Astronomy Professor James Elliot dies at 67
James Ludlow Elliot ’65, an MIT professor of planetary astronomy and physics who discovered the rings of Uranus in 1977, died on March 3 from cancer-related complications. He was 67.
YouTube acquires web video company Next New Networks
SAN FRANCISCO — YouTube, the video site owned by Google, formally announced on Monday that it had acquired Next New Networks, a Web video production company, in its biggest effort yet to move beyond short, quirky home videos to professionally produced content.
David Koch marks institute dedication
On March 4, some of the most powerful people in the United States gathered under the tent outside the Building 76 to celebrate the dedication of the David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research. All of MIT’s top brass was joined by Senator Scott P. Brown (R-Mass.) and David H. Koch ’62 himself — who Forbes listed as the 24th richest person in the world in 2010.
Lone runners
Beginning March 16, 2011, the MIT undergraduate student body will have three days in which to vote for Allan E. Miramonti ’13 and Alec C. Lai ’13, uncontested candidates for president and vice president of the Undergraduate Association, respectively. Miramonti is currently a Senator from Random Hall, and Lai is Next House President and UA Secretary General.
Co-founder of Reddit speaks at MIT Startup Club meeting
Last night’s gathering of the MIT Startup Club featured a presentation and Q&A from Alexis Ohanian, cofounder of the popular social news site Reddit ().
Hate crime in Baker
A hate crime involving paintings of a swastika, penis, and the letters “FU” occurred at Baker House over President Day weekend. The perpetrator has not been found, and the issue remains unresolved, according to the victims.
PBE suspension terms changed by MIT
MIT and Phi Beta Epsilon (PBE) released a joint statement today stating that they have resolved several issues that were raised last fall regarding PBE’s suspension from the Interfraternity Council (IFC). On Sept. 21, 2010, PBE was given a four-year suspension by the IFC for violating no-tolerance policies on hazing in PBE’s new member program.
Maseeh Hall Application Stats
Percentage of ApplicantsGenderMale47%Female53%Class Year201446%201328%201224%20112%Dining statusFrom dining dorm70%From non-dining dorm30%
MIT not submitting bid for New York tech school
MIT will not submit a bid of interest in response to the New York City Economic Development Corporation’s invitation to partner with the city to build a graduate school of applied science and technology. Patricia Richards, director of media relations at MIT, said that though the Institute has no current plans to apply, MIT considers New York’s initiative to be an important step: “We’ve spoken to them about being helpful to the effort, and they’ve been receptive,” Richards said.
MacGregor, EC open for summer
This summer, East Campus and MacGregor will be open for MIT undergraduate housing. This marks the second summer of MIT’s efforts to consolidate students into fewer dorms to reduce costs.
10th US archivist to talk at convocation
John S. Reed ’61 (chairman of the MIT Corporation), David S. Ferriero (10th Archivist of the United States and former associate director of MIT Libraries), and Phillip L. Clay PhD ’75 (senior advisor to the president and former MIT Chancellor) are among the notable speakers selected to talk at the Next Century Convocation on April 10. The event, in honor of MIT’s sesquicentennial, will be held at the Boston Convention Center. According to the MIT150 Convocation invitation, “[these speakers] exemplify the qualities [MIT] values.” The announcement adds that “they can speak to these themes and the importance of MIT’s role in setting an example for the nation and the world.”
Amid continued opposition, dining vendors narrowed to three
The Evaluation Committee for the new House Dining program is currently looking at three vendors — Aramark, Sodexo, and Bon Appetit — for overseeing the new system. The Evaluation Committee is composed of students from all of the dorms with dining halls — Baker, McCormick, Next, Simmons, and the Phoenix Group. All three vendors already operate different aspects of dining at MIT.
Artist Jason Derülo to headline Spring Weekend concert
R&B will be the musical style of choice at this year’s annual MIT Spring Weekend Concert. Jason Derülo, known for his hits “Ridin’ Solo” and “Whatcha Say,” will headline the concert. Contemporary R&B artist Janelle Monae will be opening. The concert will take place on April 29, 8 p.m at Johnson Ice Rink.
John Reed meets with UA Senate
Chairman of the MIT Corporation John S. Reed ’61 spoke at last night’s UA Senate meeting, addressing student concerns over deferred maintenance, student life, academic policy, and budget plans. Last night’s meeting marks the first time Reed has spoken at the Senate since his election to the Corporation on June 4 last year.
Corrections
An article published last Friday about student input on potential orientation changes incorrectly stated that FPOPs this year will end by Friday before Orientation week. FPOPs will all begin on Tuesday of the week before orientation and run until Friday or Saturday.
Supreme Court hears Stanford v. Roche
The Supreme Court heard arguments yesterday morning in Stanford v. Roche, and the justices did not indicate which way they were leaning in the university patent dispute. At issue is whether a Stanford researcher, Mark Holodniy, could sign away Stanford’s patent rights to an AIDS test to Cetus, a local biotech company. Holodniy first signed an agreement with Stanford that he “will assign” any future inventions to Stanford. But then he visited Cetus and agreed to “hereby assign” future inventions — inventions he had not yet created at the time of the agreement — to the biotech company. Which agreement wins is a question of more than just contract law.
MIT answer delayed in Styke suit
MIT has obtained an extension on its time to answer the lawsuit filed against it by Wolfe B. Styke G. MIT’s response had been due by Jan. 14, extended to Feb. 14, and is now due on March 15.
Broad plans extension in Cambridge Center
The Broad Institute has begun planning for an extension on 75 Ames St., an open lot behind its central 7 Cambridge Center campus. In an e-mail addressed to members of the Broad community last Friday, Alan Fein, executive vice president and deputy director of the Broad Institute, said that three of Broad’s buildings — located at 320 Charles St., 301 Binney St., and 5 Cambridge Center — have leases which will expire in the next 3–4 years. According to the e-mail, the new building would serve to consolidate these existing buildings and would have more total space.