Free (Re-Used) Stuff!

Earlier today, there was a certain event that caused excitement at the Stata building. It wasn’t the budding joy of freshmen turning in an 8.02 pset, nor was it the ever-chased free food (although it was close) — it wasn’t … Continue reading

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Hockfield announces resignation as MIT President: Twitter chimes in

President Susan B. Hockfield announced her plans to step down as MIT’s president at 9 a.m. this morning in an email to the community. Soon afterward, news outlets and students posted their thoughts on Twitter. Here are just a representative few that we found interesting.

10:03 a.m. @emilyshoren Susan hockfield stepping down? #disappointed she seemed awesome

10:08 a.m. @rishabhkabra Susan Hockfield stepping down abruptly.

10:18 a.m. @iabowles Sorry to read Susan Hockfield stepping down from @mitnews – she was great to work with on clean energy agenda. Wish her well.

10:21 a.m. @farahghniem Susan Hockfield steps down as MIT’s 16th (and first female) president. Her leadership will be missed.

10:30 a.m. @ashwin VERY disappointed by this news

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Interview with Anna Kohler on Dramashop’s “My Uncle”

This is the full interview I did with Music and Theater Arts Senior Lecturer Anna Kohler, the director of Dramashop’s new production My Uncle. Three performances remain (this Thursday the 16th, Friday the 17th, and Saturday the 18th, at 8:00pm, … Continue reading

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LiveBlog: The 54th Grammy’s

The Tech will be live blogging during the 54th Grammy’s! Stay tuned for more… 8:00 p.m. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band are kicking off the Grammy’s with “We take care of our own.” 8:05 p.m. Welcome the host … Continue reading

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Plastic soldiers overwhelm MIT during finals week

Hackers at MIT formed an army that spread throughout the main buildings of the Institute on Wednesday of finals week. Made of green plastic, the toy soldiers were affixed with double sided tape throughout the Infinite Corridor and other main hallways, often spelling out messages.

Looking out from the entrance to Student Support Services. Joseph Maurer - The Tech


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OSHA letter to Yale re machine shop fatality

The United States Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration (OSHA) has released their letter dated Aug. 15 to Yale University regarding their investigation into the April 13, 2011 death of Yale senior Michele Dufault.

The letter is available here.

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June 24 is next stem cell deadline

U.S. District Court judge Royce C. Lamberth yesterday afternoon set June 24 as the deadline for both sides in the stem cell case to file briefs before the court.

Those briefs, limited to 10 pages, will provide each side’s view of the relevance an appeals court decision last month in the same case. That decision struck down a preliminary injunction against human embryonic stem cell research that was issued by Lamberth last year.

The case is Sherley v. Sebelius. It pits adult stem cell researchers James L. Sherley and Theresa A. Deisher against the National Institutes of Health, and by proxy, all human embryonic stem cell researchers who have NIH funding.

For more details on the recent filings, see our May 10 article (Stem cell plaintiffs propose schedule) and our more detailed May 3 article (Stem cells still alive: Courts support legality of research).

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Steer Roast


Senior Haus' flag, emblazoned with "Sport Death"

Steer Roast is Senior Haus’ annual, 48-hour music and food-themed party, and it’s also an item on the “101 Things To Do Before Graduation” list. With strict admissions, Steer Roast requires registration of guests days before the actual event.

The Music
This year, Steer Roast hosted performances by 10 different bands from across the northeast: JAPANTHER, MUX MOOL, Math the Band, The Streets on Fire, Viva Viva, Lespecial, Big Digits, Blue Boy Productions, Quilty, and The Nate Wilson Group.

The Food
Along with music performances and 48 hours of non-stop partying, Steer Roast’s main event is, of course, the roasting of the steer. As part of the tradition, the Steer Roast shield, made of 3/8″ stainless steel, is burnt in coals all night while the meat roasts. The process lasts from Friday night till Saturday morning, and the Steer Roast feast is enjoyed on Saturday afternoon.

The Inside

Senior Haus puts up some artwork especially for the weekend:

"Magically Painted" door — paint that reflects different color depending on the color of the black light in the room, creating an illusion of a spiral.

But everyone is welcome to experience Steer Roast in their own way.  The Tech has covered Steer Roast traditions in the past, and those continue today.

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Under the Dome – Student Edition

Glasswork from “Stellar Landscapes” by artist Josh Simpson was on display in Baker last night — yet another MIT150 event.

MIT continues the celebration of the institute’s 150th anniversary this weekend with the campus-wide open house on Saturday. While the event is open to the entire local community, Tech Blogs would like to highlight a number of student projects that will be showcased:
  • Transportation Open House (12-4PM, Edgerton Center): Watch the Society of Automotive Engineers, marine robotics team, and robocup soccer teams at work!
  • Greek Week Keynote (2-3PM, 6-120): Drew Houston ’06, founder and CEO of Dropbox, will be speaking
  • Glass Lab Demo (11AM-1PM, 4-003): Wear pants and closed-toe shoes!
  • Media Lab Demos (1-3PM, E14)
  • Origami and Math (2-3PM, 2-147): Grad student Joel Lewis will give a brief talk, followed by instruction on how to make a Sonobe unit

The weather forecast in warm and sunny – so there’s not excuse to stay inside and miss this!

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MIT Celebrates Exploration


Students from MIT’s Solar Electric Vehicle Team and the MIT Rocket Team display their designs. 

This week, MIT hosts another of its 150 Symposia — Earth, Air, Ocean and Space: The Future of Exploration. Students and alumni gathered in Johnson today for the Earth, Air, Ocean, and Space Vehicle and Systems Exposition. Expert panels today featured the likes of alumnus and astronaut Buzz Aldrin ScD ’63. The Exposition was preceded by the XCOR Student Showcase Competition, featuring the innovative ideas of five student teams on the next 50 years of exploration.

Wednesday’s schedule will feature two panels on exploration visions and a keynote address by Peter Diamandis ’83, SM ’88.

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