Israel Ruiz, MIT executive vice president and treasurer, to step down
Ruiz developed renewal plans for the MIT campus, guided by the MIT 2030 framework, and helped transform the nearby Kendall Square. He also helped launch the online course programs MITx and edX — created in conjunction with Harvard University.
Three seniors and two alums named 2021 Schwarzman Scholars
According to MIT News, the recipients were selected from over 4,700 applicants for a program “complemented by internships, career development mentors, high-profile speakers, and opportunities to travel throughout China.”
MIT affiliates sign statement against Citizenship Amendment Act
The statement reads, “We strongly condemn the increasingly violent suppression of these citizens’ protests … that have left several dead. We praise the courage, dignity, humor, resolve, and dynamism with which the students and ordinary citizens continue their protest.”
New apartment-style graduate residence to be built on Vassar Street
Rates for the residence hall will be determined by the building’s condition as well as the rates charged for similar on- and off-campus housing options.
HMMT reorganizes in response to cultural concerns
The reorganization includes changes in the staff selection process and the creation of a committee on diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
Six faculty members elected AAAS fellows
In an email to The Tech, Lauffenburger wrote, “To me the central significance of this honor is its recognition of contributions to the advancement of science broadly, in my case predominantly the creation of biological engineering here at MIT.”
UA, GSC finalize members for two new student committees
The Undergraduate Association and Graduate Student Council selected student members for two newly-created committees, the Student Committee on Guidelines for Outside Engagements and the Student Committee on Campus Climate and Policies around Discrimination and Misconduct Nov. 12. Five undergraduate and five graduate student members were selected for each committee from a final pool of ten undergraduates and ten graduates.
Hayden library to close for renovations Dec. 19
The last day to browse or request Hayden’s general book collections will be Dec. 15.
Winterfest, last day of classes, pre-registration
Winterfest is being held December 9 at Charles M. Vest Student Street and the Koch Institute Lobby from 3:30–5:00 p.m.
Four more MIT seniors declared 2020 Rhodes Scholars
Woltz, Vasconcelos, and Yamoah are all currently conducting research with the Engineering Quantum Systems Group in the Research Lab for Electronics.
EAPS community gathers at teach-in to discuss Shell donations to Green Building
Supran cited Shell’s donations to MIT and Chevron’s collaboration with Stanford as “the fossil fuel industry’s invisible colonization of academia.”
Thanksgiving break, W20 closure, IAP/Spring pre-registration
There will be no classes Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Meal Plan Working Group discusses dining costs at DormCon meeting
The addition of the New Vassar dining hall is expected to increase MIT Dining’s financial loss from $1.6 million to $2.2 million.
Dorm presidents elect DormCon CPW/REX, i3/RAC, and dining chairs
Zawad Chowdhury ’23 and Shaida Nishat ’22 were elected CPW/REX chairs. Adebayo Ojute ’23 and Ahmed Katary ’23 were elected i3/RAC chairs. Emma Batson ’20 was elected dining chair.
Thanksgiving break, blood drive, W20 closure
A blood drive will be held in La Sala de Puerto Rico on the second floor of the Student Center Monday Nov. 25 and Tuesday Nov. 26 from 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Visit the following website to make an appointment: http://web.mit.edu/blood-drive/www/.
Ali Daher receives Rhodes Scholarship
Daher advises students to take their time when deciding on a research interest. “You only get to really know your passions once you get out of your comfort zone [and] start taking a couple of classes and [doing] projects that ... you might not necessarily stick to. If you’re not going to explore at MIT, where and when are you going to explore?”
MIT receives $261 million from Lord Foundation
The Lord Foundations were established by Thomas Lord to support institutions seeking to advance research, education, and innovation. Each foundation benefits a specific university or institution selected by Lord and his successor, Donald Alstadt.
Office of the Vice Chancellor conducts reviews of Phase Two of CUP experiment
While GPA in science core GIRs increased by 0.06 in Fall 2018, GPA in science core GIRs dropped by 0.36 in Spring 2019, according to last year’s results from Phase One of the experiment.
College of Computing discussed during Nov. 20 faculty meeting
Huttenlocher’s presentation outlined three key areas that the college intends to address: computing fields and their rapid evolution, computing in other disciplines, and the social and ethical responsibilities of computing.
Drop date, student-faculty dinners, leadership award
Students have until 11:59 p.m. Nov. 20 to submit approved changes for drop date, to change a subject from credit to listener, or to petition a December advanced standing exam.