Walter Alan Backofen ’46
Walter Alan Backofen ’46, retired professor of metallurgy and materials science, died at his Marblehead, Mass. home on Dec. 2. He was 80.
Students Learn to Be ‘Charming’
MIT’s Charm School is a sight to behold. Students sit around tables set with plates and wine glasses, laying napkins in their laps, and clusters of young men (and some women) cram around a small mirror, untying and retying bow ties. Charm School students have a variety of classes to choose from and have the option of graduating with a BCh (bachelors in charm), MCh (masters in charm), or even a ChD (doctorate in charm); all graduates will be well-equipped to deal with most common social situations.
Gaggle Cops Tech Election, Fulfills Prophecy
Once upon a time, in a far land away (China), a panda was born. <b>Michael “I’m a little pony” McGraw-Herdeg ’08</b> was confused about his identity, but nonetheless was destined for greatness as the <b>Chairman </b>of the 127th Managing Board of <i>The Tech</i>. Brought over to the big city of Boston, Little Mic-Mic knew that his time would come, for whenever he was a sad panda, nothing brought greater comfort than singing to himself “such a pretty pony, clippity clop, clippity clop.”
House, Senate Reach Accord on Pell Grant Increase Last Month
The maximum federal grant for middle- and low-income students to attend college would increase for the first time in four years under a catchall spending bill that House and Senate Democrats agreed to on Jan. 30.
Police Log
<i>The following incidents were reported to the MIT Police between Jan. 12 and Jan. 31, 2007. This summary does not include incidents such as false alarms, general service calls, larcenies, or medical shuttles.</i>
Quickly Constructed Robots Vie For Title; Design, Dress Award
Robot enthusiasts packed into 26-100 on Friday, Feb. 2 to watch the Mobile Autonomous System Laboratory competition, the face-off between robots that had made it to the final stage of this year’s contest.
List of Letters, Statements on Sherley, Minority Issues
List of Letters, Statements on Sherley, Minority Issues
Prof. Begins Hunger Strike, Says Racism Cost Him His Tenure
An African-American associate professor began a hunger strike yesterday outside of the provost’s office, protesting what he claims were racist motives behind the denial of his tenure. Biological Engineering Associate Professor James L. Sherley first threatened the strike on Dec. 19, 2006 in a letter he titled, “A plea to end racism at MIT.” The letter prompted Provost L. Rafael Reif to announce plans to create a committee investigating minority hiring practices.
‘Purple Dragon’ Soars to 6.270 Win
Team Purple Dragon roared into the final rounds of this year’s 6.270 competition, taking first place before a large audience of local residents, students, and faculty last Thursday, Feb. 1 in room 26-100.
Underdogs Put Up Fight to Win 6.370
The excitement was palpable but the action was strictly virtual in Kresge Auditorium, the scene of this year’s final tournament for 6.370, MIT’s artificial intelligence programming contest. A large and diverse crowd turned out Saturday night to cheer on their favorite programmers as the programs — virtual autonomous robot armies — battled against each other on-screen.
Loan Companies Fall Under Careful Watch By Attorney General
Colleges and universities from Massachusetts to California began receiving formal requests for information Feb. 2 from the New York attorney general’s office as part of an investigation of financial relationships they or individual college officials have with student loan companies.
News Briefs
The number of applicants to MIT increased across the board this year, with regular applications rising 9 percent, following a 13 percent jump in early applicants in the fall. A total of 12,440 applications were received during the current admissions cycle; 11,373 applied last year.
Excerpt from ‘A second plea ...’ — Jan. 29, 2007
Dear faculty, staff, students and friends at MIT and abroad: …<b></b>
A second plea for help to end racism at MIT — Jan. 29, 2007
Dear faculty, staff, students and friends at MIT and abroad:
Weather Models vs. The Groundhog
Last week, the weather models used by meteorologists predicted that we would receive two potentially substantial snowstorms. Neither event amounted to more than a dusting of snow. Analyzing the statistical output of the weather models forms the core of most weather forecasters’ daily studies, and they usually can be relied upon. The models failed miserably last week. In the first case, the predicted development of the storm did not happen, and in the second case, we received about 1/4 inch of precipitation.