Fisher to be heard Oct. 10
Last Monday, Aug. 13, MIT and 13 peer institutions filed an amicus curiae brief before the Supreme Court of the United States in Fisher v. University of Texas, supporting the respondent UTexas in the view that race could be used as one of many factors in a holistic admissions process.
Harvard area security upped after two rapes
CAMBRIDGE — Harvard University is on edge and security has been increased after two rapes were reported on its normally serene campus area on Aug. 10 and Aug. 14.
The Daily Confusion
On behalf of The Tech, we’d like to welcome the Class of 2016 to MIT! You’ll find in the following pages the complete, comprehensive guide to this year’s Residence Exploration (REX) events. At MIT, you have the special privilege of choosing which dorm you would like to live in. You should engage as much as possible in the fun events the dorms will host, so you can find the people you will love to hang out with for years to come. Visit other dorms even if you are satisfied in your current assignment, and remember that the people and culture of a dorm matter more than its physical amenities (or lack thereof). I cannot emphasize this enough: the most important decision you will make freshmen year isn’t what classes you’ll take or what major you’ll choose; it’s where you are going to live! That said, switching dorms is more than possible, and don’t forget that the many fraternities, sororities, and independent living groups (FSILGs) will also be recruiting in a couple weeks. You’ll find a similar guide to FSILG events in an upcoming issue. Don’t forget to have fun and pepper the upperclassmen with questions!
300 Mass. Ave. project on hiatus until fall
On Aug. 6, the Cambridge City Council chose not to take action on the zoning petition which would approve construction of a new life sciences building for Millennium Pharmaceuticals at 300 Massachusetts Avenue, immediately north of Random Hall. The petition has now expired and lapsed.
Plans for Novartis park approved by Cambridge
Novartis has agreed to keep the lush green courtyard of their new campus open seven days a week, in response to requests and feedback from the Cambridge Planning Board. Last month, their previous proposal with weekday-only access was rejected by the board.
EC cell phone woes
East Campus residents, has your cell phone been on the fritz since you moved back in? You’re not alone.
US oil and mining companies must disclose payments
HOUSTON — Despite stiff industry lobbying against it, the Securities and Exchange Commission voted 2-1 on Wednesday to require U.S. oil and mining companies to disclose taxes and other fees they pay to foreign governments. The disclosures are aimed at curbing corruption, which is common in some major oil-producing nations.
Shorts (left)
Americans nearing retirement age have suffered disproportionately after the financial crisis: Along with the declining value of their homes, which were intended to cushion their final years, their incomes have fallen sharply.
Shorts (right)
HOBBS, N.M. — Mitt Romney unveiled an energy plan Thursday that he said would make North America energy independent by 2020, at what would be the end of his second term as president.
As Bangladesh becomes export powerhouse, labor strife erupts
ISHWARDI, Bangladesh — The air thickened with tear gas as police and paramilitary officers jogged into the Ishwardi Export Processing Zone firing rubber bullets and swinging cane poles. Dozens of people were bloodied and hospitalized.
Allies: attacks on Afghan troops by colleagues rise sharply
KABUL, Afghanistan — Even as attacks by Afghan security forces on NATO troops have become an increasing source of tension, new NATO data shows another sign of vulnerability for the training mission: even greater numbers of the Afghan police and military forces have killed each other this year.
Europeans to debate further aid for Greece, encourage path to reform
PARIS — Vacation is over early this year in the eurozone, with Greece and its shaky future back on the table and Spain waiting in the wings to ask for help from European bailout funds.
Signs found that Iran is speeding up work on nuclear program
WASHINGTON — International nuclear inspectors will soon report that Iran has installed hundreds of new centrifuges in recent months and may be speeding up production of nuclear fuel while negotiations with the United States and its allies have ground to a near halt, according to diplomats and experts briefed on the findings.
Rape exception for abortion laws?
Recently, while discussing his views on abortion, Todd Akin, a Republican representative from Missouri and challenger for incumbent Claire McCaskill’s senate seat, commented that pregnancy from rape is very rare, because “the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down.”
CORRECTIONS
Because of a production error, the “Production staff for this issue” section of the masthead on Aug. 1, 2012 gave the wrong name for the issue’s copy editor. He is Jacob L. Austin-Breneman ’13, not Jesse L. Austin-Breneman; the latter is a current graduate student and not a member of the class of 2013.
Save $2,180.66
Appalled by cost of last year’s new MIT meal plan, I decided to learn to cook for myself. In two semesters, I saved about $2,180.66.* Now I want to encourage MIT students to consider if the meal plan is right for them.
Vehicles for everyone
Ah, late summer, when a young man’s fancy turns to thoughts of actually playing one of the dozens of games he purchased during the Steam summer sale. The Valve Corporation’s talent for making PC gamers buy more games than they can ever hope to play is a thing of legend, and this year I once again found myself in its thrall.
Sports Shorts
Three members of the MIT football team picked up the first individual honors of the 2012 season when USA College Football announced its 2012 Division III Preseason awards. Senior offensive lineman Ethan E. Peterson (Rutland, Vt.) and junior defensive linemen Joel T. Santisteban (Lawrence, N.Y.) and Derek E. Vaughn (Goodlettsville, Tenn.) were all selected to the organization’s Northeast Regional All-Star team.
MIT protips
Well, it’s that time again. All you hordes of freshman are pouring onto campus, bright and unsullied. Some of you fancy yourselves engineers, scientists, the bright minds of the future. All so innocent, easy prey for the dangers lurking behind the institute’s marble columns. Right now, you probably think “p-set” is a dirty word.
Understanding the perfection of imperfection
A survey once asked me to describe my perfect day. I had more than one perfect day in my mind, as many people probably do, but it made me wonder — what makes something “perfect” in the first place?
