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.
North Court renamed after Susan Hockfield
As the Institute’s first female and first life scientist president, Hockfield oversaw the expansion of East Campus and Kendall Square, launched the MIT Energy Initiative and helped establish the David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, the Institute for Medical Engineering and Science and the Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard.
Green Building to undergo renovations
After the renovations, the Green Building will also house the Environmental Solutions Initiative and the MIT-Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Joint Program.
Flu shots, add date, half-term drop date
A flu shot clinic will be happening today 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Walker Memorial.
Proposed federal rules threaten graduate student unionization
While there have been initiatives for MIT graduate students to unionize — a survey conducted in January 2019 found that over 60 percent of graduate students support unionization — the official policy platform of the MIT Graduate Student Council does not include a stance on graduate student unionization.
Overnight utility work starts outside Edgerton House
Because the construction is independent of MIT operations, there is little Housing and Residential Services (HRS) and the Division of Student Life can do other than advocating for Edgerton’s residents.
Media Lab faculty V. Michael Bove Jr. terminated by MIT
Bove was terminated from employment last week, following the determination that he violated MIT’s sexual harassment policy.
Josh Tenenbaum receives MacArthur Fellowship
Tenebaum's advice is to "take the opportunity to learn from different kinds of people of different ages, especially from the older faculty or people who take approaches from different areas of science."