The Boston College Chronicle november 15, 2007-vol. 16 no. 6 ‘House of Inquiry’ Opens Manresa House to serve as center for vocational discernment By Jack Dunn Director of Public Affairs Since the establishment of the first Jesuit universities, a major tenet of Ignatian spirituality has been for students to ask, “What does God want me to do?” For those students exploring a vocation in ordained ministry and religious life, the opening of Manresa House, the first center for vocational discernment at Boston College, will help to assist in that exploration. Opened Nov. 1 in a University-owned property on 24 Mayflower Road, Manresa House will offer information and programming on vocational ministry and serve as a meeting place for stu- dents who are contemplating religious service. Sponsored jointly by the Office of Campus Ministry at Boston College and the New England Province of the Society of Jesus, the “house of inquiry,” as it is called, will be directed by Jack Butler, SJ, a BC campus minister and director of vocations for the New England Province. Manresa House, which contains common meeting areas, four bedrooms, a prayer room, a kitchen and a TV room, will host student candidates for the Society of Jesus for stays ranging from a weekend to several weeks, during which they will meet with Fr. Butler to discuss their calling. They will also be assigned a Jesuit companion who will meet them for dinner and offer formational guidance. Manresa House will also afford BC students the opportunity to interact with vocation directors from other religious orders and dioceses throughout New England who will be invited to talk about the unique attributes of their ministry. “The Church in general and the Society of Jesus in particular have increased our sensitivity toward the need for vocational promotion,” said Campus Ministry Director James Erps, SJ. “Our office has always been involved in helping students to reflect on what they will do with their lives. This house, and the work of Fr. Jack Butler, will specify this important option.” Manresa House is an extension of an outreach effort begun by University President William P. Leahy, SJ, who started a priesthood discussion group in 1998 for BC students who were considering a vocation. His group, which meets monthly in his office, engages students in frank discussions of priestly life and the joys In Good Company Photo by Lee Pellegrini By Ed Hayward Staff Writer INSIDE: and challenges that such a calling holds. Since its founding nine years ago, approximately a dozen of the group’s participants have gone into the priesthood. It was in response to the success of the discussion group that Fr. Leahy decided to establish Manresa House this year. At its opening, several dozen BC students joined Fr. Butler, Jesuit Provincial Thomas Regan, As the two in“It is absolutely not entirely a coincidence terviewed for their that we are here together now,” says posts, they spoke frequently about Jianmin Gao (left), with Dunwei Wang, their experiences and philosophies long-time colleagues who are both faculty about scientific remembers in the Chemistry Department. search and teaching. In the end, faculty factored into the decision both saw a fit with the Chemistry Wang made. Department. “We’ve really been treated very “Most importantly, we were well,” said Wang, a physical chemboth attracted by the department ist and assistant professor whose here,” Gao says. “As we met our research explores nanometer scaled new colleagues, it was intriguing in materials. “BC is very supportthat there is so much interest in the ive with everything. There is a work everyone is doing. Everybody real commitment to the students seems motivated to bring out the and to the (research) facilities. And best in themselves and their col- Boston is a great city.” leagues.” While the two men knew of Continued on page 5 Facilities and support for new The joy of sports (page 2) Pre-med program enjoying boom times (page 3) SJ, and a representation of vocation directors ranging from the Archdiocese of Boston to the Legionnaires of Christ in celebrating a resource that holds such great promise for all involved. “I have thought about a vocation in the past,” said BC senior Timothy Moriarty, a philosophy major from Seattle, “and I know there are a lot of people at BC who Continued on page 4 University Completes Protocol for Hate Crimes By Sean Smith Chronicle Editor Chemists Wang and Gao can’t seem to shake each other Dunwei Wang grew up in a family of farmers in the village that bears his surname, Wang Ten, in China’s Shangdong Province. Jianmin Gao was raised a few hundred miles away, in the city of Liaocheng. That they both find themselves among the newly hired faculty at Boston College this fall isn’t necessarily a coincidence, insist the young scientists – rather the latest steps in two distinguished academic journeys that have taken the men from China to California and now Boston. Boston College is the third university where the two chemists have found themselves – and their wives as well – since they first met as undergraduates nearly a decade ago at the prestigious University of Science and Technology China, founded by the Chinese Academy of Science, in Anhui Province. “It is absolutely not entirely a coincidence that we are here together now,” said Gao, a chemical biologist and assistant professor who researches the underlying mechanisms that shape proteins. Sister Patricia of the Little Sisters of the Poor speaks with freshman Abigail Craycraft at the opening of Manresa House Nov. 1. (Photo by Lee Pellegrini) Boston College has completed a protocol to assist members of the University community in dealing with suspected hate crimes or bias-motivated offensive conduct. The protocol, developed by the Office of Institutional Diversity and Student Affairs in concert with a committee of administrators, faculty, staff and students, provides clear definitions of actions or behaviors that are considered hate crimes or bias-motivated offenses. It also describes University policies, procedures and resources for reporting or responding to physical, verbal or other form of attack on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, nationality or ethnicity. Plans call for the protocol to be made available on the Office of Institutional Diversity Web site [www.bc.edu/offices/diversity/] within the next two weeks, according to administrators involved in the project. The Web site also will include summary data on hate crimes and bias-motivated offensive conduct as well as resources to aid in recording those incidents that may meet the criteria for hate crimes or bias-motivated offenses. Nothing half-baked about Arrupe volunteers (page 4) “This project has been useful in a couple of ways,” said Interim Vice President for Student Affairs Sheilah Shaw Horton, co-chair of the Protocol Review Committee, formed last fall in the wake of concerns over diversity and racerelated issues on campus. “First, it’s important to recognize that we did not create new processes, but rather have described ones already in place. The protocol brings together existing information and resources so that the BC community knows what to do and whom to call — and what to expect — in possible cases of hate crimes or bias-motivated offensive conduct. “The meetings we held were a good opportunity for us to reflect on these processes, as well as our roles and responsibilities, and the degree of communication necessary, in making them work. It also became evident to us that a large segment of the BC community does not know about the processes and resources available to deal with these areas.” Committee members say the posting of the protocol on the Office of Institutional Diversity Web site will be complemented by forums and orientation sessions that encourage discussion of hate crimes and related matters. “We may become more aware Continued on page 6 T he B oston C ollege Chronicle november 15, 2007 AROUND CAMPUS Native American voice The AHANA Graduate Student Association offered an opportunity Tuesday night to hear a seldom-heard viewpoint on campus, sponsoring a talk in Higgins 310 by Janice Falcone, a top administrator at the North American Indian Center of Boston, which provides social programs for the Native American community. Falcone, who is director of the center’s Workforce Investment Act program, spoke about the history of North American Native Americans, the challenges they face, and the initiatives the center has taken to address these issues. The center itself has been coping with its own difficulties: Two years ago, the state sold to a developer more than half of the center’s 1.8 acres of land — space that had been used for youth activities, sacred ceremonies and other events. Earlier this year the center, which is seeking to replace its current building, signed a lease with the state that will allow it to stay on the remaining property for 99 years. “In keeping with the Jesuit vision of men and women for others, we wanted the Boston College community to have a chance to be educated about Native American issues from a Native American perspective,” said association co-president Marlon Cummings. While Native Americans make up less than one percent of the BC student population, Cummings says, “their voices should be heard, because they are part of this community: We should know about not only their struggles, but also their accomplishments.” —SS Invitation Members of the University community are invited to join in a celebration of the career of Rev. Edward J. Hanrahan, SJ, on Monday, Nov. 19, from 3 to 6 p.m. in Gasson 100. Before his recent retirement, Fr. Hanrahan served Boston College for more than 40 years – 22 of them as dean of students and the past 21 as special assistant in the University Development Office. Anyone who would like to attend Monday’s event should RSVP to Jacalyn Dziados in University Advancement at ext. 2-0480 or dziados@bc.edu. Vice President and Special Assistant to the President — and perennial campus favorite — William B. Neenan, SJ, was the featured speaker at the Nov. 6 “Agape Latte” event at the Hillside Cafe. Afterwards, he visited with sophomores (L-R) Julia Gabbert, Kellie Braam and Laura Regan. (Photo by Frank Curran) The Boston College Chronicle Director of Public Affairs Jack Dunn Team spirit ‘QUOTE/UNQUOTE’ It’s been said many times this fall: What with the Red Sox, Patriots and Celtics — to say nothing of a certain college football team that plays in Alumni Stadium — enjoying success, it’s a great time to be a Boston sports fan. But does all this hoopla really make us happy? Well, yes — and in a variety of ways, according to Assoc. Prof. Joseph Tecce (Psychology), who was recently interviewed on the subject by Bloomberg News. Even if you’re not a regular sports fan who identifies with a team, he explains, getting caught up temporarily in the enthusiasm for the game and the winning atmosphere has its benefits. “It has a displacement effect: No need to worry about the increase in auto insurance rates. Why be bothered with the leaky faucet or broken backyard fence? No time for that now. “But the faucet and fence problems don’t go away. And it is precisely the surge of success of our sports teams that gives us a positive mood and high energy level to tackle those same File photo Don’t Knock the Thrill of Victory practical problems. Yes, we can have it both ways. Having fun with sports teams takes our minds off problems today and gives us a good mood and energy level to tackle those same problems tomorrow.” Sports success has a social component, Tecce adds: “Each win gives family and friends an opportunity for celebrations, not complaints and not disagreements. And there is a herd effect. People are talking to each other more than ever. Even curmudgeons are smiling these days and being sociable. Someone may be all business but it’s hard to resist sharing all the sports successes with others.” Call them superstitious, Tecce says, but some fans become convinced their behaviors are linked to their team’s performance — and are therefore doubly gratified when their actions appear to help bring victory. One student refused to shave his beard until the World Series was over, notes Tecce. Another student would vary his location to coincide with the progress of a Red Sox game: one room for when the Sox batted, another if they were in the field, a third if the game wasn’t going well for them — “In this way, he helps them bat, field, and win.” Then there was the friend of Tecce who claimed that whenever his wife watched a game on TV, the Red Sox would fall behind, and if she left the room they would surge ahead. “So when the Sox played a critical game, she decided to make a big sacrifice and not watch with her husband,” says Tecce. “And the Sox won.” —Sean Smith USA Today is conducting its annual search for the nation’s best and brightest students and Boston College faculty are encouraged to submit nominations. Twenty students will be named to its First Team, each of whom will be featured in a two-page color presentation in the newspaper in February 2008, receive a trophy and a $2500 cash award. Forty more students will be recognized in the newspaper as second and third team winners. BC students have been recognized by this competition six times since Elizabeth LaRocca ’94 made the First Team. Most recently, history and political science major Jonathan Lennon ’05 made the third team in the 2005 competition. Beginning this year, students must register electronically and be screened for eligibility. They may register at http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/200705-17-2008-allstar-college-apply_ N.htm. Other information about the process, including FAQs for nominees and advice for nominators, can be found on the Web site. Questions also may be addressed to Carol Skalski at 703-854-5890 or allstars@usatoday.com. Nomination forms must be postmarked by Nov. 30. —OPA Deputy Director of Public AFFAIRS Patricia Delaney Editor Sean Smith Contributing Staff Ed Hayward Reid Oslin Rosanne Pellegrini Kathleen Sullivan Eileen Woodward Photographers Gary Gilbert Lee Pellegrini The Boston College Chronicle (USPS 009491), the internal newspaper for faculty and staff, is published biweekly from September to May by Boston College, with editorial offices at the Office of Public Affairs, 14 Mayflower Road, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 (617)552-3350. Distributed free to faculty and staff offices and other locations on campus. Periodicals postage paid at Boston, MA and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: send address changes to The Boston College Chronicle, Office of Public Affairs, 14 Mayflower Road, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467. Electronic editions of the Boston College Chronicle are available via the World Wide Web at http:// www.bc.edu/chronicle. T he B oston C ollege Chronicle november 15, 2007 University Pre-Medical Program Enrollment Continues to Grow BC rate of admission to medical schools well above national average By Ed Hayward Staff Writer Enrollment in Boston College’s pre-medical program grew by 44 percent during the last five years, and pre-med students now make up roughly a quarter of the College of Arts and Sciences, according to University statistics. Figures also show the medical school acceptance rate for those students who complete the BC pre-med program is well above the national average. The program’s growth is not lost on students, who admit to being surprised by the number of their peers who filled a campus lecture hall last spring for a program-wide meeting. “You don’t really realize how many people are involved in this program when you’re in your classes or meeting with an advisor,” says Danielle Currier ’08, a biology major who plans to apply to dental school. “When you’re all in one room, it’s a little overwhelming. But it’s nice to know you’re not in this alone.” Assoc. Prof. Robert Wolff (Biology) directs the program and attributes its rapid growth to a hardearned reputation for academic rigor and attention to students, as well as a corresponding enrollment increase in the natural sciences at Boston College. But while science majors dominate the rolls of candidates for medical, veterinary or dental school, the BC program follows a liberal arts model that encourages students from majors beyond the sciences to fulfill the pre-med program as well. “I think Boston College has developed a reputation for a very strong pre-med program and that in itself becomes self-fulfilling,” Wolff says. “Students feel they are taken care of and get good advising, and they let their fellow students or prospective students know. So some of what we are enjoying is word-of-mouth at a national level.” The program’s attention to detail has paid off for the students who make it through the application process. In 2005-06, 73 percent of the Boston College seniors who applied to medical schools were admitted. Nationally, the acceptance rate to medical school stood at 47 percent in 2006. “The Boston College pre-med, pre-dental, and pre-vet program is among the best in the country,” says Prof. Tom Chiles (Biology), the department chairman. “It is a phenomenal program and Robert Wolff has done an incredible job to get it there.” This fall, pre-med enrollment stands at 1,497, compared to the 1,039 students in 2002, according to Student Services data. During the same period, enrollments in the natural sciences increased roughly 40 percent. In all, pre-med students make up approximately 25 percent of the 6,108 students enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences this fall. “When I was looking for a college to attend, I wanted one with a well-organized and well-structured pre-med program and BC fit that,” says Jason Saunders ’08, who is applying to medical schools including Penn, Georgetown, Uni- Assoc. Prof. Robert Wolff (Biology), director of Boston College’s pre-medical program, with Danielle Currier ’08 (left) and Bethel Belai ’11. “I think Boston College has developed a reputation for a very strong pre-med program and that in itself becomes self-fulfilling,” says Wolff. (Photo by Lee Pellegrini) versity of Pittsburgh and Temple University. A student who plans to enter medical school in the fall following graduation must begin the application process for medical school in October of junior year. There is a long list of deadlines to meet for applications, essays, and advising appointments, says Wolff. Students meet regularly with an assigned faculty advisor and Wolff keeps students up to date through the program Web site and routine e-mails. In addition to their course work and test scores, medical school applicants are expected to have had significant experiences in the health sciences. Alumni in the Boston area participate in the Eagle Docs program, providing mentorship and service A Call for Renewing Conservation Efforts By Reid Oslin Staff Writer As temperatures fall and energy prices rise, University energy administrators are calling for members of the Boston College community to renew campuswide efforts to conserve heat and electricity. Director of Facilities Services Michael Jednak says an energy conservation effort launched last year yielded a significant savings in heat and electricity costs, but even more energy belt-tightening is needed this year to help keep costs down. “When we had the last campaign going, we were saving about a million kilowatt hours a month,” Jednak notes. “That has eroded. We need everybody’s help to get back there.” Electricity use on campus has skyrocketed over the past six months, increasing 24 percent over the same time frame of a year ago, according to Jednak. Facilities Services Utility Manager Deirdre Manning says her office is implementing a variety of programs to remind students, faculty and staff of the need to conserve energy in their homes as well as their offices, classrooms and workspaces. “Obviously, energy is expensive for everyone,” she says. “At the Health Fair today [10 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Murray Room of the Yawkey Athletic Center], we will be giving out tips on what people can do to save energy at home, and we hope that employees will be more likely to implement these energy-saving practices at work as well.” Manning said Facilities Management is also working with a student environmental group, EcoPledge, to establish a “Bulb Brigade” to introduce more energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs to the University community. “We had students who worked with us during the summer, surveying offices and trying to get an idea of what we refer to as ‘plug-in power’ – what people bring to BC and stick in the sockets,” she says. “To some extent, we can control the overhead lighting and retrofit inefficient lighting, but things like halogen desk lamps or even regular desk lamps with incandescent light bulbs use up to 75 percent more energy than fluorescent bulbs. If you multiply that by the number of table lamps used at BC, it can add up to a pretty significant amount.” Manning says that teams of EcoPledge students will be visiting campus offices this semester to explain the environmental – and economic – benefits of using compact fluorescent bulbs and asking workers to make a switch. “When these bulbs first came out over 20 years ago, they had a weird orange glow,” Manning says, noting that many people did not like the original product. “But now, they have a nice bright white light and they do save quite a bit of money.” The compact fluorescent bulbs also reduce the emission of greenhouse gases and other pollutants while reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, she says. The Facilities Management office is also working with Residential Life staff members to encourage greater recycling in addition to conserving energy use in campus housing units. opportunities to current students. Paul Hesketh, MD, ’74, chief of the Division of Hematology Oncology at Caritas St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, is an Eagle Doc who sees the program as an invaluable component to the pre-medical student experience. “There is nothing more valuable than real world experiences to help students transform theoretical concepts into reality,” Hesketh said. “The Eagle Docs program is a tremendous resource for BC undergraduates, providing an opportunity to be exposed first hand to a whole spectrum of healthcare settings and to ‘test the waters’ in non-threatening and supportive environments.” Kelly Fitzgerald ’08 says Wolff and his staff – including assistant directors Patricia O’Kane and Erin Curley – pay close attention to details and make sure students are aware of what’s ahead. In addition, the members of the BC Pre-medical Committee work one on one with students, and Wolff credits the recent success of the program to their commitment to high quality undergraduate advising. “The one-on-one consults I’ve had with my advisor and with Professor Wolff make a big difference,” says Fitzgerald, who is applying to joint MD/PhD programs including University of Massachusetts Medical School, Tufts University, University of Connecticut and Yale University. “Professor Wolff has been great pointing me in the right direction, or helping to tweak an essay or express something differently in order to get my point across.” CONSERVING ENERGY •Turn off nonessential and decorative lighting, especially in unoccupied areas. •Turn off computers, monitors, printers, copiers and lights every night and when not being used. If you can’t turn off the whole computer, turn off the monitor and printer. •For optimal energy savings, set thermostats to 78 degrees for cooling in summer and 68 degrees for heating in winter; this will save 1020 percent of cooling costs and 5-20 percent of heating costs. •Make sure that all windows are closed and locked to keep out drafts. •Notify the Work Order Center (ext.2-3048) about overheating or malfunctioning windows and doors. •Support the EcoPledge “Bulb Brigade” when they visit your office space. T he B oston C ollege Chronicle Associate Deans, Librarian Selected for New School By Sean Smith Chronicle Editor The newly created Boston College School of Theology and Ministry (STM) recently strengthened its administrative leadership, as STM Dean Richard Clifford, SJ, announced the appointments of Jennifer L. S. Bader, Jacqueline M. Regan and John P. Stachniewicz as associate deans. In addition, Fr. Clifford announced that Esther Griswold has accepted the position of librarian for STM, which will begin holding classes in the fall of 2008 at the University’s Brighton Campus. STM comprises BC’s Institute of Re­ligious Education and Pastoral Ministry, BC’s Church in the 21st Century online programs and the Weston Jesuit School of Theology, which is re-affiliating with Boston College. As vice president and special assistant to the president at Weston Jesuit, Stachniewicz played a key role in the reaffiliation process with BC, representing the school at planning meetings in such areas as information technology, budgeting, marketing, facilities and admission. He also coordinated strategic and operational matters at the school and was a member of the board’s budget committee. Prior to his appointment as vice president, Stachniewicz was assistant dean and director of enrollment and registrar at Weston Jesuit. In addition to serving as dean of students at Weston Jesuit for three years, Regan has been the school’s director of lay spiritual development since 2005. Previously she served as director of campus ministry at St. Mary’s High School in Lynn — where she also taught history and religion and coached track and field — and as head of youth/adult faith formation at St. John the Baptist Parish in Peabody. Bader, an adjunct assistant professor in BC’s Theology Department, has served as associate director of academic affairs at IREPM since 2003. Among her duties as associate director, she has coordinated dual and joint degree programs with BC graduate school academic deans and faculty, worked on revising curriculums to reflect current issues and events, as well as played key roles in the areas of admissions and recruitment and student advising and mentoring. Griswold was appointed as director of library and information services for Weston Jesuit in 2001, and has been responsible for the overall organization, development and operation of the School of Theology library, which is shared with the Episcopal Divinity School. During the Weston-BC reaffiliation process, she has chaired the team overseeing the transition of Weston’s more than 100,000-volume collection of books, periodicals, documents and other materials to the former St. John’s Seminary Library on Brighton Campus. Students from BC, as well as STM and St. John’s, will have access to the library, although St. John’s and Weston Jesuit retain ownership of their collections. Announcing the appointments, Fr. Clifford said: “The three new associate deans — Jennifer L. S. Bader, Jacqueline M. Regan and John P. Stachniewicz — have worked a collective total of 19 years at either IREPM or Weston Jesuit, and thus bring a wealth of experience and dedication to the new Boston College School of Theology and Ministry. Each has a particular area of expertise and is committed to working together in the new school. “Also bringing years of experience and commitment is Esther Griswold, as the school’s librarian. She has already been working closely with the Boston College and St. John’s staffs on the new library.” Inside the Outreach Arrupe International Program volunteers like Jeff Stokes (right) use creative methods — including bake sales at football games — to raise funds and create awareness of their group’s mission and activities By Reid Oslin Staff Writer How does one of education’s most traditional fund-raising strategies — the Saturday bake sale — enhance the spiritual component of an international social outreach program? Just ask Jeff Stokes ’08, a student leader of one of the Arrupe International Program’s upcoming service and education immersion trips to Guatemala — and brownie baker extraordinaire. Stokes says student bake sales supported by graduates and fans attending Alumni Stadium football games each fall are paying dividends to the Arrupe program not only in fund-raising terms, but also in helping to build a community identity for the program participants. Sponsored by Boston College’s Campus Ministry, each of the 10 Arrupe programs involves 12 to 18 students and at least two faculty and staff members who as a group learn about and involve themselves directly with people living in politically and economically marginalized countries of Central and South America. Each program also costs some $25,000, making creative fund-raising a necessity for participants. In addition to the football day bake sales, Arrupe volunteers have come up with a number of fund raising ideas, including t-shirt sales, a pancake breakfast, meal plan point drives, a dormitory room cleaning service and some old-fashioned letter-writing to family members and friends to seek financial support for the effort. “Our bake sales before football games are especially effective,” Stokes says. “These are usually done at the beginning of the semester because not all of the trip members really know each other at that point. You spend the night before or the morning of the game actually baking with all of these people, and you really start to build community with the people you will be making the trip with.” With brownies and cookies ready for sale, Stokes says that Arrupe program students find a willing consumer market at pre-game tailgate parties. “We get a great reception from alumni. A lot of the tailgates have all of the food that they could want and most of it is probably far more delicious than what we are selling,” he adds with a laugh. “But while we walk around, we are not just selling brownies, we are able to let even more people know what we are doing in the Arrupe program, raise some awareness and let people know that they are buying a lot more than just brownies. “A good amount of alumni at games,” Stokes adds, “are really interested in hearing more about what we are doing rather than just buying a brownie and having us move on. They seem to be very receptive to having a little bit of a conversation.” Stokes, a theology and political science major from Wrentham, Mass., will be making his second trip to Guatemala during winter break in January. “It isn’t just a two-week trip, it isn’t something you prepare for, go on, and it ends. This is something that sticks with you,” he says. “It really helps shape the decisions you make on an everyday basis on campus and also with the organizations, professions and vocations that you go into in the future. “I came back a second time not only to gain experience for myself, but also to help other people gain the experience that I had last year,” Stokes says. Kelly Sardon-Garrity, director of the Arrupe International Programs, says four students groups will visit Guatemala, Belize and Nogales and Lee Pellegrini november 15, 2007 Tijuana, Mexico, in January. Other groups will travel to Ecuador, El Salvador, Jamaica and Nicaragua in the spring. Summer trips are planned to Cuernavaca, Mexico and Jamaica. Each spring students apply for the Arrupe program and those selected participate in a large kickoff event to discuss solidarity in the mission, logistics and fund-raising, says Sardon-Garrity. “Fund-raising is vital to make the trips happen. But another focus is preparing to go on the trips themselves – not just making sure that we all have passports and all of that,” he says, “but learning about Guatemala or wherever they will be working, learning about its history and its economics.” Groups meet weekly during the semester leading up to the trip, and meetings include prayer and reflection as well as education and travel logistics. “After the trip there is another retreat with all of the groups,” Sardon-Garrity says. “They continue to meet and even do some additional service here. “It’s a very powerful experience,” he adds. “When the group gets to know each other, it becomes a really supportive community and we really challenge each other to dig deeper into what is going on in this particular situation and how does it affect my life?” “It really helps to answer the questions as students try to figure out who they are, and as they discover that, layer the next question on: Who are you called to be?” BC Offers Vocational Discernment Continued from page 1 have thought about it who may not be comfortable talking about it with their peers. This provides a place to explore what God may be calling us to do, a place to discern. It will be a very good resource for BC students.” Added senior Thomas Hofmann, a philosophy and English major from Sausalito, Calif., who is considering the priesthood, “The commitment to Manresa House shows that the BC administration is taking an active step toward addressing a growing need on campus. There are many students asking questions about vocations who haven’t really decided what they want to do. This house gives us a place to talk with others who are considering the same possibilities.” Hofmann was particularly impressed by the number of vocation directors who were present at the opening. “Their presence gave me a picture of the Church that everyone considering a vocation should have. Seeing all these people and having conversations on Ignatian spirituality, Franciscan spirituality, is wonderful and will help me to decide where I go from here.” Sister Lisa Buscher, RSCJ, who does outreach ministry for the Religious of the Sacred Heart, praised the establishment of Manresa House and the benefit it holds for those hoping to attract Catholic students to religious life. “I think it is a great idea for bringing people in the Church who want to talk about their vocations and service to God,” said Sister Buscher, who lives in community with seven sisters on Beacon Street in Newton. “It is an asset and a resource for all of us, and we hope to tie into this place as much as we can.” Students, vocation directors and colleagues alike offered universal praise for Fr. Butler, whose blend of enthusiasm and charisma make him an ideal person to lead this important effort. “Fr. Jack is an absolutely wonderful priest whose energy is contagious,” said Moriarty. “What really impresses me is that he looks at each person to see how God is working in their lives. He wants to bring people to Christ, wherever they are. That is what attracts people to him” Campus Minister Jack Butler, SJ, director of Manresa House, talking with juniors Mike Pratt and Jeremy Marks. (Photo by Frank Curran) Added Kathleen Spellman of BC Campus Ministry, “I can’t think of anyone better for this job than Jack Butler. He really connects with students in a way the rest of us can only strive for. He is truly gifted and his efforts will really help students and the Church.” T he B oston C ollege Chronicle november 15, 2007 University Is Proficient in Promoting a Global Perspective Local school takes cue from BC’s Global Proficiency Program By Sean Smith Chronicle Editor A Boston College program is the model for a local high school’s newly launched initiative that encourages students to cultivate international and cross-cultural perspectives via academics, travel, service and other experiences. Through the Global Competence Program, Needham High School students can earn a certificate detailing activities — from school coursework to volunteer work — that broaden their knowledge of, and familiarity with, foreign languages and cultures. BC provided inspiration for the Needham GCP with its Global Proficiency Program, which was established in 1999 as a means to coordinate students’ involvement in multi-cultural or international studies. University administrators also worked with Needham school personnel on developing the program to best serve their students. Affirming BC’s role in the initiative, the Global Proficiency Program creator, Assistant Dean and Director for the Office of International Students and Scholars Adrienne Nussbaum, attended the formal launching of the Needham GCP Oct. 3. Needham High officials express gratitude to BC for its outreach, Assistant Dean and Director for the Office of International Students and Scholars Adrienne Nussbaum at last month’s launch of the Needham High School Global Competence Program. direct and indirect, which they say underscores the importance of partnerships between higher education institutions and area public schools. “We admired BC for developing this program years back and asked, ‘Why couldn’t a high school like Needham do the same?’” says Needham High School Principal Paul Richards, a doctoral student at BC’s Lynch School of Education. “BC gave us the confidence as well as the programmatic knowledge to make it happen.” Amy Goldman, who is directing implementation of the Needham GCP, adds, “It was wonderful to have the benefit of BC’s insight as we worked to create a program that would meet student and community needs.” The GPP-GCP connection was forged in a somewhat circuitous way. Susan Bonaiuto, director of community education and planning at Needham High — and the wife of Boston College Bands Program Director Sebastian Bonaiuto — was part of a school task force seeking to foster international opportunities for students. Although the group had productive discussions about the purpose and nature of international experiences, when its work was concluded, she says, “I felt things were still unresolved.” Then the Bonaiutos’ daughter Andrea, who at the time was in the midst of her college search, came upon the GPP while browsing the BC Web site. Andrea (now a BC freshman) pointed it out to received certificates. These docuher mother, who immediately e- ments are added to the students’ mailed Richards. The school had undergraduate transcripts, detailfound the model it was looking ing their particular involvement in for, Susan Bonaiuto says. international studies. In addition to consulting Last year, the program received with Nussbaum on fashioning a an award from the National AssoGPP-like program, school offi- ciation of Student Affairs Profescials invited Volunteer and Service sionals for best practices in camLearning Director Daniel Ponset- pus-based international programto to discuss criteria for choosing ming. In addition, Nussbaum says service opportunities. at least 23 colleges and universities “With the globalization trend in the United States, Canada, New in business, communication and Zealand, Taiwan and England and other aspects of life,” Bonauito two Massachusetts high schools says, “it’s becoming more impor- — including Needham — have tant for young people to have used the GPP as a model or made the intellectual, social and emo- substantial inquiries about it. tional skills to work with persons “What makes the GPP an from different cultures and back- intriguing concept,” says Nussgrounds. We want kids to reflect baum, “is the student can inon what they see and “We admired BC for tegrate different hear, whether abroad facets of their time or at home, and inte- developing this program at BC — whether grate it into a sophisyears back and asked, it’s a course in ticated view of the Arabic languages, ‘Why couldn’t a high say, a service trip world in which they live. school like Needham do to Nicaragua, or “The BC Global helping with an Proficiency Program the same?’” says Needham ESL program in is definitely geared to High School Principal Boston — into a that kind of personal holistic, comprePaul Richards. development, and hensive body of we feel confident our work.” version of it will be beneficial for “This helps shape the students’ Needham students.” own view of his or her education Nussbaum says the Needham and career path, which is valuinitiative reflects the ongoing suc- able in and of itself. But there’s cess of the GPP — within BC a practical element: Prospective and outside it. Anywhere from employers, or graduate programs, 500 to 600 students are regis- will look at the GPP certificate tered in the GPP each year, she and transcript and get a better apsays, and about 225 to date have preciation of the student.” From China to Chestnut Hill, Their Bond Endures SPIRIT OF FRIENDSHIP—The Boston College Campus School held its annual “Spirit Day” earlier this month, and welcomed members of the BC football team. In photo at left, Thomas Claiborne ’10 signs a poster for his new-found friend Joseph Weiss as Kimberly Phillips, part-time grad student and teacher assistant, looks on. Below, Campus School student Jane Xayaveth visits with sophomore Pat Sheil and Campus School undergrad buddy Michelle Lamy ’09. Photos by Frank Curran Continued from page 1 each other when they both studied chemistry at USTC, their friendship developed at Stanford University, where Gao started his PhD studies in 1999 and Wang followed a year later. Their labs were located in the same building and they saw each other on a weekly basis. When Wang obtained his learner’s permit, Gao provided friendly driving pointers. It didn’t hurt that both men were then dating the women they would eventually marry – also classmates from USTC – who had grown up in the same hometown in China. Gao’s wife, Fangxin Hong, and Wang’s wife, Helen Zhang, eventually traveled to the US to earn doctorates – Hong at UC Davis and Zhang at UC Berkeley. Following their graduation from Stanford, both couples ended up in southern California, where Gao undertook his postdoctoral study at the Scripps Research Institute in San Diego, and Wang completed his postdoc at the California Institute of Technology. “We were both very busy – it doesn’t take very long for you to get buried in your research. But we were able to stay in touch and our wives stayed in touch,” said Wang, whose wife is completing her PhD studies in Berkeley and expects to move to Boston early next year. Gao’s wife is a biostatistician at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. While both scientists say it is comforting to have a friend and fellow countryman at their new university, they aren’t necessarily alone. There are seven graduate students from USTC in the Chemistry Department, creating a small community within the labs and classrooms of Merkert Chemistry Center. Chemistry Department chairman Vanderslice Millennium Professor Amir Hoveyda said he and his colleagues expect Gao and Wang to play crucial roles in the future of the department. “Professors Wang and Gao represent the very best of creative young minds in two of the most exciting forefront areas of research in modern science: materials research and chemical biology,” Hoveyda said. “We fully expect them to not only succeed in their ambitious plans to further the frontiers of our field and establish internationally recognized programs, but also to serve as the nucleus for the establishment of world-class institutes in nanosciences and biological chemistry in this university.” T he B oston C ollege Chronicle november 15, 2007 Postings Bone marrow drive Nov. 27 University Health Services will sponsor a bone marrow drive on Nov. 27 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Those interested in participating may sign up today from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. in McElroy Commons. Walk-ins also will be accepted. For more information, contact Erin Corsini at erin.corsini.1@bc.edu. Optical scientist to speak on art history Charles Falco, a professor of optical sciences at the University of Arizona, will present the lecture “Perceiving Images: The Separate Realities of Scientists and Art Historians” tomorrow, Nov. 16, at 4 p.m. in Fulton 117. [A reception will precede the event at 3:30 p.m.] Falco will discuss findings from his collaboration with artist David Hockney that optical tools such as lenses and concave mirrors to project images came into use by European artists nearly 200 years earlier than previously believed possible. These discoveries have revealed new information in iconic images long studied by art historians, Falco believes, and open significant new areas for investigation. The Falco-Hockney project has drawn considerable media coverage, including an hour-long BBC special and a segment on CBS-TV’s “60 Minutes,” as well as more than 70 invited talks and public lectures in 10 countries. For more information, call ext.24295 or e-mail michalcj@bc.edu. Rajak visits campus Nov. 26 Tessa Rajak, a leading Josephus scholar well versed in Greek and Hebrew, will give a talk on Nov. 26 from 6:30-9 p.m. in Higgins 310. Currently a visiting professor in Judaic studies, history and classics at Yale University, Rajak is the author of Josephus: The Historian And His Society, regarded as an important reference work about the controversial Jewish general who fought in the First Jewish-Roman War of 66-73. For more information, e-mail yonder. gillihan.1@bc.edu. Discussion on parish leadership is Nov. 28 The Institute for Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry and Church in the 21st Century Center will sponsor a talk, “The Hopes and Challenges of Parish Leadership,” by Marti Jewell, director of the Emerging Models of Parish Leadership Project, on Nov. 28 from 7-9 p.m. in Gasson 100. The Emerging Models of Parish Leadership Project works with parish leaders across the United States to address challenges of 21st-century parish life. Jewell will discuss his observations and impressions about the state of parish leadership, and the outlook for local faith communities. For more information, see www.bc.edu/irepmce or e-mail lambmb@bc.edu. Thanksgiving break All Boston College offices will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday on Nov. 22 and 23, and will re-open on Monday, Nov. 26. Waiting for a New World, a New Life Literary memoir traces a young man’s journey to the West, and freedom By Sean Smith Chronicle Editor Sometimes, the very act of writing an autobiography is autobiographical, as is the case with the new literary memoir by Prof. Maxim D. Shrayer (Slavic and Eastern Languages). The year Shrayer first started work on the book, 1996, saw him begin his academic career as a Boston College faculty member. When he finished the book 10 years later, Shrayer had just entered another phase of his life, fatherhood. In Waiting for America: A Story of Emigration, Shrayer recounts another, earlier significant transition: the two-month period following his family’s departure from their native Russia in preparation for their journey from Europe to the United States. Living in Vienna and then in and outside Rome as he and his parents awaited their US refugee visa, Shrayer found freedoms, and complications, he had never known before, especially in the realm of personal relationships. He also experienced the shock, thrill, and anonymity of encountering Western democracies, running into European roadblocks while shedding Soviet taboos. Shrayer eschews familiar themes — the new arrival’s travails in America; nostalgia for the ancestral home; the misery and loneliness of a refugee’s plight — in favor of a more nuanced, ultimately upbeat meditation on the metaphorical as well as actual passage immigration heralds. “The book is, first of all, a story about family baggage, about the inescapability of family ties and traps, and about the blissful burden of memory which immigrants carry with them to the New World,” says Shrayer, who will present a reading from Waiting for America on Nov. 28 at 7:30 p.m. in Devlin 101. Shrayer also describes the book as “a fragmented love story,” in which he — a romantic 20-yearold poet — finds himself “torn between women from the JewishRussian refugee community, who bind [him] to their shared Russian past, and European women, who represent the alluring promise of sexual freedom and who encourage fast-track assimilation. “Waiting for America is, finally, a memoir of emigration/immigration, of severance from Russia that was never a true home to the Jews.” The book, his eighth, also represents a departure for Shrayer as his first full-length literary work written and published in English. Originally a writer of Russian poetry and prose before gradually turning to fiction and creative non-fiction in English, Shrayer says he has had a longstanding interest in memoir and autobiographical writing. “I guess this sort of a book has always been in me, and it was a matter of letting it germinate and come to fruition. I love hybrid genres, and my challenge in this book was to tell a story based on documentary, remembered and reconstructed past, in such a way that it reads like a work of art.” Shrayer’s academic writing and scholarly projects tended to limit the attention he could de- “The book is, first of all, a story about family baggage, about the inescapability of family ties and traps, and about the blissful burden of memory which immigrants carry with them to the New World.” —Maxim D. Shrayer vote to Waiting for America, but about two years ago he decided he needed to focus on completing the work. “My wife was pregnant with our first child, and I wanted to finish the book and send it out into the world,” explains Shrayer, who says he completed much of his final editing of the text with his infant daughter Mira sleeping on his chest. Copies of Waiting for America arrived the day Shrayer and his wife, Karen Lasser, brought their new daughter Tatiana home from the hospital. Could Waiting for America herald a new, more permanent direction in Shrayer’s writing? “I continue to find excitement and pleasure in autobiographical and memoir writing, and I am working on a book about growing up in the Soviet Union,” he replied. “Who knows, perhaps one day I will write a story of becoming American — when I turned 40 last summer, I had been living in this country for half of my life. Not too bad for a Jewish kid from Moscow, is it?” Protocol Viewed As Helping Address Hate Crimes Continued from page 1 of the issues that are out there,” said committee co-chair Executive Director of Institutional Diversity Richard Jefferson. “At the same time, we hope to help sort out what hate incidents are, and what they are not, and how these situations should be handled.” A key facet of the protocol, committee members said, is that it distinguishes between two overlapping categories of hateful behavior: hate crimes and bias-motivated offensive conduct. An act that does not meet the specific criteria of a hate crime — which the protocol notes involves a police investigation and is punishable by criminal prosecution — may nonetheless violate BC behavioral standards and policies. Students or employees accused of bias-motivated offensive conduct are subject to sanctions or disciplinary action from the University. “There have been occasions,” said Horton, “when a person who has been the victim of what he or she believes to be a hate crime follows the procedures for reporting, and an investigation finds that it ated the University’s willingness was not in fact a hate crime, as to include student perspectives in defined. Sometimes this can be a the discussions. confusing, frustrating experience “Overall, I believe the Protocol for the person in question. Review Commit“And if an intee was successful cident becomes because it brought “It’s important to known to the wider together a group recognize that we campus communiof people from difty, there is potential ferent parts of the did not create new for misunderstandUniversity, but processes, but rather who were all inings to occur regarding the nature terested and deterhave described ones of the incident and mined to develop already in place.” the University’s rea much needed sponse. Our hope —Sheilah Shaw Horton protocol,” she said. is that, by making “The range of viewthis protocol widely points allowed us available — as the to look at the proprelude to a conversation across tocol with a much more holistic the campus — we can work to vision. Thanks to the expertise of prevent such confusion and frus- the people in the room, we were tration, both for the individual able to explore everything from and for the community.” the legal issues and the judicial Undergraduate Government of processes to the specific language Boston College President Jennifer we would use. We have also reCastillo ’08, one of four student cently looked at it from a technorepresentatives on the committee, logical sense, since we have had was generally upbeat about the the opportunity to see what it will effort and added that she appreci- look like online. “I am satisfied to know that we went through a lengthy process, and we now have a document that outlines exactly what should happen if a hate crime or bias-motivated offensive incident is reported. This clearly demonstrates that the University does not tolerate these types of bias and offensive behaviors from anyone in our community – administrators, faculty, staff, and students alike. “ Others who served on the Protocol Review Committee included former Dean for Student Development Robert Sherwood, Residential Life Director Henry Humphreys and Associate Director Justin Price, Boston College Police Chief Robert Morse, AHANA Student Programs Director Ines Maturana Sendoya, University Counseling Services Associate Director Erin Curtiss, Campus Minister Sister Mary T. Sweeney, Africa and African Diaspora Studies Program Director Assoc. Prof. Cynthia Young (English) and Prof. Ramsay Liem (Psychology). T he B oston C ollege Chronicle november 15, 2007 PEOPLE •A segment on WGBH-TV’s “Greater Boston” on legislation proposing changes in nursing staff levels featured Assoc. Prof. Judith Shindul-Rothschild (CSON) and BC nursing students in Assoc. Prof. Robin Wood’s Simulation Lab. •Assoc. Prof. Rev. Robert Imbelli (Theology) offered comments to the Boston Globe regarding the nomination of Mary Ann Glendon as US ambassador to the Vatican. •Assoc. Prof. Jennifer Steen (Political Science) was interviewed by USA Today, the Boston Globe and the Associated Press regarding Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign financing. File photo Newsmakers bert’s now-ended run for the presidency in an ABCnews.com story, and in an op-ed he wrote for the Providence Journal that was later reprinted in the (Raleigh) News and Observer, the Bellingham Herald, the Lake Wiley Pilot and the (Minneapolis) Star Tribune. Publications Steen WCVB-TV’s “Chronicle” regarding Americans and household debt. •Assoc. Prof. Gil Manzon (CSOM) discussed private equity partners and taxation for a piece in the Boston Globe. •Prof. Carlo Rotella (English) published a story in the November issue of Boston magazine on the breakup of John Ruiz and Norm Stone, Boston’s most successful boxing partnership [www. bostonmagazine.com/articles/after_the_gloves_came_off/page1]. •Assoc. Prof. Robert Murphy (Economics) was interviewed by •Prof. Paul Lewis (English) discussed comedian Stephen Col- Nota Bene Two faculty members in the Lynch School of Education department of counseling psychology recently have received several prestigious awards from national psychological associations. Augustus Long Professor of Counseling Psychology Janet Helms was selected for the 2007 Distinguished Psychologist Award from the Association of Black Psychologists. The director of The Institute for the Study and Promotion of Race and Culture, Helms earlier this fall received the 2008 Award for Distinguished Contributions to Research in Public Policy from the American Psychological Association. Assoc. Prof. Lisa Goodman has won the Bonnie R. Stickland and Jessica Henderson Daniel Award for Distinguished Mentoring, as well as the 2007 Award for Outstanding Graduate Teaching and Mentoring from the APA Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues. She also was named an APA Fellow. Associate Vice President for Auxiliary Services Patricia A. Bando is one of four inductees this year into the Massachusetts Hospitality Hall of Fame. Sponsored by the National Restaurant Association, the Hall of Fame was established to recognize those individuals who have “exhibited extraordinary dedication to the hospitality industry in Massachusetts.” Bando will be officially recognized at the annual Massachusetts Hospitality Hall of Fame Awards Dinner to be held this Monday in Boston. The Chemistry Department has announced the 2007-2008 John LaMattina Graduate Student Fellows in Organic and Organometallic Chemistry: Tricia May, who is in Vanderslice Millennium Professor Amir Hoveyda’s research group, is examining new N-heterocyclic carbene ligands for applications to asymmetric conjugate addition of alkyl- and arylmetal reagents to b-substituted cyclic enones for the formation of all-carbon quaternary stereogenic centers. The new Ag-NHC complexes allow access to medicinally important compounds of high enantiomeric purity that were previously unattainable. A member of Prof. Marc Snapper’s research group, Zhen You has focused on developing the kinetic resolution of hydroxyketones through catalytic asymmetric silylation using a simple amino acid-based catalyst. The new strategy significantly shortens the routes to various enantiomerically enriched hydroxyketones which are important chiral building blocks for asymmetric synthesis. Josh Sieber is currently developing transition-metal-catalyzed conjugate allylation processes using allylboronates as nucleophiles in Prof. James Morken’s research group. The LaMattina Graduate Student Fellowship was established in the 2005-06 academic year through the support of Chemistry Department alumnus John L. LaMattina ’71 and his family. •Center on Aging & Work CoDirector Michael Smyer was coeditor of the recently published Changes in Decision-Making Capacity in Older Adults: Assessment and Intervention. •Prof. Paul Lewis (English) published an article on anti-Bush humor, “Take This President... Somebody Please,” in Tikkun magazine. •Prof. Christoph Eykman (German Studies) published “Alltaegliche Dinge im philosophischen und literarischen Schrifttum der Moderne” in the journal Neophilologus. Time and a Half •Monan Professor of Law Daniel Coquillette presented “Race and Gender Discrimination at Harvard Law School” to the Harvard University Nieman Fellowship Program. •Adj. Assoc. Prof. Michael Noone (Music) released “Missa Super flumina Babylonis,” a CD of sacred music by the Spanish Renaissance composer Frabcisco Guerrero, featuring more than 30 Spanish and British musicians conducted by Noone at the end of a series of concerts in the Cathedrals of Andalucia. •Assoc. Prof. Charles Morris (Communication) presented “Hard Evidence: The Vexations of Lincoln’s Queer Corpus” in the College of Communication Speaker Series at the University of Texas. •Prof. Kent Greenfield (Law) was invited to speak at a national conference of business and government leaders on the “Future of the Corporation,” held at Faneuil Hall. He also was a member of the panel discussion “Inequality and the Eroding Middle Class” at the University of North Carolina Center for Poverty, Work and Opportunity. •Prof. Paul Lewis (English) presented a plenary lecture at the Northeast Popular Culture Association conference at Clark University. •Law School Associate Dean for Students Norah Wylie and Assoc. Clinical Prof. Alexis Anderson gave a presentation to the New England Law Clinical Meeting of their work on the issue of accommodating physical and mental disabilities in the classroom and the profession. •Assistant to the Vice President for University Mission and Ministry Timothy Muldoon presented the inaugural lecture at the Center for Ethics in Community at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa. •Asst. Prof. Mary-Rose Papandrea (Law) addressed the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers at their annual meeting in Boston on the subject of “Legal Implications for the Blogosphere.” CSON, Tufts Health Plan Offer Teaching Fellowships In a response to the national shortage of nursing faculty, the Connell School of Nursing has joined with Tufts Health Plan to establish the Tufts Health Plan Teaching Fellowships — full scholarships for an online nurse teaching certificate program offered at Boston College. The dearth of nursing faculty has a direct impact on the shortage of nurses, says CSON Dean Barbara Hazard. “According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, nursing schools turned away thousands of qualified applicants due to an insufficient number of faculty, clinical sites, and clinical preceptors. Across the country, the faculty vacancy rate is approximately 10 percent.” This problem is expected to worsen, adds Hazard, with the anticipated wave of faculty retirements over the next five years. To help combat this trend, the Connell School has developed a three-course Nurse Teaching Certificate Program, designed for nurses who have completed at least 50 percent of their master’s course work, and who wish to have further academic preparation as educators in clinical practice or for teaching nursing in an academic environment. Tufts Health Plan has agreed to fully finance three students for the Nurse Teaching Certificate Program in the spring 2008 semester. “I want to thank Tufts Health Plan for their commitment,” said Hazard. “I believe the teaching fellowships will open up this teaching program to students who would not otherwise have taken advantage of this opportunity.” The deadline for applications is Nov. 30. For more information, go to www.bc.edu/teachingcertificate or call the Connell School of Nursing Graduate Programs Office at ext.2-4928. —Kathleen Sullivan •Adj. Assoc. Prof. Drew Yanno (Law) served as a moderator on two panels, “Distribution Alternatives” and “How Did You Get Your First Movie Made?” at this year’s Austin Film Festival. He is one of the founding members of the festival’s Education Committee. •Prof. Dwayne E. Carpenter (Romance Languages) has been asked to participate as an education and program advisor for an upcoming exhibition on Jews and Christians in medieval Spain at the Museum of Biblical Art inNew York City. •Clinical Prof. Daniel Kanstroom (Law), director of BC Law School Human Rights Programs, was invited to give a talk to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Inter-University Committee on Migration Studies. Jobs The following are among the most recent positions posted by the Department of Human Resources. For more information on employment opportunities at Boston College, see www.bc.edu/offices/hr/: Executive Director, Academic Budget, Policy and Planning, Office of the Provost/Dean Of Faculties Patrol Officer - Academy, BC Police Department Associate Project Director, Graduate School of Social Work Technology Consultant, Law Library Application Developer, Information Technology - Applications Services Staff Nurse, University Health Services Dean, Connell School Of Nursing Security Attendant- 2nd shift, Gate Attendants Central Files/Data Assistant, Prospect Development Assistant Director, Annual Giving, Student & Alumni Participation Human Resources Assistant Research Technician, Physics Department Instrumentation Mechanic, Facilities Management - HVAC Assistant Director, Annual Giving, Classes, Young Alumni Associate Director, Merchandising, BC Bookstore - Mail Order Receptionist/Staff Assistant, Office of the Provost/Dean Of Faculties Director of Emergency Preparedness and Management, Office of the Executive Vice President Administrative Assistant, Center on Aging and Work Assistant Director, Center for Retirement Research T he B oston C ollege Chronicle november 15, 2007 READINGS • LECTURES • DISCUSSION November 15 •“Gays and Grays: The Story of the Gay Community at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Parish in San Francisco,” with Donal Godfrey, SJ, executive director of University Ministry, University of San Francisco, 7 p.m., Higgins 310. Call ext.26346, e-mail mormando@bc.edu. •Lowell Lectures Humanities Series: Reading by David Rieff, World Policy Institute at the New School for Social Research, 7:30 p.m., Devlin 101. See www.bc.edu/offices/ lowellhs/. File photo by Associated Press LOOKING AHEAD November 16 •“Perceiving Images: The Separate Realities of Scientists and Art Historians,” with Charles Falco, University of Arizona, 4 p.m. (reception 3:30 p.m.), Fulton 117, call ext.24295, e-mail michalcj@bc.edu. BC winds up the regular season Nov. 24 at home against Miami. November 17 •Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities Fall Symposium: “No News is Bad News: The Role of the Media in Our Democracy,” 12:305 p.m., see www.masshumanities. org. November 19 •“Lectura Dantis: Purgatorio XXIV,” with Lino Pertile, Harvard University, 7:30 p.m., Devlin 001, see www.bc.edu/schools/cas/honors/bcdante.html. •Weekly discussion: “Where Is God?” 7:15-8:15 p.m., Women’s Resource Center, McElroy 141, through Dec. 20, call ext.2-3489, e-mail quigley@bc.edu. November 26 •Lecture by Tessa Rajak, Yale University, 6:30 p.m., Higgins 310, e-mail yonder.gillihan.1@bc.edu. UNIVERSITY EVENTS November 22 •Thanksgiving Break. All University offices closed until Nov. 26. MUSIC • ART • PERFORMANCE November 15 •Performance: “Stage Door,” Robsham Theater, through Nov. 17. See www.bc.edu/robshamseason for times, ticket information. •“Naked Mask,” featuring literary readings and art exhibit, 7:30 p.m., O’Connell House, e-mail solomoda@bc.edu. November 18 •Boston College Flute Choir, directed by Judy Grant, 3 p.m., Gasson 100, see www.bc.edu/music. ATHLETICS November 16 •Women’s hockey: BC vs. Northeastern, 7 p.m., Conte Forum. November 17 •Men’s hockey: BC vs. UMass, 7 p.m., Conte Forum. November 18 •Men’s basketball: BC vs. Mercer, 2 p.m., Conte Forum. November 21 •Men’s basketball: BC vs. Rhode Island, 4 p.m., Conte Forum. November 23 •Men’s hockey: BC vs. Northeastern, 7 p.m., Conte Forum. November 24 •Football: BC vs. Miami, noon, Alumni Stadium. Full schedule of BC athletic events available at bceagles.cstv.com/calendar/events/. ONGOING EXHIBITIONS •“Sacred Space — Sacred Form,” exhibition by Benjamin S. Cariens, Bapst Library Art Gallery, through Nov. 19. Call ext.2-4295, e-mail kamandizzle@gmail.com. •“Pollock Matters,” McMullen Museum of Art, through Dec. 9. Call ext.2-8100, e-mail artmusm@ bc.edu or see www.bc.edu/artmuseum. For more on Boston College events, see events.bc.edu or check BCInfo [www. bc.edu/bcinfo] for updates. The New Orleans Story, In Verse and Prose One of the most active chroniclers of post-Katrina New Orleans has been poet, playwright, filmmaker, and educator Kalamu ya Salaam, who is appearing at Boston College today and tomorrow. Today at 4:30 p.m. in the Heights Room of Corcoran Commons, Salaam will join New Orleans schoolchildren in presenting “The Crisis In New Orleans Public Schools,” as part of the Lynch School of Education Symposium Series. Tomorrow, he will present his poetry about the Katrina diaspora and life in the city since the hurricane’s devastation. The event, which also will feature Salaam’s fellow New Orleans writers Ashley Jones and Christopher Burton, will take place from in Gasson 305 from 3-4:30 p.m. Salaam was director of the Listen to the People oral history project [www.kalamu.com/listen/], which includes video interviews with New Orleans residents on their experiences in the disaster, including the New Orleans City Council president, two firemen who worked throughout the hurricane and a woman who spent five days atop an expressway. He also has been involved in producing videos about New Orleans after the hurricane, ranging from documentaries to fictional movies. In addition, he co-directs Students at the Center (SAC), a creative writing program in the New Orleans Public Schools. Through it all, Salaam has continued to write prose and poetry about New Orleans and its people, and taken on the role as an ardent advocate for the city. “Salaam has been at the forefront of efforts to attain a socially just school system for all of New Orleans’s public school students,” says Catherine Michna, a doctoral student in English who is co-organizing the Nov. 16 reading. “Salaam and SAC co-director Jim Randels are known in New Orleans and nationally for advocating neighborhood-based schools and student-centered pedagogy.” The symposium and reading are free and open to the public. Prior to his Friday 3 p.m. appearance, Salaam, along with Jones and Burton — both of whom are SAC staff members — will lead a workshop from noon-2 p.m. in Campion 139 at which they will discuss how student-centered writing programs can facilitate radical change in local school districts and city neighborhoods. Those interested in attending must send e-mail to michnac@bc.edu. —Sean Smith A Global View of Higher Education “Cost, Access, and Equity in Higher Education: American and International Perspectives” is the theme of the 2007 J. Donald Monan, SJ, Symposium, which takes place Nov. 30 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Walsh Hall first floor function room. Cosponsored by the Fulbright New Century Scholars Program, the Monan Symposium will be led by Monan Professor of Higher Education Philip Altbach, director of the Boston College Center for International Higher Education, and features keynote speakers Bridget Terry Long (Harvard University) and D. Bruce Johnstone (SUNY-Buffalo), as well as an international panel of Fulbright New Century Scholars, including Claire Callendar (University of London), Jane Knight (University of Toronto), and Anthony Welch (University of Sydney). Registration is required—e-mail kopellsa@bc.edu. A light lunch will be provided. BC SCENES GRIMM REMINDER A classic Grimm fairy tale came to musical life this past Sunday in Gasson 100, with a staging of the 19th-century opera “Hansel and Gretel,” written by German composer Englebert Humperdinck. The performance, directed by part-time faculty members Ralk and Barbara Gawlick (Music), featured students of the Dalcroze School for Music and Movement — including (below) Natasza S. Gawlick as Gretel and Cecilia MacArthur as Hansel — of which Barbara Gawlick is director. Four BC students also took part in the production. (Photos by Joan Seidel)