News Briefs
Summer FSILG intruders
On Tuesday, Adam McCready, assistant director of fraternities, sororities, and independent living groups (FSILGs), alerted FSILG officers to an individual attempting to trespass onto FSILGs in the Back Bay. According to McCready’s email, the black male, 5’9” and in his 40s-50s, claimed he was told to come to houses to inquire about being a cook. McCready said that Sergeant Cheryl N. Vossmer, of the MIT Police, reported that this is a “common ruse used by criminals to scope out properties prior to an actual theft … looking for easy access points.”
McCready added that it is common for criminals to enter through first floor windows or windows off of fire escapes, and that AC units and windows should be secured. He advised residents to not confront such individuals but call MIT Police and be attentive to their appearance and escape route.
— Bruno B. F. Faviero
Course 2 head search continues, McKinley named in interim
In an email to MechE students, faculty, and staff, Dean of Engineering Ian A. Waitz gave an updated timeline of the search for a new Course 2 department head. After speaking with the search advisory committee about potential candidates, Dean Waitz anticipated the interview and decision process would extend into mid to late July. Department Head Mary Boyce PhD ’87 stepped down effective June 30, leaving a gap between her departure and the completion of the search process. To bridge this gap, Dean Waitz asked Associate Head for Research Gareth H. McKinley PhD ’81 to step in as interim department head, to which McKinley agreed.
—Alexander C. Bost
New housemasters for Sidney-Pacific and Ashdown
Graduate dorms Sidney-Pacific and Ashdown will have new housemasters this fall after a search co-chaired by Professors John Ochsendorf and David Mindell PhD ’96. The search culminated in the appointment of Professor of Political Science Adam Berinsky and Dr. Deirdre Logan as Ashdown housemasters, and Professor of Mathematics of Operations Research Andreas Schulz and former MIT visiting student and postdoc Berit Johannes. Berinsky and Logan succeed previous Ashdown housemasters Ann and Terry Orlando whose tenure in both the old Ashdown House (Maseeh Hall) and current Ashdown House spanned 12 years. Schulz and Johannes succeed Roger and Dottie Mark, who have served as the housemasters of Sidney-Pacific since the residence’s opening in 2002.
—Alexander C. Bost