Gasson Hall

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19 March 1970: Students Occupy Gasson

At 6:30am on 19 March 1970, black students occupy Gasson Hall in an effort to dramatize the problems of black students at Boston College. Their main concern was the possible dropping of financial aid of [some black students]. The Black Forum had been negotiating a 12 point plan to increase numbers of black and minority students at BC and to ensure their success. The occupiers left at 5:00pm after having been notified that a restraining order had been issued. Dean of Students, Rev. Edward J. Hanrahan, says that he did not have enough specific evidence to bring any of the student occupiers before the University Conduct Board. Hanrahan noted that the UCB was being revamped as a result of the hearings on disrupters of the General Electric recruiting: there will be a pool of eligible faculty and students to fill the spaces on the UCB, and no faculty member on the board may be a member of the administration. (Jack Lyons, "Conduct Board won't act against blacks in Gasson Hall takeover," The Heights).

25 March 1985: Panel on Race

Eight black students host a panel about race on campus alongside administrators. The experience of black students at Boston College … was the topic of discussion at the Black Student Forum held in Gasson Hall this past Wednesday. “Panelists spoke about the difficulty in finding social activities that would be of interest to black students. The students said they needed greater input in the planning of BC sponsored events. They also called for a stronger voice in UGBC. Housing conflicts often arose as some of these students found themselves to be the only black resident in a particular dormitory,” the article said. (Sean Borstel, “Black Students' Concerns Surface At Forum,” The Heights)

21 October 2015: Protest at Coates Talk

Thirty members of Eradicate Boston College Racism hold banners and cover their mouths with duct tape in protest at a talk given by MacArthur Genius Grant winner and prominent journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates in Gasson Hall. “Although we’re really good at saying we need to address inequality elsewhere, as soon as we turn the mirror to BC they stop saying that,” said Cedrick-Michael Simmons, a sociology Ph.D. candidate, who gave a speech on racism at Boston College during the Q&A segment. (Shannon Longworth and Kelsey McGee, "At Coates Talk, Protesters Resurface Narrative Of University’s Racial Hypocrisy," The Heights; Featured Image by Julia Hopkins/Heights Staff)

4 December 2015: Christmas Carol March

Fifty members of Eradicate Boston College Racism march across BC singing parodies of classic Christmas carols to promote racial equality as part of their “Twelve Days of BC Racism” campaign. The title of this march is “Walking Through A White Man’s Wonderland”: “Dear Trustees, are you listenin’? / A real plan you are missin’. / Until you agree, and change do we see, / We’re walkin’ through a white man’s wonderland,” the carolers sang. One month later, five members received disciplinary action for disruption and unregistered protesting. (Sophie Reardon, "To Raise Awareness Of Racism, Protesters Sing Alternative Christmas Carols," The Heights; Featured Image by Julia Hopkins/Heights Editor)