CORRECTIONS
An article published on Tuesday about the UA debate omitted Alexander W. Dehnert ’12 from a list of UA officials who have recently resigned. In February, Dehnert resigned as Living Group Council Senator and UA Chief of Information Technology.
Fact or fiction?
Have you been wondering what “Fact or Fiction” means, or what Gossip Girl, Glee, and BU have to do with women at MIT? Jessica L. Trudeau, Fact or Fiction committee head and program administrator at the MIT Community Development and Substance Abuse Center (CDSA) describes Fact or Fiction as a media campaign — created by the CDSA — to “challenge MIT undergraduate women to think about female identity at the Institute.”
Nuclear plant safety questioned by scientist group
With Japan’s nuclear industry facing intense scrutiny after the devastating earthquake and tsunami, critics of nuclear power in the United States are increasingly shining a spotlight on U.S. regulators and power companies.
US relations with Saudi Arabia chilled
WASHINGTON — The brutal crackdown in Bahrain poses the greatest Middle East democracy dilemma yet to the Obama administration, deepening a rift with its most important Arab ally, Saudi Arabia, while potentially strengthening the influence of its biggest nemesis, Iran.
UA Finance Board Spring II allocation results
Note: Spring 2011 marks the first time FinBoard has allocated funds in two spring cycles. This year, funding from Spring I allocations rolls over to Spring II; some groups did not submit Spring II budgets.
Class of 2015 admission rate sinks to 9.6 percent
On Monday, MIT celebrated pi day by granting admission to 1,715 high school seniors. Despite an increase in class size to 1,120 — up by about 60 from the current freshman class size — the class of 2015’s admission rate was a staggeringly low 9.6 percent. With 17,909 applications overall, the admissions office saw an 8 percent increase in applications from last year, driving the admit rate down from last year’s 9.7 percent.
Japan in crisis, MIT reacts
It was supposed to be a routine visit to Japan for MISTI staff to meet with host companies and university contacts about upcoming summer internship programs. Michelle L. Kern, program coordinator for MISTI Japan, and Patricia E. Gercik, managing director of MISTI Japan, arrived in Tokyo on March 10, and started with the usual meetings the next day — the day of a 9.0 magnitude earthquake that destroyed the northeast coast.
Institute replies vacuously to Styke suit
On Tuesday, MIT submitted its response to Wolfe B. Styke G’s lawsuit. Styke is suing the Institute and Russell J. Novello for a total of $50,000 in negligence, resulting from the October 2007 incident where he was stabbed in his Next House dorm room by Anna L. Tang, who was a Wellesly student at the time. Novello was the security guard who provided Tang with a key to Styke’s room. Tang was found not guilty by reason of insanity late last year and is fully free as of early this year.
Shorts (right)
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. sued the former chief executive of Washington Mutual and two of his top lieutenants Thursday, accusing them of reckless lending before the 2008 collapse of what was the nation’s largest savings bank.
Shorts (left)
UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations Security Council voted Thursday to authorize military action, including airstrikes against Libyan tanks and heavy artillery and a no-fly zone, a risky foreign intervention aimed at averting a bloody rout of rebels by forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.
US flights over nuclear plant gather crucial data
WASHINGTON — The first readings from U.S. data-collection flights over the stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in Japan show that the worst of the contamination has not spewed beyond the 18-mile range of highest concern established by Japanese authorities, but there is also no indication that another day of frantic efforts to cool nuclear fuel in the reactors and spent fuel pools has yielded any progress, according U.S. government officials.
A taste of spring
Yesterday the weather gods provided us with a gorgeous St. Patrick’s Day, with sunny skies and temperatures just above 60°F. The above-average warmth — normal highs are in the mid-40°Fs this time of year — will continue tomorrow, with temperatures pushing into the upper 60°Fs. These highs are due to strong warm air advection, aided by a low-level jet in front of an approaching cold front. Unfortunately, our taste of spring will not last, as the cold front will pass through early tomorrow evening, ushering in cooler, more seasonal air for the weekend. Associated with the cold front passage, we will see gusty winds tomorrow afternoon and evening. A high pressure system will keep our weekend dry before the next low moves in on Monday for the start of spring break.
Global economic agency sees need for retirement age to keep rising
PARIS — Retirement ages in advanced economies will have to rise more than currently planned if countries hope to cover the increase in costs caused by aging populations, a global economic organization warned Thursday.
Missiles fired from CIA drones kill civilians in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Several missiles fired from U.S. drone aircraft Thursday struck a meeting of local people in northwest Pakistan who had gathered with Taliban mediators to settle a dispute over a chromite mine. The attack, a Pakistani intelligence official said, killed 26 of 32 people present, some of them Taliban fighters, but the majority elders and local people not attached to the militants.
House votes to end money for NPR, Senate passes spending bill
WASHINGTON — The House voted Thursday to cut off financing for National Public Radio, with Democrats and Republican fiercely divided over both the content of the bill and how it was brought to the floor.
GUEST COLUMN JudComm is broken
As a senior who has been in a fraternity at MIT for almost four years now, I have had the chance to meet many responsible and competent people who make up the Greek community here. A group composed of such people definitely has the potential to effectively self-govern. In several areas the Interfraternity Council is doing just that. Development and enforcement of risk management policies, however, is not one of those areas. The means through which IFC enforces its risk management standards are not only unfair, but actually dangerous.
Politics and engineering are not mutually exclusive
This past Monday, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano delivered the 2011 Karl Taylor Compton Lecture. Secretary Napolitano emphasized the importance of the involvement of MIT minds in politics and public service for the benefit of the nation. However, it is extremely common for MIT students to greet important political issues with apathy, and for political involvement to be dismissed as irrelevant. It is time for MIT students to take Secretary Napolitano’s advice and to broaden their focus beyond the pages of textbooks and problem sets.
‘Fact or Fiction’ — an appropriate title
My first reaction upon visiting the Fact or Fiction website was decidedly negative. But after exploring the site more, talking to girls about the campaign, and seeing some of the posters, I can see why — at least — its heart is in the right place.
The back of the envelope
In the last issue of The Tech, I tried to explain the events at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant and gave my opinion, as someone with two nuclear engineering degrees from MIT, as to what I thought the situation on the ground was and the likely course of events. In particular, I made three important claims:
INTERVIEW American culture and six-headed babies
Last Tuesday, I had the chance to sit at a round table interview with Nick Frost and Simon Pegg, the comedy duo starring in and directing the upcoming alien comedy film Paul. The duo is perhaps best known for their two previous works, Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead, part of their Blood and Ice Cream trilogy. We spoke to Nick and Simon about a range of topics, from what it was like to work with the actors in Paul, to American culture, to 6 headed babies.
INTERVIEW A matchstick chat with Travie McCoy
Travie McCoy is perhaps best known for being the frontman of the alternative hip hop band Gym Class Heroes. More recently he’s recognized for the song “Billionaire” with Bruno Mars, and his debut solo album Lazarus. I spoke to Travie McCoy about Lazarus, and unfortunately, what I was hoping to be long, romantic fireside chat was cut to 15 minutes by his mean ol’ publicist — I could only squeeze in a matchstick worth of conversation.
INTERVIEW On writing, acting, music, and quirkiness
When I participated in a conference call with Donald Glover on Tuesday, I was so excited for the opportunity to talk to the actor who plays Troy on the show Community. Little did I know that I was also going to be talking to Donald Glover the actor, writer, rapper, comic, and awards show host. Some may recognize Glover from his work as a staff writer on 30 Rock, and more recently, his gig hosting the mtvU Woodie Awards this past Wednesday. The awards honor the biggest names in indie rock and hip-hop by bestowing them with a chunk of wood.
Squash ends strong season
The MIT Squash team recently closed out their season, competing in both the team and individual College Squash Association (CSA) Championships the past two weekends. The team took second place in their bracket, placing 34th overall.
Women’s Tennis posts Colby victory
MIT Women’s Tennis played Colby this past Saturday, winning by an official score of 7-2 (and unofficially, 10-3).
Extras: Penny Arcade Expo Video Footage
Watch The Tech’s Jessica J. Pourian ’13 interview conference attendees and game creators and see upclose footage of the conference floor.
Gamers invade Boston
The Penny Arcade Expo East came to Boston last weekend to a warm welcome from over 69,000 people. Fans of the Penny Arcade webcomic, tabletop games, and digital games made it to the convention to celebrate three days of gaming goodness. A number of exciting panels, concerts, game tournaments, and a stunning exhibit hall all contributed to the fun of the show. An atmosphere of gaming community was prevalent throughout the weekend; gamers showed their support for the Child’s Play charity and were generally warm to one another.
