EAPS department annual Carlson Lecture canceled over speaker Dorian Abbot’s comments on DEI
EAPS Department Head Robert van der Hilst canceled the department’s annual John Carlson Lecture due to controversy surrounding the invited speaker, Professor Dorian Abbot of the University of Chicago, and his views on DEI efforts within academia.
Biden nominates Sloan Professor Gary Gensler for SEC chair
If confirmed by the Senate, Gensler will face a variety of challenges, including how to address market volatility, financial applications like Robinhood, and the rise of retail investors.
Limited top-optionality practices to be allowed in Random, EC
Students had expressed disappointment with the December 2020 policy announcement and have spoken out in favor of clothing optionality.
MIT PE offers ‘online conceptual’ swim class
Director of MIT PE Carrie Moore said in a statement to Bloomberg in April that “‘graduating seniors can fulfill their swim test requirement by completing an online program that teaches water safety and introduces swimming fundamentals.’”
Simmons pod program paused after pod ‘intermingling’ incidents
Members of separate pods intermingling violated the agreement signed by pod members, which states that students must “exercise strict social distancing with those outside their pod.”
MIT opens new Johnson Athletic Center COVID-19 testing site
MIT Medical Director Cecilia Stuopis wrote in an email to The Tech that MIT Medical is currently able to “handle around 4,000 tests a day” but that this number will grow to 10,000 tests a day once the Johnson site is “fully operational.”
Departments remove GRE requirements for 2020–2021 graduate admissions cycle
Educational Testing Service, the organization that administers the GRE, announced Aug. 20 that the September and October GRE Subject Test administrations “have been canceled due to impacts from the pandemic” and that “the next opportunity to take a Subject Test — assuming health conditions improve — will be April 2021.”
Massachusetts implements COVID-19 travel order for out-of-state visitors
MIT Medical Director Cecilia Stuopis wrote in an email to The Tech that the travel order will not affect the move-in process for students returning to campus since the Institute “had already planned for all students to be tested upon returning to campus.”
A, B, C, D/NE, F/NE grading system to be implemented in fall
PE/NE grading can be applied to “any subject including those used to fulfill” GIRs, “minor,” and “departmental requirements.” The decision to grade a class under PE/NE “must be made by drop date,” Danheiser wrote.
Incoming first years, sophomores, juniors may request on-campus housing through SHARP
The website writes that students will be sent an email with a link to the application July 17, and the SHARP team plans to release decisions by the end of next week. Students whose applications are rejected may submit an appeal.
International student remote appointment guidelines released
In addition to good academic standing, secure funding, and the permission of the student's supervisor, the eligibility criteria require that “any continuing student must have returned to their home country prior to May 21, 2020.”
Math department criticized for lack of diversity and inclusion
An ongoing discussion about diversity and inclusion in the math department began on the department’s Piazza page last week after several current and former math majors criticized the department’s lack of inclusivity.
Media Lab Open Agriculture Initiative closed amid allegations of scientific misrepresentation and environmental harm
The New York Times reported in October that Zuber “halted OpenAg activities, pending completion of ongoing assessments.” The Initiative was already mostly closed prior to its complete termination in April.
MIT creates working group in response to new Title IX regulations
Schools are required to update their existing procedures to comply with the new regulations by Aug. 14. Whittle and Dahleh wrote that this “short timeframe” and the “timing of the regulations’ release” amid the COVID-19 pandemic are “regrettable.”