NEWS BRIEFS
The Graduate Student Housing Working Group was formed to “focus on how we might best house our graduate students” according to the May/June faculty newsletter. In August, the group’s chairman Professor Phillip L. Clay wrote in an email to The Tech that the group planned to “issue a report in October.” However, Dean for Graduate Education Christine Ortiz, a member of the group, wrote that the group is “still deliberating” and offered no updates in an Oct. 28 email to The Tech.
Pelosi visits C-Mod, PSFC layoffs delayed
U.S. Representative Nancy Pelosi visited MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center (PSFC) Thursday, where she learned about MIT’s fusion experiments performed on its tokamak Alcator C-Mod, according to MIT News. The experiment faces an uncertain future and may fail to receive federal funding in FY 2014.
Kendall design team assembled
MIT’s East Campus Steering Committee has selected the next group in charge of advancing the development of the Kendall Square area. The group will collaborate on a study of the property, which will develop into a long-term strategy for development for the area, and in particular the balancing of meeting commercial, residential, and academic needs, according to the MIT News Office.
Coursera to create ‘learning hubs’ outside the US
Coursera, a California-based venture that has enrolled 5 million students in its free online courses, on Thursday announced a partnership with the U.S. government to create “learning hubs” around the world where students can go to get Internet access to free courses supplemented by weekly in-person class discussions with local teachers or facilitators.
Assembly limits of Boston FSILG residences to be re-evaluated
Students and alumni of MIT’s fraternities, sororities, and independent living groups (FSILGs) gathered on Oct. 24 for a meeting regarding the temporary restriction on large events in Boston FSILG residences, which are to remain until the assembly limits of each residence could be evaluated. Boston FSILG residences are applying for updated assembly permits and are restricted from having events that exceed the occupancy of their houses until the permits have been issued — effectively, a ban on parties and other large events at the residences.
NEWS BRIEFS
Billionaire Carlos Slim Helú promised to donate $74 million to the Broad Institute Monday, according to the Boston Globe. His donation will fund genetic research based on the DNA of Hispanics and other non-Europeans, the Globe reported. “I try to support this kind of project — that is for the interest of everyone in the world, but with some focus in Mexico and Latin America,” Slim told the Globe.
NEWS BRIEFS
Voters will choose next Tuesday, Nov. 5, the next mayor of Boston, who will either be Marty Walsh or John R. Connolly. Incumbent Mayor Thomas Menino is not running for reelection.
Undergraduate alumni survey results released
The Office of the Provost recently released the results of the 2013 Undergraduate Alumni survey on its website. The office administers the survey periodically to gather information about undergraduate alumni who have been out of college for at least five years. Previous surveys occurred in 2005 and 2009.
Grimson to lead future fundraising
After more than two and a half years serving as Chancellor of MIT, Eric Grimson PhD ’80 will step down to fill the new role of Chancellor of Academic Advancement. President L. Rafael Reif outlined the position as the head of a new fundraising campaign in the Oct. 22 announcement.
Troubled launch for site
WASHINGTON — Ten days before HealthCare.gov opened for business, Marilyn Tavenner, the relatively obscure federal bureaucrat whose agency oversaw the creation of the troubled online insurance marketplace, had a bad omen. It was a Sunday, and her mobile device was on the fritz, forcing her to go into the office.
Peter Fisher named new head of Department of Physics
Last week, Professor Peter H. Fisher was named the new head of the Department of Physics. His five-year term will begin on Nov. 15. Fisher succeeds Edmund Bertschinger who left his position as department head in July to become the Institute Community and Equity Officer. Since then, Thomas J. Greytak has been serving as an interim department head. Fisher has been a faculty member at MIT since 1994. He currently teaches 8.033, a course on special and general relativity.
Major declaration numbers released; Course VI most popular
Earlier this month, the Registrar released enrollment statistics for the Fall 2013, detailing the primary majors chosen by students of the sophomore class. Course VI, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, was once again the most popular primary major, accounting for 367 students, or 32 percent of the sophomore class.
Grimson leaving Chancellorship to fill new role
Eric Grimson PhD ’80, Chancellor of MIT since 2011, will leave the Chancellorship and take on the ad hoc role of Chancellor for Academic Advancement, President L. Rafael Reif announced in an email to the MIT community Tuesday morning. In the new role, Grimson will help “meet the ambitious goals of MIT’s upcoming fundraising campaign,” Reif wrote. MIT will be searching for a new chancellor, and suggestions or insights should be sent to chancellorsearch@mit.edu or Room 3-208.
Koch-linked group admits spending violations
A secretive nonprofit group with ties to billionaire conservative businessmen Charles and David Koch admitted to improperly failing to disclose more than $15 million in contributions it funneled into state referendum battles in California, state officials there announced Thursday.
Monstrous sales and roaring stock, but no profit
SAN FRANCISCO — Nearly every day, Amazon announces a new venture.