Juneteenth recognized as Institute holiday
Juneteenth has been adopted by MIT as an Institute holiday, effective this summer, President L. Rafael Reif wrote in an email to the MIT community May 5.
Late spring warmth
It is a cruel irony that schedules final projects and exams at the same time as such beautiful weather!
Last week of classes, Commencement reminders
May 20 is the last day of classes. Final exams will take place from May 24 to May 27.
Name recordings
Graduating students received email invitations from Name Coach, a name pronunciation service, to record their names for Commencement in an email April 30.
Graduate student stipend rates to increase by 3.25%
Waitz, Schuetz, and Zuber wrote that there will be no change in housing rates while the price of MIT’s Student Extended Insurance Plan will decrease by approximately $180 for the upcoming academic year.
MIT to require COVID-19 vaccine for all students
All MIT students should be vaccinated before the fall semester begins and should share their current vaccine status via COVID Pass.
UA Wellness offers free menstrual cups to MIT students
This project is one among multiple efforts by UA committees to promote sustainable and cost-effective menstrual products in the MIT community.
MIT to open local, minority-owned food vendors in Student Center
The student survey was sent out on Sunday, May 2 via email, and asked students to rank the food options for each of three kiosks; these options would replace the previous vendors — Cafe Spice, Shawarma Shack, and Shinkansen Bullet Train.
UA Council votes in favor of divestment in consensus decision
MIT Divest Co-Chair Arnav Patel ’21 and member Jess Cohen ’22 wrote in an email to The Tech that the Council’s decision “brings a lot of momentum to pushing the Institute to divest from the fossil fuel industry.”
Graduate Student Council releases results of advising survey
40% of respondents were “dissatisfied with their department’s support in finding an advisor, reporting advisor behaviors, and communicating how to leave an advisor.”
A calming homestretch
Enjoy the near-average temperature while we are racing toward the end of the semester.
Student holiday, name recordings, ring sales
May 7 is a student holiday. No classes will take place.
Graduate students with US-based appointments expected to return by summer or fall
Some graduate students will be expected to return during the summer by June 1, while most will be expected to return for the fall by September 1.
MIT to hold on-campus celebration for Classes of 2020 and 2021 next spring
Graduating students can also expect smaller virtual and in-person events to supplement the online ceremony, as well as opportunities for photos on Killian Court.
Drop date, pre-registration, ring sales
Pre-registration for the summer session and fall term begins May 3.
April showers bring — you know the drill
As temperatures start to warm up, expect thick green leaves to replace the beautiful flowers on trees lining the sidewalks throughout the city.
Geathers, Chen reflect on year in office, discuss changes for the coming year
Chen: One thing we could have improved on and will be improving on this coming year would be administrative transparency and the Institute committee process and embedding student voice in there.
Class of 2023 Brass Rat unveiled at Ring Premiere
Above the beaver, there is a crescent moon and a full moon, representing the two moon phases during convocation and graduation, the first and last days that the Class of 2023 will be students at MIT.
April faculty meeting discussion focuses on fall plans and first-year credit limit
MIT expects that many COVID-era restrictions will be lifted, but some may remain in place. “We don’t know to what extent, but testing, enhanced cleaning, physical distancing, and mask-wearing could be necessary,” Barnhart said.
MIT to apply for federal funding from Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund
MIT estimates that at least 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students will “receive need-based financial support thanks to the” HEERF program.