Science, a wondrous and reductive practice
The periodic voyage of celestial bodies, the cosmic rhythm that was only just observable to the humble Earth-dweller, in many ancient civilizations, represented fate, hope and a way of life itself. The Mayans held the Venus cycle in high regard, its movement representing a challenge to the mighty Sun, auspicious timing for territorial war.
The New Political Adscape
One of the many benefits of UROPing in the Political Science Department this summer is that I get to keep a close eye on what’s happening on the campaign trail for the two contenders of the 2012 Presidential Election, Barack Obama and Mitt Romney.
CORRECTIONS
The headline for the July 11 article on RLADs incorrectly listed the number of RLAD dorms in the headline. At the time, RLADs were expected in five dorms, not nine. As of now, they are expected in seven dorms in the fall.
Welcome, President Reif!
The Tech welcomes L. Rafael Reif to his new job at president, and applauds the presidential search committee for meaningfully incorporating student and community input into the process. Reif is a good choice — his vast academic and institutional experience at MIT and solid track record as provost make us optimistic he’ll handle the president’s job well. As he prepares to take up his new mantle, we have a few things for him to think about.
RLADs will support — not replace — current house teams
Last Tuesday, I wrote to the housemasters with the announcement that I had decided that the role of the Residential Life Associate in the residence halls should be enhanced, so that the residential system could better support undergraduates living on campus. The plan I announced would increase the number of RLAs, so that one could be assigned to almost every dormitory, and would increase the required education and experience, so that students, housemasters, and GRTs would have access to a higher level of expertise.
RLAD process and proposal have serious flaws
Editors note: The following letter was addressed to Chancellor Eric Grimson PhD ’80 and the Division of Student Life. It was signed by over 40 GRTs (see sidebar).
CORRECTIONS
An infographic published on May 15 incorrectly placed Student Support Services (S^3) under the Division of Student Life (DSL) and stated that the DSL “oversees student support services.” The S^3 office reports to the Dean for Undergraduate Education (DUE).
An action plan for the UA
How exactly can students make a difference on campus? Is there anything that students who care about MIT can do to influence Institute policy? There are concrete things the new Undergraduate Association leadership can — and should — do to enhance the student experience.
Educate Tami
In 2010, back in my home, New York, I worked with a local grassroots organization to advocate for legalizing same-sex marriage. My organization and I went up to Albany to speak with legislators personally, worked to rally protestors in the suburban and conservative towns of New York, and took every opportunity we had to educate strangers about what the legalization of marriage of a man with a man, and a woman with a woman, meant.
UA-GSC joint vision for the MIT community
For too long have we viewed the MIT community as being artificially demarcated by the labels of “undergraduate” or “graduate.” Instead of dividing issues between our constituencies in the year to come, we propose an approach that leverages a shared set of priorities to solve our common problems. Today we present a vision which bridges the artificial boundaries of undergraduate, graduate, post-doc, faculty, and staff. This is the vision of a single community driving MIT forward, and not the monolith of MIT servicing disparate communities.
Science and religion are complements
Asking whether or not religion conflicts with science is too broad a question. Of course there are certain religions that conflict with science; Christian fundamentalism, with its claims of God creating the world in six days and the human race springing from a woman tempted by a talking snake, obviously conflicts with well-established science. Yet there are many other religions which do not conflict with science. As a Catholic, I have not once encountered a belief held by the Church that contradicts anything that I have learned during my time in high school or time here as a physics major at MIT.
On reconciling science and religion
The Tech’s religion survey covered a range of questions about the religious views of MIT students; everything from “How religious are you?” to “How religious is MIT?” and “Is religion difficult to reconcile with science?” Good questions all, but it is the last that is the most interesting.
Spiking the football
Recently President Obama has come under fire from both the left and the right for politicizing the raid that killed Osama Bin Laden, including a major campaign advertisement a speech from Afghanistan timed to the anniversary of the raid, and a campaign press-blitz intended to cement the decision as a ‘gutsy call.’ In the words of the campaign ad: “suppose the [SEALs] had been … killed, the downside would have been horrible for him.” Yes indeed, when American servicemen are killed, the political fallout is just awful.
On top and in control
Despite the predictions of a diminished Putin and a shaky Russia in the near future, Putin seems to be fine and to be defying those very predictions. He has certainly demonstrated that he can maintain himself at the top of a gigantic country through turbulent times and difficulties, and has proved to be a master engineer of his own destiny. He is now ready to start on the final phase of his craftily concocted comeback — or perhaps not so final should he decide to run again in 2018, which is very possible, even likely.
MIT has robust support services
In the May 1, 2012 issue of The Tech, Barun Singh provides an opinion piece in which he strongly criticizes the administration and the Corporation of the Institute for what he perceives as a series of failures and mismanagement. I am concerned that students reading the op-ed will get the harmful impression that support is lacking at MIT, precisely when we are making a concerted effort to increase awareness of the broad network of support available to students. Moreover, as MIT enters finals period, it would be a tragedy if this misperception prevented anyone from seeking help during these stressful weeks, so I want to correct any misimpressions: if you are feeling overwhelmed or isolated, MIT has resources throughout the community for you.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
My wife tells me from time to time that I am something of a curmudgeon; she may be right. I do not think that has always been true, but of late I do find myself with less patience than I once had. I was reminded of the deficit when reading Barun Singh’s article in Tuesday’s The Tech. In his time at MIT, Barun has generally been a class act so it was with a bit of sadness that I note he has been infected with curmudgeonitis. When this malady shows itself in one so youthful, I recommend immediate therapy.