Getting to know BC: A Crash Course

A Survival Guide for Your First Year

(and beyond) of Graduate School at

BOSTON COLLEGE!

Introduction

• PRESENTERS:

• Charli Bryan, GEA President, MA, Higher Education, LSOE

• PURPOSE:

• To whisk you through the basics of what you need to know about BC to survive your first weeks, months, and years here!

• AGENDA:

• Getting around campus

• Navigating the administrative jungle

• Where to eat, caffeine-ate, and crash

• Where to study (and where to get the stuff you need to study)

• Finding Balance, Health & Wellness

• Getting Involved in Graduate Student Life at BC

Getting Around Campus

• BC Maps

• BC Shuttle Service

• BC T-Stops

LOWER CAMPUS

MIDDLE CAMPUS

Upper Campus

BC Shuttle• Shuttle runs a loop around Main campus, down Comm. Ave to Cleveland Circle,

then back down Comm. Ave with service every 15-20 minutes.• Also, Newton Shuttle route to Newton Campus (BC Law School).

• http://www.bc.edu/offices/transportation/bus.html: Schedule & Download the BC Trans Locator I-Phone & Android Application for Smartphone

• http://bc.transloc.com/ - BC Shuttle Finder from your Smartphone

Navigating the Administrative Jungle

ONLINE RESOURCES• AGORA PORTAL

• BC Email• Academic Info

• Blackboard Vista (http://cms.bc.edu)• Courses & Grades

• Financial Info• Financial Aid Award• Viewing & Paying Your Bill• Direct Deposit & Refund Checks

• UView System – Online course registration

Navigating the Administrative Jungle, cont…

• Student Services

• Financial Aid

• Health and Counseling Services

• BC Police Department

Lyons Hall• What you’ll find here:

• Student Services (1st floor)

• Financial Aid (1st floor)

• Registrar

• What you need to pick up here:• Boston College I.D.

• Parking Permits/MBTA passes

• Student Employment Forms (I-9 etc)

• Loan refund checks (if no direct deposit)

• Transcripts

Cushing Hall

• What you’ll find here:• Health Insurance Information

• University Health Services (UHS)• http://www.bc.edu/offices/uhs

CARNEY, FULTON & CAMPION HALLS

• 3 Locations• Carney Hall Room 418 (Main Office)• Campion Hall Room 301 • Fulton Hall Room 254

• Individual & group counseling, evaluation, self-help, referrals, and consultation about others

• What you’ll find here:• University Counseling Services• http://www.bc.edu/counseling

BC Police Department

• Where you’ll Find them:• Lower Campus, in Campanella Way

Building

• What they do:• Parking Tickets, Lost and Found

• Keep you SAFE!

• R.A.D. Training

• Safety Notices

• Identity Theft

• Relationship Violence

• Eagle Eye on Crime

• Blue Lights

• Emergency: 617- 552 - 4444 Non-Emergency: 617- 552 - 4440 Fax: 617- 552 - 2480

Eagle Transportation

• Van Service • This is available for individuals between the hours of 7 pm and 3 am

who are concerned for their personal safety traveling in and around campus. It is NOT a free taxi service.

• Walking Service • This will be provided between the hours of 7 pm and 2 am seven nights

a week.

• Can be reached 7 days a week at 617-552-8888.

Where to eat, caffeine-ate and crash on campus

• Dining Bucks and Dining Halls• Upper Campus Dining

• Carney’s, Eagle’s Nest, Chocolate Bar (McElroy)

• Lower Campus Dining• Corcoran

Commons/Addie’s, Hillside Café

• Lyons Hall Basement• “The Rat” 11am – 3pm

…and just off campus (Next to the BC T-stop)

• Nearby Food:• El Pelòn Taqueria• Dunkin’ Donuts• Flat Breads• Crazy Dough’s Pizza• White Mountain

Creamery

• Conveniences:• Campus

Convenience: Toiletries, small grocery items, magazines, etc.

• UPS (Passport Photos, “Mail” Stuff)

• Sunset Tanning• Bank of America

Where to study (and get the stuff you need to study)

Libraries/Places to Study: http://www.bc.edu/libraries

• Murray Graduate Student Center• O’Neill Library• Bapst Library• ERC (LSOE)• School of Theology & Ministry• Social Work Library (McGuinn)• Law Library (Newton Campus)

•Connors Family Learning Center & CTRC (2nd Floor in O’Neill

•McElroy (Upper Campus)• BC Bookstore• http://www.bc.edu/bookstore• Full Postal Service

CAREER CENTER

• Provides resume critiques, career assessment software, credentials service, interview workshops, and practice interviews

• You can make an appointment or drop in for a session with a career counselor (15 – 20 minutes)

• Located on 38 Commonwealth Avenue• Phone: 617-552-3644• Web: http://www.bc.edu/offices/careers/

• For assistantship listings, visit the Office of Graduate Student Life website: http://www.bc.edu/offices/gsc/gradresources/financial/assistantships.html.

FINDING BALANCE

•Health and Wellness

•Getting involved in Graduate Student Organizations

•Service Opportunities

•Office for Graduate Student Life & GSA

Health and Wellness

• The Recreation Complex – a.k.a. “The Plex”• Student Membership

(Free classes)• Exercise and Fitness

Machines• Swimming Pool, Courts• Lockers, Towel service

• Murray Graduate Student Center (FREE!)• Pool Table• Ping Pong• DVD Rentals

Office of Graduate Student Life: MuRRAY HOUSE

Programs:• Graduate Intersections

• Grad Gatherings

• Whole Person Education Workshop

• Wellness Activities

• Graduate Mentorship Program

• Monthly Newsletter

• Conference Grants

•Advises Graduate Student Groups

•Reserve Study Space

•Runs the John Courtney Murray, S.J. Graduate Student Center

292 Hammond Street Chestnut Hill, MA 02467

Phone: 617-552-1855Email: gsc@bc.edu

Graduate Student RESOURCES & ORGS

• GSA Committees• 1) Grad AHANA

• 2) GISA

• 3) Social & Service Committee

• 4) Scholarship & Excellence

• 5) Parent & Family RC

• 6) Spirituality RC

• GSA Welcome Weekend 2011

• GSA Weekly Minute

Staying Informed and Connected

• Electronic Monthly Newsletter from the Office of Graduate Student Life

• Office of Graduate Student Life Website: www.bc.edu/gsc

• Email: gsc@bc.edu

• The GSA Weekly Minute: Your weekly informational email from the GSA.

QUESTIONS??