First case of COVID-19 confirmed in MIT community
MIT Medical is starting a public health investigation, including contacting the student, following up with their social circle “as warranted,” and “exchanging information with public health officials.”
MIT announces online commencement and future in-person celebration
Reif wrote that “in a world so disrupted by Covid-19,” it would not be possible to conduct the Institute’s traditional in-person commencement, hooding, and Tech Reunions this May.
MIT students petition against virtual commencement
“The ideal alternative... would be postponement of commencement to a later date deemed safe for all students and family to convene in Killian Court, even if that means May 2021,” Choi wrote, noting the “utter unpredictability of the future.”
Majority of MISTI programs suspended for the summer
MISTI Africa, Argentina, Belgium, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, Peru, Portugal, Russia/Eurasia, Spain, Switzerland, and Uruguay summer programs have been suspended.
Blake, Sharon, Waitz share COVID-19 updates at faculty meeting
Emergency management, the DSL, and the Institute’s space planning working group are also “developing plans to support community members that reside in surrounding areas, including some students who returned to homes locally, that may need a place to self-quarantine in the future,” Sharon wrote.
Over 17 tested for COVID-19, none positive yet
If a positive test were received, Stuopis wrote that MIT Medical would “would inform the MIT community quickly, and work with the department of public health to notify any individuals who had contact with the COVID-19 positive patient.”
G. Anthony Grant becomes new DAPER head
Grant said that DAPER has “a very unique opportunity to be a key contributor to enhancing the overall sense of health and well-being across the Institute” and is committed “to serve not only our varsity student athletes but all of the students across campus.”
Housing intent forms, carry-out dining, thank a community member
Students who have not yet done so should fill out their housing intent forms.
Reif joins Harvard and Stanford presidents in calling for ‘drastic action’ on coronavirus
The presidents expressed remorse at the disruptive nature of actions at their own universities, which included “suddenly sending virtually all of our undergraduates home,” cancelling nearly all events and in-person meetings, and “asking everyone who could work remotely to do so right away.”
‘The Tech’ writes on
Now more than ever, The Tech’s mission of maintaining an accurate record of MIT events and reporting on important changes has become essential in keeping our community informed and together, even as we spread across the globe.
COVID-19 live updates: Tenure clock extension, new support funds created
Under the policy, non-tenured faculty can serve as assistant professor or associate professor without tenure for a combined maximum of nine years rather than eight. In addition to the Student Life, Wellness and Support Fund, MIT has created two funds, the MIT Covid-19 Emergency Fund and the MIT Covid-19 Research Fund, to aid MIT’s response efforts.
MIT pushes undergrads to accelerate move out timeline
Undergraduate students who move out by the end of Sunday will be provided with free storage and reimbursed up to $500 for “travel change expenses and new reservation costs," according to the Division of Student Life's website.
Move out date, classes canceled, online instruction
Undergraduates who wish to request an exception to remain on campus or request financial support for their departure from campus must fill out an online form by noon March 13.
Committee on the Undergraduate Program proposes flexible Pass/No Record grading policy
The proposed changes place no restrictions on either the timing or classes converted to P/NR. All subjects would be eligible for P/NR designation, including GIRs and major or minor requirements.
Five MIT students named Putnam Fellows
Sah, Zhang, and Zhu were all participants in 18.A34 (Mathematical Problem Solving), a Putnam seminar for first year, run by Yufei Zhao ’10, professor of mathematics and a former Putnam participant.
Undergraduates required to move out of dorms and FSILGs by March 17
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, undergraduates living in MIT dorms, fraternities, sororities, or independent living groups (FSILGs) are required to move out by noon March 17. Classes will be canceled March 16–20, extending to spring break, which runs March 23–27. Classes will resume in online-only formats March 30.
Reif announces new travel and events policies in response to COVID-19
MIT will “postpone, cancel, or ‘virtualize’” in-person MIT events with more than 150 attendees, including CPW and “other signature spring semester conferences and celebrations,” the policies state.
Open advising hours and higher-level tutoring announced in math department
Peskin said that the open advising hours were partly implemented due to the high number of undergraduate students within the math department (about 400 students) compared to faculty members (just over 40). This imbalance “requires every member of the math faculty to be an advisor,” Peskin said.
6.0001/2, 6.009, and 8.02 switch away from Piazza
6.0001/2 switched to Ed Discussion, an alternate third-party platform. 6.009 switched to “the forum,” a site instructor Adam Hartz ’11 built using the platform Discourse, an open-source software. 8.02 switched to a MITx discussion forum hosted on the MITx Residential platform.