Intro to Solid State Chemistry (3.091) new on EdX
The first seven courses to be offered under edX — set to open to at various dates in September and October — will probably reach thousands of students around the globe. But both MIT and UC Berkeley, who joined the online learning initiative in July, say they also plan to use the edX platform to enhance education for their own students. How are the edX schools progressing towards this goal?
Corrections
The headline for Francis B. Magurn’s obituary on page 14 of Tuesday’s Tech stated that he died at age 92. He was 97.
Hubway new in Cambridge
In coming back to school, you might have noticed the new bright green and black bikes zipping around Cambridge, or the similarly-colored station near Bexley at the corner of Amherst Alley and Mass. Ave. Hubway, whose logo is proudly emblazoned in green on the bikes and stations, is a bike share system that started in Boston and now, a little over a year later, has expanded to Cambridge. Hubway is managed by Alta BicycleShare, which operates bicycle sharing systems in Washington, D.C., Arlington, and Australia.
List Visual Arts Center brings art into students’ lives
Attending MIT has more perks than just getting a world-class education. Each year, through the Student Loan Art Program, MIT’s List Visual Arts Center allows students to borrow artwork for an academic year at no cost. The collection includes photography and paintings, reprints and originals, contemporary and modern works. However, students must go through a lottery first.
Bank of America, Citibank, MIT FCU offer attractive choices for incoming freshmen
Choosing a bank can one of the most difficult first decisions of college. Managing money is a scary proposition with plenty of horror stories: students irresponsibly using their credit cards, getting robbed, and just being strapped for cash. Sometimes these situations are inevitable, so the best way to reduce pain and suffering is to pick the right place to put your money. At MIT, the most visible choices are Bank of America, Citibank, and the MIT Federal Credit Union (MITFCU). They all offer basic checking, savings, and credit cards.
ASA changes recruitment moratorium
The Association of Student Activities (ASA) has redefined its recruitment moratorium rules for this year into a single statement: “During the Moratorium, groups may not recruit.” This rule, the enforcement of which is described as a “holistic process,” is in effect until the end of the Activities Midway on Friday. In addition, no recruitment can take place during the Midway outside of the event itself.
Francis B. Magurn
Francis B. Magurn believed in keeping things simple. He drove secondhand cars his entire life and rarely shopped for new clothes.
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.