Next House required to implement opt-out for first-year squatting despite house vote against it
Next House President Jessica Tang ’20 said discussions with Barnhart and Nelson led Next Exec to think that they could “vote on whether an opt-out option was to be implemented at all.”
Reif emphasizes the value of immigrants in light of U.S. government actions against Chinese researchers and scientists
Vice President of Research Maria Zuber emphasized that improving security relies on identifying processes and organizational structures that need to be enhanced, rather than targeting any particular ethnic group.
Insurance waivers to be processed by Gallagher Student Health, possibly fewer students will be able to waive extended plan
Waiver requests will also need to be submitted by Aug. 15. This is earlier than previous years, when the deadline was typically around Aug. 31.
Interim ICEO Alyce Johnson reflects on her time at MIT
“I always felt like I belonged. That’s a very enriching feeling.”
ISO responds to work authorization delays affecting international students’ internships
“In the coming year, we will continue our efforts to encourage departments to put in place professional development and experiential learning requirements,” David Elwell, associate dean and director of the ISO, wrote.
Provost announces broadened search for ICEO, new associate provost position
The associate provost will work with other administrators to “ensure equitable practices during the faculty hiring, promotion, tenure, and review processes.”
Work authorization delays interfere with international students’ summer internships
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires that students apply for OPT no more than 90 days before their projected start dates. In past years, this has typically been enough time for applications to be approved, but this year, processing times appear to be stretching towards four to five months.
Michael Bloomberg speaks at Commencement
In his speech, Bloomberg announced the launch of Beyond Carbon, a climate action initiative, by Bloomberg Philanthropies, his charitable foundation.
UROP summer payroll, summer session classes
UROP summer payroll opened June 3 — remember to submit timesheets weekly!
Data presented on Phase One of the CUP Experiment
The percentage of first-years who reported “feeling overwhelmed by all they had to do” increased from 49 percent in 2015 to 65 percent in 2019.
Remembering Aliza Akhtar (1999–2019)
“Sometimes you just meet those people that are literally angels, who are too good for this world. Aliza was that person,” her close friend Layal Barakat ’22 wrote.
West Campus Village deemed financially infeasible
“We don't believe [the feasibility study] determines that the Village was a bad idea in any way; it just is not the right time for it,” wrote Alice Zhou ’20, president of the Panhellenic Association.
6-9 Masters of Engineering approved
The 6-9 MEng. program consists of 66 units of coursework, an additional four graduate classes in EECS and BCS, two mathematics classes, and a 24-unit thesis.
Majority of paint and chalk art to be removed from Simmons this summer
Simmons is not a “mural building,” and “the planned cleaning and painting will help restore original finishes in the building," David Friedrich, senior associate dean of housing and residential services, wrote.
Committee to plan for new varsity weight room in the fall, gymnastics facility will stay as is in meantime
The committee will be formed by early August, charged by early September, and conclude their work by the end of the fall semester.
Upper-level students can no longer ‘rank or pick’ new students to live in their communities
“We feel very strongly” about eliminating mutual selection as it is currently “operationalized” from here onwards, Nelson said.
End-of-term subject evaluations, move-out date
Remember to check your syllabi report any end-of-term violations to the UA by visiting http://ua.mit.edu/policy/violations/ or to the chair of the faculty at exam-termregs@mit.edu.
Study space reopened on Student Center fifth floor
The new space has four Athena computers. There are multiple tables, which can be moved around to make larger tables. Additional light fixtures have been installed.
Opening plenary of Solve discusses “Tech for Equality”
The Solve Innovation Fund will raise over $30 million from tax-deductible gifts to make debt and equity investments in for-profit Solver teams. All returns will be reinvested into future Solver teams.
Proposed restructuring would move all faculty away from Global Studies and Languages
"The basic idea is that the language instruction program (Global Languages) would remain in place — along with lecturers, senior lecturers, and staff — but that GSL faculty would move to other SHASS academic units, where their research and expertise are at home," wrote Agustin Rayo PhD ’01, associate dean of SHASS.