Reif announces new reforms in response to community reaction to Epstein funding
In response to the Oct. 7 staff and Oct. 11 research staff forums, Ramona Allen, vice president for human resources, will gather staff from around campus to share their ideas and perspectives.
Barnhart holds community forum on sexual misconduct
Barnhart said, “To address sexual misconduct is also to address culture and climate issues [in higher education] more generally. You have to have solutions that resonate at the community level, the department level, the student level."
BioMakerspace to open this coming IAP in Building 26
A new biology makerspace, called the “BioMakerspace,” is scheduled to open this coming IAP in the basement of Building 26. The space, which is currently under construction, will be open to “the entirety of the MIT community” to be “used for whatever the student users really want to use it for,” said Justin Buck PhD ’12 in an interview with The Tech. Buck is the manager of the BioMakerspace and is currently overseeing its construction.
Half-term add date, Veterans’ Day
Fri, Nov. 1 is the last day to add a half-term subject offered in the second half of term.
Two student committees created to address outside engagements and campus climate
The Student Committee on Campus Climate and Policies around Discrimination and Misconduct will “investigate systemic injustices on campus and their corrallaries.” The Student Committee on Guidelines for Outside Engagements “will review and discuss MIT core values and the metrics by which outside engagements should be evaluated.”
U.S. Department of Transportation holds groundbreaking ceremony for Volpe site
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) held a groundbreaking ceremony Oct. 30 to celebrate the start of construction for the new John A. Volpe Transportation Systems Center in Kendall Square. The construction of the new facility is expected to be completed in 2023.
Students required to sign Inventions and Proprietary Information Agreement for UROP
Currently, students participating in UROPs that meet these conditions are required to sign the IPIA, but under the new policy, all students will be required to sign it during the UROP application process.
House Democrats propose College Affordability Act
House Democrats proposed the College Affordability Act Oct. 15. According to the Education and Labor Committee website, the act is a “comprehensive overhaul of the higher education system” aimed at lowering costs and expanding educational access for college students.
Woodie Flowers dies at 75
Woodie Flowers PhD ’73, professor emeritus of mechanical engineering, died Oct. 11. Flowers is remembered for his passion, enthusiasm, and kindness that have inspired millions of engineering students around the world.
Two committees formed to examine MIT’s outside engagements
The findings and recommendations will be shared with the MIT community for comment by spring 2020.
MIT groups collaborate to create community sustainability garden
UA Sustain, MIT’s Office of Sustainability, and MIT Ground Services collaborated to create The Hive, a sustainability garden located on Saxon Lawn near Walker Memorial. The garden is the product of a 2017 survey conducted by UA Sustain. According to the Office of Sustainability, the survey indicated great student interest in a community garden.
MIT Library workers campaign to unionize
If a majority of library workers vote to unionize, AFSCME would become the workers’ exclusive bargaining agent for pay, hours, and other conditions of employment.
Flu shot, family weekend, physical education
Missed getting your flu shot? Make an appointment to get a flu shot by calling MIT Medical’s Flu Line at 617-253-4865 now until Nov. 25.
Half-term classes, flu shots, family weekend
Monday, Oct. 21 marks the start of classes offered in second half of term.
MIT economists win Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences
Duflo, at 46, is the youngest person and the second woman to have ever won the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences.
Annual Security and Fire Safety Report released
The MIT Police Department released its Annual Security and Fire Safety Report Oct. 9. The report includes information about the Police Department’s operations, services, and resources, along with statistics regarding criminal and Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) offenses, arrests and disciplinary referrals, hate crimes, and fire safety, from 2016 to 2018.
Commencement structure for class of 2020 will not change
GSC President Peter Su G wrote that the GSC will advocate for a 2021 commencement that better meets the needs of the graduate community, with the general principle being “to shorten the ceremony, while maintaining the quality and gravitas that the current ceremony offers to all students at MIT.”
Results of Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Misconduct released
The survey, conducted at 33 universities, contained questions on topics ranging from student experiences of sexual assault to knowledge of campus resources for sexual misconduct prevention and response.
New Vassar Street Residence Founder’s Group to ‘lay foundation’ for new dorm’s character, government
New Vassar will include a marketplace, community kitchen, dining hall, and makerspace.
PE registration, Wellness Fair, Columbus Day
Undergraduate registration for 2nd quarter PE classes is now open.