Mitsuko Uchida’s graceful performance stuns the audience at the BSO
Uchida played with a graceful fluidity, her fingers gliding over the keys with controlled, methodical precision.
MIT International Students Association holds iFair on April 25
This year’s event marks the return of iFair after a nearly decade-long hiatus.
The NSF terminates multiple MIT-affiliated grants
On April 18, the National Science Foundation (NSF) terminated one MIT-affiliated grant titled “Promoting Accurate Information on Social Media.”
1,089 admitted students attend Campus Preview Weekend 2025
For 3.14 days on April 17-20, MIT held Campus Preview Weekend.
Architectural Uprising names Simmons Hall winner of the 2025 Aesthetic Atrocity Award
On April 10, Architectural Uprising announced that Simmons Hall was the winner of the first annual Aesthetic Atrocity Award for the ugliest building in the U.S.
Cynthia Barnhart reflects upon her role as provost
On Feb. 19, President Sally Kornbluth announced that Provost Cynthia Barnhart SM ’86, PhD ’88 will step down effective July 1 after serving as provost from 2022 to 2025.
Requests for UROP direct funding exceed available budget by over $1.4 million for Spring 2025
According to Michael Bergren, Associate Dean and Director of UROP, the UROP Office budgeted $2 million for the spring while receiving around $3.4 million in direct funding requests.
FIRE presents a two-part series about free speech and civil discourse at MIT on April 7
Founded in 1999, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that aims to protect freedom of speech and expression on college campuses.
Visas revoked for three from MIT
The Tech received a response from a student whose visa was revoked.
Protesters hold “ICE Off Campus” rally in front of Student Center
On March 21 at noon, over 50 protesters gathered outside the steps of the Student Center to protest the arrest of Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil and the potential presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on campus.
Broad Institute leadership foresees reductions in non-personnel costs, facilities expenses, and salary in response to funding cuts and federal changes
On March 25, the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard held a community update meeting regarding the potential impact of funding cuts on the Institute’s budget, as well as the ramifications of recent executive orders on the Broad community.
UA releases 2025 election results on March 21
On March 21, the UA Election Commission sent an email to the MIT undergraduate community with the 2025 UA Election results.
Renowned violinist Midori returns to Boston
For the first time since 2012, renowned violinist Midori Gotō, known publicly as Midori, returned to the Celebrity Series of Boston with a stunning program accompanied by Özgür Aydin on the piano.
Lang Lang’s charisma mesmerizes the audience
Lang Lang mesmerized the audience by finely expressing the emotional nuances of each piece and demonstrated his virtuosity by mastering its complex passages.
Hundreds of scientists and advocates attend Stand Up for Science Rally in Boston Common
On March 7, hundreds of scientists, students, and advocates gathered at the Boston Common for the Stand Up For Science rally, one of over 30 nationwide events organized to promote evidence-based policies and sustained federal research funding.
The UA provides free laundry for undergraduate dorms from Feb. 26 to March 28
On Feb. 25, UA President Enoch Ellis ’26 and UA VP Rishika Bansal ’26 sent an email to the MIT undergraduate community announcing that laundry in undergraduate dorms would be free from Feb. 26 to March 28.
The Joyce and Edward Linde Music Building opens
“The choice of spaces responded to long standing priorities that the music program has identified over 20 years,” Prof. Keeril Makan wrote in an email to The Tech.
MIT Biology graduate program reduces incoming PhD class size by 20%
The MIT Department of Biology decided to reduce the incoming fall 2025 PhD class size by 20%.
President Kornbluth addresses the Trump administration, generative AI, and future of the Institute
On Feb. 3, The Tech spoke with President Sally Kornbluth about the Institute’s plans in response to the Trump administration’s new policies affecting higher education and research.
School of Science website removes “Diversity and Inclusion” page
Recently, the MIT School of Science removed its “Diversity and Inclusion” page, which now redirects to the MIT School of Science Academic Affairs & Community Engagement (AACE) website.
NIH funding cuts pose challenges to Institute’s health research
On Feb. 7, the NIH released an announcement stating that indirect cost rates for current and new grants would be capped at a rate of 15% in order to reduce expenses.
Vice President for Equity and Inclusion Karl W. Reid ’84, SM ‘85 steps down
On Feb. 7, President Kornbluth sent out an email stating that Vice President for Equity and Inclusion Karl W. Reid ’84, SM ’85 decided to step down from his position.
David Darmofal SM ’91, PhD ‘93 appointed as next vice chancellor for undergraduate and graduate education
In an email to the MIT community on Feb. 3, Chancellor Melissa Nobles announced David Darmofal SM ’91, PhD ’93 Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics, as the next vice chancellor for undergraduate and graduate education.
Festival of Learning 2025 discusses the future of mens et manus education at MIT
Co-sponsored by MIT Open Learning and the Office of the Vice Chancellor, the annual event serves to bring MIT faculty, staff, and students together to discuss ways to improve “teaching and learning at the Institute.”
Radiolab founder and creator Jad Abumrad presents “How to Talk to a Human” at Sanders Theatre
In “How to Talk to a Human,” Abumrad shared his insights on how people can have better conversations in many kinds of settings, from conducting interviews to talking to a family member.
GTL Germany and the post-vacation blues
It wasn’t until a few days after the trip that I noticed I was experiencing the post-vacation blues, a feeling of sadness that comes after a vacation ends
Regaining confidence, one step at a time
No one else can help me become more confident except myself.
MIT SIPB launches the beta version of OpenGrades, a fully anonymous course evaluation platform
On Dec. 12, 2024, MIT’s Student Information Processing Board (SIPB) launched a beta version of OpenGrades, a platform where students can anonymously share information about classes at MIT since Fall 2021.
Lara Ozkan ’25 named 2025 Marshall Scholar
Ozkan: “MIT has been the most transformative experience of my academic career.”
Arvo Pärt’s Spiegel im Spiegel reflects like infinite mirrors
The complex emotions that the composition captures, from yearning to introspection, allows it to have endless interpretations.
Prof. Rosalind Picard apologizes for comments at the 2024 NeurIPS conference
Picard: “Our students and colleagues who are Chinese or Chinese American frequently contend with deliberate ethnic stereotyping that feeds an atmosphere of mistrust.”
Amphibious Achievement: a dual athletic, academic mentorship program
Wang ’26: “Seeing the high schoolers try their best makes you feel inspired that you can be someone that can help others.”
A lifelong journey of music and singing
The Tech interviews Srinivasan (“Srini”) Raghuraman SM ’17, PhD ’20, an EECS Lecturer and Staff Research Scientist at Visa Research.
The Berlin Philharmonic mesmerizes audience with its passionate performance
On Wednesday, Nov. 20, the world-renowned Berlin Philharmonic performed at Boston’s Symphony Hall as part of their highly anticipated 2024 U.S. tour.
MIT holds Life Sciences and Health Collaborative launch event on Dec. 4
Kornbluth: “Overall, MIT HEALS is an opportunity to make our work—as individuals and institutions—collectively add up more than the sum of our parts.”
Dear Brother
I have been thinking about you a lot this past week, especially your younger self.
A rich soundscape: Hiromi’s Sonicwonder is a seamless fusion of genres
On Nov. 9, she returned to Berklee, captivating the audience with her latest album release, Sonicwonderland.
Four 2025 Rhodes Scholars hail from MIT
Yiming Chen ’24, Wilhem Hector ’25, Anushka Nair ’25, and David Oluigbo ’25 have been selected as 2025 Rhodes Scholars to pursue postgraduate studies at Oxford University beginning next fall.
Chabad at MIT, MIT Hillel, and the MIT Israel Alliance hold a memorial service and display in memory of the October 7th attack
"It was really important that the display would not be political,” Bechhofer said. “[The memorial] would just focus on themes of human suffering, crisis, and then resilience and rebuilding.”
The Coalition for Palestine continues regular protests as numerous arrests made
The Coalition for Palestine remains adamant in its messaging of severing ties between the Institute and Israeli entities involved in the conflict.
Dr. Francis Collins presents The Road to Wisdom at the 2024 Boston Book Festival
Collins: “It’s not a book that I really felt a strong urge to try to put together until it seemed it was pretty much impossible for me to resist.”
The 2024 Election: The Institute Reacts
Student voices echo the sentiments of the nation, administration largely silent
The organ takes center stage at Symphony Hall
The BSO concert on Saturday, October 12, was special for its focus on the organ, a keyboard instrument known for its resonant, high-range sounds.
Fantasies through piano: Emanuel Ax opens the Celebrity Series of Boston
With the eighty-eight black and white keys of a piano at his fingertips, Ax strung together soft and powerful melodies that resembled dreams and unrestrained imagination.
The BSO begins the 2024-2025 season with Concert for the City
On a drizzly, wet Saturday afternoon on September 21, the warm glow of Symphony Hall beckoned many concert goers to enter the Concert for the City, a sold-out concert for the BSO’s Opening Weekend.
Cirque de la Symphonie and the Boston Pops make a great combination
Unlike other Pops concerts, what made this concert special was the combination of circus acrobatics and instrumental music.
MIT Police Department releases 2024 security and fire safety report
The total number of criminal offenses decreased from 29 in 2021 to 23 in 2023.
MIT begins the new Music Technology and Computation Graduate Program
On Sept. 27, MIT announced the launch of the Music Technology and Computation graduate program.
MIT Health offers annual campus flu clinic
The clinic will take place in Walker Memorial from Monday Oct. 7 to Thursday Oct. 10 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
The Ig Nobel Prize ceremony returns to MIT for the first time in 20 years
The Ig Nobel Prize ceremony returns to MIT for the first time in 20 years
MIT’s Excellent Sheep
My thoughts about MIT are more complicated now – grateful for the amazing people and research-driven environment, but also slightly disappointed and jaded about this place.
Jesselyn Cook presents The Quiet Damage at the Harvard Book Store
The Quiet Damage follows the devastating effects of QAnon’s conspiracy theories on the lives of five families in the U.S.
Log Log Land portrays the lives of music students at MIT in a cinematic light
Should one pursue their passion for music and theater, or focus on securing a practical job that pays well instead? This difficult question is one of the main themes that the MIT Logarhythms musical movie Log Log Land explores.
In advanced standing: 2024 ASE results
The notoriously difficult 5.111 chemistry Advanced Standing Exam pass rate climbed 7% from two years prior
Institute sees precipitous decline in racial minority enrollment for incoming class year
MIT’s incoming Class of 2028 is the least racially diverse in recent memory. In the Institute’s first admitted class following the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down affirmative action, 16 percent of students are Black, Hispanic, Native American and Pacific Islander, a significant decrease from the 25 percent in an aggregated profile for the previous four classes.
Revisiting il dolce far niente at Tanglewood
Besides the rich music I got to hear, what made Tanglewood special was that the concert going experience made me embrace il dolce far niente — the art of doing nothing.
In Memoriam: Mathieu Le Provost
Mathieu Le Provost, a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, passed away unexpectedly on July 30 in France. Joining MIT in 2023, Le Provost was a member of the Uncertainty Quantification Group under Professor Youssef Marzouk. Previously, Le Provost received his PhD in mechanical engineering from UCLA in 2022 and was advised by Professor Jeff Eldredge. According to the Uncertainty Quantification Group website, Le Provost’s research interests focus on “exploiting structures of forward and inverse problems to develop robust and scalable methods.”
30 first-year students receive FYRE offers, an all-time low
30 first-year students had successful moves, which is the lowest number ever since 2017.
Jessica Shand G performs Transmutations at the MIT Media Lab
If there was one main takeaway listeners got from Transmutations, it was immersing themselves in the rich soundscapes and letting their minds drift off to another world.
Course 6-7 curriculum restyled as explosive rise of machine learning takes hold in academia
Early this month, the Registrar’s Office published an updated MIT Bulletin for the 2024–2025 academic year and introduced significant modifications to course curricula for numerous departments, including Course 6-7 (Computer Science and Molecular Biology).
EECS updates 6-4 curriculum
On August 21, EECS Undergraduate Officer Dr. Katrina LaCurts sent an email to the EECS undergraduate mailing list regarding an update to the Artificial Intelligence and Decision Making (6-4) curriculum.
Duane Boning appointed as the new Vice Provost for International Activities
MIT has announced the appointment of Duane Boning as the new Vice Provost for International Activities (VPIA), effective September 1 of this year. Boning, a long-standing member of the MIT community and the Clarence J. LeBel Professor in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, will oversee the Institute's global engagements and policies. Boning's appointment is seen as a continuation of MIT’s commitment to fostering international partnerships that address global challenges.
Career Dilemma
What the executive leader at my internship said made me think a lot about how many people pursue jobs for money instead of personal fulfillment.
Joyce Carol Oates presents Butcher at the Cambridge Public Library
Based on the dark history of gynecology and mental asylums in the 19th century, Butcher is a novel about Dr. Silas Weir, a doctor who performs gruesome surgeries on women in the New Jersey Asylum for Female Lunatics.
Future of Latino Cultural Center uncertain as Sin LíMITe, Latino CPW events face low turnout in spring semester
The Spring 2024 cohorts for Sin LíMITe and Ebony Affair were both opened for all admitted students, regardless of cultural or ethnic identification. Sin LíMITe’s 2024 cohort dropped in enrollment to around 40 students, which also included some participants who did not identify as Latino—a first for the program.
Interphase EDGE hit with declined enrollment for current cohort amidst student speculation of broader trends
Student enrollment for the 2024 Interphase EDGE program has reportedly declined to around 30 students, according to student sources.
Last Night
Hearing my senior friends talk about their last semesters and futures made me enter the mindset of a soon-to-be graduate, even though I have one more year of undergrad.
A thrilling read about China’s race to save the imperial treasures in WWII: Fragile Cargo by Adam Brookes
In Fragile Cargo, Adam Brookes encourages readers to look at China’s precious art collection from a different angle.
A librarian of human stories
Meet Ms. Emilie Songolo, Head of Distinctive Collections
Tech Night at Pops: a long-lasting tradition worth attending
The Boston Pops performed repertoire appropriate for the festive occasion: well-known celebratory pieces, iconic film scores, and jazz masterworks.
Reshma Shetty ’08 PhD delivers keynote speech for the 2024 MIT School of Engineering and Schwarzman College of Computing degree ceremony
Shetty: “A startup is the best way to work on problems that matter to me.”
An angry piece, an interesting trumpet concerto, and a wonderful symphony
The BSO performance was memorable for its novel and unconventional works of music.
A Timeless Classic: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performs for Celebrity Series of Boston
Although each work had distinct choreography and background music, what brought them together was the dancers’ stunning movements and dynamic energies.
Nicholas D. Kristof talks about chasing hope as a journalist
Although Chasing Hope discusses a lot of heavy topics, the memoir is also about Kristof’s search for hope and humanity in the most unexpected places.
Dear Mom
I will share the epistolary thoughts I had in my mind this past month, thoughts that feel like an imaginary conversation with you, except you are silent.
Hilary Hahn steals the show at the BSO
Despite it being a weekday night, Symphony Hall was packed, the atmosphere buzzing with excitement and energy in anticipation of Hilary Hahn’s performance.
Fareed Zakaria discusses revolutions from the 1600 to the present
In Age of Revolutions, Zakaria covers major revolutions that changed the world, from the French Revolution to the Industrial Revolution.
Dr. Ari Epstein on how the Terrascope program tackles sustainability
The Tech sat down with Dr. Ari Epstein to learn about his experience teaching Terrascope and the impact Terrascope has had on students.
Bruce Liu showcases his virtuosity in Boston debut
From the Baroque to the Impressionist era, Liu’s magnificent renditions of challenging pieces held the packed audience spellbound.
Bursting the MIT Bubble
It’s one thing to get to places without relying on Google Maps, but it’s another thing to know the people and stories that make up a place.
Breaking Boundaries in Music
The Tech sits down with Chromic Duo to talk about music, multimedia, and storytelling.
Prof. Edmund Bertschinger shares his perspective on the importance of science activism and diversity in STEM
The Tech sat down with Bertschinger to discuss his unique position at MIT and his work towards a more diverse MIT.
Inside the Mind of a Musicologist
Meet Dr. Teresa Neff, a Senior Lecturer in Music
Storytelling through theater and music in the BSO’s performance of Peer Gynt
The packed stage of actors, instrumentalists, and singers performing together made the experience refreshing
Celina Zhao ’24 shares her journey in science journalism
Explaining scientific concepts can be hard. But Celina Zhao '24 makes it look easy.
GTL Italy Taught Me about Finding a Shared Humanity
The truth is that GTL Italy was one of the loneliest times in my life, but also one of the most meaningful experiences I had.
Mu Lan Taiwanese Restaurant: a great Cambridge dining staple
Mu Lan is a great option for its proximity to campus, the variety of menu options, and its moderate price range.
Visiting the Other Cambridge
I found it amusing that both are famous college towns that share the same name while having significant differences in various aspects.
Holst’s The Planets Suite VII: Neptune Shines for its Mysterious Nature
The movement makes listeners enter an unparalleled state of wonder.
Brookline Lunch: A Restaurant You Have to Try
The portions are sizable, the food is delicious, and the atmosphere is lively.
Love for the Charles River
For some reason, the Charles River holds a special place in my heart.
Vialé: Hit or Miss?
From classics like the margherita pie pizza to the saffron lumache to the calamari, the menu is enticing for many.
Daniil Trifonov Captivates Listeners
From Rameau to Beethoven, world-renowned pianist Daniil Trifonov’s repertoire showcases his unparalleled attention to detail and fine mastery in capturing the nuances in music.
Smartphones and Cigarettes Go Hand in Hand
Using smartphones is very different from smoking as one consists of using a handheld device while the other directly causes lung cancer and air pollution, but they are fundamentally not that distinct from a behavioral point of view.
The Mystery of Long-Term Friendships
We simply grew apart, changed over time, and now have different lives.
Dear Housemate, Rewritten
This was the first time I truly cried for someone.
Wandering Around Tianmu Aimlessly
Why was I so emotional about a place I’d only lived in for two years?
Times Have Changed
Maybe the passage of time is what’s forcing me to consider that times have changed.
French House, New House, All the Houses
All I can say is that my sadness comes from the fact that things have been lost over time and have not come back.
The Necessity of Journaling
Small problems get brushed to the side and then build up over time, random ideas get forgotten, and things don’t get documented.
The Power of the Brush
Calligraphy felt like some form of meditation
A Song’s Lasting Impressions
It’s only the beginning of the music video, yet intuition tells me that this song will make me cry.
The Growth Mindset
My fixed mindset was holding me back, not moving me forward.
Tears, Tsukiyo, and Never Let Me Go
Physically, my mom is only a mile away from me, yet the phone call makes me think that she is much farther away from me.
Walking the Boston Marathon for cancer research
Little did I know at the time, this experience would be one of the most unique and memorable experiences of my entire life.
Il dolce far niente: the art of doing nothing
Summer ended only a few months ago, yet that time feels so far away and foreign.
Being cynical about love
Sure, I see couples basking in the sun at the local park or drinking wine at a fancy restaurant, but while romantic love is a reality for them, it’s not for me.
Breathe in, breathe out
Never had I experienced true silence until I descended underwater.
Abundant resources exist but are underutilized
Sometimes we forget that we have the privilege of attending one of the best universities in the world.
Why I chose MIT
The more I read the blogs, the more I wanted to be a part of MIT.
Regressing instead of progressing?
If my situation sounded like burnout, what did that mean for my next three years at MIT?
Dear friend,
I know your insecurities, secrets, and aspirations, but can I really know you well despite having no day-to-day interactions with you?
The words that stuck with me
If I couldn’t even be kind and compassionate to myself, then how could I love anyone unconditionally?
Eating tofu pudding again
I feel like I am back in my ten-year-old self once again, content with the joys in life as simple as tofu pudding.
Homecoming
I was already starting to count down the days till the first day of IAP.
What P/NR taught me
Besides encouraging me to adopt a healthier mindset when it comes to academics, P/NR has taught me to embrace a lifestyle that has a balance of work and fun.
Taiwan, I miss you
It has been five years since I boarded the plane to move back to the U.S. from Taiwan. As wistful as I was when I saw the green land vanish before my eyes, I thought I would get the opportunity to visit Taiwan a year or two after I left. But I was wrong. Each summer that followed presented a new obstacle preventing me from going back to Taiwan. I’m content with my life in the U.S., but that doesn’t mean my strong feelings of nostalgia for Taiwan have gone away. Whenever I look at old photos of me in Taiwan or flip through travel and dining books about Taiwan, a sudden surge of longing rises inside of me.
Why it’s time to leave social media
Imagine a life where you simply sit and soak in the beautiful fall scenery instead of using your phone to read the latest headlines on Twitter.
‘Although I only hear sounds, the rich dialogue and background noise make this other world feel real’
A new adventure begins every time I play This American Life, a popular radio program.