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October 28, 2024

BC Settles Class-Action Lawsuit By Jack Beckman Asst. News Editor

A federal judge approved a $330,000 settlement in a class-action lawsuit alleging that Boston College mismanaged employee retirement funds. In a release, the University maintained that the claims in the lawsuit are baseless and that it only entered into the settlement to avoid the cost and burden of further legal proceedings. “Boston College believes that the lawsuit was without merit and that the University’s management of its retirement plans fully complies with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act,” the release reads. “BC also believes that had the case proceeded to trial, the University would have prevailed and defeated the plaintiffs’ claims.” Under the terms of the settlement, onethird of the $330,000 will be allocated for attorney fees, with an additional portion covering administrative expenses.

See Lawsuit, A2

SHANE SHEBEST / HEIGHTS STAFF

Sold-Out Rookie Showcase Stuns Crowd By Nanati Getachew For The Heights

The Margot Connell Recreation Center greeted a rapidly growing crowd of excited students on Saturday night for the annual Rookie Showcase, hosted by Boston College dance group Sexual Chocolate. A buzzing mass of students filled the space with anticipation, and tickets from the sold-out show in their hands. Names of rookie dancers echoed through the venue from supportive friends eager to see familiar faces on the big stage. Returning this year with 18 featured

dance groups, the show featured a diverse array of movements, music, and people. With the stage at the center of the room, people found space to watch whether in the quickly filled seats, the floors of the aisles, or standing against the walls. Sexual Chocolate opened the night with a quick dance set that was met with overwhelming cheers and applause from the crowd. The group followed up with a skit featuring familiar Halloween monsters like Frankenstein, Dracula, and a mummy. Next, Phaymus rushed the stage dressed in matching black and red outfits. The

hip-hop team delivered a thrilling routine, featuring a mashup of songs by artists like Kendrick Lamar and City Girls. BC On Tap then took the stage with a fun tap routine, skillfully making their way around the space to Flo Rida and Kesha’s “Right Round.” The newest group of the night, K-Pop Dance Crew, made its Rookie Showcase debut in eye-catching outfits with a consistent pink, black, and white theme. With its constant transitions and swapping out of rookie dancers throughout the set, this group brought a fun energy to the showcase.

See Rookie Showcase, A9

“We’ve Got to Punt Better.” After securing a 20–0 lead, Boston College football fell to Louisville in its Friday-night matchup. Fourth-quarter punting woes cemented BC's 31–27 loss. See A10

CHRIS TICAS / HEIGHTS EDITOR

Brainerd Reimagines Romance With Ophelia Bo Brainerd, MCAS ’25, wants to revolutionize how college students date, eliminating superficiality and emphasizing humanity. By Juliana Parisi Heights Staff

SARAH FLEMING / HEIGHTS EDITOR

Leonard's Goals Propel BC Past Western Michigan By Luke Evans Sports Editor

With just under three minutes to play in a 2–2 game against No. 14 Western Michigan on Saturday night, No. 2 Boston College men’s hockey’s Andre Gasseau picked up a tripping penalty to hand the Broncos a power play. As the final seconds of Western Mich-

igan’s power play ran out and BC fans prepared to yell “freedom!” in unison, Ryan Leonard stole the puck from the Broncos and dished it to Gabe Perreault. He immediately sent the puck back to Leonard, who knocked it into the back of the net to give BC a 3–2 lead with just 51 seconds remaining.

See Men's Hockey, A11

If Hinge is the “dating app designed to be deleted,” then why is it so fun? Like many other college students, I downloaded Hinge and Tinder at the beginning of my first year of college and was hooked. I was warned of peer pressure and got the “don’t do drugs” talk, but nobody ever warned me of the addictive yet suffocating grip of dating apps. I could doom scroll on these apps for hours, dopamine rushing through me after each Tinder match and Hinge like. My yearning for love and connection became a game of “hot or not.” On apps like Tinder or Hinge, the possibility of falling in love seems endless, but the cyclical struggle toward this love is just as endless: like, match, chat, first date, get ghosted. Like, match, chat, ghost. Like, match, ghost. Maybe Hinge is designed to be de-

leted out of sheer frustration. Sure, some people escape this vicious cycle, but that small fraction of happy relationships that come from dating apps don’t negate the unending pangs of rejection of those who remain stuck. The dopamine rush of likes and matches doesn’t cut it when you are reduced to your looks and can’t land a date. What started as a silly game can become a detrimental blow to self-confidence and self-worth. Bo Brainerd, MCAS ’25, has witnessed the heartbreaking results of today’s dating culture one too many times, and she has made it her mission to foster meaningful relationships and promote wellness. With the creation of Ophelia, a dating platform that focuses on in-person experiences, Brainerd wants to revolutionize this messy online dating world, bringing the URL to IRL.

See Ophelia, A5

Magazine

Opinions

According to Columnist Pat Connell, Boston College students fall victim to mob mentality for the sake of social climbing, inhibiting true friendship.

What does your favorite Halloween movie say about you? Heights contributor Connor O’Brien analyzes your go-to spooky-season film.

INDEX

INSIDE

BC bOp!’s Annual Fall Performance See A9

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