News Briefs
This semester, 244 out of 1,058 freshmen (23 percent of the class) received fifth-week flags, which notify freshmen that they are in danger of failing a class. Freshmen received a total of 300 flags.
MIT Professor’s Invention Might Help You Send the Right Signals
People who want to improve their communication skills may one day have an unusual helper: software programs that analyze the tone, turn-taking behavior and other qualities of a conversation.
Chomsky Discusses Economy, Military Hegemony
<i>This is the second of a three-part interview with Institute Professor Noam A. Chomsky, conducted in early September by Subrata Ghoshroy, a researcher in the Science, Technology, and Global Security Working Group at MIT. In this part, Ghoshroy and Chomsky discussed the development of the modern tech economy, the current economic crisis, and the power of U.S. propaganda.</i>
Ochsendorf Talks About Receiving MacArthur
“That is not possible,” thought Professor John Ochsendorf when he got the call from the MacArthur Foundation President, Jonathon F. Fanton. On September 15th, Ochsendorf, an associate professor of Architecture, was in his office with a student when he received a phone call asking if he was alone and sitting down.
N.H. Senator Sununu ’87 Faces Tough Reelection Battle
Jeanne Shaheen, the former governor running for the U.S. Senate, rarely mentions her opponent’s name without mentioning George W. Bush. The Democrat’s supporters wield signs depicting the president and U.S. Senator John E. Sununu ’87, a fellow Republican, arm in arm. Outside a debate this week, Shaheen backers hoisted a loudspeaker that blared Bush’s voice: “John Sununu was with me from the beginning … John Sununu was with me from the beginning …”
Media Lab Extension Nearing Completion
The new Media Lab extension is in its final stage of construction and the exterior will be completed by the end of November. Construction on the interior will continue and if everything goes according to plan, the new lab (building E14) will be operating by October 2009.
With the Stock Market Sliding, Students Go to Cheaper Schools
One of Tom Woodbury’s sisters went to Vanderbilt University, the other to Boston College. But they didn’t choose those pricey private colleges during a financial market meltdown that took a sizeable chunk of the family’s college savings.
Police Seek Intruder Who Tried to Assault Student
An intruder tried to sexually assault at least one Senior House resident early Sunday morning. The intruder apparently fled after attracting attention from residents.
MIT Places 9th on Times’ Higher Education List of Top Universities
MIT ranked ninth on the <i>Times Higher Education</i>’s list of the Top 200 World Universities which was published on Oct. 9.
Proposed Changes to GIRs Would Revamp HASS Requirements
Motions to implement changes to the General Institute Requirements, including the addition of more varieties of core science subjects and the elimination of HASS-D designated subjects, will be made at the next faculty meeting in November.
Chomsky Discusses US-India Nuclear Deal, Iran
<i>This is the first of a three-part interview with Institute Professor Noam A. Chomsky, conducted in early September by Subrata Ghoshroy, a researcher in the Science, Technology, and Global Security Working Group at MIT. In this part, Ghoshroy and Chomsky discussed the then-pending U.S.-India nuclear deal and why a “majority of the world supports Iran.”</i>
Harvard Art Museum Receives $45 Million Donation From Pulitzer Group, Plans to Expand and Renovate
Fifty years ago, when Emily Rauh Pulitzer worked as an assistant art curator at Harvard University, she knew the buildings housing the university’s vast art collection needed renovation. Now she’s taken a striking step to help: Friday, the Harvard Art Museum announced Pulitzer’s donation of $45 million for its ambitious museum renovation project, along with a gift of 31 artworks valued at about $200 million by top modern and contemporary artists including Picasso, Modigliani, and Giacometti.
W1 Dorm Project Delayed As Funds Dry Up
The renovation of W1 into a new undergraduate dormitory has become a casualty of the recent economic downturn, as administrators have postponed construction by at least a year. Meanwhile, the future is uncertain for the group of undergraduates currently in Ashdown House who were slated to move into W1 in 2010.
Graduate Student Faces Charges for Assaulting an Officer, Resisting Arrest
A graduate student is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 4, 2008, facing four charges stemming from an incident that occurred at the List Visual Arts Center last October.
College Tuitions Burdensome as Economy Falters
One of Tom Woodbury’s sisters went to Vanderbilt University, the other to Boston College. But they didn’t choose those pricey private colleges during a financial market meltdown that took a sizeable chunk of the family’s college savings.
Novartis Center in Cambridge Producing New Drug Research
Six years after the Swiss drug giant Novartis AG built a major research center in Cambridge, Mass., the move is bearing fruit, corporate executives say.
Students Protest Institute’s Handling of Hacking, Housing, and Student Involvement
About 70 students protested for more student representation in Institute decisions during a “tool-in” on Friday, October 17, the first day of Family Weekend, in Lobby 7.
Sexual Health Educator Will Now Focus on Helping Victims of Sexual Assault
Divya B. Kumar, MIT Medical’s former sexual health educator, will now work exclusively on sexual violence issues in the newly-created position of violence prevention and response advocate.