Harvard Plans Major Increase in Student Aid For Next School Year
Harvard University announced Monday that it would significantly increase the financial aid it offers to middle-class and upper-middle-class students, seeking to allay concerns that elite colleges are becoming too expensive for even relatively well-off families.
Energy Initiative Plans for Minor Degree, Faculty Hires
The MIT Energy Initiative, officially established in September 2006, has made steady progress, with plans to create a minor degree program in energy and increase energy efficiency within the Institute.
Members Elected to ’08 Panhel Board
The MIT Panhellenic Association has elected new members to its executive board, which will serve for the upcoming year. This line-up of elects was approved by the five MIT sororities last night after two slates were previously rejected. One goal for the newly-elected executive board will be to add a new sorority to the five currently existing in Panhel.
Police Log
The following incidents were reported to the MIT Police between Nov. 8 and Dec. 2, 2007. This summary does not include incidents such as false alarms, general service calls, larcenies, or medical shuttles.
Course VI Eliminates Popular 6.170, Lab in Software Engineering
The Laboratory in Software Engineering class, 6.170, was offered for the last time this term and will not be offered in any subsequent terms.
ASA Allocates Student Group Space, Chooses Rooms for More Review
As a result of this year’s student group space allocations, a number of rooms in the Student Center and Walker Memorial have been marked as spaces that could “be allocated in more creative ways to better serve the student group community,” according to the Association of Student Activities.
News Briefs
The Department of Athletics, Physical Education, and Recreation has announced that last summer’s $40 access fee will now be permanent — the fee will continue for summer 2008. DAPER charged students an access fee for the first time last summer. Previously, access to DAPER facilities had been free for all students year-round.
Yunus Chosen as ’08 Class Speaker
Muhammad Yunus, recipient of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize for his work in microlending and alleviating global poverty, is MIT’s 2008 Commencement speaker.
Tenure at MIT Still Predominantly a Male Domain
Just one out of 25 faculty members granted tenure this year at MIT is female, a gender imbalance that appears to contrast with the university’s decade-old effort to boost the status of women.
Randolph Defines Role of MIT Chaplain
Having worked at MIT for 28 years in a several different positions, Robert M. Randolph brings a wealth of experience to the table as MIT’s first Institute chaplain.
Bldg. W1 to Undergo Complete Renovation
Building W1, the current graduate dormitory Ashdown House, will be completely renovated before reopening as an undergraduate residence in the fall of 2010, administrators said yesterday.
Girls Sweep Top Honors at Siemens Science Contest
Girls won top honors for the first time in the Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology, one of the nation’s most coveted student science awards, which were announced Monday at New York University.
Falling Limb From Baker Tree Injures Student
A senior was injured by a falling tree limb at Baker House Saturday, according to Campus Police Captain David Carlson.
News Briefs
A safe was stolen from the Student Life Programs Office sometime over the weekend, prompting the cancellation of checks and a delay in student group reimbursements.
One Laptop Per Child Sees Surge in National Orders
Despite slower-than-expected sales and tough competition from commercial rivals, the One Laptop Per Child Foundation of Cambridge is enjoying a surge of new orders.
Wikipedia Will Pay Illustrators for Work
The foundation that runs Wikipedia has finally agreed to pay contributors to the online encyclopedia a modest fee for their work. But it won’t pay the thousands of people who participate in creating the wiki pages just artists who create “key illustrations” for the site.
Alumnus Kirsch Develops Advanced Spam Filtering
Twenty-five years ago Steven T. Kirsch ’80, built a better mouse. Now he believes he has found a way to create a better trap — for spam, not mice — if he has enough time to finish his project.
Freshmen In Next House Can Take Part In REX
Beginning next fall, freshmen placed in Next House during the summer will be able to participate in Residence Exploration and enter the Housing Readjustment Lottery. McCormick Hall was not included in the change.