An updated list will be provided to students in the near future. Students are also

encouraged to research and apply to scholarships outside of BC so that students have more

financial resources.

Scholarships:

Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship recognizes a Boston College junior who has

demonstrated superior academic achievement, extracurricular leadership, community

service, and involvement with the African American community and African American

issues both on and off campus. The finalists will each be honored with a $1,000 gift

certificate to the Boston College Bookstore. The winner will receive a scholarship of up

to $19,000 toward senior year tuition, and the other finalists will each receive a $3,000

tuition scholarship.

Application: You can download the preliminary application (available in

Word or PDF format), or find hard copies available from Agnes Jordan

([email protected])

Additional info: Visit (http://www.bc.edu/offies/mlkmc/application.html)

to see an overview of the requirements along with other important

information.

Oscar Romero Scholarship

The Archbishop Oscar A. Romero Scholarship recognizes a Boston College junior who

has demonstrated superior academic achievement, extracurricular leadership, community

service, and involvement with the Hispanic/Latino community and Hispanic/Latino

issues both on and off campus. The scholarship awards up to $25,000 toward senior year

tuition for the winner. In addition, all finalists in the competition also win scholarships of

up to $3000. The winner and all finalists also receive $1000 gift certificate to the Boston

College Bookstore.

Application: Preliminary application: One-page preliminary application

form along with a comprehensive resume or list of activities should be

submitted to Ms. Milvia Sanchez, ITS Human Resources; e-mail

attachments only at [email protected]. This application is usually

due in January of junior year. For any questions feel free to contact

Milvia at 617-552-0102.

Interview Round: The strongest of the preliminary applicants as

determined by the committee will be selected for an interview. They will

also be asked to submit a supplementary essay and Latin American/Latino

issues and at least one letter of recommendation from someone familiar

with your extracurricular activities or service activities. The finalists for

the Archbishop Oscar Romero Scholarship will be selected from those

interviewed.

Additional info: Students should visit

(https://www.bc.edu/offices/romero/scholarship.html) for further info.

Amanda V. Houston Travelling Scholarship

Boston College established the Amanda V. Houston Traveling Fellowship on 10 June

1993, in honor of the University’s first Black Director. The purpose of this award is to

prepare Boston College students for leadership in the United States and the world at large

by enriching their personal and educational development through travel. The Amanda V.

Houston Traveling Fellowship provides up to $3000 toward domestic or international

travel, including transportation, lodging, meals and research-related expenses. The

successful recipients can use the award for either an Independent Research Project under

the supervision of a faculty member or a Research Paper attached to an approved course

in a BC recognized study abroad program.

Application:

(https://www.bc.edu/content/dam/bc1/schools/mcas/aads/pdf/2018%20AV

H%20Brochure%20and%20App%20Instructions.pdf)

Additional info: Students should visit

(https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/schools/mcas/sites/aads/special-programs/res

ources---opportunities/amanda-v--houston-fellowship.html) for additional

info, such as the eligibility requirements.

Other Opportunities — continually updated — can be found by

(https://www.bc.edu/offices/ahana/scholarships.html).

Social Life

In order for students to become involved on campus, it is recommended that students join

a student organization. Student organizations are groups of undergraduates that are committed to

enriching the learning environment through extracurricular programs and activities. By

participating in a Student Organization you will meet students with similar interests, be exposed

to an array of opportunities at Boston College, develop your leadership potential, and have the

opportunity to make a positive impact on the community

Student Organizations provide opportunities for the following categories:

● Academic/Pre-Professional

● Campus Ministry

● Honor Societies

● Intercultural

● Music, Art, and Performance

● Political

● Publications and Media

● Service

● Specific Issues

The easiest way to connect to student organizations is to attend an involvement fair. The

Student Involvement Fair is the first Friday of the academic year from 10 AM - 2 PM. It takes

place on the Campus Green lawn in front of Carney Hall and Stokes Hall. In attending the Fair,

you will get a sense for the current involvement opportunities on campus and meet current

student organization members. Over 200 organizations, programs, and offices will be present,

thus making it a great opportunity for students to get involved with the BC community. A list of

all student organizations on campus can be found here (https://orgsync.com/browse_orgs/510#).

For more information regarding student organizations, students should visit

(https://www.bc.edu/offices/studentprograms/rsoresources.html).

Because Boston College has diverse social activities on campus, some students may tend

to remain on campus and forget how easy it is to get to downtown Boston. In order to avoid

being stuck in the bubble, here are some inexpensive activities in Boston:

● Spend an afternoon at the Boston Common area

○ Accessible via the MBTA, take the train inbound (any line) and stop at Park St.

● Do some reading at the Boston Public Library

○ Accessible via the MBTA, the closest library located at Copley Square. Take the

green line inbound (any line) and stop at Copley. Though the B line may be the

most convenient line to reach, note that the B line takes considerably longer than

the D line, so taking the shuttle up to the Reservoir and going inbound will save

you a lot more time.

● Visit the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA)

○ Because BC is part of the University Membership Program at the MFA, students

can enter and explore the museum at no cost simply by bringing their student ID

with them. Accessible via the MBTA, take the E line to the Museum of Fine Arts.

Since only the B and D lines are accessible from BC, students will have to go

inbound to Kenmore first and then take the E line outbound to the MFA stop.

Free with your Eagle ID!

● Visit the New England Aquarium

○ Students can visit the New England Aquarium by taking the Comm. Ave shuttle

to the Reservoir stop, take the inbound train to Government Center, then switch to

the blue line and take the Wonderland train (as opposed to the Bowdoin train)

until the Aquarium stop. Pick up 1 free ticket per semester at Robsham!

● Watch a movie at the theatre

○ The closest movie theatre by train would be Fenway Regals at the Fenway stop of

the train. Students also have a discount for the movies, but since Fenway is a

college area, the student discount is typically already included in most

transactions. To reach this stop, take the D line inbound and stop at Fenway

● Other Free museums in Boston w/ your Eagle ID - BC also sponsors many others

museum opportunities throughout the city

https://www.bc.edu/offices/vpsa/bcstudents/museum_memberships.html

○ Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum | website: www.gardnermuseum.org

○ Harvard Museum of Natural History | website: www.hmnh.harvard.edu

○ Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology | website:

www.peabody.harvard.edu

○ Museum of Science | website: www.mos.org (1 ticket per Eagle ID per semester

at Robsham)

○ Boston College McMullen Museum | website: www.bc.edu/artmuseum

Students are also encouraged to attend on-campus events. Robsham continuously offers free

tickets for some on-campus events, so students should frequently check their emails to see if

there are any free events going on so they can get their ticket before they run out. Sometimes

events on campus will be free, and other times it will not. The Montserrat office therefore has a

lottery system specifically for on-campus events that come with a price tag. These events

include: ALC Boat Cruise, Homecoming, ALC Ball, Fall/Spring Concert, GLC Gala, ALC

Showdown, and other events hosted by UGBC, ALC and cultural/non-cultural clubs. These

ticket lotteries occur throughout the academic year, and students are notified via email about the

lotteries. In order to participate, all students will need to do is to open the provided link and fill

out info such as first name, last name, eagle ID number and graduation year.

Links: Socialize Without Alcohol https://www.facebook.com/groups/BCLinks/about/

Links for students discounted events and activities in Boston

● Boston College discount website -

https://www.bc.edu/offices/gsc/boston/Student_Discounts.html

● Boston Magazine’s “Things To Do” monthly event list -

https://www.bostonmagazine.com/arts-entertainment/

● Groupon Deals - https://www.groupon.com/local/boston

● Different Locations with discounts -

https://foursquare.com/top-places/boston/best-places-discount

● Montserrat Free Ticket Lottery -

https://www.bc.edu/offices/mission/montserrat/montserratsecure/student-information/tick

et-distribution.html

● More Student Discounts - https://bostononbudget.com/college-discounts/

Mentorship Opportunities & Retreats

The reason transitioning into college may be a difficult process for incoming freshman is

that these students come in not knowing what to expect. Students are taken out of their old high

school environment and placed in a completely new academic setting, where most students will

no longer be living with their parents, and many will be far from home. A good way to make

college transition a smooth process is by providing students with a mentor — individuals with

strong leadership skills that can guide and facilitate college navigation for the younger

generation. Students who wish to link up with mentors can explore the opportunities below.

Mentorship Opportunities

Ascend http://www.bc.edu/offices/formation/programs/ascend.html

Ascend is a program for first-year (freshmen) women through the Center for Student

Formation.  Participants have an opportunity to meet new peers, engage in meaningful

conversations about life at BC, and connect with junior and senior year women mentors.

The program consists of weekly small group meetings (2 leads, 8 first-year women)

facilitated by junior and senior women, small group activities, optional program-wide

events, and one off-campus overnight. The Ascend program officially launches at the

start of spring semester, but applications and interviews will take place during fall

semester.

Freshman League (http://www.bc.edu/offices/formation/programs/freshmanleague.html)

The Freshmen League is an all-male program designed for first year men at BC.

Freshman are placed on a team with 7 other freshman men and 2 upperclassmen leaders

called “Captains.” The purpose of the Ascend program is to help freshman men learn the

ropes of BC. This program gives freshman men access to upperclassmen mentors and

provides opportunity to get off campus to experience the city of Boston with a fun group.

Benjamin Elijah Mays Mentoring Program

http://www.bc.edu/offices/ahana/programs/as/benjamin_e_mays_mentoriingprogram.html

The Mays Mentoring Program is designed to provide undergraduate students with an

opportunity to have a personal connection with a faculty member, administrator, or staff

who can guide them through the college environment.

Apply: Rolling basis matching process, [email protected]

Montserrat Dinner Club

(https://www.bc.edu/offices/mission/montserrat/montserratsecure/student-information/Montserra

tDinnerClub.html)

The Montserrat Dinner Club is a mentor program that matches

small groups of Montserrat sophomores with Boston College

faculty and staff members to receive guidance and engage in

discussions about topics that matter to them. Mentors and

participants will meet monthly over dinner to reflect on and

challenge issues Montserrat students face at BC. It is an

expectation that you will attend each dinner. There is an

opportunity to meet with your mentors outside of the dinner

events as well!

Compass Mentoring Program https://www.bc.edu/offices/formation/programs/Compass.html

The Compass Mentoring Program



aims to provide supportive communities for incoming

first-year AHANA+ students. Led by upperclassmen mentors, the Compass program will

engage first-year students beginning with an overnight retreat weekend early on in their

fall semester and continuing through weekly small group meetings, and social events.

Apply: Summer before First Year

McNair Exploratory Program (MEP) http://www.bc.edu/offices/ltl/mcnair/mep.html

The purpose of the MEP is to involve first-year students in a conversation about

professional career, graduate education, and research. This program runs during the

Spring semester. Students are paired with faculty mentors and meet with them at least

twice during the Spring semester. Students are immersed in the work of their mentors

through lab visits, readings and discussions of academic papers, participation in a

colloquium or research presentation, and other activities designed by mentors and the

McNair staff. MEP is open to all First-Year BC students.

Application: October

Dedicated Intellectuals of the People (DIOP) http://www.bc.edu/offices/ltl/diop.html

Currently, DIOP consists of a synergetic group of AHANA men who gather every

Wednesday at the Learning to Learn House (50 College Rd) to share a common bond.

These men discuss issues that affect their social, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual

growth. This group works together to develop skills to help navigate through a

predominately White institution.

Sisters, Let's Talk

The discussion group provides connections between students, faculty and administrator

women of color. It’s goal is to assist women of color at BC to grow closer through

discussing issues that are pertinent to their wellbeing. SLT meetings are held on

Wednesdays 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM at the first floor lounge of Stayer Hall.

Contact: [email protected] to be added to the email listserv

Further Advice

Informal mentors on Campus

● Office hours can be intimidating! In particular,

students with high financial need may have

difficulty interacting with faculty because of

social and cultural barriers. Having pressing

questions should not put anyone at a

disadvantage by missing one-on-one time with

faculty members. To alleviate some of the

pressure, try writing down questions or particular

points to reference in advance, or email the

professor ahead of time with a list.

● You can also ask your professor to meet you at a more comfortable location!

Many students find it intimidating just seeing professors in their offices. Asking a

professor to make an appointment at a coffee shop can be super helpful. It can

really change the whole power dynamic!

● Remember that holding office hours is part of your professor’s job! It is time that

they specifically reserve to talk with their students. You belong there!

● Office hours are also useful for putting faces to names and student ID#s. If you

have a big lecture class, visiting your instructor during office hours helps

transform you from a number on a roster to a 3-D human being. It initiates an

interpersonal relationship. Often, an instructor’s favorite students are the ones

who visited them during office hours, because they turned into actual people! And

actual people are harder to let slip through the cracks…

Sending emails to professors

● It’s best to use the titles Dr. or Professor when sending an email to a faculty

member. Try to include the class title in the subject line so they know you’re their

student and will respond more quickly.

● Include a sign-off in the email to conclude the email. “Sincerely” works well. If

“Sincerely” seem a little to impersonal for you, stick with “Best”.

Retreats and Weekend Experiences

BC, as like any other college, can be a stressful place. With exams, group projects, thesis

work and other academic challenges, students may feel overwhelmed. The purpose of having a

retreat is to give the student an opportunity to pause, breathe, sit back and reflect. In doing so,

students often come back from their retreats refreshed and ready to tackle new challenges.

Students are encouraged to take part in at least one retreat in their college career. As such, a list

of retreats and weekend experiences may be found below:

48 Hours (https://youtu.be/WxM_vzrrlOo)

48 hours is an opportunity to step off campus for a weekend, hear personal narratives

from Juniors and Seniors about their experience transitioning to BC, and gain some

perspective about your first year. It's a weekend experience open to all first-year students

who are interested in finding ways to take advantage of BC's intellectual, social, and

spiritual resources. Interaction with professional staff and student leaders will help all

first-year students gain a fuller understanding of the possibilities and challenges of a

Jesuit education.

AHANA Summit - http://www.bc.edu/offices/formation/programs/AHANASummit.html

The AHANA Summit is a FREE, two night overnight retreat designed specifically for

AHANA students. It is an opportunity for AHANA students to connect and to share their

experiences. Father Michael Davidson, S.J. from Campus Ministry will be the summit

emcee. There will also be a chance to meet other AHANA students, AHANA faculty &

staff and young AHANA alumni. Spring semester

Racial Identity Development Experience (R.I.D.E.)

http://www.bc.edu/offices/ahana/programs/multicultural_education/IDI.html

Weekend experience designed to help students explore and reflect on racial identity

development in an intimate and safe environment.

Contact: [email protected]

Spectrum Retreat (for LGBTQ+ students)

http://www.bc.edu/offices/dos/subsidiary_offices/GLBTQ/Spectrum.html)

Spectrum is a confidential, free weekend away for LGBTQ students. In this welcoming

environment, participants will be encouraged to engage in conversation and reflection

about their personal identities and to discern who they are and who they are called to be

at Boston College and beyond.

Halftime -

http://www.bc.edu/offices/formation/programs/Halftime.html

Halftime is an invitation to step back from your busy life to think about how your major

and future career fit in with who you really are. It is an opportunity to have real

conversations with students, faculty, and staff about

finding and pursuing passions.

Research Opportunities

McNair Program

http://www.bc.edu/offices/ltl/mcnair.html

McNair is a graduate school preparation program for Boston College undergraduates who

are both low-income and first-generation college participants and/or under-represented.

Students are paired with faculty mentors and provided with research opportunities, a

needs assessment, and workshops about the graduate school experience and application

process.

Application: Applications for this two- or three-year program may be submitted during

Spring semester of Freshman or Sophomore year. The application form is available at 50

College Road, or can be accessed online

(http://www.bc.edu/offices/ltl/mcnair/application1.html)

Community Research Program (CRP)

http://www.bc.edu/offices/ahana/programs/leadership_programs/crp.html

CRP is a two-semester program that offers leadership, research, and public policy

training for students interested in working with Latino, Asian American, Native

American, and/or African and African Diaspora communities in Massachusetts. In the

Fall, students will participate in a seminar to study the process of community-based

research and its methodologies, and begin to design a research proposal for an

independent study with a faculty advisor for the Spring semester research project.

Receive 3 credits in Fall and 4 credits in Spring

Application: July deadline, https://orgsync.com/47756/forms/75226

Frontier Fellowship

The Frontier Fellowship seeks to assist Montserrat students in expanding their experience

in areas outside of their major or educational aspirations. Students who are interested in

research or an internship in a co-curricular area should apply for the Frontier Fellowship.

The following are examples of what the Fellowship could be used towards:

● Unpaid Internships

● Research in a lab

● Research project under a faculty member

Application process:

● Submit initial “Discernment Application” – This application is the “brainstorm”

of your future internship or research project. You will need to outline and develop

your proposal and vocational aspiration. You will be required to answer a series

of questions. However, the process is open to creative applications. For example,

if you are a film studies major a video proposal would be acceptable

● Stage two finalists will be required to select potential employers/mentors and

submit a final proposal with all details fleshed out

● Students will be selected for the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Internships

and mentors must agree to hire/sponsor the student. Students who are accepted

will then receive funding.

● For more details on the application, visit:

https://www.bc.edu/offices/mission/montserrat/montserratsecure/student-informat

ion/frontier-fellowship/_jcr_content/content/download/file.res/Frontier%20Fellow

ship%20Application%202017-2018.pdf. This link contains the full PDF version

of the application.

University Fellowships Office

https://www.bc.edu/offices/ufel/fellowships0.html

For additional opportunities, students should visit

(https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/research.html).

On-Campus Resource Offices

There are several offices located on campus that are designed to address specific needs of

students. Often times, students know that there are offices on campus that can help them with

their needs, but are unaware of the location or even the name of the offices. To make things

easier, a list of the most essential offices, designed particularly to address student needs, has been

compiled below:

Academic Advising Center

Stokes Hall, S140

140 Commonwealth Avenue

Hours: Monday-Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

617-552-9259

http://www.bc.edu/offices/acadvctr.html

[email protected]

The Academic Advising Center at Boston College supports students in the Morrissey

College of Arts and Sciences as they make decisions about their academic careers, explore the

resources available to them, and maximize their experience at Boston College.

The staff of the Academic Advising Center guide and support each student in making a

successful transition to college, by empowering the student:

● To devise coherent academic plans that are consonant with his/her life goals;

● To take the steps necessary to achieve those plans and goals;

● To develop sound academic attitudes and practices that will enable the student to be an

autonomous, self-regulated learner;

● To act strategically to identify and use resources effectively and to challenge him/herself

in constructive ways so that he/she may thereby fruitfully pursue the goals of a liberal

education.

Campus Ministry

McElroy 231

Academic Year: Monday - Friday 9 AM to 5 PM

Summer: Monday - Thursday: 9 AM to 5 PM and Friday 9 AM to 3 PM

The Office of Campus Ministry works to foster lives of faith and justice among the students,

faculty, and staff of Boston College. Campus Ministry programs — shaped by the University’s

Jesuit, Catholic tradition — form the whole person by:

● Inviting students to recognize and respond to the call of God in their lives

● Supporting individuals in their ongoing spiritual and religious growth

● Challenging individuals to commit to a life of prayer and service to others

The Office of Campus Ministry consequently offers multi-faith counseling, pastoral counseling,

provides students with the opportunity to connect with faith communities and even provides

retreats. Students seeking additional info about the office should visit

“https://www.bc.edu/offices/ministry/aboutcm.html”

Campus Recreation (the plex)

Flynn Recreation Complex

140 Commonwealth Avenue

Monday - Thursday: 6 AM - 11:45 PM

Friday: 6 AM - 10:45 PM

Saturday: 9 AM - 8:45 PM

Sunday: 9 AM - 11:45 PM

617-552-0797, [email protected]

http://www.bc.edu/offices/rec/

Connors Family Learning Center

The Connors Family Learning Center (CFLC)

Thomas P. O'Neill Jr. Library, Room 200

140 Commonwealth Avenue

Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Kathleen Duggan, Director: 617-552-8093, [email protected]

https://www.bc.edu/libraries/help/tutoring.html

The mission of the Connors Family Learning Center is to enhance the quality of learning

at Boston College. The CFLC offers instructional support for faculty and graduate students,

special services to students with learning disabilities, and tutoring and skills workshops to all

Boston College students. As such, CFLC has established a tutoring program where students have

access to tutoring services for over 60 different subjects. Students interested should visit the

following link (https://www.bc.edu/libraries/help/tutoring/tutoringinfo.html).

Dean of Students

Academic Year Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM

Summer Hours: Monday - Thursday: 9 AM - 5 PM

and Friday from 9 AM.- 3 PM

617-552-3470

[email protected]

The office of the Dean of Students supports student development throughout the college

years by collaborating with faculty, staff and students in order to bridge the gap between

academics and the student’s social, spiritual and personal lives. Students who wish to find out

more about the office should visit (http://www.bc.edu/offices/dos.html).

Student Conduct

The Dean’s office oversees student conduct and community standards, including campus

civility, sexual assault response, hazing enforcement and compliance issues. For more

details regarding conduct policies and violations, students should visit

(http://www.bc.edu/offices/dos/subsidiary_offices/community.html). Furthermore,

students seeking information regarding sexual misconduct policy and resources should

visit (http://www.bc.edu/offices/dos/sexual-violence-policy-website.html). Students are

highly encouraged to call the Sexual Assault Network (SANet), a 24 hour hotline, if they

have fallen victim to sexual misconduct.

Student Outreach & Support

The purpose of the Student Outreach & Support is to aid students in crisis or distress by

providing them with the appropriate resources such as counseling and medical services,

along with personal assistance. If students want to know more about the resources

provided, students should visit

(http://www.bc.edu/offices/dos/subsidiary_offices/students-in-crisis.html). In cases where

students are distress are in urgent need of help, they should contact BCPD by

617-552-4444, or 911 if they are off campus. For non-urgent issues, students are

encouraged to call the following:

Office of the Dean of Students: 617-552-3470

University Health Services: 617-552-3225

University Counseling Services: 617-552-3310

Campus Ministry: 617-552-3475

Disability Services

The Disability Services Office aids those with psychological, physical, medical, or

temporary disabilities in their pursuit of a college education. For on campus resources,

ranging from counseling and health services to the Connors Family Learning Center,

students should visit

(http://www.bc.edu/offices/dos/subsidiary_offices/disabilityservices/resources.html). For

additional information regarding disability services, students should visit

(http://www.bc.edu/offices/dos/subsidiary_offices/disabilityservices.html) or call the

office (617-552-3470) or send an email ([email protected]).

LGBTQ Student Outreach & Support

The Dean’s office, along with other groups, provides opportunities for the Boston

College community to discuss issues of gender and sexual identity. There are several

on-campus support groups for LGBTQ students, and the groups, along with their contact

information, can be found by

(http://www.bc.edu/offices/dos/subsidiary_offices/GLBTQ/GLBTQClubsOrganizations.h

tml). Students are also encouraged to participate in the Spectrum Retreat, which can be

found in the retreat section of this guide.

Learning to Learn (LTL)

50 College Road, Chestnut Hill, MA

Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

[email protected]

First-generation college students are the first in their family to attend a four-year

university. This is an incredible achievement, but it can also be an isolating one. Navigating

conversations with family members who did not attend college may be frustrating, discouraging,

or alienating — as parents either aren’t sure how to help or may be adverse to the experience

altogether. In the absence of parental (or sibling) mentors to guide them through college,

first-gen students can feel like they’re floundering. Developing bonds with faculty or students in

similar situations can help. The L2L office wants to help you create these bonds.

Courses:

Application of Learning Theory Course (UN005)

A graded, semester-long course, Applications of Learning Theory (UN005), to provide

students with strategies of successful learners. Students apply specific learning methods

to their own course work. They are evaluated weekly on their use of nine learning

strategies, including note taking, effective reading techniques, and time management.

Class meets twice a week for 50 minutes each day, and students also meet with a teaching

assistant once a week for 50 minutes.

Additional L2L Resources

Financial Aid Advising: Assistance in completing financial aid forms, writing appeals, financial

planning and BC financial aid information.

Student Supplemental Grants: Qualified students earn a $1,000 financial aid grant (limited

funds).

Passbook Program: Supports academic achievement by allowing qualified students to earn points

as they meet program participation requirements and as they make progress in achieving their

academic goals.

Laptop Loan and University Book Vouchers: Supports academic achievement by providing

laptops for students to borrow for two weeks at a time. The program also supports book vouchers

for qualified students with financial restrictions.

Office of Health Promotion

Gasson Hall 013

http://www.bc.edu/offices/healthpro/

INDIVIDUAL APPOINTMENTS (iHP): General health coaching sessions called Individual

Health Plans (iHPs) and specialized appointments for stress, time, and sleep with a peer Health

Coach.

http://www.bc.edu/offices/healthpro/general-health-education-/iHP.html

Thea Bowman AHANA and Intercultural Center (BAIC)

Location: Maloney Hall, Suite 455.

Hours: Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

ABAIC After Hours: 5 PM - 8 PM on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Students can use

lounge space to study, as a meeting space, and forum to discuss current social and political

events.

The mission of the BAIC is to support the undergraduate community, with a particular

focus on AHANA, multiracial, and OTE students in navigating college life.

College Counseling

http://www.bc.edu/offices/ahana/programs/as/advise.html

Pursuing a post-secondary education requires important decision-making which has lifelong

implications. In an effort to reduce the anxiety involved in making these decisions, the office's

professional staff encourages regularly scheduled meetings with students to discuss course

selection, identify personal strengths and areas that need improvement, set goals, and examine

the progress being made toward fulfilling graduation requirements.

Apply: No application! Just schedule an appointment

Nursing Outreach

This program creates a space for AHANA/Multicultural/OTE (AMO) CSON students to gather

for peer support and interactions with BC-AMO nursing professional at least twice per semester.

Summer Study Abroad Tuition Remission

http://www.bc.edu/offices/ahana/programs/as/tuition.html

Covers the cost of tuition only for undergraduate Boston College students who wish to study

abroad. Selection based off of many factors (transcript, essays, financial need) but also

demonstrated utilization of BAIC programs and services (such as Advising, Campus of

Difference, D.O.R, Nursing Outreach, RIDE, ect.)

Apply: January

Summer Tuition Remission

http://www.bc.edu/offices/ahana/programs/as/SummerTuitionRemission.html

Summer Tuition Remission Program is to aid in the retention of students by providing resources

to afford those experiencing academic difficulty the opportunity to improve their status at Boston

College. Any student with such difficulties and wishes to take summer courses should first seek

assistance from their college counselor at the Thea Bowman AHANA and Intercultural Center.

On-campus housing can be provided for one summer session.

Apply: March. Awarded by seniority (Seniors top priority), selection criteria includes

demonstrated participation in BAIC programs.

Bowman Advocates for Inclusive Culture

http://www.bc.edu/offices/ahana/programs/leadership_programs/bowman-advocates-for-inclusiv

e-culture.html

This program is a year-long commitment and seeks to develop students who have a passion for

engaging their peers in dialogue around issues of diversity, inclusion, and social justice.

Collectively, the group of leaders will help facilitate the MOSAIC program during Welcome

Week, Dialogues on Race (DOR) throughout the year, and Campus of Difference workshops

with first-year students. Apply: February, 1 year commitment

University Counseling Services

Gasson Hall 01Q

- http://www.bc.edu/offices/counseling/

8:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m Mon-Fri

“Feel Better Now” Resources

http://www.bc.edu/offices/counseling/external.html

The mission of University Counseling Services (UCS) is to enhance the mental health capacity

of Boston College students and the capacity of the community to foster emotionally mature,

responsible, and self-reliant students. Each year more than 1800 students consult with

Counseling Services for a wide variety of problems and concerns. Typical reasons for seeking

counseling include anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, response to traumatic events,

eating disorders, family issues, and college adjustment difficulties.

There are no charges for the services provided by University Counseling Services.

Emergency Psychological Services - 24/7 617-552-322

Individual Counseling

Many students are offered short-term psychological counseling after initial evaluation with a

staff person. Students who require extended or specialized counseling may be referred to other

mental health services in the area.

Group Therapy

In group counseling, a small number of people meet together with one or two of our

psychologists to help themselves and one another. Joining a group provides opportunities to learn

with and from other people, to understand one's own patterns of thought and behavior and those

of others, and to perceive how group members react to one another. You learn that perhaps

you're not as different as you think, or that you're not alone.

WellTrack

Welltrack is a free online tool provided by BC that promotes mental wellness on campus.

University Health Services

2150 Commonwealth Avenue

Academic Year Hours

Outpatient Center: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Inpatient Unit: 24 hours a day for inpatient and urgent evaluations

Summer Hours

Outpatient Center: Monday-Thursday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Friday, 9 AM - 3 PM

617-552-3225, [email protected]

The mission of University Health Services is to enhance the physical and psychological

well being of Boston College students by providing multifaceted health care services in the Jesuit

tradition of cura personalis (care for the entire person). UHS provides a compassionate safe

haven for those in crisis and improves student learning outcomes through modifying health

related barriers to learning thus enabling full participation in the college experience

Women’s Center

Maloney Hall 441

140 Commonwealth Avenue

Monday - Friday: 10 AM - 4 PM

617-552-3489

[email protected]

The Women’s Center (WC) was founded in 1973 to support, educate, and empower

students of all genders in an inclusive and welcoming space. Valuing personal agency and strong

community, the staff works to engage Boston College students through mentoring programs,

events and conversations that cultivate leadership, authentic relationships, and awareness of

intersectional social justice issues. To learn more about the center and the available

opportunities, students can visit (https://www.bc.edu/offices/wc.html).