Postdocs get an independent voice in new self-government Postdoctoral Association to replace Advisory Council
Postdoctoral researchers at MIT have decided to take matters into their own hands. Postdocs will be represented by the new, autonomous Postdoctoral Association (PDA) instead of the Postdoctoral Advisory Council (PAC), which was organized by the office of the vice president for research. The move gives MIT postdocs an organization more similar to the Undergraduate Association or the Graduate Student Council.
Steve Jobs leaves legacy of innovation and leadership
Steven P. Jobs, the visionary co-founder of Apple who helped usher in the era of personal computers and then led a cultural transformation in the way music, movies, and mobile communications were experienced in the digital age, died Wednesday. He was 56.
CORRECTIONS
Last Friday’s article on the Ig Nobel Prize Ceremony ambiguously referenced “Epsilon Sigma Pi,” which is actually the Educational Studies Program (ESP). ESP is not a Greek organization. Additionally, though a group of ESP-affiliated students were at the Prize Ceremony, it was not an official Ig Nobel delegation.
Economy Hardware still empty
Economy Hardware — formerly the value hardware store of choice for many MIT students — still seems to be “spring cleaning.” Though it began renovations last December, a store representative said that Economy Hardware plans to reopen its location in Central Square by the end of this month. The store originally hoped to be open this spring.
Sam Allen looks forward to 2 years as faculty chair
On July 1, Samuel M. Allen PhD ’75 succeeded Tom A. Kochan as the chair of the faculty.
D’Amelio trial set for Tuesday
Former MIT police officer Joseph D’Amelio is going to trial next Tuesday in Suffolk Superior Court for trafficking prescription painkillers.
Obama obliquely warns Pakistan about long-term relations
President Barack Obama cast some doubt on the long-term relationship between the United States and Pakistan on Thursday, saying his administration was concerned about the Pakistani government’s commitment to U.S. interests because of ties between anti-U.S. militants in Afghanistan and Pakistan’s own intelligence service.
Shorts (left)
Mitt Romney appeared Thursday to be rapidly consolidating support among some of the Republican Party’s most sought-after uncommitted donors, who have joined Bush administration veterans and other stalwarts of the Republican establishment in backing the former Massachusetts governor as the Republican presidential field settles.
Anti-tax pledges lose their allure as eyes turn to reform
WASHINGTON — Rep. Jason Chaffetz of Utah has signed a pledge never to raise taxes. He signed another pledge too, one that made it nearly impossible to vote for a bill to raise the nation’s debt ceiling. But right before that vote over the summer, in a meeting with scores of his Republican colleagues, he stood up and proclaimed that he would never sign another pledge. While some pledges, like marriage vows, may always carry weight, strict anti-tax pledges may be losing their sheen.
Weather
Although the weather has been a bit chilly this week, owing to the beginning of our annual plunge into New England autumn, we will get a reprieve this weekend from the recent crisp fall weather. A high pressure system will strengthen and stay in place over the northeast United States, leading to clear skies and warm temperatures. Today will be among the least windy days of the year, with abundant sunshine raising the temperature to a downright pleasant 64°F. This trend is set to continue through the long weekend, with sunny days and clear nights resulting in summerlike weather. In fact, Boston is actually likely to be warmer than San Diego, CA this weekend! It is sure to be a good opportunity to go outdoors and enjoy the beautiful weather before it gets too cold.
Strong retail sales send stocks higher for third day
Wall Street registered gains for the third consecutive day Thursday, following European stocks higher after central banks in Europe took action to increase liquidity. Economic data, including retail sales, also showed a U.S. economy that is performing better than expected.
Tomas Transtromer, Swedish poet, wins Nobel Prize in literature
Tomas Transtromer, a Swedish poet whose sometimes bleak but graceful work explores themes of isolation, emotion and identity while remaining rooted in the commonplace, won the Nobel Prize in literature on Thursday.
Shorts (right)
Moammar Gadhafi, the deposed Libyan leader now in hiding, broke more than a week of public silence Thursday with a recorded message beseeching his followers to flood the streets of their country and “raise our green flags to the skies.”
White House orders new computer security rules
WASHINGTON — The White House plans to issue an executive order Friday to replace a flawed patchwork of computer security safeguards exposed by the disclosure of hundreds of thousands of classified government documents to WikiLeaks last year.
Why moving farther right is so wrong
By this point, it is no secret that the Republican field of presidential candidates is not ideal (and that’s being generous). But the flaws of the party have made themselves apparent not only in the candidates, but also in the voters. The positions of the candidates and the disgusting responses of the audience at the Republican debates have put on full display just how far to the right the Tea Party has driven the GOP.
Rush is good — but too rushed
At the end of orientation, we all experienced the frantic week known as Rush. Many things have been written regarding the Rush process, including statistics on the number of men who have received bids and accepted them (369 and 321, respectively, as of two weeks ago). Most men who pledged did so because they felt that they got along very well with their fraternity brothers.
A state of their own
Palestine’s bid to become a voting member at the United Nations is nearing its final hour. In the latest tally, it appears that Palestine is close to securing nine votes on the Security Council, with Brazil, China, India, Lebanon, Russia, and South Africa voting yes; Bosnia, Gabon, and Nigeria very likely to vote yes; and Britain, Colombia, France, Germany, and Portugal set to abstain from the vote. Should Palestine reach the nine-vote threshold for entry, the United States will be faced with a choice. Should it abstain, and defer to the Security Council super majority, or should it vote no and veto the Palestinian entry?
ARTS AROUND TOWN Staying in Boston this weekend?
In celebration of the Red Sox winning the American League in 1912, a distinguished woman attended a performance of the Boston Symphony Orchestra touting a headband with, “Oh, You Red Sox” splashed across it and caused quite a stir in the media. This is one of many stories, both true and false, about Isabella Stewart Gardner, or “Mrs. Jack.” She did nothing to deny or affirm these claims about her, and is often quoted as saying, “Don’t spoil a good story by telling the truth.”
Sailing takes 8th at Danmark Trophy
The nationally-ranked No. 11 MIT coed sailing team captured eighth place out of 20 squads at the Danmark Trophy while its entries finished in fourth and fifth place at the Charles River Invitational this past weekend. In addition, team member Hanna M. Vincent ’13 secured 10th place at the New England Women’s Singlehanded Championship.
MIT wins against Babson
In a NEWMAC women’s volleyball match on Tuesday night, host MIT defeated Babson College 25-18, 25-19, 25-13. With the win, the Engineers improved to 17-5 on the year and 3-2 in conference while the Babson Beavers dipped to 11-7 overall and 2-3 in the NEWMAC.
