President Reif announces big picture plans for Summer and Fall 2021
Reif expressed confidence in the “basic framework” of this plan but recognized the associated uncertainties with the expectation that working arrangements “will be different in important ways.”
Small glimpse of spring this week, temperatures set to drop again on Pi Day
Unfortunately, the weekend we will experience a 20 degree drop as Pi Day approaches. Despite the gloomier temperature on Sunday, don’t forget to celebrate Pi Day!
CAAC special meeting features student presentations across sustainability landscape
The student presentations addressed the structure and process behind the Climate Action Plan (CAP), public engagement, investments, private engagement, on-campus sustainability, and education.
Celebrating the life of Jinxuan ‘Janice’ Zhou (1997–2021)
Lena Downes SM ’20 wrote that Zhou was “so kind and thoughtful” and “made a huge impact on everyone who she met” at MIT.
New Institute commitments website presents MIT’s efforts toward fairness and equity
The website details steps taken as part of these efforts and labels them according to their progress.
Regular action decisions, Pi Day, CP*
Regular action decisions are released March 14. Happy Pi Day!
Wintry weekend
Brace on for a cold end to the week and colder weekend, albeit sunny. Northwest winds remain gusty in the city.
MIT will not compete in varsity sports during Spring 2021
For club and intramural sports, on-campus offerings will continue, consistent with state, local, and institutional guidelines while being subject to review.
Student holiday, vaccine form, MIT Awards
March 8 is a student holiday; no classes will be held. Monday classes will be held on Tuesday, March 9.
Pod programs suspended in Baker, Maseeh, New Vassar residence halls
Nelson and Stuopis wrote that “over 50 students” were involved in the gatherings or were pod mates of those involved in the gatherings.
Police secure arrest warrant for MIT graduate Qinxuan Pan, US Marshals expand manhunt
Pan remains at large, with the United States Marshals Service expanding the manhunt nationwide March 1 and offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information that could lead to his arrest.
Spring weather is (briefly) here
Temperatures are going to drop off later in the week, so get out there and enjoy the nice weather while it lasts.
Half-term add date, in-person learning, MIT Awards
Access to academic and research spaces and in-person learning begins March 1.
Q-Week extended due to students out of compliance with testing and violations reported
Q-Week restrictions were lifted noon Feb. 23 after undergraduates complied with testing requirements Feb. 22, and no positive cases were detected .
UA Sustain releases fall undergraduate survey findings
Respondents also reportedly felt that MIT “does a good job” providing sustainability education and “furthering climate research.”
DEI strategic plan, MIT-China relations, vaccine roll-out discussed at February faculty meeting
Provost Martin Schmidt PhD ’88, Vice President and General Counsel Mark Divincenzo, Vice President for Research Maria Zuber, Jamison, and Associate Provost for International Engagements Richard Lester provided updates on Professor Gang Chen’s legal case over allegations of federal grant fraud and resources for faculty considering international collaborations.
MIT Student Worker Alliance organizes virtual rally for dining hall workers
The rally began with a series of student and dining worker speakers and ended in breakout rooms where students and workers discussed their experiences with racial discrimination or harassment at MIT.
2,129 undergraduates move into dorms Feb. 13–15, experience Q-Week
Regarding her first COVID-19 test on campus, Miner wrote that testing at the Johnson Athletic Center “was also incredibly fast given the influx of first-years moving in.”
Q-Week, PE classes, UROP Extended Direct Funding deadline
Q-Week for on-campus students runs until Feb. 22.
First-year international students advised to follow Institute guidance when registering for classes
First-year international students are advised to follow the Fall 2020 guidance on registering for in-person coursework determined by the International Students Office (ISO), according to a Feb. 8 email from Vice Chancellor Ian Waitz.