IFC hits DTD hard for CPW incident
An investigation by the Interfraternity Council has implicated Delta Tau Delta in the incident of a prospective student who became unconscious after consuming too much alcohol during Campus Preview Weekend. The IFC’s ruling imposes a number of sanctions on DTD, which include a one year ban on alcohol in the DTD house, a one-and-a-half year ban on most social events, restrictions on off-campus trips during next year’s rush, and a ban on hosting prefrosh during next year’s CPW.
May ATO Incident a Cause of Expulsion
Alpha Tau Omega’s expulsion from the Interfraternity Council, which remains under appeal, was based in part on the outcome of a hearing about a May 2009 incident allegedly involving “underage consumption” and “failure to provide emergency medical assistance,” according to minutes of a Sept. 2 IFC meeting that were briefly made available online.
Final Blue Ribbon Report Removes Some Unpalatable Recommendations
The final report of the Blue Ribbon Committee on Dining to MIT, dated May 11, 2009, recommends that the existing House Dining program be dismantled and replaced with a declining-balance program. But in the report, the committee says it does not recommend a mandatory meal plan for all students, charging students in dining hall dorms an “opt out fee” where they would pay to eat nothing, or turning the MacGregor Hall convenience store into a dining hall.
Final Blue Ribbon Dining Report Removes Some Unpalatable Recommendations
The final report of the Blue Ribbon Committee on Dining to MIT, dated May 11, 2009, recommends that the existing House Dining program be dismantled and replaced with a declining-balance program. But in the report, the committee says it does not recommend a mandatory meal plan for all students, charging students in dining hall dorms an “opt out fee” where they would pay to eat nothing, or turning the MacGregor Hall convenience store into a dining hall.
Dining Ideas Include $500 No-Food Option, Closing 3 Dining Halls
Two separate committees — one half-full of students, one all-student — have issued draft proposals about how to fix dining at MIT. So far, student reaction has been relatively mild.
BRC, DPC Release Separate Draft Dining Reports
Draft proposals describing the future of dining at MIT have been released for public review by both the student-run Dining Proposal Committee and the Blue Ribbon Institute Committee.
Dining Reform Group Releases More Notes, Increases Student Say
The committee tasked with redesigning MIT’s dining system agreed to make more information public and increase student say at its first meeting since a consultants’ report to the committee was leaked two Saturdays ago.
Leaked Dining Report Suggests Massive Dining Reforms, Mandatory Meal Plans
Mandatory meal plans, all-you-can-eat (AYCE) dining halls, and longer service hours have been proposed by a consulting firm tasked with suggesting a future dining strategy for MIT. The proposal also recommends expanding dining hall service to include breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Dining Report Was Kept Under Wraps; UA To Discuss
Undergraduate Association President Noah S. Jessop ’09 announced on Wednesday night an emergency meeting of the UA Senate to discuss “concerns brought forth about the Blue Ribbon [dining] committee.” According to Jessop, members of the UA Senate and Executive Board were concerned about a lack of transparency after a student saw a copy of the independent consultant’s report to the committee on the desk of an administrator before most members of the Blue Ribbon Dining Committee were notified about the report’s completion. The students expected that the report would go directly to the committee. As UA president, Jessop is a member of the Blue Ribbon committee.
Governor Patrick Selected to Speak at 2009 Commencement
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, leader in clean energy policy and proponent of education and research, will give this year’s commencement address. Those involved in the decision and student leaders praised the choice, while students’ opinions ranged from impressed to indifferent.
Thirty Years Later, Nightline Is Still Here to Listen at x3-8800
MIT’s peer listening service, Nightline, will celebrate its 30th anniversary this year.
Class of 2010 Celebrates Delivery Of Rings at Moakley Courthouse
Roughly 700 members of the Class of 2010 descended upon the Moakley Courthouse in downtown Boston for a posh evening last Saturday to celebrate the delivery of their Brass Rats. According to Laura E. Aust ’10, Chair of the 2010 Ring Committee, the event cost around $55,000.
Dana Mead, Corporation Chair, Discusses Student Involvement
MIT Corporation chair Dana G. Mead PhD ’67 spoke and answered students’ questions at the Undergraduate Association meeting last night. He discussed challenges facing the Corporation and student involvement in the Corporation.<b></b>
New OLPC Laptop Will Open Like a Book, Have Two Screens
One Laptop Per Child unveiled the next generation of its XO laptop last month. The new machine is smaller, cheaper, and will open like a book to reveal two touch-sensitive displays.
Schmill, Hicks Discuss MIT’s Image, Changes To Financial Aid at UA
Dean of Admissions Stuart Schmill ’86 and Executive Director of Student Financial Services Elizabeth M. Hicks spoke about the future of MIT admissions and financial aid at an open Undergraduate Association meeting yesterday evening.
A Record Number of Students Attend Campus Preview Weekend
A record number of prospective freshmen — 1021 — have descended upon MIT for this year’s Campus Preview Weekend, according to Ben Jones, Associate Director of Admissions. The event, which ten years ago was meant to attract women and minority students to MIT, is now open to all admitted freshmen. CPW has grown explosively since then, increasing from 974 last year and 868 the year before.
UA Candidates Debate Student Involvement, Dining
On Sunday evening, the candidates for Undergraduate Association President and Vice President debated issues ranging from housing concerns to MIT students’ relationship with the administration.
Panhel Selects Three Finalists In Search for Extra Sorority at MIT
The MIT Panhellenic Association chose three sororities out of eleven that applied as finalists in the selection process for a sixth sorority at MIT. National representatives of Delta Delta Delta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, and Pi Beta Phi were invited to present at MIT in April, according to Tiffany W. Guo ’09, Panhel president.
Fifteen Apply to Serve as W1 Founders
Fifteen applications for the W1 “founders group” were received by Tuesday’s deadline, and the group’s student membership will be selected by Friday.
Students, Supporters Turn Out For Obama
On the eve of Super Tuesday, eager Bostonians stuffed themselves into crowded Silver Line buses. They followed signs held by Barack Obama volunteers titled “This way for change” to a long, winding line outside the Seaport World Trade Center.
As Laptop Begins Production, OLPC Faces Competition
The One Laptop Per Child foundation had a momentous year in 2007 as it prepared for beginning production of its long-awaited XO laptop in November. The nonprofit also faced new challenges from for-profit competition: OLPC formed an uneasy relationship with Intel, who announced a competing low-price laptop. In early January 2008, however, the relationship dissolved.
Neighborhood Ice Cream Shop Tosci’s Seized Because of $167,000 Tax Bill
The Central Square branch of Toscanini’s Ice Cream was seized last Thursday by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue because the shop failed to pay more than $167,000 in taxes that have accumulated since 2000, according to the <i>Boston Globe</i>.
Randolph Defines Role of MIT Chaplain
Having worked at MIT for 28 years in a several different positions, Robert M. Randolph brings a wealth of experience to the table as MIT’s first Institute chaplain.
Subcommittee Chosen To Refine Curriculum, Collect GIR Feedback
During last week’s faculty meeting, the MIT Task Force on the Undergraduate Educational Commons announced the formation of a subcommittee to collect feedback on the task force’s recommendations that were released in October 2006 and determine more specific recommendations for changing the curriculum.
OLPC and Intel Collaborate on Laptop for Developing Countries
As it moves toward beginning full-scale production of the XO (also known as the $100 Laptop) in October, the One Laptop Per Child Foundation has increased the price of its laptop from previous estimates to approximately $188 per laptop. In addition, the non-profit has announced a “Give 1 Get 1” program allowing the public to donate $399 that will enable the foundation to give a laptop to a child in the developing world. The foundation will give donors a laptop in consideration for their donation.
Fraternity Brothers Allowed To Wear Letters This Rush
Rush kicks off with the Greek Griller tomorrow in Killian Court at noon, and fraternities are preparing to lure freshmen with free lobster dinners, off-campus jaunts, and other pricey events.