News Briefs
The Committee on Curricula unanimously voted yesterday to approve Comparative Media Studies as an official undergraduate degree program. COC approval was the “second step in the review of the major,” said Leila W. Kinney, CMS administrator for academic programs.
Motion Presented at Oct. 17 and Dec. 19 Faculty Meetings
In light of the Star Simpson event, we, the MIT faculty, request that the MIT administration refrain from making public statements that characterize or otherwise interpret — through news office releases, legal agents, or any other means — the behavior and motives of members of the MIT community whose actions are the subject (real or potential) of pending criminal investigation. We offer this resolution to foster mutual trust within the MIT community and to promote due process for all.
Amended Motion Presented at Dec. 19 Faculty Meeting
In light of the Star Simpson event and in the interest of more effective communication, we, the MIT faculty, request that the MIT administration consider the following principles when making public statements that might characterize or otherwise interpret — through news office releases, legal agents, or any other means — the behavior and motives of members of the MIT community
Ward, Longtime Administrator, Leaves SAO
Laurie Ward, financial administrator of the Student Activities Office since 2000, has moved to an administrative position in the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology. At the SAO, Ward managed the financial accounts of hundreds of student groups, processing deposits, reimbursements, and other expenses.
At Meeting, Faculty Vote Not to Restrain MIT Press Releases
Over 200 people attended the Dec. 19 faculty meeting to discuss a motion that asked MIT to limit its public statements about community members facing criminal investigations. The original motion was sparked by an MIT press release, calling Star A. Simpson ’10 “reckless” on the day of her Sept. 21, 2007 arrest at Logan Airport.
New Discovery Could Lead To Bird Flu Early Warning
For a decade, disease trackers have watched anxiously as avian influenza has migrated from Asia to Europe and on to Africa, devastating poultry flocks and wild birds. To humans, it has proved — so far — less of a widespread peril, lacking the genetic machinery necessary for efficient person-to-person transmission. Just 348 people have been infected worldwide since 2003.
Reactor Cited for Minor Violations By Nuclear Regulatory Commission
The MIT Nuclear Reactor Laboratory was cited by federal officials for violating regulations because a worker was exposed to nearly a year’s worth of radiation in just one day.
Colleges Build Interactive Web Sites to Lure the Class of 2012
Once dominated by glossy brochures, college fairs, and campus tours, the college admissions landscape is rapidly shifting toward online social media, as schools blanket the Internet with podcasts, blogs, and videos to recruit wired high school students.
No. of Students Admitted to MIT Through Early Action Program
No. of Students Admitted to MIT Through Early Action Program
MIT Admits More Early Applicants, Anticipating More Will Decline Offer
Both the number of early applicants and the Early Action admittance rate rose this year, resulting in 522 early admissions (out of 3,928 total applicants) for the Class of 2012. Last year, 390 students were admitted early (out of 3,493) for the Class of 2011.
Intel Ends OLPC Partnership, Markets Own Low-Cost Laptop
A frail partnership between Intel and the One Laptop Per Child educational computing group was undone last month in part by an Intel saleswoman: She tried to persuade a Peruvian official to drop the country’s commitment to buy a quarter-million of the organization’s laptops in favor of Intel PCs.
Tang to Be Released On $10,000 Bail, Kept Under House Arrest
Anna L. Tang, who allegedly stabbed her ex-boyfriend Wolfe B. Styke ’10 multiple times in his Next House room in October, will be released today after a $10,000 cash bail is posted on her behalf. By the terms of her release, she will be under house arrest and must wear a GPS bracelet that tracks her location. She has been detained since her Oct. 23 arrest.
News Briefs
Upon the closing of the sale of Hotel@MIT on Dec. 5, the name of the hotel was changed to La Meridien Cambridge.
Harvard Plans Major Increase in Student Aid For Next School Year
Harvard University announced Monday that it would significantly increase the financial aid it offers to middle-class and upper-middle-class students, seeking to allay concerns that elite colleges are becoming too expensive for even relatively well-off families.
Energy Initiative Plans for Minor Degree, Faculty Hires
The MIT Energy Initiative, officially established in September 2006, has made steady progress, with plans to create a minor degree program in energy and increase energy efficiency within the Institute.
Members Elected to ’08 Panhel Board
The MIT Panhellenic Association has elected new members to its executive board, which will serve for the upcoming year. This line-up of elects was approved by the five MIT sororities last night after two slates were previously rejected. One goal for the newly-elected executive board will be to add a new sorority to the five currently existing in Panhel.
Police Log
The following incidents were reported to the MIT Police between Nov. 8 and Dec. 2, 2007. This summary does not include incidents such as false alarms, general service calls, larcenies, or medical shuttles.
Course VI Eliminates Popular 6.170, Lab in Software Engineering
The Laboratory in Software Engineering class, 6.170, was offered for the last time this term and will not be offered in any subsequent terms.