Task Force releases report on proposed education reforms
The Institute-wide Task Force on the Future of MIT Education, whose scope is as sweeping as it sounds, wants to rethink pedagogy at MIT and enable “modularity” and “flexibility” in courses.
Market Basket workers cheer as feud ends and chief returns
After the intervention of two governors and an enormous public outcry, the chaos that has paralyzed the Market Basket supermarket chain ended Wednesday night with a deal between the two warring factions of the Demoulas family, the company said in a statement.
Sorority Recruitment Welcome Brunch and Philanthropy Day
Saturday, August 30th, 9:30am-5pm, Lobdell, W20 Second Floor
FSILG leaders approve of new social gathering policy
Interfraternity Council president Haldun Anil ’15 emailed MIT fraternity members late Thursday to announce that fraternity presidents had approved a new FSILG social events policy to address the assembly limits imposed by the Boston Licensing Board in October 2013, which had prevented fraternities in the city from holding parties. The announcement came shortly over a day before the scheduled start of fraternity Rush, during which many houses host parties for freshmen.
Undergraduate alumni give twice as much to Annual Fund as graduate alumni
The MIT Annual Fund raised a total of $63.3 million in the 2014 fiscal year, which is an increase from the $57.9 million raised in fiscal 2013 and the $50.3 million raised in fiscal 2012.
Shorts (left)
A number of U.S. banks, including JPMorgan Chase and at least four others, were struck by hackers in a series of coordinated attacks this month, according to four people briefed on a continuing investigation into the crimes.
Videos show mass killing the Islamic state in Syria
BAGHDAD — Fighters from the Islamic State stripped more than 100 captured Syrian soldiers down to their underwear and marched them through the desert to a patch of sand, where they were lined up and gunned down, according to video images posted online Thursday and a fighter from the group who was reached through the Internet.
As new cease-fire holds, dazed Gazans get to work
JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and Ismail Haniya, the Gaza-based political leader of Hamas, both declared a decisive victory on Wednesday as residents on both sides of the border grappled with the death and destruction wrought in a 50-day battle that ended in a limited cease-fire agreement the night before.
Food safety is crucial in China deal for baby milk
HONG KONG — Six years ago, when tainted infant formula sickened 300,000 babies in China and killed six, one of the biggest foreign investors in the sector was caught by surprise.
Shorts (right)
The U.S. economy grew faster than first thought last quarter, the Commerce Department said Thursday, the latest in a series of signals that suggest a period of sustainable growth lies ahead.
Committee on Shut Lanes seeks records about texts
The New Jersey legislative committee investigating the mysterious closing of access lanes to the George Washington Bridge last September has subpoenaed a cellphone carrier in an effort to uncover text messages exchanged by Gov. Chris Christie and a top aide as the governor’s administration sought to contain the fallout from the ensuing scandal.
Cooler temps today, then a summery weekend
We had a summery first half of Orientation Week thanks to a high pressure system situated over the northeastern U.S. that brought clear skies and light winds to Cambridge. Temperatures topped out at 91 °F (33 °C) on Wednesday as southwesterly winds ushered in warm, moist air ahead of an approaching cold front. On Wednesday night, this cold front passed through Cambridge accompanied by light showers — if you were listening closely, you may have even heard a few rumbles of thunder!
Ebola could eventually afflict more than 20,000, WHO says
GENEVA — As the tally of deaths from the worst known outbreak of the Ebola virus continued its seemingly inexorable rise, the World Health Organization said Thursday that the epidemic was still accelerating and could afflict more than 20,000 people — almost seven times the current number of reported cases — before it could be brought under control.
Understanding the power of art and architecture
Can art and architecture help heal cultural conflicts? Azra Akšamija PhD ’11 explores the power of art and architecture in resolving conflicts and identifying contexts in which these conflicts can be analyzed and explored. Akšamija is an Assistant Professor at the Art, Culture and Technology (ACT) program and MIT’s Department of Architecture, where she works as an artist and architectural historian in addition to teaching both undergraduate and graduate classes. She recently talked to The Tech about her origins, the ideas behind her projects, and her artistic vision of helping resolve the lingering conflicts in her native country, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
