Column by Lorna Greene, Gavel Writer -

I left school uniforms behind the day I graduated from my Catholic secondary school. I hoped I would never have to come across one again, unless I happened to pass children on their way home from school. Imagine my surprise when I arrived on Boston College’s campus only to soon realize that I had once again been thrown back into the world of the school uniform.On the BC campus, it is impossible to walk from one building to another, to sit in a class or to eat food in any of the dining halls without seeing an im­pressive myriad of “BOSTON COL­LEGE” apparel. What has surprised me most about this phenomenon is that I like it.

At my home university, Univer­sity of County Cork, or UCC in Ireland, the level of demonstration of university paraphernalia stands no competition to that of Boston College. There are no UCC baseball caps, pom-poms, snuggies, pajamas or even sweatpants. Granted, you are able to pick up a sweatshirt, a key ring, a mug or a pen but these banal items are not embraced by the students themselves. It is usually only visitors, or exchange students who buy these products.

Most students on my home university’s campus wear the apparel of their specific sports team, club or society that they are involved in. I do realize that this also the case on BC’s campus, but the items are not exclusive, and students wear the generic “BOSTON COLLEGE” clothing, too.

This eagerness to sport clothing emblazoned with the university’s name demonstrates a certain pride the students take in their school. This has become one of my favorite things about BC – the fact that the people who attend the school are so happy to be here and eager to demonstrate their affiliation with the university. It creates a sense of community and togetherness. It makes it easy to identify fellow BC students when off campus and it adds meaning and true value to the college’s motto, “We are BC.”

The fact that the quintessential clothing item for a BC student is a ‘Superfan’ t-shirt says a lot about the collective spirit present on campus. There is a willingness of almost all BC students to support and rally around the various sports teams that represent this university on a state and national level. School spirit is strengthened and consolidated in the student body’s choice to wear ‘Superfan’ t-shirts; the very name of which demonstrates the unwavering loyalty and pride in our sports teams and various other representatives of the college. Furthermore, the fact that these t-shirts also represent our fellow classmates and peers only reinforces the idea of togetherness and community at BC. Not only can students identify as BC ‘Superfans’ but they can also proudly identify themselves as a member of the class of 2010, 2011, 2012, or 2013.

Although I am an exchange stu­dent and in reality cannot identify myself as a full-fledged BC student, I am still exceptionally proud to have had the opportunity to attend this fantastic university. I am also happy to experience col­lege life on such a vibrant and fun campus. I have my own ‘Superfan’ t-shirt and “Boston College” sweat­shirt. I enjoy the sense of pride that accompanies wearing BC clothing, signifying that I, too, am part of this community. Perhaps UCC students are missing out on this same opportunity, or at least nowt making the most of their opportunity to wear our school’s name and emblem with the same delight and unwavering loyalty that BC students do. Let’s go BC!