Open Letter to President Hockfield
I am a senior studying physics living at Senior House. I am writing you out of concern about the incident involving MIT sophomore Star A. Simpson ’10 at Logan airport on Friday. While I do not know Star personally, I do share the concerns of her friends and acquaintances here at Senior House — namely, that MIT has chosen not to be explicitly supportive of her at this time.
Support Our Students
Star A. Simpson ’10 made an honest mistake when she wore a glowing circuit board to Logan International Airport. State police responded reasonably to a perceived threat, and they quickly determined that Simpson’s attire posed no threat at all. She was cooperative, and they were professional.
Letters to the Editor
I applaud MIT’s decision to label Ms. Simpson’s actions as “reckless.” Any statement in her defense by MIT would have been viewed as arrogant and irresponsible. The circuit board worn on her shirt with LEDs in the shape of a star may be viewed as a cute, quirky means of self expression on MIT’s campus. However, the same item worn to Logan International Airport is a much more serious matter. Sadly, in this post-9/11 world, she is fortunate that she was not seriously injured or killed by law enforcement officers misinterpreting her “art.” To assume that the general public and law enforcement can accurately determine whether such electronic devices have any intent to harm is unrealistic and dangerous. I am certain many other MIT alumni share my appreciation for Ms. Simpson’s zeal for creative self-expression, while at the same time shake our heads in pity for her lack of common sense.
Institute Wisdom Watch
<b>MIT pays the decontamination bill for boat hit by sodium.</b> Good job for being a responsible member of the local community. — thumbs up
The RBA Flytrap
As a freshman, I had the audacity to make friends outside of my living group. Only blatant disregard for geographical constraints could have led me to bond with people who lived on the other side of campus. But this distance would not make much of a difference because I could simply switch dormitories during Residence Exploration, right? Not for a freshman temped in Next House. Unfortunately, being “temped” in Next House is equivalent to being “permanently-placed-for-the-first-year” in Next House. This is because Next House comes with the baggage of Residence-Based Advising.
Sodium Doesn’t Just Fall From the Sky
Who should be accountable for the apparent accident that led to five people being burned by sodium on Thursday, Sept. 6? If MIT community members left sodium metal next to the Charles River, they should claim responsibility for their actions. If no responsible party can be found, the Institute should still help the people who have been hurt.
Letters to the Editor
As an alumna of MIT I am embarrassed and outraged at MIT’s “not me” behavior regarding the sodium drop and the injury of workers and damage to the river clean up boat. What kind of example is this administration setting for students by failing to compensate a struggling non-profit reeling from expenses incurred due to negligence with hazardous materials? I don’t accept this “you can’t prove it and you can’t make me” attitude from my nine-year-old — why should I think it appropriate from an institution supposedly run by adults?
Corrections
The Sept. 7, 2007 news article, “Free Wireless Access Points Placed Across Cambridge,” misspelled the name of one of the pilot programs. It is in Newtowne Court, not NewTown Court. The article also gave the wrong location of the pilot program. It is located on Main St. between Windsor St. and Portland St., not on Massachusetts Ave. Additionally, the article misspelled a company name. It is Meraki, not Maraki.
Corrections
A photo of LaVerde’s Market on page 1 of the Sept. 7, 2007 issue of <i>The Tech</i> was credited to the wrong photographer. The photo was taken by Sherry Yan ’11, not Alex Chan G.
Corrections
Because of inaccurate information provided by the Interfraternity Council, the Aug. 31, 2007 Daily Confusion section of <i>The Tech</i> misprinted the name of the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity. All “Alpha Epsilon Phi” activities listed are actually “Alpha Epsilon Pi” activities; Alpha Epsilon Phi is a sorority.
Corrections
The Aug. 30, 2007 feature article about OpenLabWare attributed inaccurate information to Stephen E. Carson, external relations director of OpenCourseWare. OCW will have 1,800 courses online by November 2007, not 18,000 courses, Carson said.
Letters to the Editor
In response to your article, “Demeaning Human Suffering” (Aug. 30, 2007), it was surprising to see Mr. Ali Wyne criticize the outrage the public has expressed over the Michael Vick dog fighting situation. While it’s clear that he is frustrated by the lack of action in areas of human crisis, such as Darfur, it seems as though to place the blame on either PETA or other animal protection groups is misdirected. As an animal rights organization, PETA works to protect animals. Similarly, Amnesty International is a human rights organization, which focuses on helping people. We each work on our respective issues, but many of our supporters care about both. Human rights and animal rights are not mutually exclusive, and in fact they are fundamentally intertwined.
Corrections
A photo caption on page 11 of <i>The Tech</i>’s Aug. 29, 2007 issue inaccurately stated that MIT hackers removed the Fleming House Cannon from the California Institute of Technology in April 2006. It was actually removed in March.
Demeaning Human Suffering
In 2003, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals likened the slaughter of animals to the Holocaust. While this remark was particularly egregious, it was consistent with PETA’s longstanding insolence. Fifteen years earlier, the organization’s executive director stated, “Even if animal research resulted in a cure for AIDS, we’d be against it.”
Letters to the Editor
I was pleased to find that Tuesday’s editorial about Residence Based Advising separated the issues of RBA and Residence Exploration. For too long the student complaint was aimed at RBA itself, which is unfortunate — many students might opt for the RBA program if it was flexible and suited to their housing preference, which many freshmen rank higher than their advising preference. Though I never participated in RBA, I’ve heard overwhelmingly positive experiences, and look forward to the day that more students are willing and able to participate — once the snafu about REX is fixed.
Why We Can’t Tell You to J**n The Tech
Congratulations, freshmen, you’ve made it to the middle of Orientation. Dormitories are no longer scrambling to attract your attention, and fraternities can’t start spending their large budgets on steak and lobster dinners until Saturday. Now would be a great time to explore the various student groups that MIT has to offer.
RBA Limits Freshman Choice
Dormitories which offer Residence-Based Advising should give freshmen a chance to get out — or get in — during Orientation. The Housing Adjustment Lottery, which closes tonight, should not exclude McCormick Hall and Next House.
Welcome to MIT
Congratulations, your hard work and effort have been justifiably rewarded by your admission to the Institute. Understand that you are here for a reason — you fill a unique niche in the MIT community. Many of you have left lasting marks on your hometowns and high schools, and it is now time to start making a lasting impression on MIT.
Corrections
The Dec. 5, 2006 police log reported erroneously the charges on which two MIT graduates had been arrested. Mateusz Malinowski G and Kabir Mukaddam ’05 were arrested on charges of disorderly conduct, not indecent exposure.
Corrections
The June 15 transcript of President Susan Hockfield's Commencement speech misidentified one of the programs she listed. She said "UPOP" (Undergraduate Practice Opportunities Program), not "UROP" (Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program).