Rainy Weekend Ahead
A rainy weekend is ahead with a 70% chance of rain Friday night, 60% chance of showers on Saturday, and 40% chance of precipitation on Saturday. Winds from the Northeast direction will be roughly 10 mph, blowing away the nice weather we had in the past week. Temperatures range from high 50s to high 40s.
Pro-Palestinian student encampment clashes with administration, police force and counterprotestors
As the pro-Palestinian Scientists Against Genocide Encampment pressed on with its third week holding Kresge Oval, its continued presence has escalated into numerous clashes between the encampment and MIT officials, law enforcement at the municipal and state level, and pro-Israeli counterprotestors.
Referendum 2 proponents speak at Undergraduate Association Council meeting
Referendum #2 speakers call for an ad hoc committee “to handle the interpretation and implementation of the referendum.”
MIT eliminates diversity statements in faculty hiring
On May 5, the President Sally Kornbluth announced that the Institute will no longer include diversity statements as part of the application process for faculty appointments. The move to eliminate such statements for hiring is purportedly the first amongst elite universities.
UA food survey results released for the 2023-24 year
The UA Food Security Committee releases its report on food security on campus on April 23.
Class of 2026 holds Ring Delivery ceremony
The MIT Class of 2026 held their Brass Rat Ring Delivery ceremony on the evening of May 5 at the Prudential Center in Boston. The ceremony symbollicaly marks reaching the halfway point of one's time at the Institute. This year marked the 97th Brass Rat, a tradition begun in 1929 by C. Brigham Allen '29.
April 17 faculty meeting highlights Institute successes and room for improvement
The faculty members that proposed topics to be discussed at this meeting were Provost Cynthia Barnhart PhD '88 and Professors Nancy Kanwisher, Duane Boning, and Tal Cohen.
Vice Chancellor Ian Waitz announced as next Vice President of Research
In an email to the MIT community on April 24, President Sally Kornbluth announced that Ian Waitz, Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics, will begin his tenure as MIT’s Vice President of Research (VPR) after Professor Maria Zuber steps down effective May 1.
“Earthshot” petition urges MIT administration to decarbonize by 2035
The Earthshot petition received 279 votes to urge the Institute to decarbonize by 2035.
Live Updates: Student encampment, May 6–7
Publisher's Note: Live reporting for this feed has concluded as of Tuesday, May 7 at 9:36 p.m, with its last update coming in at 7:58 p.m. Further coverage will be reported through separate articles.
Dorm Row plunges into darkness following manhole explosion
At approximately 1 a.m. May 6, a manhole explosion near W85 (Westgate Apartments) and Tang Hall caused power outages to numerous buildings along the Amherst Alley, also known as Dorm Row. The Cambridge Fire Department were present at the scene and at the time of this writing, are investigating what happened. No injuries were reported, but power has yet to be restored to the affected buildings.
No more MIT research for Israel’s Ministry of Defense
There is also the question of what we must say. We must speak against atrocities enabled by our science. We must emphasize the urgent moral distinction between what funding we can take—and have the right to take—and what funding we should take.
Antiracism or Oppression: MIT Must Choose
Every member of MIT’s community has a choice in this matter and must decide to either let oppression permeate our culture or take anti-racist action to build a better world. Now, MIT must choose.
A Public Letter to President Sally Kornbluth
It’s as simple as 1-2-3; and the good news is you wrote the steps. It’s time for you to lead us and the world at-large into a brighter future where “every individual has the freedom and support to flourish and grow, and in which we all have a sense of community, connection and shared purpose.”
Becoming a Man asks questions about life, love, and human connection
Becoming a Man mixes biography, documentary, and humanity into a single unique theatrical experience. It tells the story of Carl, a transgender man who transitioned in his fifties and explores his relationships and personal growth during what Carl tells the audience was the “best and worst year of his life.”
Yo-Yo Ma and Kathryn Stott perform together in Boston for the last time
The two give a memorable performance and end their partnership on a beautiful note.
An angry piece, an interesting trumpet concerto, and a wonderful symphony
The BSO performance was memorable for its novel and unconventional works of music.
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.
Romeo and Juliet, as told by Berlioz and the BSO
The BSO’s performance of Berlioz’s dramatic symphony brings the story of Romeo and Juliet to life.
Lights! Camera! Fashion! The 2024 MIT Gala finds success on- and off-stage.
The 2024 MIT Gala was an exciting blur: starting with art galleries, then a fashion show, and finally the release of Issue 12 of Infinite Magazine.
Interview with Boston Marathon runner David Suarez ’25
The Boston Marathon is one of the oldest and most famous marathons in the world. It takes place annually on Patriot’s Day in Boston, Massachusetts, attracting tens of thousands of elite runners and excited spectators. Totaling to more than 26 miles with numerous challenging segments, the Boston Marathon requires all participants to run a qualifying time depending on the age group and gender.
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.
ChatMIT: Sam Altman on Start-ups, GPT, and the AI Revolution
Altman: “We have a ton of work in front of us.”
MIT.nano: engineering at the heart of the Institute
Scholvin: “Nothing that happens in microfabrication should work. And the reason it's possible is because we negotiate with nature, in some sense.”
The impact and potential of early exposure to machine learning
Educators and innovators discuss why teaching machine learning to a younger generation is vital for preparing them to thrive in an AI-driven world.
