Columbia’s Colombo Will Be Dean for Student Life
Costantino “Chris” Colombo, dean for student affairs at Columbia University’s undergraduate schools, was chosen as MIT’s new dean for student life. Colombo, whose appointment is effective beginning Aug. 18, will move into Next House with his family.
Small Lab Explosion Injures Graduate Student; Cause Is Under Investigation
An MIT graduate student was injured Wednesday in a small lab explosion in Building 16.
Hutchings Elected New IFC President
David J. Hutchings ’10 and O. Russell Rodewald ’10 were elected president and vice president of the Interfraternity Council last Wednesday, Oct. 29. Hutchings said that his main goals for the upcoming year include fostering a spirit of interfraternity community and improving the image of MIT fraternities in the community.
Some At MIT Faced Problems At Voting Locations
Some members of the MIT community encountered problems at voting sites Tuesday, mostly as a result of a Cambridge-wide glitch that left thousands off the official lists of eligible voters.
Physics Funds More Maternity Leave for Female Grad Students
The Physics Department has agreed to fund a third month of paid maternity leave for female physics graduate students, an extension of the two months of childbirth accommodation provided for female graduate students Institute-wide.
All Freshmen Placed In Top Four Dormitory Choices, Like Last Year
About the same percentage of incoming freshmen received their top choices in this year’s Summer Housing Lottery compared with last year. The Housing Lottery placed the students of the Class of 2012 in their top four dormitory choices like last year; the two years prior, the freshman class was placed in their top three choices.
New Dean for Student Life Costantino ‘Chris’ Colombo Describes Important Issues at MIT
<i>This is the second interview in a five-part series introducing incoming students to some of MIT’s faculty, staff, and student leaders. Today, </i>The Tech<i> features an interview with Costantino “Chris” Colombo, the new dean for student life, on his second day of work.</i>
Removing Pass/NR Improved Freshman Grades, CUP Reports
Freshman grades have improved since the change from pass/no record grading to A/B/C/no record grading in the spring term, according to a report released last month by the Committee on the Undergraduate Program. But sophomore grade point averages for both fall and spring terms have remained constant since the change.
Yunus to Give 2008 Commencement Address
Ten thousand people are expected to attend this morning’s Commencement exercises, at which a Nobel laureate will speak and about 2,300 students will receive almost 2,600 degrees.
UROP Proposal System Moves to Web for All Students by Summer
In many departments, UROP research proposals can now be submitted online by students and approved online by faculty and UROP coordinators.
Hacking Tradition Under Fire?
After students were found exploring the MIT Faculty Club by the Campus Police late on a Saturday night and found themselves facing felony charges, MIT found itself struggling to define exactly how it valued the hacking community. The result of MIT’s soul-searching, a statement and a set of guidelines to be included in the student handbook, was drafted throughout 2007 with input from students.
ASA Allocates Student Group Space, Chooses Rooms for More Review
As a result of this year’s student group space allocations, a number of rooms in the Student Center and Walker Memorial have been marked as spaces that could “be allocated in more creative ways to better serve the student group community,” according to the Association of Student Activities.
Commerce Under Secretary Visits MIT, Talks Shop
<i>The Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security, Mario Mancuso, was on campus last Tuesday, Nov. 6, visiting with upper level administrators. During his visit, Mancuso met with </i>The Tech<i> and talked about his job and how it impacts the MIT community.</i>
MIT Sophomore Arrested at Logan For Wearing LED Device
Star A. Simpson ’10, wearing a circuit board that lit up and was connected to a battery, was arrested at gunpoint at Logan International Airport this morning and was charged with disorderly conduct and possession of a hoax device. Simpson was released on $750 bail earlier today; her pre-trial hearing is scheduled for Oct. 29, 2007 at 9 a.m. in East Boston District Court.
Five Injured by Sodium in Charles River Fire
Five burn injuries from a boat fire on the Charles River Thursday appear to have been caused by sodium, said Jake Wark, spokesperson for the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. Local media sources reported that the sodium may have come from Sodium Drop, an MIT tradition in which sodium is thrown into the Charles River so that students can watch its violent reaction with the water.
Assoc. Director of Admissions Discusses His MIT Experiences
<i>This is the first interview in a seven-part series introducing incoming students to some of MIT’s faculty, staff, and student leaders. Today, </i>The Tech <i>interviews Associate Director of Admissions Matthew L. McGann ’00 who discusses his job, the evolution of MIT’s culture, and opportunities for first-year students.</i>
Freshmen Placed in Top Four Housing Choices
A smaller percentage of incoming freshmen received their top choices in this year’s Summer Housing Lottery compared with the last two years. The Housing Lottery placed the students of the Class of 2011 in their top four dormitory choices; the last two years, the freshman class was placed in their top three choices.
Administrators Draft Guidelines For Responsible, Safe Hacking
In preparation for the release of a set of hacking guidelines, Chancellor Phillip L. Clay PhD ’75 sent an e-mail out to all MIT students last week that said students must take full responsibility for their actions even while celebrating and protecting traditions such as hacking. The e-mail also addressed integrity, warning students against academic dishonesty and illegal downloading.
MIT Sophomore Arrested for Innocuous LED Device
Star A. Simpson ’10, wearing a circuit board that lit up and was connected to a battery, was arrested at gunpoint at Logan International Airport the morning of Friday, Sept. 21 after the device was mistaken for a bomb. Simpson was charged with possession of a hoax device and was released on $750 bail the same day; her pre-trial hearing is scheduled for Oct. 29, 2007 at 9 a.m. in East Boston District Court.
BOOK REVIEW Harry Potter Ending Predictable But Fitting
The most anticipated book of the last decade perhaps — certainly the most talked about of the year — the final <i>Harry Potter</i> book hit the stores two weeks ago, breaking sales records left and right (although not before pictures of each of the American version’s 759 pages had been leaked online). That it tops the best-seller lists should come as no surprise, but how does the book itself measure up?
Missing Alumnus Found Dead in National Forest
The body of Cambridge resident Edgar R. Gonzalez ’04 was found in Grout Pond in Stratton, Vt. on July 29. Gonzalez had been missing since July 7 when he became separated from his group while hiking during a camping trip in the Green Mountain National Forest.
MIT Senior Suffers Fatal Injuries From Fall
MIT senior James T. Albrecht ’08 died on July 22 from injuries sustained in a fall that may have been alcohol-related.
Sodium Injures Five in Charles River Fire
Five burn injuries from a boat fire on the Charles River last Thursday, Sept. 6, appear to have been caused by sodium, said Jake Wark, spokesperson for the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. Local media sources reported that the substance may have come from a sodium drop, a traditional MIT activity in which sodium is thrown into the Charles River so that students can watch its violent reaction with water.
More Frosh Request Housing Adjustment
A higher percentage of eligible freshmen entered the Housing Adjustment Lottery this year as compared to last year, with a lower percentage of those entering the lottery being allowed to move into a different dormitory. The lottery, which closed on Tuesday, allowed freshmen to either choose to stay in the building they had been temporarily assigned during the summer or rank up to four other dormitories to which they would like to move.
OLW Offers Virtual Research, Labs
During his freshman year, George S. Zaidan ’08 ran into a problem while teaching a small research-related class to a group of high school students.
Speakers Challenge Graduates: Only You Can Save the World
Over 2,000 students received degrees last Friday during MIT’s 141st Commencement in front of approximately 10,000 guests, including members of the 50-year reunion Class of 1957.
CBI Head Douglas Resigns Over Race Concerns
MIT Professor Frank L. Douglas resigned Friday, saying that the Institute breached an agreement to continue discussions with Professor James L. Sherley regarding his claims of racial discrimination in the tenure process.
Vest to Give 2007 Commencement Address
Over 2,000 students will receive almost 2,500 degrees during this morning's Commencement ceremony held in front of an expected 10,000 guests.
Preferred Dining Fee to Be Frozen at $325
Campus Dining has decided to freeze the Preferred Dining fee at $325 for up to three years. The decision, which came last Friday, May 11, follows a May 4 report released by the Baker House Dining committee, which found that the average Baker resident loses $125 per term through Preferred Dining. Preferred Dining costs $300 this term; a $25 price hike for fall term was announced earlier this year.
Yield For Class of ’11 Reaches 69 Percent
As of yesterday, a total of 1,053 students of the 1,533 who were admitted to the Class of 2011 had chosen to enroll, giving MIT a record 69 percent yield, Interim Director of Admissions Stuart Schmill said in an e-mail. According to Schmill, a more final yield number will be available next week. “There are still some outstanding offers out there,” Schmill said.
Preferred Dining Program Is Loss For Baker Students, Report Says
A majority of Baker House residents are satisfied with the quality of Baker Dining but do not consider the Preferred Dining membership program to be a value to them, according to a report released last week by the Baker House Dining Committee. The committee found that the average Baker resident loses $125 per term through Preferred Dining, a mandatory program for most residents of dormitories with dining halls that gives students a 50 percent discount on dining hall food after paying for membership.
MIT Energy Council Update
Approximately five months after its formation, the MIT Energy Council is gearing up to release a "comprehensive communication for faculty, students, and staff" early next month, according to Ernest J. Moniz, the director of the MIT Energy Initiative.
Barclay Found Dead After Intensive Search Senior Found on Beach in Possible Drowning
A body that washed to shore on Cape Cod last Thursday was identified as MIT student Daniel J. Barclay '07, who had been missing since Sunday, April 8. Barclay was declared a missing person Friday, Apr. 13 and had been the focus of an area-wide search.
Body Identified as MIT Student Barclay
A body that washed to shore on Cape Cod yesterday was identified as MIT student Daniel J. Barclay ’07 who has been missing since Sunday, April 8. An autopsy has been performed, but cause and manner of death have not yet been determined, according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Chemistry Dept. Revamps Lab Curriculum For Fall
Over the next two years, the Department of Chemistry will be implementing a new laboratory curriculum which will incorporate some of the department's current research topics. Replacing three chemistry labs required for Course V majors, these 12 four-unit "module" classes are intended to give students more flexibility in scheduling, according to Sylvia T. Ceyer, associate department head of the Chemistry Department.
iHouse Slated to Open In Fall at New House 1
A new living and learning community will open in New House in the fall to undergraduates. iHouse, a way to "bridge living and learning at MIT," according to Professor of Urban Planning Bishwapriya Sanyal, who is involved as a faculty member, will open in New House 1, which used to be the home of the now defunct Russian House. There will be 21 residents.
MIT Sweeps Putnam, Team Takes Third Place
MIT’s team took third place in the 2006, 67th annual William Lowell Putnam Math Competition, behind teams from Princeton University and Harvard University. The University of Toronto and University of Chicago rounded out the top five.
Lincoln Lab Not Guilty of Fraud, DoD Says
A Department of Defense investigation into long-standing allegations of fraud in a Lincoln Laboratory-led review of national missile defense tests has concluded that neither the review team nor Lincoln Laboratory management is guilty of research misconduct. The DoD investigative report, released Friday, pointed out problems with how the review’s results were presented — namely that critical information was omitted in the study — but said that these actions “did not rise to the level of research misconduct.”
Undergrad Giving Program Meets Goals
A total of $3,880 from freshmen, sophomores, and juniors was collected over the course of the two-week Underclassmen Giving Campaign. The first week of the campaign, held last October, brought in 460 gifts and $2,500. The remaining money, donated by 207 students, was raised last week during the second part of the UGC, bringing the total underclassmen participation rate to 21 percent, up from 15 percent after the first week.
Soriero Selected to Assume Duties as Athletics Director
Ending a 10-month long search, Colorado College Director of Athletics Julie Soriero has been named the new head of the Department of Athletics, Physical Education, and Recreation and director of athletics at MIT.
Charges Against MIT Students Eliminated
Felony charges against three MIT students who set off a burglar alarm in the E52 Faculty Club last October were dropped Wednesday by the Middlesex County district attorney's office. The students contend that they were hacking when found by the police. The case will now be handled within the Institute by the Committee on Discipline.
Three Students Face Felony Charges After Tripping E52 Alarm
Three MIT students, who contend they were hacking when caught, are facing felony charges after setting off a burglar alarm in the E52 Faculty Club last October in the middle of the night. The case, which was filed in the Middlesex County Cambridge District Court by the MIT Police, has raised concern among some in the MIT community who feel that students are being brought to court for an activity that in the past has generally been handled within the Institute.