Behind the data: how we analyzed the alcohol and drug survey
In 2014, The Tech sent a survey to undergraduates about their use of alcohol and restricted substances. The story behind this survey is in three acts: administering the survey, analyzing the data, and publishing the results. This article aims to shed some light on the analysis, to ensure adequate transparency and reproducibility. Finally, we want to guarantee to all survey participants that their anonymity has been respected.
Summer weather can’t last forever: windy and rainy days ahead
This week has had quite the juxtaposition of autumn leaves with temperatures up to 80°F (27°C). Hope you all got your Instagram pictures taken because these temperatures won’t be sticking around much longer! In fact, seven years ago this week, Boston had already had its first snowfall of the season. Up to four inches fell in the Boston area on October 19, 2009 resulting in unhappy Patriots fans due to a nearly snowed-out game and bemused Florida-raised college students.
Some student concerns as Senior House turnaround commences
Senior House’s turnaround that Chancellor Cynthia Barnhart PhD ’88 announced over the summer is well underway with committees tackling substantive issues, but the turnaround has not been a completely smooth process.
MIT Campaign for a Better World reaches $2.9 billion
The MIT Campaign for a Better World has raised $2.9 billion of its $5 billion goal since the campaign officially launched May 6.
Energy researchers seek new directions after Alcator C-mod decommissioned
After 23 years of service, Alcator C-mod, MIT’s nuclear fusion reactor, was decommissioned on Sept. 30, 2016.
Alumni Affairs series features Forbes Senior Editor Herper ’99
James Matthew Herper ’99, Senior Editor at Forbes Magazine, was the first featured speaker to be featured by the UA Alumni Affairs Committee’s Unconventional Career Paths Alumni Speaker Series on Oct. 19.
Adam Littlefield, PKT resident assistant, dies
Adam Littlefield, a student at the New England School of Law and graduate resident assisstant of MIT’s Phi Kappa Theta fraternity, died Sunday morning.
Holmström wins Nobel prize for work on contract theory
Economics professor Bengt Holmström was awarded the 2016 Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel alongside Harvard economist Oliver Hart for their work on contract theory.
Family weekend, PE registration, bicycle auction
The used bike auction organized by the MIT Police will be held at noon today, in the 290 Albany Street lot. Take your MIT ID and pay with cash or check.
Sprinkler causes flood in New House entrance
The latest water damage to New House was not caused by another burst pipe, as some residents feared, but by a sprinkler triggered when an air conditioning unit in the house manager’s office overheated early Tuesday morning.
Trump invokes MIT's Gruber in presidential debate
Republican presidential nominee Donald J. Trump roused the ire of economics professor Jonathan H. Gruber ’87 by using the latter as a tool to attack the Affordable Care Act.
Cooler weather for the weekend, warmer next week
An autumn front is poised to bring cooler temperatures and clear skies to New England this weekend. Following today’s clouds and showers, cold crisp air will be ushered into the region on strong gusting breezes from the north and northwest. The cooler weather will be accompanied by strong high pressure and light winds that could allow temperatures to drop near or into the 30s F on Friday and Saturday nights.
Add date, flu shots, book sales
Add date is Friday, Oct. 7. Be sure to add any class by the end of the day!
Admins have not promised New that NH houses will stick together
About 70 percent of New House’s roughly 200 continuing residents hope to continue living with the members of their house when the dorm goes offline for an expected two years, a survey of residents found.
Candidates announced for 2020 Class Council
The Tech contacted all four presidential candidates about their campaigns, and interviewed Nwana, Petrovic, and Mulcahy. Farhat declined to interview, citing bad experiences he’s had with newspapers in the past.
Hazing Prevention Week sees low turnout
Associate Dean Don Camelio, chair of the HPEC, estimated that there were 25 people at the community talk, 20 at the staff workshop, and a handful at the workshop for graduate staff.
Voter registration drives in Lobby 10 this week
Voter registration drives will be held 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. this Thursday in Lobby 10, and Friday in the Student Center Lobby.
Late-night live music ban at Senior House may shorten Steer Roast
The MIT Police Department informed Senior House last month that it would no longer be allowed to run live outdoor music events past 11:30 p.m.
Moratorium on student groups to last until spring
The Association of Student Activities announced that it will not be recognizing new student groups this fall on its website, citing an increase in student groups, time needed for the ASA to update policies and transition to a new database, and that the organization itself is understaffed.
For Rosetta, a landing and ending on a comet
When the spacecraft makes a gentle belly flop onto the comet Friday, it will bring to an end to the most ambitious mission ever for the European Space Agency. Since its arrival in August 2014 at Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko, Rosetta has been sending reams of data and exquisite photographs of the comet, providing insights and surprises about one of the fragments left over from the formation of the solar system 4 1/2 billion years ago.