MIT Graduate Student Designs Facebook Add-On for Enemies
Now that Internet users have forged online relationships with the people they like, they can turn their attention to shaming the folks they hate.
Administrators Draft Guidelines For Responsible, Safe Hacking
In preparation for the release of a set of hacking guidelines, Chancellor Phillip L. Clay PhD ’75 sent an e-mail out to all MIT students last week that said students must take full responsibility for their actions even while celebrating and protecting traditions such as hacking. The e-mail also addressed integrity, warning students against academic dishonesty and illegal downloading.
Alum Gives $100 Million For Cancer Research
Tiny new drugs that target cancer-causing genes and early warning systems that flag cancer’s recurrence are among the gee-whiz goals of a planned research center at Massachusetts Institute of Technology that got a $100 million infusion Tuesday.
RIAA Sends Thirty Pre-Litigation Letters Over Alleged Music Piracy
Thirty individuals at MIT have been sent pre-litigation settlement letters after allegedly illegally downloading copyrighted music, according to a press release issued by the Recording Industry Association of America last month.
Body Identified as MIT Student Barclay
A body that washed to shore on Cape Cod yesterday was identified as MIT student Daniel J. Barclay ’07 who has been missing since Sunday, April 8. An autopsy has been performed, but cause and manner of death have not yet been determined, according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Institute Tests New Alert System
The MIT Security and Emergency Management Office initiated a campus-wide emergency test drill in late August that consisted of sending messages via phone, e-mail, and text messaging to members of the MIT community. The office, which was launched on July 1, 2007, serves as a resource center for security-related issues. Approximately 26,000 e-mail messages were sent in under five minutes.
Hockfield, Officials Discuss State of MIT
President Susan Hockfield, along with top MIT officials, presented optimistic remarks to a crowd of about 300 at Tuesday’s State of the Institute forum in Kresge Auditorium, ending a three year hiatus for the event. Also speaking at the forum were Provost L. Rafael Reif, Chancellor Phillip L. Clay PhD ’75, and Executive Vice President and Treasurer Theresa M. Stone.
Lawmakers Consider Bill on Costs Of Textbooks
A month into the fall semester, Nathassia Torchon has already had two tests in her precalculus class and is approaching her first history exam. But the Massachusetts Bay Community College student said she could not afford the $330 price tag for two of the required textbooks until this week.
UA Finance Board Allocations for Summer and Fall 2007
Source: Undergraduate Association Finance Board
‘Egg’ Nobel Awards Play Chicken Last Night
Researchers, Nobel laureates, students, and curious people alike gathered Thursday evening to celebrate the Seventeenth “1st Annual Ig Nobel Prize Ceremony” held in the Sanders Theatre at Harvard University. Created to honor 10 achievements each year that “first make people LAUGH, and then make them THINK,” the ceremony was complete with hysterical antics, odd science demonstrations, a chicken theme, and, of course, improbable research.
‘Geek’ Shares Lessons Learned, Experiences on Reality Show
<i>John U. Gardner G is MIT’s latest “geek” contestant on the CW reality show “Beauty and the Geek.” Gardner, a member of the MIT Class of 2007, is currently working toward master’s degrees in Course VI (Electrical Engineering and Computer Science) and Course VIII (Physics). He talked to </i>The Tech<i> about his experience and what it was like to be the “token MIT guy” on the show. Now in its fourth season, “Beauty and the Geek” airs on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on the CW.</i>
OLPC and Intel Collaborate on Laptop for Developing Countries
As it moves toward beginning full-scale production of the XO (also known as the $100 Laptop) in October, the One Laptop Per Child Foundation has increased the price of its laptop from previous estimates to approximately $188 per laptop. In addition, the non-profit has announced a “Give 1 Get 1” program allowing the public to donate $399 that will enable the foundation to give a laptop to a child in the developing world. The foundation will give donors a laptop in consideration for their donation.
‘Genius Grants’ Provide Two Alums $500,000 to Pursue Dream Projects
Two MIT alumni were awarded “genius grants” by the MacArthur Foundation last week. The fellows, Saul T. Griffith PhD ’04 and Yoky Matsuoka PhD ’98, will receive a stipend of $500,000 over the course of five years that may be spent however they wish. Griffith and Matsuoka are among 24 recipients this year.