LIVE UPDATES: Graduate Student Union emergency rally takes to streets following early-morning encampment sweep
This is a developing story. Updates are issued live as new developments in the situation occur. Headlines are subject to change.
Pro-Palestinian student encampment clashes with administration, police force and counterprotestors
As the pro-Palestinian Scientists Against Genocide Encampment pressed on with its third week holding Kresge Oval, its continued presence has escalated into numerous clashes between the encampment and MIT officials, law enforcement at the municipal and state level, and pro-Israeli counterprotestors.
Live Updates: Student encampment, May 6–7
Publisher's Note: Live reporting for this feed has concluded as of Tuesday, May 7 at 9:36 p.m, with its last update coming in at 7:58 p.m. Further coverage will be reported through separate articles.
Referendum 2 proponents speak at Undergraduate Association Council meeting
Referendum #2 speakers call for an ad hoc committee “to handle the interpretation and implementation of the referendum.”
Rainy Weekend Ahead
A rainy weekend is ahead with a 70% chance of rain Friday night, 60% chance of showers on Saturday, and 40% chance of precipitation on Saturday. Winds from the Northeast direction will be roughly 10 mph, blowing away the nice weather we had in the past week. Temperatures range from high 50s to high 40s.
Dorm Row plunges into darkness following manhole explosion
At approximately 1 a.m. May 6, a manhole explosion near W85 (Westgate Apartments) and Tang Hall caused power outages to numerous buildings along the Amherst Alley, also known as Dorm Row. The Cambridge Fire Department were present at the scene and at the time of this writing, are investigating what happened. No injuries were reported, but power has yet to be restored to the affected buildings.
MIT eliminates diversity statements in faculty hiring
On May 5, the President Sally Kornbluth announced that the Institute will no longer include diversity statements as part of the application process for faculty appointments. The move to eliminate such statements for hiring is purportedly the first amongst elite universities.
Vice Chancellor Ian Waitz announced as next Vice President of Research
In an email to the MIT community on April 24, President Sally Kornbluth announced that Ian Waitz, Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics, will begin his tenure as MIT’s Vice President of Research (VPR) after Professor Maria Zuber steps down effective May 1.
UA food survey results released for the 2023-24 year
The UA Food Security Committee releases its report on food security on campus on April 23.
April 17 faculty meeting highlights Institute successes and room for improvement
The faculty members that proposed topics to be discussed at this meeting were Provost Cynthia Barnhart PhD '88 and Professors Nancy Kanwisher, Duane Boning, and Tal Cohen.
“Earthshot” petition urges MIT administration to decarbonize by 2035
The Earthshot petition received 279 votes to urge the Institute to decarbonize by 2035.
Antiracism or Oppression: MIT Must Choose
Every member of MIT’s community has a choice in this matter and must decide to either let oppression permeate our culture or take anti-racist action to build a better world. Now, MIT must choose.
No more MIT research for Israel’s Ministry of Defense
There is also the question of what we must say. We must speak against atrocities enabled by our science. We must emphasize the urgent moral distinction between what funding we can take—and have the right to take—and what funding we should take.
A Public Letter to President Sally Kornbluth
It’s as simple as 1-2-3; and the good news is you wrote the steps. It’s time for you to lead us and the world at-large into a brighter future where “every individual has the freedom and support to flourish and grow, and in which we all have a sense of community, connection and shared purpose.”
Lights! Camera! Fashion! The 2024 MIT Gala finds success on- and off-stage.
The 2024 MIT Gala was an exciting blur: starting with art galleries, then a fashion show, and finally the release of Issue 12 of Infinite Magazine.
Becoming a Man asks questions about life, love, and human connection
Becoming a Man mixes biography, documentary, and humanity into a single unique theatrical experience. It tells the story of Carl, a transgender man who transitioned in his fifties and explores his relationships and personal growth during what Carl tells the audience was the “best and worst year of his life.”
An angry piece, an interesting trumpet concerto, and a wonderful symphony
The BSO performance was memorable for its novel and unconventional works of music.
Yo-Yo Ma and Kathryn Stott perform together in Boston for the last time
The two give a memorable performance and end their partnership on a beautiful note.
Hilary Hahn steals the show at the BSO
Despite it being a weekday night, Symphony Hall was packed, the atmosphere buzzing with excitement and energy in anticipation of Hilary Hahn’s performance.
Romeo and Juliet, as told by Berlioz and the BSO
The BSO’s performance of Berlioz’s dramatic symphony brings the story of Romeo and Juliet to life.
ChatMIT: Sam Altman on Start-ups, GPT, and the AI Revolution
Altman: “We have a ton of work in front of us.”
The impact and potential of early exposure to machine learning
Educators and innovators discuss why teaching machine learning to a younger generation is vital for preparing them to thrive in an AI-driven world.
MIT.nano: engineering at the heart of the Institute
Scholvin: “Nothing that happens in microfabrication should work. And the reason it's possible is because we negotiate with nature, in some sense.”
Dear Mom
I will share the epistolary thoughts I had in my mind this past month, thoughts that feel like an imaginary conversation with you, except you are silent.
Sunny weather to settle into the weekend
Expect some drier and warmer days to settle into the Boston region Thursday and Friday as a drier air mass arrives riding some surface winds moving south out of Canada!
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Class of 2026 holds Ring Delivery ceremony
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Sunny weather to settle into the weekend
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Pro-Palestinian student encampment established on Kresge Oval
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Coalition for Palestine organizes student walkout following Columbia University arrests
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Graduate Student Union passes referendum on ceasefire in Palestine
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Dialogues Across Differences: Murad Idris hosts panel on anti-Palestinian racism
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Hazardous material alarm goes off in Building 13 on two consecutive days
- Read more in News »
To stop the killing, stop the hate
Dan Ottenheimer '79 SM '82 (Course II) is an Arlington MA resident and an active MIT alumnus - he is an Educational Counselor, co-chair of his Class Reunion Gift Committee, member of the MechE Alliance, AILG volunteer, and a Choralum who has sung at recent MIT Commencements. Dan's father, Fritz...
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Re: From the River...
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An open letter urging dissociation from the fossil fuel industry in MIT’s new climate project
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To stop the killing, stop the hate
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Global Shading: A New Trail for MIT to Blaze
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Regarding “MLK Jr. Gala Action & Remarks”, March 7, 2024
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A statement on Jewish activism, safety, and recent events at MIT
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In Support of Science for Liberation, Not Oppression: Vote YES
- Read more in Opinion »
Dune: Part Two looks and sounds great, but its wooden characters leave much to be desired
In the hype around Dune: Part Two, director Denis Villeneuve's second installment of an epic three-part adaptation of Frank Herbert's eponymous 1965 novel, much has been said about Star Wars. Although it’s an apt comparison, Lucas’s original films are no match to this comparatively two-dimensional installment.
Fareed Zakaria discusses revolutions from the 1600 to the present
In Age of Revolutions, Zakaria covers major revolutions that changed the world, from the French Revolution to the Industrial Revolution.
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Dune: Part Two looks and sounds great, but its wooden characters leave much to be desired
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Fareed Zakaria discusses revolutions from the 1600 to the present
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Bringing together the old and new: Sierra, Elgar, Dvorak at the BSO
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MINCE Japan: Delectable fusion dishes all around
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The clock strikes opening night at the Boston Ballet’s Cinderella
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Bruce Liu showcases his virtuosity in Boston debut
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Problemista is mostly successful magical realism for the mundane challenges of life
- Read more in Arts »
Interview with Boston Marathon runner David Suarez ’25
The Boston Marathon is one of the oldest and most famous marathons in the world. It takes place annually on Patriot’s Day in Boston, Massachusetts, attracting tens of thousands of elite runners and excited spectators. Totaling to more than 26 miles with numerous challenging segments, the Boston Marathon requires all...
You see right past me — or through me
“You know how much I hate that everybody just expects me to bounce back.” (Taylor Swift)
Bursting the MIT Bubble
It’s one thing to get to places without relying on Google Maps, but it’s another thing to know the people and stories that make up a place.
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MIT’s cutting-edge innovation on display at the Edgerton Showcase
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Achievements from the nanoscale to the Institute: Paula Hammond SB ’84 PhD ‘93 named 52nd Killian Award recipient
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Dr. Ari Epstein on how the Terrascope program tackles sustainability
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NASA’s budget cuts for the Chandra X-ray Observatory could leave a gaping hole in the field
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MIT’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Marks Mini-UROP Program’s Tenth Year
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Chlormequat chloride in oats: what it means for us
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Prof. Edmund Bertschinger shares his perspective on the importance of science activism and diversity in STEM
- Read more in Science »