Sophomore impersonating Reif in email says classes are cancelled due to Swartz-related threats
A fake email that appeared to be sent by President L. Rafael Reif addressing all of MIT was sent to all MIT dorms at 1 a.m. this morning, announcing that all classes would be cancelled for Wednesday, March 20, due to “threatening requests” regarding the Swartz case. The email followed a letter from Reif yesterday morning to the MIT community laying out the Institute’s plans for releasing evidence from the Swartz case.
Plans for releasing Swartz evidence
In a letter this morning, MIT’s president announced plans to make requested Swartz-related evidence public, with names redacted to “protect the privacy and safety of those members of our community.” However, much of this information is already publicly known and has been published by The Tech and the New York Times, among others.
Body in Charles identified as Joe Gage
A body found in the Charles River last Thursday was identified Friday as that of a 32-year-old South End man who went over the rail of the bridge on Jan. 1. Although investigators did not officially release the name, the man had been previously identified as Joe Gage by a memorial on the bridge.
IAP Subcommittee report proposes minor changes
“One overarching message emerged from student and faculty feedback: ‘If it’s not broken, don’t fix it,’” the report reads. The IAP Subcommittee of the Faculty Policy Committee has released its final report following a “thorough review of IAP and its evolution in the last 40 years,” as stated in its charge. The report contains 10 recommendations in response to seven questions the committee was asked to consider, as well as an additional recommendation regarding campus community during IAP.
New clues in 1990 Gardner art heist
The FBI said Monday that it believes it knows the identity of the thieves who stole 13 paintings 23 years ago from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, one of the most infamous art heists in history.
UA VP candidate withdraws
This year’s Undergraduate Association Presidential/Vice Presidential election took a surprise turn late Sunday night, when UA VP candidate Johnathan Kongoletos ’14 emailed out to several dorm lists announcing his withdrawal from the UA VP candidacy at 11:21 p.m., under 10 hours before online voting opened at 9 a.m. yesterday morning. At that time and throughout the day, both of the tickets — Sidhanth P. Rao ’14/Devin T. Cornish ’14 and Cory D. Hernandez ’14/Johnathan Kongoletos ’14, for UA P/VP — still appeared on the ballot at vote.mit.edu.
Reif’s letter to the MIT community
I am writing to explain an important step that MIT has decided to take relating to the Aaron Swartz situation. Since this action affects members of our community, directly or indirectly, I want you to hear about it from me.
Police find body in Charles, has tentative identity
Around noon yesterday, state police troopers and the state police marine unit responded to the report of a dead body under the Harvard Bridge near Memorial Drive. According to the Massachusetts State Police (MSP) Twitter feed, the body was recovered and under investigation by the Middlesex County detective unit as of 2:43 p.m.
Four professors selected for MacVicar fellowships
Today is MacVicar Day, a celebration of MIT’s dedication to enriching undergraduate education. As part of the celebration, this year’s MacVicar Fellows are being honored at this afternoon’s symposium.
A memorial for Aaron Swartz
A memorial was held for Aaron Swartz on the sixth floor of the Media Lab Tuesday evening. The event, hosted by Media Lab director Joi Ito, included speakers like Swartz’ colleagues, friends, and family.
Two tickets on the ballot for 2013-2014 UAP/VP
Students will cast their votes next week for the 2013–2014 Undergraduate Association President and Vice President. The next UA President and Vice President will take office at the end of the spring term. There are two tickets running this year: Cory D. Hernandez ’14/John Kongoletos ’14, and Sidhanth P. Rao ‘14/Devin T. Cornish ’14. Voting opens on Monday, March 18 and will be open at vote.mit.edu until Friday, March 23.
UAP/VP candidates debate goals
The two tickets running for UA President and Vice President faced off last night in a debate in the student center, co-hosted by the UA and The Tech. Running for President and Vice President, respectively, is the team of Cory Hernandez ’14 and John Kongoletos ’14, and the team of Sidhanth Rao ’14 and Devin Cornish ’14.
1548 admitted frosh for the Class of 2017
Yesterday evening, 898 high school seniors found extra reason to celebrate, besides the inherent mathiness of the date. As per tradition, MIT released admissions decisions for the fall’s incoming freshman class on Pi Day at precisely 6:28 p.m., or “tau o’clock,” in honor of pi’s bigger cousin constant.
US Attorney General questioned on Swartz
U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder was questioned by Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) last week over the prosecution of Aaron Swartz. At a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing, Cornyn asserted that the penalties Swartz faced for mass downloading JSTOR articles via MIT’s network were disproportionate to the magnitude of the crime.