News Briefs
Eight buildings were without MIT Cable service from June 23–26. The outage was likely created by power surges related to electrical work that was being done in Next House (W71), according to the Information Services and Technology Web site 3DOWN.
Big Paycheck or Service? Students Are Put to the Test
A prominent education professor at Harvard has begun leading “reflection” seminars at three highly selective colleges, which he hopes will push undergraduates to think more deeply about the connection between their educations and aspirations.
Surge in Overseas Applicants Driven by Weak Dollar
The faltering U.S. dollar, which has steadily lost value against major currencies around the world, has produced a silver lining for foreign students and the American universities that recruit them.
Lawyer: Student in NW16 Basement Was ‘Hacking’
More than four weeks after Michael P. Short G was arrested after being found in an off-limits location in NW16, felony charges are still pending against him. Despite silence from officials at MIT, Short’s lawyer seems optimistic that the charges will eventually be dropped as in previous hacking-related cases.
MIT Grad Jobless, Selling Himself the Old-Fashioned Way
Joshua S. Persky ’81, an out-of-work investment banker, has been hunting for a job on Wall Street for more than six months. Recently he got so frustrated he decided to get a little creative.
Barbara Liskov Named Institute Professor
Associate Provost for Faculty Equity Barbara H. Liskov became an Institute Professor, achieving the highest faculty rank at MIT, on July 1.
In Short
EZRide Shuttle will increase its service and implement new stop locations in University Park beginning Monday, July 14. Service on Sidney St. will be relocated to Landsdowne St. to provide better commute service for MIT graduate students, according to the Graduate Student Council. See http://www.charlesrivertma.org/program_ezride_advisories.htm.
A Close Call: Student Groups Escape $27K Network, Phone Bill
Student groups were billed $27,000 in unexpected charges for phones and network in June, covering the fiscal year from July 2007 to June 2008. The MIT administration has agreed to cover the charges this year, but plans for who would pay similar charges next year remain uncertain.
Police Log
<i>The following incidents were reported to the MIT Police between June 4, 2008 and June 30, 2008. This summary does not include incidents such as false alarms, general service calls, or medical shuttles.</i>
Laura Capone
Laura Capone, senior associate dean for the Division of Student Life, passed away on Friday, July 4, at Addison Gilbert Hospital after a battle with cancer. She was 47.
Newly Elected Members of the MIT Corporation
The MIT Corporation elected the above members at its quarterly meeting on Friday, June 6. All memberships were effective beginning July 1. With these new members, the Corporation consists of 73 members, 21 of which are life members and eight of which are ex officio. An additional 34 individuals are life members emeritus, who can participate in meetings but do not having voting privileges.
10-250 Upgrades to Be Completed by Fall With New Seating, Audiovisual Equipment
Lecture hall 10-250, closed for renovations in the spring, will be bigger and brighter when it reopens for the first day of classes in the fall.
Joseph F. Kuchta
Joseph F. Kuchta, who spent almost 40 years with MIT as a safety officer and later golf coach, and who was renowned for his work with Alpha Phi Omega and other charitable organizations, died on Monday, June 23. He was 88.
Jack B. Howard
Jack B. Howard, a professor emeritus in the Department of Chemical Engineering, died on July 7 after a battle with brain cancer. He was 70.
Jane McNabb
Jane McNabb, a 47-year employee at MIT’s Department of Meteorology and Physical Oceanography — a precursor to the Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences — died on Saturday, May 24. She was 84.
Animated Series ‘As the Wrench Turns’: New Turn for Magliozzi Brothers and PBS
Most TV series are propelled into the world by creative vision, ambition, all-out effort, and dreams of market domination. With “Click & Clack’s As the Wrench Turns,” the upcoming PBS cartoon featuring “Car Talk” stars Tom Magliozzi ’58 and Ray Magliozzi ’72, it took something else — a whole lot of cajoling.
Tackling Stereotype Of Asian-Americans In Higher Education
The image of Asian-Americans as a homogeneous group of high achievers taking over the campuses of the nation’s most selective colleges came under assault in a report issued Monday.
Our Perspective Is Shaped by MIT, Opportunities
<i>Below is the text of Class of 2008 President Phi Ho’s address to the graduates during Commencement on June 6.</i>
Grad Student Found In NW16 Basement Faces Felony Charges
A graduate student faces felony charges after MIT Police found three students in a caged room in Building NW16 late Saturday night. The incident is reminiscent of the felony charges filed against three hackers found exploring the Faculty Club in October 2006.