Flu shots, add date, half-term drop date
There will be a flu shot clinic from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Walker Memorial on Oct. 3. All MIT Medical patients, and all employees, students, affiliates, and retirees are eligible.
Goodwin Procter investigation discovers letter signed by President Reif
Law firm Goodwin Procter, which is investigating MIT’s financial ties to Jeffrey Epstein, has discovered a “standard acknowledgment letter” signed by President L. Rafael Reif August 2012 thanking Epstein for a donation to Professor Seth Lloyd. Reif disclosed the findings in an email to the MIT community Sept. 12 about Goodwin Procter’s “preliminary fact-finding.”
Tobie Weiner retires after 34 years at MIT
Tobie Weiner, undergraduate administrator for political science, retired recently after 34 years at the Institute. The Tech spoke with Weiner in a phone interview about her career in MIT’s political science department.
MIT settles Fidelity lawsuit
According to a Sept. 4 district court order, MIT reorganized its offerings of 401(k) investment options, removing hundreds of funds July 15. MIT’s supplemental 401(k) plan is managed by Fidelity, the recordkeeper and investment manager responsible for choosing and tracking MIT’s funds.
Changes planned to Commencement starting 2020
The administration is planning to change the structure of the 2020 Commencement ceremony, likely in the form of a short ceremony for all students followed by separate degree awarding ceremonies. The changes aim to address issues such as the lack of space in Killian Court and the extensive length of the ceremony.
Anne Hunter retires after 37 years as EECS undergraduate academic administrator
Hunter: I think the greatest challenge has been getting all the work done while counseling all the students who needed me to talk to them and explain things to them. They’re sort of two pulls: talking to students versus getting all the administrative stuff done.
Hundreds gather to march in Global Climate Strike
Participants held signs reading “You Lie = I Die,” “Break free from fossil fuels,” “Climate Action Now,” and “Greta gets it.”
How MIT makes work-life balance impossible
The criteria for success while juggling classes, qualifying exams, and research were not clear, and I was led to believe I would fail if I didn’t perform well in all of my commitments.
A letter to President Reif and Provost Schmidt regarding Epstein
Taking Epstein’s money suggested a willingness to turn a blind eye to the impact of his crimes, which included procuring the prostitution of a minor. The fact that this situation was even thinkable at MIT is profoundly disturbing and is symptomatic of broader, more structural problems involving gender and race in MIT’s culture. It is time for fundamental change.
A letter to the MIT community on accepting donations
I’m heartbroken that the senior team apparently spent more time discussing concerns about Epstein’s reputation than about MIT’s when they took the drastic step of accepting money from a disqualified donor.
A letter to President Reif regarding the Open Agriculture Initiative
Both MIT Environmental Health and Safety and MIT’s legal department were made aware of the environmental and academic allegations by Dr. Babakinejad. These serious issues were not properly addressed by MIT, and instead, Dr. Babakinejad faced retaliation for raising these concerns.
What’s wrong with accepting dirty money?
If MIT props up groups that actively work against us, our own donors will continue to thwart our dream of a better world. It’s not accepting dirty money that’s bad; it’s that we change our behavior when we cash the check.
The true price of chocolate
We visited the Chocolonely Chocotruck to taste some chocolates, but what we got instead was a whirlwind tour of dark practices in something so seemingly wholesome that we rarely ever think twice about it — chocolate production and the use of slavery in it.
Beautiful footprints
With “Love is Calling,” Yayoi stamps another beautiful footprint into the sandy beach of her oeuvre. The exhibit is a piece of environmental art that attempts to immerse viewers, who enter a room that contains only three things: spotless mirrors on every surface, tentacle-like sculptures that dance with neon gradients, and themselves.
The Boston Symphony Orchestra’s opening night was a rollercoaster of varied enjoyability
The Boston Symphony Orchestra opened its 139th season with dynamic and expressive performances of works by Poulenc and Beethoven, as well as the world premiere of Eric Nathan's Concerto for Orchestra. Joining the BSO were pianists Lucas and Arthur Jussen, vocal soloists Nicole Cabell, Alexandra Smither, Paulina Swierczek, Katherine Maysek, Chance Jonas-O'Toole, Eric Finbarr Carey, and William Socolof, and the Tanglewood Festival Chorus.
Grace VanderWaal headlines ‘Ur So Beautiful’ tour
Her soft fingerpicking and raspy voice, perfect for long car rides and lazy afternoons, doesn’t quite translate to a stage replete with neon spotlights and crescendo after crescendo.
‘Abominable’ plays it safe
The film has stunning animation and endearing characters, which is enough to keep the movie chugging along to its unsurprising, but heartwarming conclusion.
‘Cleave to no faith when faith brings blood’
"The Crucible" is a poignant reminder that the villains are not only those who yell the loudest, but those who bestow their sanction on the accusers. Bedlam makes this play shine through its thoughtful, textured realization of the characters, its sustained suspense, and its intimate engagement with the audience.
Stressed-out senior
Just take a first step in a direction that seems right for you at this moment in time. Things will change, and that’s alright.
