This resource is intended to help new BC faculty orient themselves to campus resources, policies, protocols, and logistics that will be especially relevant to teaching, as well as information about the campus culture and community.
Learning and Teaching
The Center for Teaching Excellence is committed to supporting all Boston College teachers as they investigate and implement best teaching practices. There are several different ways you can access support:
- New Faculty Programs are intended to provide faculty new to BC a chance to think together about teaching at this institution.
- Workshops on varied topics introduce educational technology and pedagogical practices and provide space for participants to consider new possibilities in their own teaching.
- Engaging Difference & Justice Faculty Speaker Series, a collaboration with the University Core Curriculum, allows you to learn how one faculty member approaches teaching about difference and justice in the BC context.
- Course Prep Retreat provides light structure and community around the process of (re)designing a course.
- Pedagogy Reading Groups invite faculty and graduate student instructors to consider one pedagogical theme in conversation with a text.
- Excellence in Teaching Day, the CTE’s day-long conference, brings the campus together for conversations about teaching.
- Faculty Cohorts on Teaching brings faculty together over the course of a year to investigate a particular pedagogical quandary.
- One-on-One Confidential Consultations on a range of teaching and technology questions.
CTE Resources provides guides to teaching technologies, course design, and common teaching approaches.
The Center for Teaching Excellence can provide support for teaching technologies such as:
- Canvas: BC’s learning management system
- Perusall: Collaborative annotation tool
- Panopto: Lecture and personal capture
- Poll Everywhere: In- and out-of-class polling software
- Zoom: Video conferencing tool
The CTE works with campus partners to provide robust support to instructors.
- The Classroom Technology page describes support for in-classroom technologies.
- Information Technology Services (ITS) offers more comprehensive technology assistance.
- The Center for Digital Innovation in Learning (CDIL) collaborates with academic programs and faculty on the design, development, and support of multi-modal digital learning experiences, including online, hybrid, and digitally-enhanced courses. CDIL supports online program planning, digital course design projects, instructional media development, and innovation in learning technologies.
- Digital Scholarship (DS) Group in the Libraries consults on ways to bring DS into teaching and learning and can offer in-class instruction on DS concepts, methods, and tools.
Canvas is Boston College’s learning management system (LMS). Most basically, faculty can post course syllabi, important documents, and announcements on Canvas. Additionally, Canvas hosts discussion boards, gradebooks, and much more.
You can make your syllabus available to registering students through the Syllabus tool in Canvas. Learn more about how to do so and what information is available to students from the Share Your Syllabus resource.
Boston College has a university-wide statement on Academic Integrity. Additionally, all faculty are encouraged to consult their schools and departments for more specific policies and procedures. The CTE has a resource on cultivating academic integrity that outlines the conditions that contribute to academic dishonesty as well as instructional moves that can foster academic integrity.
ITS provides some institutional expectations for using Gen AI tools, including guidance on data security and information on institutional access to CoPilot, Microsoft’s GenAI tool. The CTE has also created a resource on Artificial Intelligence in Teaching & Learning that shares more information at the intersection of Gen AI, learning, and academic integrity.
Boston College’s grading policies for undergraduate and graduate students are outlined in the academic regulations section of the university catalog, including information about the grading scale, incomplete and deferred grades, and grade changes.
The university catalog also provides university-wide information about attendance, including guidance in the case of prolonged absences and absences due to religious obligation.
The Carnegie Unit recommendation is that students spend about 2 hours per credit hour (per week) completing assignments outside of class, though how much you assign may vary depending on the particulars of your course context as well as school or departmental expectations . You can make use of Wake Forest University’s Workload Estimator to help make decisions regarding workload, including readings.
Course book orders can be submitted through the bookstore website.
- Locations & Hours: Boston College has many libraries on campus, the locations and hours of which you can find on the Boston College Libraries website. O’Neill Library is the main library on campus, located on Middle Campus.
- Library course reserves are managed through the Course Resources tab within Canvas. Please submit your Course Resources list to the library for processing and they will try to acquire any books, articles, films, etc. that they don’t already have in the collection.
- Subject Librarians: Additionally, the Subject Librarians are incredibly helpful and assist in finding, creating, and making available resources for both faculty research and course projects.
- More information: You can find more information on the Boston College Libraries’ guide for new faculty.
Course Logistics
Classroom Requests can be made if you would like to hold class at a different time or location than regularly scheduled. Additionally, the Center for Teaching Excellence has facilities, such as a recording studio, innovation lab, active learning and technology-enabled classrooms, available for reservation.
Most information about your students can be found in Agora Portal. After logging in with your BC username and password, the “Academics and Courses” section of “My Services” includes links to class rosters, email distribution lists, and Canvas. ITS provides guidance on how to send emails to your class. You can also send messages and post announcements in Canvas.
Faculty should reference the Academic Calendar to note when classes are in session and the timing of breaks. Course locations can be found on Agora Portal through the “Course Information and Schedule” link; the BC Campus Map can then help you find these locations on campus.
Classroom setups and available technology differs across campus. You can find more information about your specific classroom—including pictures, floor plans, and available technology—on the Classroom Profiles page.
Boston College has a number of classrooms that are equipped with lecture capture technology (Panopto). These recordings make it possible for students to review courses and are particularly beneficial to students with chronic illness, English as a second language students, and students who benefit form additional processing time.
Instructors can opt in to having their courses recorded routinely or on an ad hoc basis by completing this form. Recordings are scheduled by the Center for Digital Innovation in Learning. Please note: those teaching in CSOM will have their courses recorded by default.
By default, class recordings will not be available to students unless instructors proactively make them available unless you indicate that you would like all recordings published automatically in the form. If you decide after the fact that you would like to make all recordings available to students by default, see instructions on making all recordings available automatically. Alternatively, you can make individual recordings available as needed. If you’d like more granular control over your Lecture Capture videos, you can view our guide to managing your Panopto folder.
To learn more about the university’s expectations around course recordings, see the Classroom Recording Guidance in the Faculty Handbook.
The Office of Student Services provides information about when grades are due and how to submit final grades.
Beginning at 6:00 AM the day of the closure, information will be posted to the main BC webpage and emailed to BC email accounts. BC also provides a notification service via text message. You can opt into this alert system when setting up your contact information through the Agora Portal by providing a cell phone number. For more information, see Emergency Management’s Communication page.
Faculty Rights and Responsibilities
Human Resources produced the Employee Handbook providing information regarding policies and procedures, compensation, benefits, and BC resources.
Human Resources provides an Employee Handbook which covers policies and procedures, compensation, benefits, and BC resources.
Faculty are expected to adhere to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which covers the data privacy rights of university students.
All faculty should review Boston College’s Title IX reporting policies and procedures, and familiarize themselves with their responsibilities.
Faculty can review Boston College’s process for reporting hate crimes and bias-motivated offenses.
Faculty can review the guide for supporting students of concern for information about how best to support students and make a referral. The guide also reviews mandatory reporting responsibilities regarding suicidality and steps to take if you are with a student who is experiencing a psychological emergency.
If you want to speak with someone about your concerns, University Counseling Services staff members are available to consult with faculty.
All BC undergrads are assigned an academic dean, according to school and year of study. If a student in your class is struggling significantly or if a student in your class is not attending class and/or unresponsive to outreach from you, contacting the academic dean can provide you with additional context or expand the circle of people following up with the student. You can find the academic dean information through the respective website of each school.
The Office of Institutional Diversity coordinates reasonable accommodations for BC employees, including faculty.
The CTE’s resource on sample syllabus statements provides an overview of common syllabus statements, including those the university expects instructors to include (e.g. learning accommodations, religious accommodations, etc.) and statement types many instructors include to communicate their values and commitments to students (e.g. commitment to inclusion, technology in the classroom, etc.).
Student Services and Support
The university catalog can help guide students through questions about important policies and procedures and the registrar website includes information about registration. Boston College also has an extensive advising program.
Boston College’s Disability Accommodation Policies can be found in the university catalog. Students seeking support for a learning disability or ADHD should connect with the Connors Family Learning Center (CFLC), while students with hearing, visual, mobility, medical, and psychiatric disabilities should consult Disability Services. Both offices can also consult with faculty about meeting the needs of specific students.
Informal tutoring is available to all students through the Connors Family Learning Center (CFLC) and writing help can be found through the Online Writing Lab (OWL) or the Writing Center.
- Campus Ministry provides space for students to make sense of their life and work in conversation with their faith tradition. All campus ministry staff can accompany students through their collegiate journey. The office also provides opportunities for pastoral counseling in individual and group settings.
- Mentoring & Academic Achievement area of Pine Manor Institute for Student Success supports first generation, high financial need, and underrepresented students through a number of programs and services.
- Montserrat provides confidential support for students with the highest level of financial need, helping students find community and have a robust college experience. Some Montserrat students access books through the Montserrat library, which can take a little extra time.
- The Center for Student Wellness runs a variety of programs and support services for students looking to think and act holistically about their health, from healthy relationships to sleep to nutrition. Students can find resources or enroll in wellness coaching.
- The Office of International Students and Scholars runs a variety of programs for international students and can also assist with immigration documentation, travel, and understanding the finances of living abroad.
- Due to the demands of their schedules, varsity athletes are supported through the Student-Athlete Academic Services (SAAS) department. Mid-semester, instructors receive surveys from LRSA where they can express concerns about the academic performance of any student-athletes in their courses. You may also see observers from SAAS in your Canvas courses. If you have any questions about SAAS observers, you can contact Akua Sarr, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Academic Affairs.
- The Office of the Dean of Students supports students of concern.
- The Thea Bowman AHANA and Intercultural Center provides various programs that focus on supporting AHANA (individuals of African-American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian-American and Native American descent) students, multiracial students, and LGBTQ+ students.
- University Health Services provides medical care to students on campus.
- University Counseling Services provides a range of free services to students, including individual and group therapy and self-care resources.
- The Women’s Center provides programming, resources, and support for students pursuing general and particular questions regarding gender and sexuality, and houses the Sexual Assault Network hotline and CARE Team.
Student Affairs reaches out to students in a variety of ways, including a Canvas site with resources that all BC students are enrolled in. If you want to learn more about the resources available to students, you can view the BC Wellness Resources site at any time.
The Faculty & Staff Guide to Student Wellness Resources provides an overview of relevant offices and the services they provide.
General Campus Information and Resources
Contact information for Boston College community members can be found on the Campus Directory page, where you can search by name or scan by department. Additionally, you can access a list of Quick Phone Numbers and Email Addresses.
The office holiday schedule is available through Human Resources. The Academic Calendar lists class breaks.
Boston College’s Transportation and Parking website has a wealth of resources regarding parking on campus, for both daily use and on special event days. The website also has tips on commuting to campus, and information about the BC Shuttles–which run locally around Brighton and between Main Campus and the Newton Campus–and their schedules.
BC Dining Services have locations throughout Upper, Middle, and Lower Campus, as well the Newton and Brighton Campuses. Hours and menus vary by location.
Campus Culture and Community
The Office of Institutional Research & Planning provides statistical information about BC. The at-a-glance documents provide a concise overview of the institution, while the fact book provides more detailed information in the context of the university’s mission and chronology. You can also review summaries of recent surveys of students and faculty.
Boston College is rooted in a Jesuit, Catholic tradition. Faculty most frequently encounter that aspect of the university in conversations about student formation, or an educational model that asks students to activate and integrate their intellect, social consciousness, and spiritual life, especially as it relates to the Renewed Core program. Additionally, some faculty find the Ignatian pedagogy framework a helpful way to approach their teaching. Faculty interested in learning more about BC’s Jesuit roots might be interested in exploring the programs and services available through Intersections, which also hosts the annual faculty writing retreat.
BC’s student newspapers provide information about campus happenings during the semester:
- The Heights: BC’s primary, independent student newspaper
- The Gavel: A progressive student newspaper
- The Torch: BC’s Catholic student newspaper (appears to be inactive in July 2024)
If you’re on social media, many campus offices and student organizations have a presence on Twitter and Instagram that you can find with a quick search. Some students have also been using social media to document their experiences on campus, like the Black at Boston College Instagram account.
Whether or not you’re on social media, undergraduate students often have faster access to information about campus happenings than faculty, staff, or graduate students. Checking in with students about current events on campus in office hours and class sessions can help you get a better sense of the campus climate at any given time.
Boston College has a number of affinity groups on campus, where faculty and staff can connect with colleagues who have shared identities, experiences, and interests. All BC affinity groups are open to all faculty and staff. Current affinity groups include:
As a Jesuit institution, Boston College has a Division of Mission & Ministry that serves all members of the Boston College community. Boston College also prides itself on its strong athletic tradition. Faculty may be interested in attending varsity athletic events or joining campus recreation programs. Finally, Boston College provides a number of cultural offerings. Faculty might want to explore the McMullen Museum of Art or take in a student theater performance. The Arts Calendar is a centralized list of the various performances, lectures, and exhibits on display across campus.