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.
Book Explores History of Measurement, MIT Smoot; Author, Smoot Visit Institute
The story of the MIT Smoot is gaining new fame, thanks to a recently-published book called “Smoot’s Ear: The Measure of Humanity.” Oliver R. Smoot ’62, the Smoot’s namesake, was on hand to hear author Robert Tavernor, an architect and professor of architecture and urban design at the London School of Economics and Political Science, discuss the book last Tuesday.
Candidates Share Priorities, Goals In UA’s 2011 Class Council Debate
The five Class of 2011 presidential candidates squared off on the first floor of the Student Center for the first-ever Freshman Class Council Presidential Debate on Sunday at 5 p.m.
Hayward R. Alker ’59
Hayward R. Alker, an MIT alumnus and political scientist specializing in international relations, died Aug. 24 at his home in Block Island, R.I., following a cerebral hemorrhage. He was 69.
MIT Team Designs Autonomous Vehicle
Imagine you are driving around town when you pull up to a stop sign. As you glance over at the car across the intersection, you are astonished to see that there is no driver. As the car makes a smooth right turn, you realize that the car is driving itself.
Elite Colleges Expand Aid to Middle Class Families
Some of the nation’s most elite colleges, trying to ward off perceptions that they’ve become unaffordable to even high-income families, are bolstering their financial aid packages by offering grants to students whose parents earn as much as $180,000 a year.
Two Professors Fill Associate Provost for Faculty Equity Post
Professors Barbara H. Liskov and Wesley L. Harris have been appointed to fill the Associate Provost for Faculty Equity position created a year ago, Provost L. Rafael Reif announced earlier this month. The scope of the position would include four central issues: “faculty recruitment, faculty retention, providing a supportive environment for career development and promotion, and work-family issues,” Reif said.
At Least 317 Pledge in IFC Rush
As of yesterday morning, fraternity recruitment resulted in 317 new pledges, an increase from previous years. Last year’s rush produced 299 pledges, Interfraternity Council President Daniel S. Eads ’08 said. IFC rush officially ended this year on Wednesday, Sept. 12.
Columbia University Still Reeling After Visit From Iran President
Before Iran’s president took the stage at Columbia University on Monday, the university’s president, Lee C. Bollinger, sent out an early-morning e-mail message, calling on students and faculty “to live up to the best of Columbia’s traditions.” Yesterday, many critics questioned whether Mr. Bollinger had met that test himself.