MIT fined $125k for shipping unlabled hazardous materials
MIT has paid the Federal Aviation Administration a $125,000 fine for failure to properly label hazardous materials shipped through Federal Express that resulted in a fire on Aug. 25, 2009.
Khan represents MIT mission
Salman A. Khan ’98 — founder of the Khan Academy and MIT’s 146th commencement keynote speaker — has found a new popularity at his alma mater. The Tech’s Tuesday article on Khan’s selection as commencement speaker had been shared on Facebook 453 times as of yesterday evening. But where did the idea to select Khan, the youngest commencement speaker in at least 30 years, come from?
Block meal plan for IAP
This Independent Activities Period (IAP), MIT will be offering an optional “block meal plan” to students to fill the gap in service between the regular meal plan offered each semester.
Will Nightline be replaced?
Up until the spring of 2010, distressed students had a place to call for peer support from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every night of the term. The anonymous callers spoke to Nightline, a student-run and student-staffed peer-to-peer counseling, information, and support service that was originally advised by Student Support Services (S³). Nightline closed last year when the group stopped service to examine their impact on campus. After a year of evaluation, it has been determined that Nightline will not reopen and will instead be replaced by another peer support service.
Living Pink guide sheds light on LGBT views
At some point before arriving on campus, every incoming freshman wonders what his or her dormitory life is going to be like. Will I get along with my roommates? Will I like the people on my floor? What is the atmosphere of my dorm? Will I feel welcome?
Novartis project approved
On Wednesday evening, Novartis announced Toshiko Mori as the second architect for its extended Cambridge campus and received approval to proceed with excavation contingent upon careful review of the public access to its courtyard.
Pike disbands after unsuccessful colonization
This past summer, MIT’s Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) colony disbanded in a mutual agreement between the colony and the national organization.
Industry predicts natural gas boom will fuel growth
WASHINGTON — A nationwide boom in natural gas production is set to fuel nearly 900,000 jobs and add roughly $1,000 to annual household budgets by 2015, according to a new industry study released Tuesday.
In Ireland, austerity is praised by Angela Merkel
DUBLIN — As European leaders scramble to overcome the Continent’s debt crisis, many are pointing to Ireland as a model for how to get out of the troubles.
Sal Khan is Commencement speaker
Salman A. Khan ’98, founder of the popular Khan Academy online educational organization, will deliver the keynote address at MIT’s 146th Commencement on Friday, Jun. 8. Khan, 35, is the youngest Commencement speaker in at least 30 years.
Record 294 participate in MIT Externship Program
This January, 294 MIT students will participate in internships around the world through the MIT Externship Program. The program, run by the Alumni Association, matches current students with MIT alumni to introduce them to the professional world.
Know your end-of-term policies
Stressed, overworked, and beleaguered by p-sets, especially as finals draw near? No need to Occupy MIT — the Office of the Chair of the Faculty and the UA Student Committee on Educational Policy (SCEP) have established a set of academic end-of-term policies designed to ensure a fair final examination period for students. Here are your rights:
DNA sequencing bottlenecked in a deluge of data
BGI, based in China, is the world’s largest genomics research institute, with 167 DNA sequencers producing the equivalent of 2,000 human genomes a day.
Chu visits MIT, gives talk on clean energy
U.S. Secretary of Energy and Nobel Laureate in Physics Steven Chu visited MIT to map out his strategies to restore U.S. competitiveness in clean energy in a talk at Kresge Auditorium this Wednesday. This is his first visit to the Institute since his Compton lecture in 2009. The event was sponsored by the student-run MIT Energy Club.
MIT hosts White House manufacturing conference
Government officials and regional leaders in industry and academia gathered at MIT on Monday for a day-long forum as part of a White House initiative that aims to turn America’s laboratory advances into new technologies to boost the U.S. economy. The meeting was part of the Advanced Manufacturing Partnership (AMP), created by President Obama in June as a national effort to bring together industry, universities, and the federal government to invest in new technologies that will “create high quality manufacturing jobs and enhance global competitiveness,” according to an MIT/White House press release. The AMP Steering Committee is co-chaired by President Susan J. Hockfield and Andrew Liveris, CEO of Dow Chemical.
CORRECTIONS
An arts review published Tuesday incorrectly said that The Postelles and The Kooks performed at Paradise Rock Club on Nov. 19. The bands played at Boston’s House of Blues.
News Briefs
Economy Hardware in Central Square has reopened after nearly a year of renovation. The store, which underwent reconstruction last December, was set to open in the spring but was initially delayed until October and finally opened today. Economy Hardware has been in Cambridge for over 60 years, store owner Larry Friedman told The Tech in January. Some of their original space is now being used by Cambridge Community Television. They are located at 438 Mass. Ave. and also have locations in Boston and Brookline.