The official start to spring
In Boston, spring means some warm days interspersed with rain, gloomy clouds, and fits of cold, but we can be excited about it nonetheless.
Add date, CP*, student holidays
March 22–23 are student holidays. No classes will take place.
Community comes together for ‘MIT Reflects: Moments of Remembrance and Hope’
MIT students, faculty, and affiliates came together March 10 for ‘MIT Reflects: Moments of Remembrance and Hope,’ an evening of prayers, reflections, and conversation about the pandemic’s impact on the MIT community.
MIT admits 4.0% from unprecedented 33,240 applicants to the Class of 2025
621 students were admitted out of 18,204 Regular Action applicants, for a Regular Action admissions rate of 3.4%.
President Reif announces big picture plans for Summer and Fall 2021
Reif expressed confidence in the “basic framework” of this plan but recognized the associated uncertainties with the expectation that working arrangements “will be different in important ways.”
Small glimpse of spring this week, temperatures set to drop again on Pi Day
Unfortunately, the weekend we will experience a 20 degree drop as Pi Day approaches. Despite the gloomier temperature on Sunday, don’t forget to celebrate Pi Day!
CAAC special meeting features student presentations across sustainability landscape
The student presentations addressed the structure and process behind the Climate Action Plan (CAP), public engagement, investments, private engagement, on-campus sustainability, and education.
Celebrating the life of Jinxuan ‘Janice’ Zhou (1997–2021)
Lena Downes SM ’20 wrote that Zhou was “so kind and thoughtful” and “made a huge impact on everyone who she met” at MIT.
New Institute commitments website presents MIT’s efforts toward fairness and equity
The website details steps taken as part of these efforts and labels them according to their progress.
Regular action decisions, Pi Day, CP*
Regular action decisions are released March 14. Happy Pi Day!
Wintry weekend
Brace on for a cold end to the week and colder weekend, albeit sunny. Northwest winds remain gusty in the city.
MIT will not compete in varsity sports during Spring 2021
For club and intramural sports, on-campus offerings will continue, consistent with state, local, and institutional guidelines while being subject to review.
Student holiday, vaccine form, MIT Awards
March 8 is a student holiday; no classes will be held. Monday classes will be held on Tuesday, March 9.
Pod programs suspended in Baker, Maseeh, New Vassar residence halls
Nelson and Stuopis wrote that “over 50 students” were involved in the gatherings or were pod mates of those involved in the gatherings.
Police secure arrest warrant for MIT graduate Qinxuan Pan, US Marshals expand manhunt
Pan remains at large, with the United States Marshals Service expanding the manhunt nationwide March 1 and offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information that could lead to his arrest.
Spring weather is (briefly) here
Temperatures are going to drop off later in the week, so get out there and enjoy the nice weather while it lasts.
Half-term add date, in-person learning, MIT Awards
Access to academic and research spaces and in-person learning begins March 1.
Q-Week extended due to students out of compliance with testing and violations reported
Q-Week restrictions were lifted noon Feb. 23 after undergraduates complied with testing requirements Feb. 22, and no positive cases were detected .
UA Sustain releases fall undergraduate survey findings
Respondents also reportedly felt that MIT “does a good job” providing sustainability education and “furthering climate research.”
DEI strategic plan, MIT-China relations, vaccine roll-out discussed at February faculty meeting
Provost Martin Schmidt PhD ’88, Vice President and General Counsel Mark Divincenzo, Vice President for Research Maria Zuber, Jamison, and Associate Provost for International Engagements Richard Lester provided updates on Professor Gang Chen’s legal case over allegations of federal grant fraud and resources for faculty considering international collaborations.