2013 has proved itself to be no ordinary year for Boston College and its students. From birth control fiascos to sesquicentennial celebrations, The Gavel takes a moment to reflect on the events that made 2013 a year to remember at BC.
Macklemore Rocks Modstock
Students waited in line for hours to obtain tickets to see Macklemore grace the Mod lot. While the commotion and early sell out of tickets may have rubbed some students the wrong way, the presence of the legend himself left many students saying “this is f***ing awesome.”
Walsh Wins Boston
As the first competitive mayoral campaign in decades took place in Boston, BC graduate Marty Walsh was elected to become the city's new mayor. As the first new mayor since the beginning of Menino's administration in 1993, Walsh has promised to bring a new energy to the city of Boston.
BC's Condom Clash
BC made headlines in the spring when the administration took a hard stance against the distribution of condoms around campus by BC Students for Sexual Health. Although the administration is unlikely to budge on the issue any time soon, it provoked discussion of sexual health topics on campus.
BC Celebrates 150 Years
As the sesquicentennial year, 2013 marked the 150-year anniversary of the founding of Boston College. With a variety of commemorative events, including a Mass at Fenway Park and a special Speakers Series, the year was a seminal landmark for the entire BC community, past and present.
The T Announces Later, Better Service
The thought of the T running past midnight is enough to make any BC student jump for joy. With promises of extended weekend service and Green Line improvements, a commitment to improving students’ access to the city will always be welcomed in Chestnut Hill.
An Off-Campus Campus School?
News that the Campus School may be moving off campus stirred much discussion throughout BC. While the school for disabled students may move a couple miles away to the Kennedy Day School, the decision is one which has not yet been made by those in charge.
The Rise and Fall of BC Confessions
In February, the Facebook group “BC Confessions” arose as BC's installment of college confessions groups on Facebook to which students quickly amassed. With thousands of posts and a population full of captive viewers and participants, the challenging Confession #7122 caused controversy in its admission of multiple rapes. With the administration becoming instantly involved in the matter, the weight of responsibility ultimately may have been part of the reason why the group was abandoned in early October. But, then again, there’s still this…
Suspicious Fires On Campus
Two late-night fires in Stokes and Gasson caused alarm this November due to their suspicious timing. Although nobody was injured in the fires, Pengliang Yue, A&S '15, was ultimately arrested and confessed to setting the fires. Yue is due for trial on the matter soon.
Boston Marathon Bombings
Tragedy was, unfortunately, central to Boston’s story this year. The two bombs that detonated at the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon took the lives of three people and severely injured many more. The heroic acts of Bostonians and strength of the Boston community in the wake of the attack is a testament to the fact that Boston remains forever strong.
Featured image via Billy Foshay/Photo Staff.