In Swartz case, MIT ‘hands-off,’ report says
A report released by MIT on July 30 found that the Institute maintained “neutrality” during the federal prosecution of the late Internet activist Aaron Swartz, missing a chance to show “leadership” in the two years before his suicide in January.
No more exams in Fall 3.091 class
Rather than take midterms and a final, freshmen in 3.091 this fall will earn their grades by answering a series of around 40 online questions spread out over the semester.
Dorm security will see enhancements
Residents of Baker, Masseh, McCormick, Next House, Simmons and the graduate dorms Tang Hall and Westgate will see changes to security this fall. As part of phase one of security updates, MIT Residental Life and Dining has hired professional desk attendants from security company AlliedBarton, instituted a visual verification for entering students and guests, and will install perimeter security cameras for the seven dorms.
MIT, JSTOR file motions delaying FOIA release
On Thursday, July 18, MIT filed a motion intervening in the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit by Wired editor Kevin Poulsen against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, filed on April 12. Poulsen had requested the release of any Secret Service documents regarding the late internet activist Aaron Swartz, who committed suicide in January following a federal indictment in July 2011 for using MIT’s network to download millions of JSTOR documents. Filed in the U.S. District Court of Washington, D.C., MIT’s motion asked the court to allow MIT to review and propose redactions, and will delay the release of the documents. JSTOR filed a similar motion the day after.
MIT, JSTOR file motions delaying FOIA release of Swartz documents
On Thursday, July 18, MIT filed a motion intervening in the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit by Wired editor Kevin Poulsen against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, filed on April 12. Poulsen had requested the release of any Secret Service documents regarding the late internet activist Aaron Swartz, who committed suicide in January following a federal indictment in July 2011 for using MIT’s network to download millions of JSTOR documents. Filed in the U.S. District Court of Washington, D.C., MIT’s motion asked the court to allow MIT to review and propose redactions, and will delay the release of the documents. JSTOR filed a similar motion on Friday.
Affirmative action to continue
On June 24, the Supreme Court sent an affirmative action case back to a lower appeals court in a 7-1 ruling that is unlikely to affect most colleges, including MIT, at least for now.
Course 2 alum and squash coach runs for city council
Nadeem Mazen ’06 has announced his candidacy for the Cambridge City Council. If elected in November, he will be the second MIT alumnus to serve on the council after Leland Cheung MBA ’10, who is also running for reelection. Mazen’s campaign is focusing on the issues of affordable housing, zoning, term limits for city councillors, dedicated spaces for arts, and opportunities for mentorship in K-12 education.
New backup child care program live
Starting on July 1, 2013, undergraduate and graduate students with children were able to pre-register for the new subsidized backup child care program. The new program provides students with access to caregivers on a short notice through Parents in a Pinch, a national vendor for child care services. The program will run as a pilot until June 30, 2014, when it will reexamined for renewal.
News Briefs
On Tuesday, Adam McCready, assistant director of fraternities, sororities, and independent living groups (FSILGs), alerted FSILG officers to an individual attempting to trespass onto FSILGs in the Back Bay. According to McCready’s email, the black male, 5’9” and in his 40s-50s, claimed he was told to come to houses to inquire about being a cook. McCready said that Sergeant Cheryl N. Vossmer, of the MIT Police, reported that this is a “common ruse used by criminals to scope out properties prior to an actual theft … looking for easy access points.”
Boston bombing suspect is indicted on 30 counts
BOSTON — A federal grand jury here issued a 30-count indictment on June 27 against Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the surviving Boston Marathon bombing suspect, charging him with using a weapon of mass destruction that killed three people and injured more than 260.
Housing increases dorm occupancy
Two weeks ago, MIT Housing announced that six undergraduate dorms will be undergoing a temporary housing increase for the fall semester. MIT Housing sent an email to each student living in the affected dorms listing the specific rooms in their dorm that will have increased occupancy.
Security changes in store for July 4th
Increased security measures are in effect for this year’s Fourth of July celebrations in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings. Several road closures take effect starting at 4 p.m. in contrast with 4:30 p.m. or 6 p.m. closures last July Fourth. Most notably, the Harvard Bridge will not be accessible to pedestrians or vehicular traffic from 4 p.m. until approximately 2 a.m. on July 5. Other 4 p.m. closures to vehicular traffic include Main Street between Third Street and the Longfellow Bridge; Ames Street between Main Street and Memorial Drive; Land Boulevard from Binney Street to the Longfellow Bridge; Charlotte’s Way; and Amherst, Wadsworth, Hayward, Carleton, and Dock Streets.The Longfellow Bridge will remain open to pedestrian and bicycle traffic after 4 p.m. only on the inbound (Cambridge to Boston) side.
DormCon overspends on already controversial overnight retreat
At a May 16 meeting of MIT’s Dormitory Council (DormCon), members were informed that the their annual retreat cost more than anticipated, by an amount not mentioned in the DormCon meeting minutes. The original budgeted cost for the retreat was $4000 — a figure that had already caused discontent among some undergraduates who felt the money would be better spent on events that directly benefit residents of each dormitory.
Dennis Freeman is next DUE, succeeds Hastings
Dennis Freeman PhD ’86, Professor of Electrical Engineering and the Course 6 undergraduate officer, has been appointed MIT’s next Dean for Undergraduate Education (DUE), Chancellor Eric Grimson PhD ’80 wrote in an email to the MIT community last Thursday. Freeman will step into the position on July 1, succeeding Daniel E. Hastings PhD ’80, Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics and Engineering Systems, who has served as DUE since 2006.
Bexley Hall vandalized on night before move-out date
This past Saturday morning, Bexley Hall House Manager Jon Nolan notified Bexley residents of vandalism done to the dorm’s 50 entry the night of Friday, June 7. According to the email, the damage was significant, including broken glass strewn across the floor, fixtures torn from the walls and ceiling, and a hole in the wall that Nolan described as “the size of a human being.”
President Obama pays Boston visit
President Obama breezed through Boston Wednesday, in town less than three hours to help Democrats fortify U.S Representative Edward J. Markey’s campaign for U.S. Senate.
Institute Double Take
For a fleeting moment Wednesday afternoon, two rainbows emerged over Boston, pulling the landscape out of the dreary pallor that has characterized the past week. All over campus, work stopped as people noticed the view, and social media exploded with hastily snapped photos. Most of these were from street level or near to it, with buildings obscuring the view, and taken on cameras with sensors incapable of capturing the full dynamic range and spectrum of colors. I wanted to preserve the full view of the moment, and was fortunately able to grab both a wide-angle lens and an excellent view. I left the aperture wide open for this shot, preserving the hazy, almost dreamlike, character of the landscape. It’s wonderful to be reminded how beautiful this campus, and this city, can be.