Chomsky Condemns U.S. and Israel For Civilian Deaths in Gaza Strip
At a talk last night about the current situation in Gaza, Professor of Linguistics Noam A. Chomsky came down hard on Israel for its frequent violence against Palestinian civilians and chastised the United States for enabling the Jewish state to carry out these actions with impunity. He also used the opportunity to touch upon broader issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The talk, which took place at Sloan’s Wong Auditorium, was part of the Center of International Studies’ Starr Forum lecture series
An Interactive Lecture for Modern Times: TEAL Uses Tech. to Improve Education
For as long as anyone can remember, introductory physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology was taught in a vast, windowless amphitheater known by its number, 26-100.
Vote to Reform GIRs Delayed by Two New Amendments in Dec.
The proposed changes to the General Institute Requirements, which would give students more latitude in the science classes they are required to take and do away with HASS-Ds, failed to reach a vote at the faculty meeting on December 17th. Two amendments were called to the floor, delaying the actual vote until the next faculty meeting scheduled for February.
New Commingled Recycling Program Will Be Rolled Out by End of Spring
Soon, recycling at the Institute could have a one-bin solution.
Overloaded Spam Filters Dropped Some Gmail E-mails Sent to MIT
If your friend swears he invited you to that party, but you never got the e-mail, he might just be telling the truth.
Patrick Proposes Ethics Reform to Curb Corrupt Politicians and Lobbyists
Responding to a rash of public corruption scandals in Massachusetts, Gov. Deval Patrick on Tuesday proposed steeper fines for ethics violations and other improvements to laws meant to keep government officials and lobbyists honest.
Dreamers and Doers: Many Innovators Get Started as Undergrads
Nicolas Naranjo knocked on Evan Kimbrell’s door at midnight.
540 Accepted Out of 5,019 Applicants in a Record-Setting Year
MIT accepted 10.7 percent of early applicants this year, in what may be the most competitive admissions season yet. Out of 5019 applications, 540 students were offered early admission, according to Dean of Admissions Stuart Schmill ’86.
Lauren Tsai ’04
Lauren Tsai ’04, who graduated from MIT with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, was killed Saturday, December 13 in a car crash in Newton. She was 26.
News Briefs
The Institute will announce its 2008–9 tuition and financial aid budget sooner than usual, said Secretary of the Corporation Kirk D. Kolenbrander after the Friday, Dec. 5 MIT Corporation meeting. The tuition announcement is usually made in March.
Their Endowments Crumbling, Schools Make Contingency Plans
For years, it seemed simple: Donations rolled in, the booming stock market multiplied them, and college endowments swelled. At the wealthiest schools, millions became billions, and even small colleges amassed sizable fortunes.
Meet JoVE: The YouTube Of Scientific Journals
Science journal meets YouTube in the Journal of Visualized Experiments; an open-access peer-reviewed online journal, accessible at <i>jove.com</i>, that has been publishing videos of biological research from labs across the country, including many from MIT.
Initial Dining Proposal Includes Possible Automatic Meal Charge
Amid reports that the Blue Ribbon Committee on Dining is considering the possibility of an automatic meal charge for most undergraduates, the Undergraduate Association Senate last night passed a bill demanding more transparency in the committee’s deliberations.
Faculty Will Vote Next Week on GIR Changes
The MIT faculty will vote to approve changes to the General Institute Requirements recommended by the Education Commons Subcommittee of the Committee on the Undergraduate Program on Wednesday, Dec. 17.
Grad Student Receives Pretrial Probation After Assault Charge
A graduate student has received pretrial probation, effectively halting the four charges filed against him in connection with an incident at the List Visual Arts Center in October 2007.
Some Floor Plans Gone; Issue 49 of ‘The Tech’ Was Stolen
<i>This occasional feature will follow up on news stories long past their prime. In this edition: MIT’s removal of floor plans from the Facilities website, and what ever happened to Issue 49 of The Tech?</i>
Oliver G. Selfridge ’45
Oliver G. Selfridge ’45, an innovator in early computer science and artificial intelligence, died Wednesday in Boston. He was 82.
College Expenses Outpacing Incomes
The rising cost of college — even before the recession — threatens to put higher education out of reach for most Americans, according to the biennial report from the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education.
MIT Responds to Students; MBTA Drops Federal Case
<i>This occasional feature will follow up on news stories long past their prime. In this edition: how MIT fired, and un-fired, a women’s support administrator; and whatever happened to that MBTA lawsuit?</i>