Bryan Stevenson addresses graduates at 2021 virtual commencement
Stevenson commended the Class of 2021 and said he will be “cheering for you as you do the important work that lies in front of all of us.”
MIT and Harvard to sell edX for $800 million
Through the transaction, edX’s assets will be transferred to a public benefit company owned by 2U while still maintaining its name, course offerings, partner arrangements, and users. edX will continue to offer its existing free courses and certificates at a fee under 2U.
Melissa Nobles, SHASS dean, appointed to chancellor post
As chancellor, Nobles assumes one of the “Institute’s two most senior academic” positions — the chancellor (along with the provost) “reports to the president of MIT.”
MIT lifts many COVID-19 restrictions, removing capacity limits and lowering testing frequency
“Events sponsored by MIT departments, labs, centers, offices, and student organizations are now permitted” if all attendees are registered for contact-tracing purposes.
New Ad Hoc Committee on Graduate Advising and Mentoring launched
The committee was created in line with a proposal from Task Force 2021 and Beyond. Its main goal is to deliver a “strategic plan to guide policies and programs that would be implemented at MIT.”
Independence Day, meal plan, ASEs
Independence Day is July 4 and will be observed as an Institute holiday July 5.
Showers clearing up in time for Independence Day
Whether you are trying to celebrate Independence Day in the middle of a heat wave or through the tail of a wave of storms, we hope you’ll try to keep yourself and your loved ones safe!
First Generation/Low Income Working Group submits final report
The group divided into four subgroups beginning in January 2020: benchmarking; focus groups; data collection; and resources, services, and academic experiences.
Seniors end their time at MIT with a bang — literally!
To all our graduating seniors, we have been thunderstruck by your warmth and the wisdom you’ve shared with us for these past years, and we can’t wait to see how else you’ll light up the world.
Pride Month, Commencement, pre-registration
Commencement for the Class of 2021 will take place online June 4.
MIT requires all faculty and staff to be vaccinated to work on campus
The email writes that the decision to require the vaccine was based on “understanding of the science behind the vaccines, their established safety and efficacy, and their wide availability across the state and country.”
Geathers and Chen re-elected as UA president and vice president in 2021 election
The UA presidential election and elections for all positions (president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, social chair, and publicity chair) in the four Class Councils were uncontested.
Class of 2024 declares majors
The School of Engineering retained its first place in terms of first-year enrollment, with its share increasing from 67.9% (751 students) to 69.5% (744 students).
Proposal to increase first-year spring credit limit passed at May faculty meeting
Faculty then voted on the motion to increase the spring credit limit, which passed with 95 votes of yes and 12 votes of no.
Chancellor Cynthia Barnhart to step down July 1
Barnhart: “We recognize that before even thinking about a solution to a problem, we should go to the students and get their reactions. We know that top down decision-making doesn't work.”
MIT announces new climate action plan for the next decade
In order to accomplish this, MIT will introduce a new organizational structure in the plan that will “help amplify MIT’s voice, increase involvement across the community, and improve accountability,” Zuber said.
Juneteenth recognized as Institute holiday
Juneteenth has been adopted by MIT as an Institute holiday, effective this summer, President L. Rafael Reif wrote in an email to the MIT community May 5.
Late spring warmth
It is a cruel irony that schedules final projects and exams at the same time as such beautiful weather!
Last week of classes, Commencement reminders
May 20 is the last day of classes. Final exams will take place from May 24 to May 27.
Name recordings
Graduating students received email invitations from Name Coach, a name pronunciation service, to record their names for Commencement in an email April 30.