Moscow University Investigates Claims
Moscow State University, one of Russia's most prestigious schools, has opened an investigation into accusations by students that teaching standards and living conditions in one of its academic departments have been severely eroded, students and university officials said in recent days.
Twelve Percent Admitted To Class Of 2011
The size of the freshman class will increase next year, which is admittedly good news for the 12,443 applicants to the Class of 2011. Nearly 60 more students were admitted this year, but because the number of applicants also increased, the acceptance rate fell to a record-low 12.3 percent for the Class of 2011.
NY Attorney General To Sue Student Loan Company in Civil Suit
Andrew M. Cuomo, New York's attorney general, announced Thursday that he planned to bring a civil lawsuit against a student lending company for deceptive business practices, accusing it of paying colleges and universities to steer student borrowers toward its loans.
Holmes/Wyne Elected UAP/VP in Landslide
With voter turnout up 11 percent, Martin F. Holmes '08 and Ali S. Wyne '08 won the Undergraduate Association elections for president and vice president in a landslide victory.
MIT Pistol Team Claims National Championship
Here's something to brag about over spring break: MIT students have better aim with a pistol than their counterparts at the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine Academies.
Cal State Faculty Could Soon Go on Strike
Faculty members of California State University, the nation's largest four-year university system, overwhelmingly authorized a strike on Wednesday after nearly two years in which they and the administration failed to negotiate a contract succeeding one that expired in July 2005.
Sophomore Standing Statistics
source: Julie B. Norman, Director of Undergrad. Advising and Academic Programming
News Briefs
The arguments surrounding the candidacy of Prashant K. Dilwali ’08 were resolved by an Undergraduate Association JudBoard ruling on Sunday, March 18. Dilwali, whose candidacy was previously contested over a late ballot application, was appealing a decision by the UA Election Commission Rules Board. The Rules Board asserted that Dilwali had violated campaign rules by forming a Facebook group before public campaigning began. The board then appended “violated election rules” to Dilwali’s name on ballots. Dilwali argued that he was running as a write-in candidate when he formed the Facebook group and was under the impression that he could not run as an official candidate.
Scheib’s Video ‘Twisted’ With Savvy Sense of Humor
Even as a student, Jay R. Scheib, associate professor of music and theater arts, wasn’t afraid to take chances.
18 Mathematicians, Advanced Computers Depict the Universe Results of Computation Revealed at MIT
It is one of the most symmetrical mathematical structures in the universe.
Students Choose Soph. Standing
This year, 111 of the 187 students eligible for attaining sophomore standing chose to do so, a two percent increase from last year. Electrical Engineering and Computer Science was the most declared course by students in this group.
UA Voting Site Records Inaccurate
The Undergraduate Association voting Web site (<i>http://vote.mit.edu</i>) has experienced problems over the last few days as some users have been unable to vote without contacting the Election Commission. Michelle Jeong ’08, chair of the UA Election Commission, attributed the problem to lists provided by MIT that describe class affiliation and housing. She said that inaccuracies in those lists have commonly led to voting troubles.
Undergrad Giving Program Meets Goals
A total of $3,880 from freshmen, sophomores, and juniors was collected over the course of the two-week Underclassmen Giving Campaign. The first week of the campaign, held last October, brought in 460 gifts and $2,500. The remaining money, donated by 207 students, was raised last week during the second part of the UGC, bringing the total underclassmen participation rate to 21 percent, up from 15 percent after the first week.
In Short
A St. Patrick's Day Saferide Program is being offered to students from MIT fraternities and sororities, who may call to request an Ambassador Brattle taxi cab ride from March 17 at 11 p.m. to March 18 at 3 a.m. Students calling must identify the MIT Saferide/Safecab program and must provide vouchers to be completed by the driver. MIT will collect vouchers and pay for all rides during the program time that do not exceed $35. See Daniel A. Trujillo, associate dean for Community Development and Substance Abuse Programs, for vouchers.
Confusion Fills 2008 VP Election
Confusion, bureaucracy, and claims of bias surround the current Undergraduate Association Class Council elections, as the status of candidate Prashant K. Dilwali '08 continues to be contested.