Uncertainty the sentiment at February Faculty Meeting amidst turmoil in D.C.
The Institute will implement a hiring freeze and decrease funding for all units in response to the Trump administration’s multifaceted cuts for higher education.
Cynthia Barnhart PhD ’88 to step down from Provost
On Feb. 19, President Kornbluth wrote an email to the MIT community announcing that Cynthia Barnhart, MIT’s provost since 2022, will step down from her position on July 1.
Archbishop of Boston Visits MIT Chapel
The Seventh Archbishop of Boston, Archbishop Richard G. Henning, celebrated mass at the MIT Chapel on February 23.
Return to normal temperatures
Next week features a gradual warming trend, with highs reaching the 60s by the middle of the week!
President Kornbluth addresses the Trump administration, generative AI, and future of the Institute
On Feb. 3, The Tech spoke with President Sally Kornbluth about the Institute’s plans in response to the Trump administration’s new policies affecting higher education and research.
School of Science website removes “Diversity and Inclusion” page
Recently, the MIT School of Science removed its “Diversity and Inclusion” page, which now redirects to the MIT School of Science Academic Affairs & Community Engagement (AACE) website.
NIH funding cuts pose challenges to Institute’s health research
On Feb. 7, the NIH released an announcement stating that indirect cost rates for current and new grants would be capped at a rate of 15% in order to reduce expenses.
Vice President for Equity and Inclusion Karl W. Reid ’84, SM ‘85 steps down
On Feb. 7, President Kornbluth sent out an email stating that Vice President for Equity and Inclusion Karl W. Reid ’84, SM ’85 decided to step down from his position.
Mishael Quraishi ’25 named 2025 Churchill Scholar
Quraishi: “MIT beat me down and built me back up”
David Darmofal SM ’91, PhD ‘93 appointed as next vice chancellor for undergraduate and graduate education
In an email to the MIT community on Feb. 3, Chancellor Melissa Nobles announced David Darmofal SM ’91, PhD ’93 Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics, as the next vice chancellor for undergraduate and graduate education.
Festival of Learning 2025 discusses the future of mens et manus education at MIT
Co-sponsored by MIT Open Learning and the Office of the Vice Chancellor, the annual event serves to bring MIT faculty, staff, and students together to discuss ways to improve “teaching and learning at the Institute.”
Bad Ideas Weekend 2025 holds 28 events from Jan. 24 to Jan. 26
There were 28 different events, from Good Morning Rave to Dig Your Own Grave.
Blue Bottle Independent Union workers conduct Jan. 25 Kendall Square walkout
Prull: “As an independent union, we do it all ourselves. We are both workers, and union members, and union leaders.”
Slippery, snowy conditions ahead
Mixed precipitation is expected throughout the day on Thursday. Stay safe and tread carefully!
Warming up for the weekend
After a stretch of really chilly weather, the weekend looks to be warming up a bit, though evening lows are still well below freezing.
MIT SIPB launches the beta version of OpenGrades, a fully anonymous course evaluation platform
On Dec. 12, 2024, MIT’s Student Information Processing Board (SIPB) launched a beta version of OpenGrades, a platform where students can anonymously share information about classes at MIT since Fall 2021.
Three from MIT named 2025-26 Schwarzman Scholars
On Jan. 15, the Schwarzman Scholars Program announced its tenth cohort, including three from MIT. Scholars pursue a fully funded, one-year master’s degree at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China. Per the scholarship’s website, the Schwarzman Scholars Program is intended to create leaders and form “global relationships that can be activated over a lifetime.”
Bill Thilly ’67 ScD ‘71, Professor of Biological Engineering, passes away at 79
Thilly’s research on the effects of environmental mutagens on human cells led to now widely-used assays