This is the second installment of Civil Discourse, a column in which columnists Helen Nguyen and Aidan Quealy share their perspectives on a political story or event covered by The Heights. This second column is a response to "BC Foundations Program Offers Back-Door Admission to a Few Wealthy, Connected Applicants."

Housed at BC's Messina College, the Foundations program offers an alternative path to admission for some students, many of whom are wealthy and connected.

Messina College has partnered with Commonwealth Financial Network—a Waltham-based financial services firm—to offer 10 paid internships for its second-year students.

Despite the technical difficulties that come with beginning a new academic program and adjusting to a heavy workload, Messina College students have managed to build a community within their 100-person class.