REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK As memes go mainstream, lols
Last weekend at ROFLcon, I was online without being on the internet. The guest list read like a printout of my browser history.
Admit rate drops below 10%
Facing a 6.2 percent increase in applications and a 9.7 percent admission rate, the MIT Class of 2014 experienced the most competitive admissions cycle yet. The biggest change to the process was a modified essay requirement, eliminating the standard 500-word essay and introducing more and shorter essays.
Student-cadets attend ROTC annual formal Military Ball
Cadets came dressed in their military best, in pressed uniforms emblazoned with stripes and ribbons, at last Friday’s Military Ball, the MIT Reserve Officers’ Training Corps annual formal social event.
Only one ticket for top UA spots
Only one pair of candidates has officially registered to run for Undergraduate Association President and Vice President this spring. In response, the UA has extended its late petition deadline for the presidential/vice presidential race to Thursday, March 4.
MIT Police Officer Arrested on Charges of Drug Trafficking
The MIT Police found one of its officers, Joseph D’Amelio, arrested for drug trafficking in mid-March. The eventual fallout led to his dismissal, and, separately, the dismissal of one MIT police officer and the suspension of another for recycling 400 issues of <i>The Tech</i>. D’Amelio’s trial began on January 11, 2010 and is ongoing.
Achieving Meritocracy a Struggle, Race Report Says
Two colleagues admonished him once for drinking beer at his first faculty meeting, mistaking an energy drink for alcohol, he tells the interviewers. Another participant confesses that he deliberately places books in his office as evidence to visitors of his academic qualifications. Others complain that they are misidentified as custodians.
Recent Report Calls For More Awareness Of Faculty Diversity
The Initiative for Faculty Race and Diversity released its final report on the minority faculty experience at MIT last Thursday after a two and a half year effort. Stemming from an effort to understand why a disproportionately small number of MIT faculty are members of minority groups, the report found that there are inequities in the minority faculty experience.
International Students Discuss Their Thanksgiving Experiences
If you’re from the U.S., feasts and family gatherings probably come to mind before media clips and TV shows when you think of Thanksgiving.
Professors Discussed Diversity at Faculty Meeting Wednesday
Faculty members unanimously passed two motions at Wednesday’s faculty meeting: one establishing academic guidelines for prolonged emergencies on campus and the second scheduling the September student holiday on the same day as the fall career fair.
Kate McCarthy: Let’s Talk About Sex
Students who have concerns or uncertainties about sex don’t need to suffer alone, and can seek out help through MIT Medical’s Kate McCarthy. A year ago, McCarthy joined MIT Medical’s Center of Health Promotion and Wellness as its program manager on sexual health. She works to promote safe sex and understanding of sex in the community. While her role includes hosting events, including a December 1st “Know Your Status” HIV testing day, and writing “Sexpertise,” her online advice column where students can submit questions about sex, McCarthy primarily meets with students on a one-on-one basis to discuss all aspects of sex.
MIT Medical Reports Fewer Flu Infections Now than September
Cases of both seasonal and H1N1 flu have decreased steadily since mid-September, said MIT Medical Chief of Internal Medicine Howard M. Heller yesterday. H1N1 vaccinations have begun to arrive on campus, but will be distributed first to top-priority candidates, a group that, for the time being, only includes health care workers.
MIT Endowment Decreased by 20 Percent Last Fiscal Year, Ending 7 Years of Growth
MIT’s endowment has suffered during the recession, declining 20.7 percent in value since last year to $8.0 billion from $10.1 billion and ending a seven year period of growth, the MIT Investment Management Company (MITIMCo) recently announced.
All-Sorority ’13 Council Elected
The Undergraduate Association released the results, but not the individual vote tallies, of its fall Senate and 2013 Class Council elections on Saturday. A little over a quarter of undergraduates voted. Danielle A. Class and Amanda C. David were elected President and Vice President, respectively, of an all-female, all-sorority Class of 2013 Council. In a special election, Sojung C. Lee was elected Class of 2011 treasurer.
Class Council, Senate Elections End Today
Elections for the UA Senate and 2013 Freshman Class Council have been ongoing this week and end today.
Class of 2013 Yield Falls Despite Huge Increase in Number of Applications
Despite a record number of applicants and a record low admit rate, MIT’s yield fell for the class of 2013: 64 percent of students accepted MIT’s offer of admission, down from 66 percent for the class of 2012 and from a record high of 69 percent for the class of 2011. The incoming class has 1,071 students, 23 more than last year’s.