American Universities Create Partnerships in Saudi Arabia
Three prominent American universities the University of Texas at Austin, the University of California, Berkeley, and Stanford University — are starting five-year partnerships, worth $25 million or more, with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, a graduate-level research university being built in Saudi Arabia.
Robert M. Wells ’08
Robert M. Wells ’08 was sociable and perseverant, always interested in making friends and focusing his — and their — full efforts into new things.
Univ. of Kentucky Is Struggling to Squelch Net Rumors
Prof. Jeremy D. Popkin returned to his office at the University of Kentucky on Feb. 19 after teaching a lesson about Vichy France in his course on the Holocaust. During its 30 years on the curriculum, the class has grown perpetually popular, with 60 applicants vying for half as many seats. The university has even created a Judaic Studies program.
J. Mark Schuster PhD ’79
J. Mark Schuster PhD ’79, a professor of urban studies and planning who helped develop the field of urban cultural policy and who earned the respect of his peers, died on Feb. 25 as a result of complications from melanoma, according to the MIT News Office. He was 57.
Random Hall Celebrates Its 40th Birthday With an Eclectic Party
If the candles on the dome didn’t make it obvious: Random Hall is officially over-the-hill.
Differences Between East and West Discovered in People’s Brain Activity
East is East and West is West, and the difference between them is starting to turn up even on brain scanners.
Robert M. Wells ’08 Dies After Fall From Delta Upsilon Room
Robert M. Wells ’08 died Saturday morning after a five-story fall from the Delta Upsilon fraternity house. His death, which has been characterized as accidental by friends and family, is under investigation. Wells was 22.
$30,000 Awarded to Graduate Student for Bacterial Innovation
Timothy K. Lu G is a prize-winning killer. To be more precise, on Wednesday, he won the $30,000 Lemelson-MIT Student Prize for Inventiveness for developing methods to kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The prize will support research that aims to contain one of the deadliest threats known to biologists.
Fifteen Apply to Serve as W1 Founders
Fifteen applications for the W1 “founders group” were received by Tuesday’s deadline, and the group’s student membership will be selected by Friday.
Next House Housemasters Medard, Simmons Will Leave at End of Term
Next House housemasters Muriel Medard ’89 and John Simmons ’90 will leave the post at the end of the 2007–8 academic year to focus on their family.
Police Log
<i>The following incidents were reported to the MIT Police between Jan. 10, 2008 and Feb. 26, 2008. This summary does not include incidents such as false alarms, general service calls, larcenies, or medical shuttles.</i>
Sherley’s Discrimination Claim Rejected
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has denied employment discrimination claims by former professor James L. Sherley, who left MIT on June 30, 2007 after an unsuccessful hunger strike to have his tenure case re-examined, according to documents provided to <i>The Tech </i>by Sherley.
People Illogically Keep Options Open, Says MIT Professor Ariely
The next time you’re juggling options which friend to see, which house to buy, which career to pursue — try asking yourself this question: What would Xiang Yu do?
FCC May Limit Companies’ Slowing of Web Traffic
The head of the Federal Communications Commission and other senior officials said Monday that they were considering taking steps to discourage cable and telephone companies from discriminating against content providers as the broadband companies go about managing heavy Internet traffic that they say is clogging their networks.
Cancer Bldg. Groundbreaking Scheduled
Groundbreaking will be held on Friday, Mar. 7, 2008 for a new building to house the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, which will bring together scientists from the Center for Cancer Research and other research groups. The building will be located on Main Street between Building 32 and Building 68 and will be completed in December 2010.
A Cappella Groups Agree On Studio
One year after a contentious debate about the terms offered by the Logarhythms for sharing their recording studio, MIT a cappella groups have agreed to another two years under the same terms as before. Campus a cappella groups have found other ways to obtain more recording time, including building their own makeshift studios and using off-campus studios.
Late-Night Appearance Brings Prominence To 8.02 Instructor Fisher
“It’s like a drug,” said Physics Professor Peter H. Fisher, referring to the 14 minutes of fame he got in a recent appearance on NBC’s Late Show with Conan O’Brien.
Stanford University Expands Its Financial Aid Into Middle Class
Stanford University on Wednesday became the latest prominent university to expand financial aid well into the middle class. It announced that students from families earning less than $100,000 a year would not be charged tuition.
P/D/F Option Proposed For Graduate Students At Feb. Faculty Meeting
Professor of Biology Stephen P. Bell presented a motion at Wednesday afternoon’s faculty meeting that would allow graduate students to take subjects on a Pass/D/Fail basis, similar to the option currently available to junior and senior undergraduates. The motion will be discussed and voted upon at the March 19 faculty meeting.