Response to “The invisible families of MIT”
After reading Grace Chua’s March 16 letter to the editor entitled “The invisible families of MIT,” we realized that many readers may not know that MIT Medical has provided resources to graduate-student families and others through our MIT Spouses and Partners Connect program (MS&PC) for more than 40 years.
Though it’s gone by several different names over the decades, MS&PC has always been a dedicated network for the significant others of MIT students, postdocs, staff, and faculty who relocate to the Boston area. MS&PC brings spouses and partners together with each other for information, support, and friendship. The program serves the entire MIT community even if you don’t receive your healthcare at MIT Medical.
MS&PC provides a wide variety of programming and support for MIT graduate student and postdoc families. One highlight is our robust Career Connect program — a series of workshops for MIT spouses and partners who are looking for work and professional development opportunities during their time at MIT. In addition, we hold weekly newcomer office hours where new families can meet our staff, ask questions, and get referrals to useful resources. Babies and children are welcome at most of our activities, and we offer free optional childcare at our weekly meetings.
Spouses and partners are a vibrant part of our community, contributing in many ways. You live and work on our campus. You volunteer for campus organizations. You serve as GRTs. MIT’s spouses and partners continue to be absolutely critical to our collective success.
If you are looking for support, know that MS&PC is here to listen and help. And we are not your only resource. The Office of the Dean for Graduate Education (ODGE), Division of Student Life (DSL), MIT’s Work-Life Center, the International Students Office (ISO), and the International Scholars Office (ISchO) are just a handful of the many services available for you at MIT.
Being a spouse or partner at MIT can be hard. You may feel far from family, confused by a new culture, frustrated because you can’t work due to visa restrictions or childcare responsibilities, or you may just be struggling to find employment in an unknown job market. But you are not invisible. We see you, and we are ready to help.
Cecilia Warpinski Stuopis ’90, MD, MS, FACOG
Medical Director, MIT Medical