MIT invites only seniors back to campus for Fall 2020
There will be a process for non-seniors to “request special consideration for housing” on a case-by-case basis through the Student Housing Assistance Review Process.
Faculty discuss Flexible P/NR policy
Sophomore Exploratory and Junior-Senior P/D/F would be eliminated under this policy, since Flexible P/NR is intended to replace these options. There are no restrictions on how many of the 48 units can be applied in a given semester.
MIT pushes undergrads to accelerate move out timeline
Undergraduate students who move out by the end of Sunday will be provided with free storage and reimbursed up to $500 for “travel change expenses and new reservation costs," according to the Division of Student Life's website.
Five MIT students named Putnam Fellows
Sah, Zhang, and Zhu were all participants in 18.A34 (Mathematical Problem Solving), a Putnam seminar for first year, run by Yufei Zhao ’10, professor of mathematics and a former Putnam participant.
Michael Sipser reflects on time as School of Science dean
“I have research ideas that I want to explore of a mostly mathematical, theoretical computer science nature. But I have to get back into it. There’s a certain amount of rebooting to start to think about mathematics again.”
Media Lab Director Joi Ito resigns after efforts to hide his ties with Epstein are revealed
“After giving the matter a great deal of thought, I have chosen to resign as Director of the Media Lab and as a Professor and employee of the Institute, effective immediately,” Ito wrote in an email to Media Lab members obtained by The Tech.
Two academics to leave Media Lab over Epstein ties
Matias wrote that he “cannot with integrity" do his work within the MIT Media Lab.
Work authorization delays interfere with international students’ summer internships
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires that students apply for OPT no more than 90 days before their projected start dates. In past years, this has typically been enough time for applications to be approved, but this year, processing times appear to be stretching towards four to five months.
ISO responds to work authorization delays affecting international students’ internships
“In the coming year, we will continue our efforts to encourage departments to put in place professional development and experiential learning requirements,” David Elwell, associate dean and director of the ISO, wrote.
Upper-level students can no longer ‘rank or pick’ new students to live in their communities
“We feel very strongly” about eliminating mutual selection as it is currently “operationalized” from here onwards, Nelson said.
West Campus Village deemed financially infeasible
“We don't believe [the feasibility study] determines that the Village was a bad idea in any way; it just is not the right time for it,” wrote Alice Zhou ’20, president of the Panhellenic Association.
Proposed restructuring would move all faculty away from Global Studies and Languages
"The basic idea is that the language instruction program (Global Languages) would remain in place — along with lecturers, senior lecturers, and staff — but that GSL faculty would move to other SHASS academic units, where their research and expertise are at home," wrote Agustin Rayo PhD ’01, associate dean of SHASS.
Elango, Green on institutionalizing transparency, working towards free tuition, and eradicating food insecurity
"Students are dealing with financial burdens directly tied to what they owe MIT. And it affects not just their present circumstances, but through their decision-making it ends up affecting their future," vice presidential candidate Kelvin Green said.
CSAIL responds to tweet from Trump about pilots, MIT computer scientists
The official Twitter account of MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory replied, “We're very happy to help. But maybe we can keep the pilots, too?”
Worker killed, two others injured in Vassar dorm construction accident
“The preliminary investigation suggests that a crew was working on a lower floor when material collapsed down on top of workers from an above floor,” a statement said.
Burton Conner scheduled to be closed for ‘renewal’ from June 2020 to August 2022
The renewal will primarily involve an “extensive infrastructure and building systems update,” including “modest updates to finishes and spaces.”
Reif decides that MIT will not sever ties with Saudi Arabia
Seventy-six percent of non-faculty comments either strongly opposed or leaned against the recommendation to continue ties with Saudi Arabia.
MIT, other universities raise concerns over proposed Title IX regulations
The proposed regulations would require universities to implement “quasi-judicial” proceedings, in particular through cross-examination during live hearings.
Dorm presidents respond to room assignment design exercise
As the process of reassessing dorms’ room assignment and move-in procedures continues, The Tech reached out to presidents and other leaders in each of MIT’s ten dorms to ask about their current procedures and how potential changes would affect their communities.
Barnhart, Nelson announce ‘design exercise’ for room assignment and move-in processes
Twenty-five percent of undergraduate students described their dorm’s room assignment process as “stressful” on the 2017 Quality of Life survey.
Old squash court in Walker to be remade into dedicated meditation, prayer, reflection space
The proposal noted that once the space is sufficiently publicized and well-known, it is expected to receive 30–60 users per day.
MIT removed Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg from Corporation in April 2018
“In April 2018, to comply with restrictions as a result of [the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control] adding Mr. Vekselberg to its specially designated nationals list, MIT suspended Mr. Vekselberg’s Corporation membership,” according to a statement from MIT.
MIT admits 7.4 percent of EA applicants
MIT offered 707 students early admission to the Class of 2023.
College of Computing headquarters to replace Building 44
Perhaps the most distinctive exterior feature of Building 44 is the “J” sign, which refers to the J particle discovered by Samuel C.C. Ting and his group in 1974.
Associate Provost Richard Lester recommends against termination of existing relationships with Saudi Arabia
Lester's report argues that the cessation of MIT’s relationships with the Saudi organizations it currently engages with would probably fail to have a “meaningful ameliorative effect.”
Provost provides updates on College of Computing at faculty meeting
Provost Martin Schmidt commented that it is “likely that it makes sense” to have a department of electrical engineering within the college.
Employees sue Happy Lamb Hot Pot in Central Square
“Students could play a huge role in making sure that the workers' rights are enforced,” attorney Ting Chiu wrote.
MIT to conduct reassessment of engagements with Saudi Arabia
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who allegedly authorized the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, visited MIT in March.
MIT to launch $1 billion College of Computing in September 2019
“The college has been created, but it has not been designed,” Susan Silbey, chair of the faculty, said in a faculty meeting Wednesday.
Student leads protests alleging that MIT allowed rapist to return
Several pieces of chalkboard art in the Stata Center over the past few weeks have claimed that MIT allowed a rapist to return to campus.
Investigation ongoing for gunshots fired near PBE fraternity
As of a Wednesday post from the Massachusetts State Police, the investigation, including into potential suspects and motive, remains active.
Class of 2022 may designate three additional science and math GIRs as P/NR
The hypothesis is that “increased flexibility to enable major exploration will lead to increased confidence in the initial choice of a major and increased satisfaction with the ultimate major," according to the proposal.
Supreme Court upholds third iteration of travel ban
There were 40 total undergraduate and graduate students at MIT from Iran in the 2017–18 academic year, seven from Syria, and five from Venezuela, according to the International Students Office’s annual statistics.
OCW videos blocked, then restored, on YouTube
OCW believes the blockage was actually worldwide, contrary to seemingly location-specific error messages viewers received.
Three assault incidents reported via ‘timely warning’ emails in May
According to the MIT Police, there is no information to indicate that these three incidents are in any way connected.
Massachusetts legislature considering two campus sexual assault bills
MIT administrators, the UA, and the GSC have expressed their support for the bills, with a few reservations.
Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman visits MIT
Aside from limited official publicity, secrecy and rigid security have surrounded Mohammed’s visit, which took place at the Media Lab.
Fusion energy within fifteen-year reach, MIT says
“This is an important historical moment: Advances in superconducting magnets have put fusion energy potentially within reach, offering the prospect of a safe, carbon-free energy future,” President L. Rafael Reif told MIT News.
Interfraternity Council wins award for risk reduction
There are “very few” parallel programs at other schools, Ihns said. Most lack direct student oversight and have a weaker IFC presence.
Recording of Obama’s Sloan conference speech leaked by Reason magazine
Obama focused a good portion of his hour-long talk on his love of sports, including his career as a high school basketball player.
Theta Tau freshmen took copies of The Tech for fraternity event
The Tech reported in December that approximately 3,050 copies of its papers went missing within a day after they were distributed.
Former MIT chancellor Bacow named next Harvard president
“At times Bacow didn’t seem to realize that other people had different visions of MIT than he did," The Tech wrote in a 2001 editorial.
Exploratory Committee surveys MIT community on graduate student unionization
Graduate students “paint an overwhelmingly pro-union picture,” with 62 percent in support, according to the committee’s email detailing the survey results.
Toscanini’s at Central Square closed until July for renovations
Until they reopen, customers can visit their new location on 159 First Street: its opening was announced via Twitter Jan 25.
Institute launches MIT Intelligence Quest
MIT IQ will likely cost hundreds of millions of dollars, and funding is expected come from both philanthropy and industrial support.
Econ. professors present at ‘State of the Union’ symposium
The Economics Department's symposium included three panel discussions that largely focused on major policy issues in the Trump era.
Prof. Eric Lander named as likely shortlist candidate for Harvard president
“I was surprised to learn that speculation by someone who said they had no knowledge of the process was even being reported," Lander wrote.
Mayor corrects ‘misinformation’ on Trader Joe’s, says property owners intend to keep store open
Cambridge mayor Marc McGovern corrects previous misinformation on possible Trader Joe's redevelopment. The property owners have in fact decided to keep the grocery store on Memorial Drive open.
Endowment excise tax to cost MIT $10 million a year, Reif says
MIT relies on investment income, which accounted for 31 percent of MIT’s total campus revenues during the last fiscal year, to support its programs.
Tenth MacGregor entry under consideration
MacGregor residents are deliberating whether to add a tenth entry to use extra space from a GRT apartment that will become empty.
New director of campus dining appointed
Mark Hayes will join the Division of Student Life in late January as the new Director of Campus Dining. He will oversee all areas of MIT dining operations.
MIT admits 664 students to the Class of 2022 in EA admissions
MIT admitted 664 students to the Class of 2022 Thursday. A record high 9,557 students applied early action this year, making for a record low acceptance rate of 6.9 percent.
Asu Ozdaglar appointed head of EECS
Prof. Asu Ozdaglar PhD ’03 was appointed head of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, effective Jan. 1, 2018. Ozdaglar has been the interim department head since July 1 and will become the first woman to head the EECS department in MIT’s history.
New UA program to fund conference expenses for undergraduates
The UA has allocated $30,000 towards this program as part of its annual budget, treasurer Jonathan Coden ’19 said in an interview with The Tech Tuesday.
Committee on Discipline releases annual report
The Committee on Discipline (COD) report for the 2016-17 academic year, released earlier this month, breaks down the 279 complaints that were brought before the COD this year by several metrics, including the type of misconduct, the method of resolution, and the outcome.
Vanu Bose, Class of ’87 and Corporation member, dies
Vanu Bose ’87, a member of the MIT Corporation and a leader in bringing cellular coverage to underserviced regions in the U.S. and abroad, died Saturday of a sudden pulmonary embolism at age 52.
Thefts reported in East Campus
East Campus residents reported a backpack, credit cards, and two laptops stolen, according to a “timely warning” email issued by MIT Police Nov. 15.
New fraternity Theta Tau admitted to IFC on second attempt
The Interfraternity Council (IFC) admitted the MIT chapter of Theta Tau, a professional engineering fraternity, as a probationary member Oct. 12.
Outbreak of viral disease hits campus
At least 30 cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), a viral illness, have occurred on campus since September, according to MIT Medical.
Mexican journalist Jesus Esquivel discusses the reality of drug trafficking
Q&A session organized by LUCha aimed to address the "offensive" narrative of Mexico proliferated by American media and encourage political participation among Mexican expatriates.
Roll-over meals and ‘dining dollars’ under consideration for meal plan revisions
One “very likely” change is the introduction of a meals per semester system in addition to the current meals per week system, says DormCon dining co-chair.
Two shot at annual Cambridge Carnival International Sunday
Gunfire disrupted Sunday’s 25th annual Cambridge Carnival International. The incident took place near 200 Technology Square, about 0.2 miles from the center of campus.
For some MIT students, Harvey hits home
Harvey ravaged southeastern Texas last week, leaving record-high rainfall in its wake. 288 undergraduate and 187 graduate students at MIT currently have a home address in Texas.