Bexlians modify illustrations in new community space
Former residents of Bexley Hall had to modify illustrations in the Pritchett Lounge in Walker Memorial last week that were deemed offensive by the Campus Activities Complex (CAC). In August, the former Bexley residents were given use of the room in Walker Memorial, meant to serve as a community space, following the closure of Bexley in May.
Athena clusters scheduled to be renovated or closed
MIT’s Athena clusters, which have not seen a significant upgrade since their creation in the 1980s, will soon be receiving a long-awaited upgrade. Although construction in several buildings will lead to the temporary closure of some clusters and three will be permanently closed, there are plans to renovate the Student Center cluster, and eventually, other public computing spaces.
Haiyan aid lagging
BASEY, Philippines — When Typhoon Haiyan hit this coastal town, residents ran for Saint Michael the Archangel Church. Now, 10 days later, more than 100 of them remain.
Broad Institute receives $100 million donation
To build on a decade of biomedical research at the Broad Institute in Cambridge, the real estate magnate and philanthropist Eli Broad will announce Thursday that he and his wife, Edythe, are providing another $100 million to the genomics center that bears their name.
Underclassmen Giving Campaign raises over $8000
The Undergraduate Giving Campaign (UGC) ended on Nov. 1, raising a total of $8674.82. The UGC collects donations from freshmen, sophomores, and juniors for one week per semester to fund Expedition Grants from MIT’s Public Service Center, which support undergraduate public service projects abroad.
IN SHORT
Shawarma Shack is now open on the second floor of the student center in the Lobdell Food Court. Operated by the owners of Pacific Street Cafe, Shawarma Shack serves Middle Eastern dishes with Moroccan flair, including shawarma, falafel, kebobs, grape leaves, and other Halal dishes. It is open Sunday thru Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
New ASA resource eligibility proposal
The resources for which MIT student groups can be eligible may be subject to new restrictions introduced within key Association of Student Activities (ASA) proposed policy changes. The proposal describing those restrictions — the “openness” proposal — would implement a tiered ASA resource eligibility system based on the group’s membership policies regarding sex/gender, undergraduate/graduate student status, class year, GPA, and major.
Crandall passes at 92
Stephen H. Crandall, the Ford Professor of Engineering Emeritus at MIT, a pioneer in random vibrations and rotordynamics, and a leader in transforming mechanics into an engineering science, passed away Oct. 29, in Needham, Mass. He was 92 years old.
DuPont CEO Ellen Kullman is 2014 Commencement speaker
Ellen Kullman, the CEO and chairwoman of DuPont, will deliver the keynote Commencement speech in June 2014, MIT is expected to announce today. She will be the fourth speaker in five years at the helm of a science or technology company.
Lobby 10 to be renamed ‘Memorial Lobby’
On Nov. 18, Lobby 10 will be officially renamed “Memorial Lobby.”
Prof. emeritus Bloomfield dies
Professor emeritus of political science Lincoln Palmer Bloomfield died Oct. 30 of respiratory failure. He was 93.
Walsh elected the 48th Boston mayor
One thought prevailed as state Representative Martin J. Walsh and Councilor at Large John R. Connolly battled for mayor of Boston: The road to City Hall would lead through the heart of the city and its southernmost precincts. On Election Day, that appears to be exactly what happened.
Rules to require equal coverage for mental illnesses
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration on Friday will complete a generation-long effort to require insurers to cover care for mental health and addiction just like physical illnesses when it issues long-awaited regulations defining parity in benefits and treatment.
Reif discusses his vision of MIT’s next Chancellor, seeks student input
Two weeks ago, President L. Rafael Reif announced that Eric Grimson PhD ’80 would be stepping down from his Chancellorship to take on the new role of Chancellor for Academic Advancement. Prior to serving as the Chancellor, Grimson headed the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from 2005 to 2011. The Tech sat down with Reif to discuss his visions for the next Chancellor and Grimson’s new role in fundraising.
Unofficial results for Cambridge municipal elections released
In the aftermath of Election Day this past Tuesday, the Cambridge Election Commission has released the preliminary results for the city council school committee elections. According to these numbers, which do not include provisional and overseas ballots, four new city councillors and two new school committee members may be elected when the official numbers are reported on November 15.
NEWS BRIEFS
MIT’s Daniel Kleppner was among nine individuals named as laureates by the Franklin Institute on Monday. Kleppner was awarded the 2014 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Physics “for many pioneering contributions to discoveries of novel quantum phenomena involving the interaction of atoms with electromagnetic fields and the behavior of ultra-low temperatures,” according to a Monday press release published by the Franklin Institute. Kleppner, who is the Lester Wolfe Professor Emeritus of Physics at MIT, conducts research in atomic physics. In addition to his Benjamin Franklin Medal in Physics, he is also the recipient of the 2006 National Medal of Science and the 2005 Wolf Prize.
IN SHORT
Student group space allocation applications are due on Monday, Nov. 11 to the ASA. In addition, applications for new student groups are due next Friday, Nov. 15 at http://web.mit.edu/asa/start/index.html. The deadline to submit applications to the ASA’s Large Event Fund (LEF) and the Assisting Recurring Cultural and Diversity Events (ARCADE) fund is Sun, Nov. 24.