Task force approves of Kendall plan
A faculty task force has recommended to the Provost that MIT proceed with its east campus (Kendall Square) rezoning proposal, but to consider the land as “an extremely precious resource” and to drive the process with a new comprehensive design plan, rather than commercial interests. The report was discussed at Wednesday’s faculty meeting and released later that day.
Aaron Swartz asks court to suppress data from MIT
MIT released details and logs of Aaron Swartz’s use of the MIT network to law enforcement without a warrant or subpoena, according to court documents filed on Friday, Oct. 5.
Sustainability, ethics and global systems
On Monday, Oct. 15, the Dalai Lama participated in a whole-day forum, in which he shared the stage with a diverse group of experts. The event, titled “Global Systems 2.0,” focused on global issues, such as world hunger, climate change, and global health. The day consisted of two panels: one in the morning titled “Ethics, Economics, and Environment,” and one in the afternoon titled “Peace, Governance, and Diminishing Resources.”
4.0 quake takes New England by surprise
A 4.0-magnitude earthquake shook southern Maine at approximately 7:12 p.m. on Tuesday, resulting in a shockwave felt all across New England. The quake, which was downgraded from its initial estimated magnitude of 4.6, caused no apparent injuries or property damage. Cambridge residents reported experiencing weak shaking.
Buddhism and meditation
On Tuesday, the Dalai Lama spoke about Buddhism in the modern world. In his talk titled “Stages of Meditation: Buddhism for the 21st Century,” His Holiness explained the basic principles of Buddhism and called for respect for all beliefs.
Woman reports sexual assault at MIT
A woman reported to police yesterday that she had been sexually assaulted on the MIT campus on Oct. 14. The call was reported to other police before reaching campus police, but the incident is currently under investigation by the MIT Police.
Graduate student Allison Tovo-Dwyer passes away
Third-year Department of Chemistry graduate student Allison Tovo-Dwyer passed away last Thursday, after a yearlong battle with cancer. She was 25 years old.
EdX announces partnership with Cengage
On Wednesday edX announced a new collaboration with Cengage Learning, a large Connecticut-based provider of educational content and software. The company will both supply content to edX and work with edX to improve pedagogy.
The Dalai Lama arrives
Tenzin Gyasto, the Dalai Lama and foremost figure in Tibetan Buddhism, recently concluded a visit to MIT, home to the Dalai Lama Center for Ethics and Transformative Values. The Center organized several events this week with the Dalai Lama and other prominent spiritual and academic figures.
High points of the 2030 report
1. The affected real estate represents “an extremely precious resource.”
Afghan officials spar over 2014 vote
KABUL, Afghanistan — Nearly two years before Afghanistan’s presidential election, a brewing dispute between President Hamid Karzai and Afghan lawmakers over the handling of voter fraud complaints is raising questions about whether a credible election can be held — and, by extension, future international support for the country’s financially ailing government.
Shorts (right)
President Barack Obama has significant leads over Mitt Romney in Iowa and Wisconsin, two critical battleground states that could serve as a firewall for the president against a late surge by his rival in other places, according to new NBC News/Wall Street Journal/Marist polls released Thursday evening.
Drilling payments cause a dispute in Pennsylvania
PHILADELPHIA — Four Pennsylvania townships are challenging a state regulator’s decision to withhold their share of proceeds from a statewide levy on drilling by the booming natural gas industry there.
French-German disputes could mar European summit
BRUSSELS — European Union leaders sought Thursday to overcome sharp differences over how to improve supervision of their banks and budgets, at the start of a two-day summit meeting aimed at resolving the eurozone crisis.
Rain to give way to warmth
A large low pressure system that has been responsible for high winds across the northern Plains and Midwestern United States earlier this week will bring rainy weather to start the weekend in the Boston area. Showers will begin in the early morning hours today and persist throughout the day, possibly becoming heavy at times as the storm persists into the evening.
Turkey & Egypt seek alliance amid upheaval of Arab Spring
ISTANBUL — With war on Turkey’s borders, and political and economic troubles in Egypt, the two countries have turned to each other for support, looking to build an alliance that could represent a significant geopolitical shift in the Middle East prompted by the Arab Spring, uniting two countries with regional ambitions each headed by parties with roots in political Islam.
Second Appeals Court rules against Federal Marriage Act
A federal appeals court in Manhattan ruled Thursday that the federal statute defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman unlawfully discriminates against same-sex married couples by denying them equal federal benefits.
MITx and the classroom of tomorrow
In recent weeks, there has been much energy and enthusiasm about both MITx and its multi-institutional counter part edX. Listening to the debate over how MITx can be integrated into the residential experience, I am impressed by how much thought all affected parties have invested. We as a community are at a crossroads. We have been presented with an opportunity to substantially change what it means to receive a college education. This possibility excites me, but for others it may seem slightly frightening. Many people are concerned about what we may lose in the process of integrating online education into our current system. While these concerns are certainly valid, I am still optimistic. Rather than focus on how MITx might harm, I focus on how it can transform. What follows is my vision of how this transformation might play out.
CORRECTIONS
A front page photo of Walter Lewin published last Friday incorrectly said that his lecture took place on Thursday. It took place on Tuesday.
Back to the grind
If you played the original Borderlands and liked it enough to do a second playthrough, there is no point in reading this review past the next sentence. Borderlands 2 is worth its cost at $60; it has everything the original has, plus a real plot and an almost seamless co-op multiplayer experience.
ARCHITECTURE@MIT: More than objects
The Kerf Pavilion, unveiled near the Green Building in the beginning of July, has piqued many curious minds on campus. Here, team members Tyler Crain, Brian Hoffer, Chris Mackey, and Dave Miranowski discuss the significance and motivations of their project.
A magnificent visual guide to the universe
The new edition of Universe is nothing short of what it promises. Edited by Astronomer Royal Martin Rees and published for the Smithsonian Institution by DK, the book is a comprehensive, up-to-date, and visually mesmerizing guide to the cosmos and what we know of it. Its 500 pages are divided into three sections: astronomy in general, the cosmos, and the night sky.
Friday’s Beaver Madness to kick off basketball season
The days are getting a bit chillier, which means basketball season is heating up. This Friday’s Beaver Madness marks the ceremonial kick-off to the start of the men’s and women’s basketball seasons at MIT, two campaigns that should be jam-packed with excitement.
Cycling takes on 45 degree banking, wins Nationals
Seven MIT Cycling members descended on the 45-degree banked 250-meter wooden velodrome in Frisco, TX, for the USA Cycling Collegiate Track National Championships on September 20 through 22. Their mission? Gold medals, Stars and Bars jerseys, and the hotly contested DII National Championship title.
Women’s soccer victorious
The MIT women’s soccer team edged out No. 7 nationally ranked Wheaton, 2-1, on Tuesday afternoon, ending the Lyons’ undefeated season. The Engineers are now 11-3-1 for the season and 6-1 in conference play, while Wheaton dipped to 13-1-2 and 6-1 in NEWMAC play. Michaelann Rodriguez ’14 scored the game-winning goal 33 minutes into the game.
Women’s volleyball team beats Babson on Tuesday
MIT received 25 combined kills from senior Trinity P. Leonard and first-year Ada V. Taylor and 43 assists from senior Alyssa L. Rothman en route to a 3-1 victory over host Babson College in a NEWMAC women’s volleyball match at Babson College on Tuesday night.
