54% of faculty survey respondents believe MIT should divest from fossil fuel companies
Those who responded that MIT should divest from fossil fuel companies named climate change as the primary reason.
Eric Lander and Maria Zuber selected for science positions in Biden administration
Lander will take a leave of absence from MIT. Meanwhile, Zuber will continue to serve as the Institute’s vice president for research.
Spring semester to proceed as planned, undergraduates to move in Feb. 13–15
An information session on the Spring was held for students and families Jan. 27 with Barnhart, Vice Chancellor Ian Waitz, Vice President and Dean for Student Life Suzy Nelson present, along with other student and Institute leaders.
Spring 2021 Emergency Academic Regulations and Recommendations announced
All instruction must be “delivered remotely during the first two weeks” from Feb. 16 to 26.
COVID-19 testing kits, IAP ending
Undergraduates returning to campus should register to receive pre-departure COVID-19 testing kits.
Storms ahead
Get out your best gloves and mittens, maybe find a spare carrot, and try not to spend too much time outside — unless you’re building a snowman.
Cold and boring, except for some exciting gales
We are now deep into January and the greater Boston area has been cold and sadly snowless for the most part. There have been possibilities of light snow showers the past week and into the next, but nothing heavy enough to last and thoroughly enjoy. Friday night will bring in a cold front and blustery (a fun word for breezy!) weekend conditions. Although the outdoors has hardly been a winter wonderland, in western Massachusetts, the weather has been warm enough to go outside and take some long hikes in the fresh air.
Move-in dates, pre-registration, IAP
Finalized on-campus housing move-in dates to be announced by Jan. 26.
Undergraduate move-in and in-person instruction possibly delayed until March
The development of the contingency plans comes as “positive cases and death tolls are on the rise” and in case “state and federal guidance becomes more restrictive” in the coming weeks, Barnhart wrote.
Limited top-optionality practices to be allowed in Random, EC
Students had expressed disappointment with the December 2020 policy announcement and have spoken out in favor of clothing optionality.
Winter welcomes IAP
Temperatures have been fairly cold, but we have not yet experienced a day with temperatures below the climatological average for this time of year.
Housing License Agreements, departure plans, MLK day
Students returning to campus should sign their Housing License Agreements as soon as possible.
Ad hoc faculty committees formed in response to MIT’s Epstein ties release reports
The report from the Committee on Guidelines for Outside Engagements describes the drafting and revision process with an emphasis on community engagement.
Professor Dava Newman named new director of MIT Media Lab
Newman: “Leading the legendary Media Lab — that's a dream job, I think, for anyone. So I actually just consider myself very, very fortunate.”
Pre-registration, IAP, doctoral theses
Pre-registration for spring classes will continue until Jan. 29.
MIT admits 719 Early Action applicants
Along with the 719 students (4.8%) accepted, 10,656 students (70.9%) were deferred to be “reconsidered without prejudice” during the Regular Action admissions process, Peterson wrote.
Lloyd will face ‘a set of disciplinary actions’ that will ‘limit’ his compensation
Schmidt wrote that he arrived at the decision after “conferring with senior administrative and faculty leaders, as well as” a review panel, which sought to determine if “Lloyd violated MIT policies,” and an evaluation committee, which sought to recommend “a set of disciplinary actions.”
Task Force 2021 completes phase one, shares updates
Danheiser and Sarma wrote that Reif, “other Institute leadership, faculty governance, and other key stakeholders” will review the ideas and identify a “prioritized subset” of them to implement.
Cloudy days and stormy nights
After a mostly rainy and cloudy week in Cambridge, we are set to expect more rain on Saturday and another cloudy week ahead.
Two MIT seniors named Rhodes Scholars
Grey-Stewart was named a U.S. Rhodes Scholar. Alshalan was awarded the Rhodes Scholarship for Saudi Arabia.