Five percent of upperclassmen take leave of absence
25 sophomores, 76 juniors, and 70 seniors opted to take leaves of absence (LOAs) for the fall term, Student Support Services Associate Dean James Collins wrote in an email to The Tech.
Student attendance of off-campus events, parties, gatherings banned
Students not in compliance with testing or daily health attestations will be “restricted from all campus buildings,” including residence halls and the Stratton Student Center
Half-term add date, UROP direct funding deadline
The deadline to add half-term classes offered in the first half of term is Friday.
MIT Dining to serve on-campus undergraduates during Fall 2020
The MIT Dining website writes that breakfast and lunch are served in the Student Center’s Lobdell Food Court. Dinner and weekend brunch are served in students’ assigned residence halls.
DAPER reopens indoor facilities for Fall 2020
The Zesiger Center, Johnson Athletic Center, Alumni Pool/Wang Fitness Center, DuPont Tennis Courts, J.B. Carr Tennis Bubble, Steinbrenner Stadium, Jack Barry Field, Sailing Pavilion, Morrison Track, and DuPont Gym reopened Sept. 8.
ASE overall pass rates increase by 10.2%
Most Fall 2020 ASEs were virtually administered in late July and early August. ASEs are traditionally administered during orientation week at the end of August.
Registration deadline, degree applications, Labor Day
Registration for all students must be submitted by Friday.
135 undergraduates cancel on-campus housing assignments
Of the undergraduates living on campus, 613 are seniors, 21 are first years, 78 are sophomores, and 72 are juniors.
MIT Center for Civic Media closes after 13 years
The Center was a collaboration between the MIT Media Lab and the Comparative Media Studies/Writing (CMS/W) department and contributed to research in media, technology, and civic and political engagement for 13 years.
MIT Medical reports one undergraduate testing positive for COVID-19 during move-in weekend
When an MIT community member tests positive, MIT Medical instructs them to self-isolate, identifies their “close contacts,” and notifies individuals “who might have potentially been exposed.”
First years explore dorm communities through SCUFFY
MIT’s ten dorms and the five cultural houses within New House held 173 virtual events for first years Aug. 23–30 in a period called Exploring Support Communities (ESC), including movie nights, game nights, and Q&A sessions.
First quarter PE classes, Quarantine Week, registration day
Seniors may register for first quarter PE classes starting 8 a.m. Thursday. All other undergraduates may register for first quarter PE classes starting 8 a.m. Friday.
First week of full campus COVID-19 testing plagued by long lines
Wait times averaged 45–60 minutes Aug. 17 and Aug 18. Average wait times decreased to under 15 minutes Aug. 26. Overall, they have averaged 15–20 minutes, Stuopis wrote in an email to The Tech.
Undergraduates returning to campus during fall to participate in mandatory Quarantine Week
During Q-Week, students “cannot have direct contact with anyone else, including prospective podmates,” and may only leave their rooms to “use their assigned bathroom,” “get packages or meals,” or exercise outdoors.
Nergis Mavalvala PhD ’97 becomes Dean of Science
Mavalvala shared her three main priorities for the School of Science: to push forward MIT’s scientific research and interdisciplinary collaboration, promote diversity and inclusion in science, and improve career development pathways for the school’s staff.
Diane B. Greene SM ’78 elected as incoming Chair of the MIT Corporation
Greene is the first woman elected to chair the MIT Corporation, an organization of 78 members from academia and industry who serve as MIT’s board of trustees. She succeeds Robert B. Millard ’73, who has served as Chairman since 2014.
Departments remove GRE requirements for 2020–2021 graduate admissions cycle
Educational Testing Service, the organization that administers the GRE, announced Aug. 20 that the September and October GRE Subject Test administrations “have been canceled due to impacts from the pandemic” and that “the next opportunity to take a Subject Test — assuming health conditions improve — will be April 2021.”
MIT enters Phase 2 of reopening
MIT has also initiated regular COVID-19 testing for “everyone who accesses campus.” Compliance with testing requirements is mandatory for maintaining campus access.
Undergraduates abroad Fall 2020 will not be paid for hourly wage jobs
Waitz wrote that MIT can only pay undergraduates living abroad by stipend and not hourly wages due to “international tax and compliance issues.”
FSILGs adapt recruitment to virtual semester
The Interfraternity Council (IFC) will postpone formal recruitment until spring while the Panhellenic Association (Panhel) will hold virtual recruitment in the fall.