PRESS RELEASE--BOSTON COLLEGE BANS GAY DANCE AND HIV/AIDS FUNDRAISER

[WindRavenX]

Hey DUers, my name is Genevieve and I go to Boston College. I am a member of the Gay Leadership Counsel (GLC).

They cancelled our dance. I NEED YOUR HELP to get BC to realize that just because they CAN legally discriminate, that does NOT mean that you will tollerate their bigotry against the queer communities at Catholic schools. I will post more later, but look in the papers tomorrow and listen to Air America, because this is going to be a HUGE battle:


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.

BOSTON COLLEGE BANS GAY DANCE AND HIV/AIDS FUNDRAISER.

ADMINISTRATION CENSORS GLBT STUDENTS ONLY MONTHS AFTER ADOPTING A MORE
GAY FRIENDLY NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY.

Following months of planning on the part of the GLBT community, Boston
College has decided to cancel a planned "AIDS Benefit Gala, A
Celebration of Diversity." The Dean for Student Development, Robert
Sherwood, with the support of the Vice-President for Student Affairs,
Cheryl Presley, abruptly informed organizers of the decision. This
came as a shock to the GLBT community and other Faculty, Staff, and
Students of Boston College, as the University recently adopted a new
notice of non-discrimination committing itself to maintaining a
welcoming environment for students, regardless of sexual orientation.

This brings to the surface, once again, the concerns voiced by the
Boston College community to the administration during last years
"Strike and Rally for Equality" regarding the need for the inclusion
of sexual orientation in B.C.'s notice of nondiscrimination.

Perhaps even more distressing are the reasons cited by Dean Sherwood
for canceling the event. In meetings with leaders of the GLBT
community he and other administrators cited the impending announcement
of a billion dollar capital campaign drive during which the University
will seek the support of "older, more conservative alumni." Also among
the reasons given, were concerns about the safety and privacy of GLBT
students, and the upcoming merge with the Weston School of Theology,
which will require Vatican approval. Following the announcement by
the Vatican at the end of November, that it would be assuming a
tougher stance on homosexuality in the Clergy, one must wonder if
Boston College will abandon its mission as an institution of higher
learning every time the Vatican releases a new position paper. This
university has been a leader in conversations regarding Catholicism
through its landmark Church in the 21st Century program; if it wants
to continue to lead, it must do so by example, and make a substantive
change.

Speaking plainly, this dance was canceled because of its organizers'
sexual orientation. The Administration has selectively targeted the
GLBT community, in an act of blatant bigotry and discrimination, and
in doing so, has broken its promise to extend its welcome, "in
particular to those who may be vulnerable to discrimination."
Furthermore, Boston College has made abundantly clear that the charity
proceeds of this event are of no importance - that they regard
intolerance more highly than charity, and in doing so, bring shame to
their Jesuit and Catholic heritage. It should be made clear that this
event was not just for the GLBT community. Ticket sales were open to
the entire student body, and everyone was welcome at this event – so
long as they respected it as a safe zone. Any statement to the
contrary is factually inaccurate, and a deliberate misrepresentation
of the mission of this event.

Boston College has stated that it wishes to become, "The Best Catholic
University in the World", however they have chosen to set a policy
which bans, censors, and curtails the expression of its students,
simply because of their sexual orientation. How can academic inquiry
thrive in such a setting? Boston College will never achieve its full
potential while retaining the right to legally discriminate. It is
irreconcilable with the mission of higher education and with the
values of tolerance espoused by Christianity.

Hurt, and deeply appalled by the University's disregard for the human,
and Catholic values of tolerance, decency, and respect, the GLBT and
Allied communities have pledged to raise their voice once again. The
reluctance that has been repeatedly shown by the Administration is not
typical of the Boston College community. Over 84% of those students
who voted in last year's student elections supported equal rights for
the GLBT community, along with the over 1,500 students, faculty, and
staff that marched in solidarity. This has demonstrated that Boston
College is a loving and accepting community, which will not tolerate
an Administration, which openly discriminates against and ostracizes
members of its own community.

Media Contact (Primary):
Veronica Joseph
Email: [e-mail]
Cell: 954-558-1253

Media Contact (Secondary):
Sasha Westerman
Email: [e-mail]
Cell: 617-797-5304

[KitchenWitch]

1. Kicked and Recommended

[WindRavenX]

2. CONTACT BC:

Contact Us
Boston College
Office of Undergraduate Admission
Devlin Hall 208
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467-3809

Phone: [phone]
Toll-Free: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]


Tell them you will NOT be submitting your application to BC because they tolerate homophobia at the administrative level.

[Sapphocrat]

3. Oh, but didn't you hear?

We don't have it so bad in this country. As long as we can vote and nobody puts us in jail, there is no discrimination against LGBT people! In fact, attitudes are changing -- Americans are getting more tolerant all the time! (Trust me, I know -- straight people tell me that every day!)
:sarcasm:

K&R

[WindRavenX]

4. don't get me started

We had a meeting with the administration who told us, flat out:

"We discriminate against gays"

THAT'S A QUOTE. A FUCKING QUOTE.

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

7. fuck.

that is really fucking bad. you should include that in the press release.

[WindRavenX]

8. we actually can't

The admins made us promise not to record or use their words in the press :eyes:

Bastards.

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

9. so they can say stuff like that!

:grr:

some people make me sick :puke:

[Sapphocrat]

25. Let 'em try to sue you.

And let them prove you promised to shut up. (Unless, of course, they were recording you.)

Besides, you don't have to tell the press. You just told DU -- and I encourage you to tell DU the rest of what went on in that meeting. Tell us, and I have a feeling a little bird might tell the press.

(Remember, nobody online is a "real" journalist, according to the "real" journalists.)

[TalkingDog]

62. They didn't make anybody on DU promise. And they didn't make you

promise not to tell.

So by a logical inference, Somebody on DU could tell the press what was said.

I'm just sayin'....

[MsUnderstood]

74. That sucks--but lesson learned for the continuing fight

was it in this meeting that they made you promise not to use their words? How are they going to prove it? All they can do is deny it.

Did they only hold the meeting on the basis they could say whatever they wanted and you would cower down and later simmmer on their stinging retorts?

Here is what you need to do--stop talking to them unless they talk to you publically. If they ask for a meeting refuse unless a member of the press is there. If they come back with you wouldn't meet with us come back with "We requested a public venue because last private meeting they made some scathing homophobic remarks that we are not allowed to reveal because they would only meet with us under the condition that we not discuss the meeting details."

[FreedomAngel82]

79. I'd do it anyways

[rodeodance]

15. nominated

[foreigncorrespondent]

23. "We discriminate against gays"

Dirty low life bastards!

[porphyrian]

93. Now, don't get all uppity and try to get married or something...

Isn't it enough that we let you use the same water fountains?
</bullshit>

I would start discriminating against Boston College if I were you. What fields are they best known for and who else offers a decent degree in those fields?

[donco6]

17. Hey, if you want to see discrimination . . .

. . . just check out the War on Christmas. THERE'S discrimination for ya! :sarcasm:

[Scooter24]

5. Argh...

I had BC selected as one of my top-choice schools. :(

I can guarantee you that I will be writing a scathing letter to the School President and Trustees.

[WindRavenX]

6. did you see the contact information?

Call them up and tell them EXACTLY what you posted.

They care ONLY about money. Tell them you will not be supporting them.

It's a great academic school, but fuck this shit.

:kick:

[Scooter24]

10. Thanks for that information.

They're going to get an earful.

:kick:

[WindRavenX]

11. I appreciate your effort

If there is any information about BC, if you still chose to go there, please feel free to contact me :hi:

We need to make this bigotry a thing of the past.

[adigal]

73. None of my 3 very smart, good kids

will be applying to that den of intolerance, Boston College.

[The Witch]

12. Blatant and sick.

Makes me glad I went to BC's rival school (BU)... but doesn't make me any less sympathetic to your situation. (We had Silber, after all.)

[satireV]

13. Those Jesuits are tricky! (eom)

[WindRavenX]

14. Odd thing is, Jesuits are usually way more liberal than the Vatican

However, as stated in the press release, we're trying to merge with the Weston School of Theology, which requires Vatican approval.

BC is trying to be more Catholic.

[MountainLaurel]

19. Many of the Jesuit schools are stepping into line

I work at one, and it's very out loud about the fact that they will not cover contraceptives, "reproductive technologies," or selective reduction in their health insurance plan.

[jonnyblitz]

16. is this typical for BC? this is really curious....so " un Boston-like"

I can't believe they blatently said they descriminate against gays but you can't quote them.

[WindRavenX]

18. Typical of the BC administration, yes. Not of the student body

85% of the student body voted to include "sexual orientation" in the BC non-discrimination clause.

The Admin is racist, sexist, and very, very homophobic.

[jonnyblitz]

22. 85% is great! I am also impressed that you are on the Gay

Leadership Council. :thumbsup: :hi:

[paineinthearse]

89. BC is not in Boston

It's in Newton.

[LifeDuringWartime]

20. any large-scale protests planned?

i go to berklee... BC is a T ride away

[WindRavenX]

21. possibly

Depends on the reactions to our media blitz-- but a protest may be in order.

I will definiately post plans for all local Boston DUers :hi:

[dusmcj]

24. moran borg is assimilating more subversives, choice is closet or lobotomy

there are very interesting threads here. First off, if I were to go demonstrate or something like that, my message would be, the Vatican can put priests back in the closet, but don't try it with students (it's a polite way of saying GFY to the church bureaucracy) - but then I come from a long line of north European Protestant pricks, so all I can offer is solidarity. Second, it is _very_ interesting that the Jesuits are being stuffed into the ideological can. Strange crew that they are (based on my limited historical understanding), they were always a bastion of preservation and advancement of knowledge in the very presence of the hierarchy which wielded them as a tool and also threatened that enlightenment. The ignorami molloch which demands faith and adherence to the collective and respect for hierarchy and material power over volition and conscious responsibility for individual decisions, and which is utterly nondenominational - I see little difference between Freeper 'morans' and a church hierarchy which winks at gay orgies in seminaries but then demands that the congregation fall in line - is going after one of its more potent roadblocks, it would seem.

Venceremos!

[BlueInPhilly]

26. Another BC Alum here...

I'd send an email.

[WindRavenX]

27. awesome! As an alum, your voice is REALLY important

Do you have the link to The Heights?

It's http://www.bcheights.com

There's coverage of this right now.

Again, thanks for raising your voice :hi:

[BlueInPhilly]

48. I'm disappointed, to say the least...

I would imagine BC to be more liberal than this. Fr. Monan (the prez during my time) might have been this old coot, but there were a lot of really cool Jesuits too.

I access the website through the Alumni page:

https://agora.bc.edu/alumni/pci.logon

I have to think about what to write, though. But we support you.

[Sapphocrat]

28. Btw, WRX...

Where have you submitted this press release so far? I'm sure DU can give you even more PR networks to submit to -- plus, I'd like to link to the release itself.

[WindRavenX]

31. oh good grief...

...all major papers, all local papers, Air America, Daily Show, CNN, MSNBC, blogs, all sorts of gay interest groups..ACLU...

Waaay too many for me to recall. Many people are working on this as we speak.

[GrumpyGreg]

29. It's a Catholic College,what on earth did you expect?

Lots of fine non-Catholic colleges out there and that's where I would be.

[WindRavenX]

30. Um, many Catholic Schools don't OPENLY DISCRIMINATE gays

It's that simple. BC is doing something that is 1)moral repungent 2) not in line with Catholic teaching

If no one protests this, how on earth will things change?

I will NOT accept the status quo and neither should you, simply because it's a religious institution.

ps--

Georgetown, a Jesuit institution, allows GAY dances. This wasn't even a GAY dance-- it was a SAFE ZONE dance.

[GrumpyGreg]

32. I left the Catholic Church many years ago and would never have sent

my kids to a Catholic University.

As far as Catholic teaching goes--Pope Benedict will certainly change things,and not for the better.

[WindRavenX]

33. That's great

You're an enabler for this type of bigotry.

If you are appalled, you cannot be silent and just "accept" this because it's Catholic.

[GrumpyGreg]

34. I don't accept it---that's why I walked out of the church many

years ago because of the attitude on birth control.

There are other churches that I can join and support,and there are other universities that I,or my kids, can attend.

[WindRavenX]

35. what about the gays at THESE schools?

NT

[bpilgrim]

57. Burn'm!!!

k&r

peace

[donco6]

36. Enabler?

I don't get it. If we don't do what you want, we're enabling discrimination? How does that work?

[WindRavenX]

38. If you are silent

You are sending a message that this type of discrimination is socially responsible.

It's that simple.

[donco6]

41. But how can one speak out against EVERY

instance of discrimination? It just seems rather haughty to assume that if someone chooses not to actively speak out on your issue, that they are supporting your opponent. I just don't believe that is logically defensible.

[WindRavenX]

42. In this specific case it is

Honestly, you combat the large issues with small, grassroots efforts and causes just like this one.

This is but a small issue-- the real issue is the logic that enables this discrimination to exist in the first place.

[donco6]

46. I agree with the first part,

Grassroots efforts are ALWAYS the first line of combat against any form of discrimination. Without exception. But I think grassroots activism is better served by encouraging others to join you with a positive message, rather than accusing people of supporting gay bashers if you don't join.

Take me for example. I'm gay. But I probably won't participate in this effort because a) I didn't go to BC and have no voice they would care to hear from, and b) I don't support Catholicism and have already written it off as hopeless. But I'm no gay-basher, nor am I enabling gay bashing any more than I'm enabling gay discrimination against students in Bora Bora or Kirghizstan (which I have no doubt exists, and which doubtless needs some help in combating).

[WindRavenX]

47. but why let this persist?

And your voice DOES matter. Do NOT remain silent on this issue!

This effects BOTH of us because of who we are.

[MountainLaurel]

69. He spoke out

By walking out of the church and taking his financial donations with him. Can't think of a message that the Church is more likely to pay attention to.

[GrumpyGreg]

39. I'm the so-called "enabler" and I don't get it either.

[WindRavenX]

44. do you support BC's actions?

NT

[GrumpyGreg]

55. I'm ambivalent on BC's actions---it is a private university.

I'm old enough to remember when women couldn't go to BC---that's the way it is in private schools.

Now if we were talking about UMass I would be against the same action that BC just took because my tax dollars go towards the school.

[WindRavenX]

56. doesn't matter if it's a private university

Some things are just WRONG regardless if they can legally do it.

Christ, what if we were talking about blacks, or jews, or anyone else?

BC is in the wrong, regardles if they are a private school.

[KamaAina]

37. I actually met with some BC recruiters at a college fair once

I asked them about the Catholic influence, and they assured me that it wasn't at all stifling like this.

That was, however, about fifteen years ago...

[GrumpyGreg]

40. Catholic colleges were VERY stifling in the early days and loosened

up after Vatican II.

They are positively ultra liberal and free compared to what they used to be.

Thank God we all have choices.

[okieinpain]

43. what's a queer community.

[WindRavenX]

45. Members of the GLBT community

Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, and Transgendered people.

[okieinpain]

59. why not gay and lesbian, instead of queer.

[WindRavenX]

60. queer is an umbrella term for all in the GLBT community

I myself am bi, and call myself 'queer' rather than just 'other'.

[okieinpain]

76. well I don't like queer, sounds like something is wrong with ya.

[donco6]

87. The younger people use it now.

I've never referred to myself that way, either. But I think it's a "reclaim the language" kinda thing. Effective? m m m m I dunno.

[WindRavenX]

49. kick

:kick:

[Arkana]

50. Jesus Christ. Providence College is one of the most

conservative Catholic schools on the East Coast, but I don't think the dean would DARE do this to the GSA chapter here.

Wow. Just wow. BC has sold its soul.

[WindRavenX]

51. another kick

:kick:

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

52. .

:kick:

[WindRavenX]

53. kick for the evening crowd

:kick:

[WindRavenX]

54. WORD IS STARTING TO GET OUT:

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon05/12/120505bostonCollege.htm


:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[jonnyblitz]

66. good job!!!

:hug: :hi:

I appreciate what you are doing!!

[wtmusic]

58. Religion and money, once again,

bringing out the worst in human nature.

[ncrainbowgrrl]

61. Kick from NC.

:hug:

Take care, y'all.

[EFerrari]

63. I will call these people.

You let us know what else we can do.

Bigots, get ready. DU is coming. :)

[EFerrari]

64. I called them as a writer for the StreetSheet.

Admissions patched me through to the public affairs office, and they did not pick up. I left a message.

:)

[TayTay]

65. This news article also details more of the pressure on BC

these days. http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2005/08/28/groups_church_role_questioned?mode=PF

They are getting a lot of flack from the Cardinal Newman society, which is a front-group for the Right Wing control groups.

This is wrong and is deeply against the atmosphere in Boston (and MAss in general.)

[jonnyblitz]

67. aaaah, thanks for posting this article.

this article helps in understanding why this is going on. :thumbsup:

[TayTay]

70. Catholic institutions are being targeted by RW groups

This is pretty standard operating procedure for how the RW pursues it's agenda. They are particularly interested in permanently prying the Catholic vote from the Democratic Party and were very successful in this in 2004. (They made steep inroads. John Kerry only won the Massachusetts Catholic vote by 51 - 49%. Yeah, I know he's a Mass Senator, but the Church in Mass has become much more vehemently conservative in recent years. He was targeted from the Sunday pulpits and there were priests who told congregants in MA not to vote for him cuz it was a sin.)

This is a continuation of the RW strategy to take the Catholic vote away on the basis of 'social issues.' Sean O'Malley is not a good choice for Biship of Boston, he is in league with these people and in league with a Vatican that wants to punish Boston for initiating the pedophilia scandal. They are making deep inroads in places like BC.

Hey, if there is a protest, I am there. This must be stopped. I will bring my husband and kids and stand up for our rights. (Cuz they are 'our rights', we stand together.)

[jonnyblitz]

71. I honestly never knew BC was a catholic college. nt

[WindRavenX]

80. It used to be that Jesuits schools like BC were different from RC schools

But that's changing real quick. Jesuits have always had a little more independence and streaks of liberalism in them, but man, lately...they're just being forced to step in line.

BC's president also has connections to Raython (sp?), which we know is a military weapons developer.

It's not a shock BC did not come out and denounce the Iraqi war--which the Vatican did.

Money makes people sell their souls, it's that simple.

68. These colleges are not as open minded

as they like to portray themselves. They need money and make policies based on who gives them money, government or private individuals. I think it is a big compromise of the supposed encouragement of thinking and our evolution as real human beings. (I think sports should be out of colleges too, way off the point I know).

[adigal]

72. My bigoted republican brother, whose daughter goes here,

will be very, very happy that Boston College is not discriminating against gays and lesbians.

But this stance will hurt the college in the long run. Many students, non-Catholics, think about going to this school, and will not even consider going now.

[WindRavenX]

78. exactly

BC cares about $$...when they find they are losing out on prospective students AND professors...well, not even their esteemed older conservative alumni cash cows will be able to make up for this.

[EFerrari]

75. Speakers from Boston College on CSPAN right now!

:kick:

[WindRavenX]

77. HELLS YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OMG! THIS IS HAPPENING!! :bounce: :bounce:

[sui generis]

81. I can't share here

without letting the djinn out of the bottle, but I threw some heavyweight heavy from my particulars.

This will be interesting - of course it is all of us together that will make a difference.

Ultimately, U.S. church organizations have to figure how much of Rome they're going to nudgenudgewinkwink about short of total schism. A medieval church with a Synod that is completely divorced from real people living real lives is doomed to be divorced from reality, both political and social.

The reality is, the church is killing itself by not adopting enlightened views and by not being adaptive. It has always been the position of the church that it must have a whipping boy or straw man or evil jew or protestant to demonstrate its own moral superiority.

Gays are just another facet of that manufactured bigotry. Somebody needs to tell them it's only cool to hate gays in Angola, where the Catholic church is VERY popular. The rest of the developed world - not so much.

[catrose]

82. Boston: Home of Cowards

After 9/11, the Boston Symphony canceled a performance of John Adams' Klinghoffer because it did sufficiently demonize its terrorist characters. They asked Adams if they could substitute one of his less controversial works; he said no. (possibly "Hell, no")

Boston: hotbed of liberalism, or trench full of cowards?

To drive back on the highway: in this context, such a despicable act by Boston College doesn't surprise me, but we'll spread the word. May you dance till dawn in the venue of your choice.

[beltanefauve]

83. BC is my family's college

though not mine; I was the "Black Sheep" and went to RISD. Both parents, their siblings, one brother and numerous cousins of mine all went to BC. These people are the, "older, Conservative alumni" mentioned, and yes, they DO give generously. The older generation comes from a time when BC was a small, commuter college and offered an opportunity for bright, Catholic kids of lesser means to break out of Southie or East Boston. They are all successful and feel incredibly indebted to BC. As for what Tay Tay was saying, about how the right wing has been steadily prying the Catholics from the Democratic Party, most of my family members typify this as well, unfortunately. Once upon a time, they were Kennedy loyalists. Today, Dick Cheney would even be able to find a few admirers among them.

As Conservative as they may be however, guess what? We have gay family members just like everybody else does! And they are loved dearly! So, I'm going to e mail this to all of them (and to my parent's best friends, whom they met at BC, and are STILL staunch Democrats :D )and they will forward this, and so on.

I predict that BC will see a sharp decline in alumni contributions!

[JerseygirlCT]

84. The really good Catholic colleges will be shooting themselves

in the foot if they give in to Vatican demands on so many of these issues.

Free inquiry, open discussion, equal treatment for all students -- this is at the center of academics, particularly at a college or university. Without those things, there is no learning, there is no college.

Once they take the step -- once they are willing to forgo all the above -- they cease to be quality institutions of higher learning. I wonder how interested people would be in attending BC if not for the school's reputation?

[WindRavenX]

85. ***NEWSCLIP***

Watch the local news covering this story:

http://www.boston.com/news/necn/

We're the Sixth item on the page, under "features"

:kick:

[WindRavenX]

86. .

Kick

:kick:

[Endangered Specie]

88. Dang, in a blue state no less

:puke:

[benny05]

90. I agree in principle w/u it sucks

But since the Pope et al is trying to do something about gay priests, etc, I'm not surprised they are cracking down on college campuses. What's happening at Notre Dame, do u know?

My best wishes to you and other GLBT folks who are having to work through this situation. I went to state schools, worked at one private school not far from BC (in Allston) some years ago...and still, this was an issue.

Bless you...Benny

[beltanefauve]

92. I'm not sure

if the Pope is trying to crack down on gay priests so much as he/they are trying to scapegoat gays as a result of the pedophile scandal, and the church's decades of cover-up, denial and avoidance.

I left the Catholic Church at the age of twelve, never to return, despite the pleas of my family and other Catholics to simply ignore the dogma. The hypocrisy, the sexism and white male dominance and control is what did me in, even at this early an age. And I guess my refusal to ignore or deny anything is why I find myself posting on DU today.

[Divernan]

91. Academic inquiry has NEVER thrived in Catholic schools.

You ask in your post how academic inquiry can thrive in such a setting (as BC's). My answer is that academic inquiry is anathema to Catholic schools. The definition of anathema is:
a curse of the Church, excomminicating a person or denouncing a doctrine.

My dad, brothers and I are grads of Notre Dame, Marquette, Duquesne & BC. My thesis in a doctoral program at a public university was on the attack on academic freedom during the McCarthy era. I learned that the only places in academia where academic freedom was EVER exercised in the US were in the top tier, non-religious universities - that means the Ivies, the smaller elite private colleges and a very few (less than 5) top public schools like UVA. The school boards and state legislatures kept public high schools and state supported colleges under very tight control of course content to avoid politically sensitive topics (even stuff like flouridation of water), and the religious schools heavily censored history, philosophy and literature courses to protect the image of the church and/or to enforce the church's attitude toward sex, celibacy, marriage, birth control, "godless communism and socialism" and social issues in general.

I also learned that there is a very strong barrier between alums of Catholic schools on the one hand, and state & private/Ivies on the other, when it comes to recruiting for jobs, actual employment and admission to graduate schools. Look at the faculty credentials for Catholic versus non-Catholic colleges and universities. It is VERY rare to see anyone with a Ph.D. from a Catholic university get tenure at a non-Catholic school. This is not quite so true in the field of engineering/science, but a strong factor in areas where critical thinking or religious values may come in to play. Think med school and attitudes toward prolonging life even in the presence of extreme pain and suffering, or the whole mess of ob/gyn issues. (I avoid Catholic doctors and hospitals like the plague!) Catholic schools are seen as producing grads with a slanted world view, and I know my view of European and world history, philosophy and even how to interpret Shakespeare(!!!!!) was pathetically distorted by the Jesuit classes I took.

Why did the pedophilia scandal continue and grow for decades? Because Catholics were so spineless and insecure that they refused to accept a reality which would force them to challenge their priests and bishops. I think it's great for you to challenge them now, but with this new Pope, you are Don Quixote. You can survive and thrive just fine, and probably much better, without carrying the albatross of Catholicism through your life.
I will forward this thread to my brother who is a very strong Dem/BC alum. But I have to tell you, WindRaven, that I think you are spending a LOT of tuition money to get a degree which will close more employment and grad study opportunities to you than it may open.
More importantly, you are missing the opportunity to become truly educated, and limiting your later access to good graduate programs at NON catholic schools.Switch to BU or UMass.