Chancellor’s Response to Protest Letter — Sept. 24, 2007
Thank you for your note regarding Star Simpson and the incident at Logan Airport. Let me first say that I regret how the matter is being characterized in the media. Many of the reports are unfair to Ms. Simpson and do not reflect the facts. We do not believe Ms. Simpson is a dangerous or malicious person or that she intended to cause harm. I appreciate how tough it is to read these stories.
John M. Buchanan
John M. “Jack” Buchanan, Wilson Professor emeritus of Biology, died June 25 in Lexington, Mass. He was 89.
News Briefs
The Cambridge Fire Department responded to a laboratory fire in Building 56, the Whitaker Building, last Friday, Sept. 21. There were no injuries and only minimal damage.
Two Wounded in Delaware State University Shooting
The campus of Delaware State University was locked down Friday after two freshman students were shot and wounded, one seriously, when an argument that had begun at a university cafeteria resumed on the street, the police said.
MIT Sophomore Arrested for Innocuous LED Device
Star A. Simpson ’10, wearing a circuit board that lit up and was connected to a battery, was arrested at gunpoint at Logan International Airport the morning of Friday, Sept. 21 after the device was mistaken for a bomb. Simpson was charged with possession of a hoax device and was released on $750 bail the same day; her pre-trial hearing is scheduled for Oct. 29, 2007 at 9 a.m. in East Boston District Court.
MIT Kerberos Consortium Plans Software Upgrade
Kerberos, a 20-year-old computer security technology with MIT roots, is about to be turbocharged for the mobile Internet era.
Housing Rate Increase Prompted by Utility Costs
Undergraduates saw a 7 percent increase in housing rates for the 2007–2008 school year, and graduate students experienced a 3.5 percent increase in rates.
Hollis M. Lilly
Hollis M. Lilly, staff associate in the Office of Undergraduate Advising and Academic Programming, died on July 28 due to complications from surgery. He was 36.
MIT Statement Regarding Logan Airport Incident — Sept. 21, 2007
MIT is cooperating fully with the State Police in the investigation of an incident at Logan Airport this morning involving Star Simpson, a sophomore at MIT. As reported to us by authorities, Ms. Simpson’s actions were reckless and understandably created alarm at the airport.
Sudan Divestment: MIT Not Invested In Worst Offenders
At this time, MIT does not have any investments in the top 20 companies deemed the “highest offenders” by the national Sudan Divestment Task Force, according to Secretary of the MIT Corporation Kirk D. Kolenbrander.
Schmittlein Is New Sloan Dean, Hopes to Develop More Hands-On Learning
David C. Schmittlein will become dean of the MIT Sloan School of Management on Oct. 15 after working for 27 years at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, including, most recently, seven years as the school’s deputy dean.
MIT Solar 7 Team Builds ‘Zero Energy’ Home For D.C. Contest
Four months ago, the lot on Albany Street stood empty. If all goes to plan, in 10 more days the lot will be empty once again.
Many Four-Year Institutions Ignore SAT Essay Scores
Hundreds of universities, including several top schools, ignore or pay little heed to students’ scores on the writing section of the SAT in admissions decisions, skeptical about how well the essay reflects writing skills.
UMass Chair Selected Again Over Objections
The University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees reelected Stephen P. Tocco as its chairman on Sept. 19 over the objections of members newly appointed by Governor Deval Patrick, dealing a setback to the administration’s attempt to reshape the panel.
Boston Area Student Reportedly Sexually Assaulted on Campus
A university student reported she was sexually assaulted on the MIT campus in the early morning of Sept. 16.
MIT Gives Charles River Volunteer Group $6,000 To Decontaminate Boat
MIT has donated $6,000 to the Charles River Cleanup Boat, the volunteer organization faced with bills for decontamination and boat repair after its volunteers picked up a chunk of sodium that caught fire and exploded.