Students speak on hype of Election Day Tuesday
Every election day is a historic day for the American people. But for MIT students, did it seem like “just another school day?”
MIT does not spell M-I-T-T
Didn’t think twice about wearing your MIT shirt to vote in Kresge this Tuesday? Neither did people voting in other parts of the country. Two women, one in Boca Raton, FL and another in Denver, CO, were stopped at their respective polling places for wearing MIT-branded clothing. Poll workers at both places believed that the garments, bearing the letters “MIT”, violated the state’s electioneering law, which forbids expressing support in any fashion for or against a candidate within 100 feet of a polling place.
Rules of the job search
With this year’s corporate recruiting period in full swing, students and companies both sometimes seem unaware of the corporate recruiting rules set by the MIT Careers Office. Companies have been interviewing MIT students since recruiting at Fall Career Fair on Sept. 21, but while companies are allowed to schedule interviews on any day they wish, the Careers Office imposes rules that generally aim to restrict interviews from clashing and work to reduce stress and conflicts for students.
New dining: year 2
After going into effect Fall 2011 following widespread campus controversy, the house dining plans saw higher enrollment this year compared to last year, according to statistics from MIT Dining.
IN SHORT
Don’t forget to vote! For those registered to vote at Kresge with their MIT address, bring an ID and a proof of residence. This can be a paycheck from MIT, a bank statement, or a utilities bill with your campus address on it. If you don’t have these, undergrads can contact Bridgette Kelly (kellyb@mit.edu) in the Housing Office in W59 and graduate students can contact graduatehousing@mit.edu to get a proof of residence letter.
MIT Gangnam Style: gone viral
After a couple tantalizing teasers, MIT students woke up on the morning of Oct. 27 to the full-fledged “MIT Gangnam Style” video taking the Internet by storm. Since then, the MIT parody of Korean popstar Psy’s sensational “Gangnam Style” — which has skyrocketed to worldwide popularity — has garnered over 4 million views.
Siddiqui ’95 loses appeal before 2nd Circuit
Aafia Siddiqui ’95 lost her appeal before the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit yesterday morning. She was convicted in February 2010, and then appealed.
Is MIT red or blue?
Have you ever wondered whether your professor leaned right or left politically? This election season, MIT faculty and staff have given more than $300,000 in direct financial contributions to the presidential campaigns since April 2011, according to public data provided by the Federal Election Commission.
Underclassmen donate $4,000
The Underclassmen Giving Campaign (UGC) wrapped up last Friday, with students donating a total of $3966 to fund their classmates’ public service projects. As in past years, an anonymous MIT alumnus will match all student donations, doubling the amount raised to $7932.
Peer Ears: here to listen
Feeling stressed but don’t know what to do? Starting next spring, students will be able to take advantage of a new student-run program called Peer Ears, designed to allow students, or “peer ears,” to refer their peers in need to the proper MIT support resources. The program was founded by Divya Srinivasan ’13 and Emad Taliep ’14, who felt that many students were not always sure where to go if they encountered a problem. Unlike MedLinks, however, peer ears will not be trained to handle mental health issues themselves.
Swartz gets high-powered attorneys
Aaron Swartz has a new legal team. The Internet activist accused of mass downloading files from JSTOR through the MIT network has hired top San Francisco law firm Keker and Van Nest to represent him, according to court filings on Wednesday. Keker is a medium-sized law firm specializing in intellectual property law.
Sloan grad student found dead
Heng “Nikita” Guo, an MBA student in MIT’s Sloan School, passed away last Friday in her apartment in Cambridge. Her death has been ruled a suicide by the Medical Examiner’s office. She was 28.
Introducing the Predict the 2012 Presidential Election contest
Do you think you can predict the 2012 presidential election? Which direction will the swing states swing?
A note from the Chancellor
This death is a tragedy for the MIT community. Our hearts go out to Ms. Guo’s family — and to the larger MIT community of which she was a valued part. At this time, I urge all members of the MIT community to take especially good care of themselves and of one another at this difficult time. MIT’s full range of student support and mental health services is available to you all. Students can also turn to their housemasters and graduate resident tutors (GRTs) for support, as well as resident advisors in the fraternities, sororities, and independent living groups (FSILGs). All members of the MIT community are encouraged to take advantage of grief counseling offered by Mental Health Service at 617-253-2916.
MIT prepares for the Frankenstorm
MIT is closed today due to considerations for Hurricane Sandy. There will be no classes, and all non-essential personnel will be off work for the three shifts of the day. Most of MIT Medical is closed, though Urgent Care is open.