Lower Percentage of Freshmen Request Adjustment in Lottery
About the same percentage of eligible freshmen entered the Housing Adjustment Lottery this year as compared to last year, representing more students entering the lottery overall. More freshmen were eligible to enter the lottery this year because of the new policy allowing freshmen assigned to Next House to switch to a different dorm.
Jensen Now Heading Up Chem. Eng. Department
Chemical Engineering Professor Klavs F. Jensen was named the new head of the Department of Chemical Engineering as of Feb. 1. The former head of the department, Robert C. Armstrong, stepped down after nearly 11 years in office, according to the MIT News Office.
Student Influence Seen in Two Dining Decisions
In the MIT administration’s eyes, eating together builds community, and dormitory dining halls and mandatory meal plans are the best way to get at the kind of community the Institute wants. This analysis explains why when Ashdown House is renovated into the W1 undergraduate dormitory, its kitchens will be replaced with a dining hall.
Frosh Explore Dormitories, Participate in REX Events
Residence Exploration events, designed for incoming freshmen to explore the 11 undergraduate dormitories, will continue until the end of the Housing Adjustment Lottery tomorrow. Events for REX began Friday, Aug. 24.
First-year Students Enjoy MIT Orientation
With the fall term around the corner, first-year undergraduate and graduate students populated the campus this past weekend to kick-off this year’s event-filled orientation programs.
Suresh Becomes the New Dean of Engineering; Magnanti Steps Down
Subra Suresh PhD ’81, professor in the Department of Material Science and Engineering, was appointed as the new dean of engineering in June, effective July 23. Suresh replaced Institute Professor Thomas L. Magnanti, who was dean since 1999, according to the MIT News Office.
‘We Have to Stay on Top,’ Says New Sloan School Interim Dean
Steven D. Eppinger ’83, professor of Management Science, has been appointed as the interim dean of MIT Sloan School of Management, effective July 1. The former dean of Sloan School Richard Schmalensee ’65, professor of economics and management, stepped down at the end of the Spring 2007 term after nine years as dean.
President of GSC Speaks About Grad Student Life
<i>This is the sixth 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 Leeland B. Ekstrom G, president of the Graduate Student Council. Ekstrom talks about graduate student life and his plans for the GSC.</i>
More Successful Apps: 81 Percent of Summer UROPs Find Funding
As of the end of the Spring Term, 335 out of the 469 students who applied for direct summer funding from the Undergradute Research Opportunities Program received funding, according to Melissa J. Martin-Greene, staff associate in the Academic Resources Center. An additional 10 percent of the applicants were funded through non-UROP sources, such as UROP faculty and special departmental funds.
CEE Prof. Lerman Appointed Dean for Graduate Students, Replacing Colbert
Civil and Environmental Engineering Professor Steven R. Lerman ’72 has been appointed the new Dean for Graduate Students, effective July 1. He will replace Isaac M. Colbert, who will be stepping down from the position after eight years as Dean.
Funding Is Uncertain After Daytime Shuttle Donor Ceases Support
The Daytime Boston Shuttle, which runs from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays during the school year, may not have sufficient funding for next school year, according to Undergraduate Association President Martin F. Holmes '08. One of the two major sources for funding — a private donor — will no longer be available to cover the costs of running the shuttles throughout the school year, Holmes said.
MIT Alumni Inspire New Movie
Imagine waking up to see a hovering helicopter just outside your window at 9 a.m. on a Sunday morning.
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.
Tuition Increase Set; New UROP Funding Program Announced
Tuition will increase by 4.1 percent to $34,986 and a total of $68 million will be allocated for financial aid, an increase of $7 million, for the 20072008 school year. Additionally, $400,000 of Institute funds have been budgeted for a new program offering guaranteed direct funding for the UROP program to help financial aid students fulfill their "self-help offer" costs in their financial aid packages, MIT announced last week.
Kastner Appointed Science Dean
Marc A. Kastner, head of the Department of Physics, will soon be the new dean of science. During his nine years in office, Kastner inititated the new flexible physics degree option, formerly known as Course VIII-B, led the construction of the new physics and spectroscopy lab, and hired about one-third of the current Physics Department faculty.
Building Plans Revealed At Meeting
Along with existing building renovations from past years, MIT now plans to construct multiple new facilities and living space for several academic disciplines and for the increasing graduate student population. The plans were presented to the Cambridge Planning Board at its annual public town gown meeting Tuesday night. The town gown meeting also included presentations from Harvard and Lesley Universities, reviewing the institutions’ current activities, student population data, institutional housing, and future development plans.