Opinion letter to the editor

Provost and deans of Sloan and College of Computing respond to letter on Luis Videgaray

This is a response to an article published Sept. 9, Why Luis Videgaray must leave MIT.

To the editor,

A letter published in The Tech last week called upon MIT to end the appointment of MIT Senior Lecturer Luis Videgaray, a former finance minister and foreign minister for Mexico, and MIT graduate alumnus (PhD, Economics, 1998). 

Mr. Videgaray has been a valuable contributor both at Sloan and at the Schwarzman College of Computing, where he is part of MIT's efforts to create a global collaboration on AI policy. His understanding of policymaking and government relations is an asset to our work, as is his engagement with students and other members of the community.

Luis has provided regular and forthright updates to MIT faculty and administrative leaders on the various legal reviews now underway regarding the former presidential administration of Mexico, in which he served, and MIT is monitoring the situation closely. Mr. Videgaray has issued a public statement defending his record as a public servant and rejecting allegations that have been made, and, notably, no charges have been filed against him. Mr. Videgaray remains a welcome member of the MIT community.

Professor Martin A. Schmidt PhD ’88, Provost
Professor David C. Schmittlein, Dean, MIT Sloan School of Management
Professor Daniel Huttenlocher PhD ’88, Dean, MIT Schwarzman College of Computing