"Help!"

Sometimes the Institute can seem to be a pretty cold place, especially when things aren't going well and you're looking for a place to turn for help. Fortunately MIT takes its responsibility to provide support services very seriously, which means there are lots of safety nets around if you know where to look for them.

Don't be afraid to ask!!! Often the hardest step in solving your problem is just asking for help. If the first contact doesn't get you what you want, try someone else. There are many services for students here. Besides the resources below, don't forget about your advisor, housemaster, graduate resident, friends, or an instructor you trust as sources of advice. Department heads are a valuable resource for graduate students.

Office of the Dean of Students & Undergraduate Education

(7-206,x3-6056; Dean Rosalind Williams)
The Office of the Dean of Students & Undergraduate Education (ODSUE) is actually composed of several offices. If you have a problem or are faced with a serious question, or even a small one, the ODSUE is a good place to go. The deans have an extensive knowledge of both the Institute and student problems. The deans are willing to talk with students; that's their job. They can direct you to helpful resources, relay comments or complaints to the appropriate people, or initiate a look into (and sometimes a change of) established policies in your behalf. Although the staff of each section works primarily in its respective area, feel free to talk to any of them. It is likely, though, that you will get greater satisfaction from a dean whose duties or interests match your problem.

The Dean's Office is concerned with the students' living and learning environment. It represents the interests and welfare of students and is concerned with the growth of students both as individuals and as members of the academic community. It is the purpose of the Dean's Office to support and to complement the academic program at MIT.

Dean Williams is very friendly and eager to help students. In addition to her staff, the Dean's Office is composed of four principal sections:


Office of Academic Services

Room 7-131; x3-3561
The Office of Academic Services (OAS) is an office of first resort. If they can't help you themselves, they know who can.

Founded as a freshman advising office, the OAS has evolved into a center for academic advising and information for upper-class students as well. Working with a student committee, the OAS plans Residence/Orientation Week. The office serves as the departmental office for all freshmen and undesignated sophomores. For freshmen it organizes Freshman Advisor Seminars, in which seminar leaders advise the freshmen in their seminars, as well as Residence-Based Freshman Advising, in which advisors are assigned freshmen from the same living group. During the academic year, the OAS sends out colored "flashes" reminding freshmen and their advisors of what they are suppose to do.

As an academic information center for all undergraduates, the office has most of the forms and fact-sheets that you will ever need to know, and if something isn't there, the staff will certainly know where to find it. The staff working with the Committee on Academic Performance can also advise you on how to fill out petitions on various academic matters, for instance, to request late adds and drops.

The OAS sponsors several programs a year to help students improve their study skills. If you feel that you might benefit from one of these seminars (or would like to lead one) contact this office. The OAS depends on help from upperclassmen not only as leaders of study skills sessions, but also as associate advisors for freshmen and members of the R/O Committee. Contact the office to learn how to volunteer.

If you have academic concerns or problems, talk to one of the OAS staff. They take pride in being helpful and will try to negotiate problems with faculty or other administrators. They are also good people to talk to about changing majors or transferring, and if you find yourself in academic trouble, they will assist you in sorting out what's happening and identify where you can get help.

The OAS also administers a number of interdepartmental academic programs. Independent Activities Period (IAP), Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP), and the Wellesley-MIT Exchange are described later in this book.

The Undergraduate Seminars Program offers introductory classes on various topics. The range of topics is astounding, and the seminars offer a way to explore fields or find out what is going on outside your major. Pick up a copy of the Undergraduate Seminar Booklet in 7-104. Booklets are available at the same time as registration materials, and a revised version of the booklet, with last-minute additions, is published at the start of each semester.

The OAS also serves as the Writing Requirement Office in 7-103; x3-3039. Staff there can answer questions about how to satisfy Phase One and Phase Two of the Requirement, and they keep track of whether or not you've passed the two phases. The office coordinates Phase One of the Requirement, including the Freshman Essay Evaluation (FEE), which is now mandatory for all entering students. If you do not pass the FEE, talk to the coordinator of the Writing Requirement about how best to improve your writing. The office is also the place to turn in a Phase One paper.

Counseling and Support Services

Room 5-106; x3-4861

The staff in Counseling and Support Services (CSS) assist both undergraduate and graduate students with a wide range of issues ranging from the sublime to the mundane. The principal function of the office is to provide individual personal counseling services. This office is equipped and designed to solve continuing major problems as well as to offer quick solutions to short-term problems. International students, women, gay students, minority and disabled students also receive special assistance with programs and ideas especially concerned with their respective groups. The services offered by this division of the Office of the Dean of Students & Undergraduate Education are so diverse that you may seek help there without anyone having the slightest idea what specifically brought you to the office until you explain your concern. This is done so that students will have no hesitation about seeking support when they need it.

Students can call or visit the office (5-106, x3-4861) to talk about their questions, plans or problems. Whether your concerns are academic, administrative, career, financial, family, residential, social, legal, or personal, the people in this office are interested in hearing from you. Your problems will be kept strictly confidential. The staff of this office maintains close working relations with the psychiatric service (see the section about Psychiatry before you jump to conclusions), Nightline (the student hotline) and the Contact Line (dealing with sexual concerns and issues). Both Nightline and Contact Line are described elsewhere in this chapter.

The counselors in CSS handle withdrawals, readmissions, and excused absences from final examinations. Students are often referred to this office by their instructors, advisors, housemasters, and by fellow students who have been helped by the office. Because the counseling deans meet with the Committee on Academic Performance and have a cooperative relationship with many Institute offices including Student Financial Aid, the Bursar's Office, the Registrar, and the Medical Department, many students find it helpful to discuss issues related to these other offices with the counseling deans.

Counseling and Support Services has special concerns for disabled students, for gay students, for women students and for international students. If you have a disability, see Dean Arnold Henderson to help implement special arrangements which may be necessary to deal with this environment. Each case is given individual attention and concern. A brochure, Services for the Disabled Student at MIT (also in large print and on cassette) are available in this office.

This section also supports the academic and personal well-being of women students and minority students by developing and coordinating specific programs and by responding to the concerns of individual students. The goal is to be sure that the MIT environment is supportive of minorities and women, and attractive to prospective students from these groups. Dean Ayida Mthembu is particularly involved with this aspect of the office.

The International Students advisor helps to coordinate the introduction of international students to MIT and provides support to various international student organizations. Matters relating to immigration status, practical training and travel plans for foreign students are the concern of this portion of the office. The Host Family Program, which matches international students with American families, is located in this office. Orientation sessions for new international students are regularly scheduled beginning in August.

Residential Life and Student Life Programs

MIT's Residential Life and Student Life Programs (RLSLP) Office tries to create a living space the a facilitates personal and social growth while supporting academic progress. The policies and facilities are made in the spirit of providing housing of high quality. They encourage responsibility and constructive social behavior.

The staff in the residence division of the Dean's Office administers Institute housing policy and coordinates the residential programs. They make dormitory assignments, handle room switches, and decide rent changes and adjustments. They also provide support and funding to the faculty housemasters and graduate residents. They work with residential government groups on programs, problems, and issues of concern to the students. RLSLP also provides advising to the fraternities, sororities, and other independent living groups.

The RLSLP office provides counseling to individual students on housing availability and options. There is great diversity in lifestyle and rules among the different dorms, and the Residence Office can be useful in matching a student to a dorm with his or her particular interests or needs. It also handles the Institute Dining Program and supports the independent living groups.

This section of the Dean's Office also provides support to the undergraduate and graduate student governments as well as to a wide spectrum of co-curricular activities. If you have ideas for a new student activity, this is the office to contact for help in getting it started. The Dean's Office recognizes the importance and value of student-initiated programs, activities, and student-run organizations: they provide a wide variety of experiences which supplement academic learning. They also provide opportunities for recreation, leadership, and types of learning that could never be found in a classroom. Working with the Campus Police, this office assists campus residents and group leaders with parking requests.

To run your activity, you may need office space, and you will almost certainly need to reserve rooms for various events from time to time. In this section procedures for obtaining both of these are described.

Office Space

Office space is available through the ASA, on the basis of demonstrated need. If there is no other office space available, your organization can be assigned to the small activities room in the Student Center (W20-437).

Student Center

The Student Center includes several meeting rooms. For more information and for reservations, contact the Campus Activities Complex (CAC) located in W20-500; x3-3913.

Kresge

Kresge Auditorium is the place with the largest seating capacity on campus. It is used for movies, bands, the orchestra, and lectures. The scheduling for the auditorium is done in March for the coming school year and is booked fairly solidly. In addition to the auditorium, there is a Little Theatre and two rehearsal rooms. All of these facilities are scheduled by the CAC.

The Bush Room

The Bush Room (10-105) is a large, comfortable room suited for luncheon or dinner meetings but is usually not available except for Institute programs. There are kitchen facilities everywhere. Reservations can be made through the Alumni Office (10-110, x3-8200).

Other Locations

Obtain a copy of the Campus Activities Procedural Handbook for more room listings.

1. Departmental Lounges: Many of the larger departments have carpeted lounges appropriate for meetings. They may be reserved through the departmental headquarters and are usually hidden somewhere nearby.

2. Classrooms are also available for use when classes are not scheduled. They are scheduled through the Schedules Office (E19-335, x3-4788).

3. DuPont Gymnasium, Briggs Field, and Rockwell Cage are available but very hard to obtain. Activities must yield to Physical Education classes, varsity and club sports, and intramural events. Arrangements can be made by calling x3-4916.

4. Most dormitories have a room that is fairly large, often with kitchen facilities. It is possible to rent these rooms at a nominal cost. For more information call the dormitory's desk.

Special Events

For information on planning concerts, dances, mixers, and the like, contact the Undergraduate Association Office (W20-401, x3-2696), or the Dean of Student Activities (W20-549, x3-6777). You will need to arrange for a CP and an entertainment license if your event will have alcohol, money, or more than 100 people, so start planning early.

Office of Minority Education

Room 7-145; x3-5010
The Office of Minority Education (OME) actively pursues the building of a more effective undergraduate academic support structure throughout the Institute for all undergraduates, with a special concern for underrepresented minority students. Programs and activities generated by the office are based on a commitment to have all students fully engage the educational opportunities within the Institute. The specific programs and resources are offered to maximize the opportunities for underrepresented minority groups, and to educate the MIT community toward that end. In addition to programs, the office conducts research on the retention and adjustment of minority students, in order to bring new insights to areas of concern for all students.

Project Interphase is a summer academic orientation program which provides an opportunity for incoming underrepresented minority students to learn about the Institute and its resources prior to the fall term. Project Interphase has several objectives: (1) to assist freshmen in developing and sharpening their knowledge of and faculty with those quantitative skills and verbal concepts that are essential for successful academic performance at MIT, (2) to encourage individual development of study habits and discipline for a smooth transition into the first year, and (3) to introduce students to MIT, its support services, and the surrounding community under conditions somewhat moderated from those which characterize the fall and spring semesters. The program includes eight weeks of chemistry, humanities, math, and physics courses, as well as a comprehensive review of all the academic programs and options open to freshmen.

The OME Tutorial Services was founded by members of the Black Student Union. Although now administered by the OME, it is still coordinated by students. It is open to all students, but is especially intended to augment the academic assistance minority students receive from the departments, to enhance their success at MIT.

Tutors in the program and OME staff work with the departments to offer the best resources to students through this evening program. The staff is composed of undergraduate and graduate students who are hired for their expertise in particular courses and their commitment to the academic success of undergraduates. The Program operates in Room 12-124, and is open 7 days a week (Sunday through Thursday, 2-10pm; Friday and Saturday: 2-6pm) and has a 24-hour phone line: x3-8406. Formal tutoring services are available by appointment.

A Seminar Series called XL introduces students to the academic and non-academic resources within the MIT community. The seminars serve to:
(1) promote an effective undergraduate experience
(2) provide valuable contacts and resources
(3) explore post-baccalaureate and professional pathways.
Check with the OME about new programs.

Finally, OME conducts research on the retention and adjustment of minority students in order to learn more about the variables and conditions in the environment which influence their matriculation at MIT. Studies are also conducted with other departments and offices within the Institute to address different facets of students' adjustment, such as the use of Institute resources.

Psychiatrists

The Institute psychiatrists (E23-376, x3-2916) are good people to talk with. Whether you have problems (any problems), opinions on some subject, an idea you want to run up a flagpole or just want to see what makes them tick, invite one to your living group for a dinner or go see them.

There are about eighteen doctors on the staff, and as with the deans, it's OK to ask for a particular clinician if you know him or her. The wait on a visit is generally one week from the time you make the appointment. If you really need to talk to someone immediately, you can find a psychiatrist to see you on the same day you call, but you must make it clear to the receptionist that you need to see someone right away. Alternatively, you can see the therapist, without an appointment, any week day. Just come to the Psychiatry Service on the third floor of E23 between 9 and 5 any weekday.

Most of the people who consult the psychiatric staff are psychologically indistinguishable from the general MIT population, and can in no way be classified as sick or disturbed. If some problem is bothering you, even if it is identical with those that everyone else faces, don't hesitate to visit the psychiatric service. they can keep small difficulties from becoming larger or merely facilitate the solving of problems you could have solved yourself.

Psychiatric records are kept separate from all others, including regular Medical Department records. The psychiatrist cannot legally discuss you with anyone outside the staff unless you sign a release; even then you can specify the type of information to be released. The system is designed to maintain confidentiality. Only the psychiatric staff can use them; not Charles Vest, not the FBI, not the CIA, not anybody else. This system protects patient and doctor alike.

If for any reason you don't hit it off with one psychiatrist, feel free to contact another. You can switch without apology or explanation. Nobody will ask any questions.

A psychiatrist is on call 24 hours a day through the MIT Medical Department (Building E23, x3-1311 or x3-4481). See Emergency Information.

If the MIT Psychiatry Department does not fit your needs, they can provide you with a list of off-campus possibilities covering a range of cost options. (If you have the MIT Student Health Insurance, it will cover at least part of the cost of seeing a therapist.)

Religious Counselors

Religious Counselors are warm and friendly people who can help you view your problems from a different angle. A number of faiths maintain full-time clergymen on campus at the Religious Counselors' building (W2A, 312 Memorial Dr.) Adherents to other faiths can usually find clergy in the Boston area, but they should also feel free to talk to any of the people listed below. See Religion in the Activities chapter for more information.

The following religious groups maintain clergy on campus:
Baptist John Wuestneck x2-1780
Episcopalian Jane Gould x3-2983
Jewish Joshua Plaut x3-2982
Lutheran Constance Parvey x3-2325
Orthodox Christian Antony Hughes 547-1234
Roman Catholic Paul A. Reynolds x3-2981
Vedanta Society Cyrus Mehta x3-2327

Nightline x3-8800

Nightline is the main student-run help service on campus. It operates every night during the school year from 7 PM-7 AM. You can call Nightline at 253-8800.

Nightline is both a counseling and an information service. If you're having problems with academics or your roommate; if you need information concerning birth control or drop date; or if you just need someone to talk to, give a call or visit. All phone calls and visits to Nightline are strictly confidential.

Nightline is staffed exclusively by MIT students; each night there will be at least one female and one male staffer on duty. The staff members are volunteers, and they are not professionals - thus, Nightline is not a substitute for other counseling services on campus but rather a supplementary service for students who may need someone to talk with when these other outlets are inaccessible or inappropriate. Whatever your problem, however, Nightline can direct you to the right professionals to talk to.

If you feel that you might be interested in becoming one of the Nightline staff, give them a call.

Contact Line x3-6460

Contact Line is a peer counseling and information hotline focusing on issues of sexuality. There is one female and one male staff person available during the calling hours. Contact Line is open from 8pm to 12am Sunday through Wednesday during the fall and spring semesters.

Contact Line is staffed by student volunteers. While they are not professionals, Contact Line staffers have gone through counseling and support training, and have familiarity with resources available through MIT or in the Boston/Cambridge area. The staff of Contact Line is there to help and can give referrals if it's appropriate.

Sexuality can be a complex issue whether you are lesbian, straight, gay or bisexual, unsure or a combination. If you want to talk about getting harassed or the feelings about a first experience, information about birth control or what support groups there are for gay Catholics, or anything that is on your mind, Contact Line is a resource. In addition to phone services, Contact Line provides a Drop-In night where callees can feel free to come in and talk, look through their library or just hang out in a safe space. The exact night can change each semester, call for details. All phone calls and visits are confidential.

Other Resources

In addition to the services mentioned in this chapter, don't overlook your personal resources - graduate residents or housemasters in your living group (that's what they're paid for!), friends, a coach or professor you trust. People are usually a lot more willing to listen than you might imagine - many of them may have been through the same thing.

Also, the secretaries in many of the offices around the Institute know a tremendous amount about MIT. By speaking with one of them first, you will probably save yourself a lot of running around.

Self-Help

The MIT lifestyle can be incredibly stressful, and it's easy to be overwhelmed sometimes. Often when you are struggling with a worry or difficulty, you may feel it is too trivial to talk it over with one of the people mentioned in this chapter. Although none of the counseling resources mentioned will consider any problem too trivial to talk with them about, sometimes it can still be difficult to make that first phone call or appointment.

It's important to know that when a problem is probably serious enough, you can talk with someone about it and not just wrestle with it on your own. As a general rule, the time to consider seeking help is when (or before!) your problem is beginning to interfere with everyday functioning. Are you skipping classes and having serious trouble concentrating? Has there been a big change in you eating or sleeping patterns? Are you feeling so low or down that you're having trouble getting out of bed in the morning, or finding it difficult to get excited about activities or accomplishments you used to find stimulating? If any of these things sound like you, talk to someone. You may not be able to handle the problem on your own. In any case you would probably feel a great deal better if you could just share the burden with someone. Reach out before things get any worse.

However, if you're the type of person who would feel better trying to work things out on your own (or while you're struggling with the decision of whom to turn to), the following suggestions may help:

1. Try taking a mini-vacation from MIT: a bus trip out to Wellesley, an afternoon at the Aquarium or a museum, a weekend away if you can manage it. If you're under a lot of stress, your first reaction to time off is probably "I can't afford the time!" But sometimes you can't afford not to. If you return refreshed, you may get more work done in the long run. If you can't physically get away, try letting yourself do something for fun that you've been putting off for a while. Read a book that's not related to your work, or really enjoy one of the magazines that have been piling on your desk. Hang a "do not disturb" sign on your door and take a nap. Buy all the ingredients for a favorite dish and cook it for yourself. In other words, punt.

2. Try to exercise. If you're feeling down, it can be really hard to motivate yourself, but it can work wonders. Run, dance, swim, ride a bike into nowhere.

3. Make a list of ten good things about yourself. Force yourself to put ten things down, even if it's "I had perfect attendance in eighth grade" or "My eyes are a nice shade of brown." For one week, add three more things to the list every night before you go to bed.

4. Try starting a journal. Write things in it that you've can't tell anyone. Start as many sentences as you can with "I feel..." Make a point to write in it every couple of days. Then go back and reread it often; you may be surprised.

5. Do something nice for someone else. Write to a past high school or MIT instructor and tell them how much their class meant to you. Send someone you love flowers or a nice card for no special reason. Cut a clipping from the newspaper that you think would be of interest to someone you haven't seen in a while and drop it to them in the mail. But a friend's favorite flavor of ice cream and hide it in their freezer with a note. Give a friend a compliment. If it feels good, consider doing some kind of volunteer work. Be a Big Brother or Sister or help out a shelter for homeless people. There are also many service organizations on campus that would be happy to have another person helping with their projects. Consult the Public Service Center in W20-311 at x3-0742.

6. Talk to a friend you trust. Ask an upperclassman (or underclassman!) if they've ever confronted a similar problem and how they handled it. You'd be surprised what others have gone through.

7. Buy a joke book. Read out of it every day until you get one good belly laugh. Before the next day's reading, tell the joke that made you crack up to someone else.

8. Do something childish once in awhile. Find a playground and swing on a swing. Go shopping in a toy store. Visit the Children's Museum. Buy a box of 64 crayons and a pad of white paper. Use them. Blow soap bubbles. Skip down Mass. Ave. while singing.

9. Spend some time thinking about the long-term priorities of your life. Try to get a little closer to deciding what you want to be and what you want to accomplish with your living. Buy a copy of R. N. Bolles' What Color Is Your Parachute?; or talk with your friends or someone in the Career Services and Preprofessional Advising (12-170, x3-4733) about your strengths. Try to include some of the things that will move you closer to your long-range goals in your life.
The sooner that your difficulty is intercepted, the less damage it will to your social and academic life - and your mental health. If none of these suggestions really seems to help, consider turning to one of the other resources in this chapter.

Social Workers

There are four social workers in residence (E23-344, x3-4911), who are good at mobilizing and integrating the resources available for solving various personal and family problems. They can suggest and contact agencies that may be needed. They can also help with substance abuse problems. They specialize in helping foreign students (and their families) adjust to living in the United States.

Drugs

Although many people do go through MIT without being exposed to it, there is some drug activity at MIT, and for some people this will be the first contact with it. If you have a problem within your living group, see someone in confidential authority there, like a graduate resident. Often a word or two in the right ear will solve the problem. By all means, if the problem persists, go through official channels - both the Campus Police and the Dean's Office can help without causing problems.

If your interest is more speculative, three words of advice:

1. "Just Say No" is more than a trite slogan. Make sure you know exactly what you're doing, and don't try anything just because "everyone else is doing it."

2. Don't assume the Campus Police will protect you from the Cambridge authorities. Contrary to common opinion, there is no "buffer zone" between students and the outside world.

3. Don't force anything. See what the scene is like before getting involved.

On a personal level, the Dean's Office offers confidential drug counseling. To supplement its services, the Science Library maintains technical reports on drug safety while the Campus Police (W31, x3-1212) is always available to answer legal questions. Straight Talk About Drugs on Campus is available from Campus Police. You can also consult the Psychiatric Service (x3-2916).

Adverse Reactions
In an emergency, call the Medical Department's Urgent Care Line at x3-1311 - the psychiatrist on call will go over if possible. Campus Police will also provide help (restraint, transportation, reassurance) if called. The Dean-on-Call (reached through the Campus Police) or Nightline are other resources if you just need to talk. In any case, make sure the person in trouble is never left alone - being so may cost his or her life. For most cases, overnight care may be given at the Inpatient Unit without formal hospitalization.

Addiction
Don't worry about legal penalties; the addiction is penalty enough. See someone in the Dean's Office, Psychiatry, or Internal Medicine, and break the habit. Remember that psychiatric records are completely confidential.

Awareness Drug Education Information is available through the Health Education Service (E23-205, x3-1316). Books, pamphlets, and other various materials are available to students as well as a list of local area resources.

Sex

One of the best sources of written information is The New Our Bodies, Ourselves, available at almost any bookstore. The cover says that it is "written by and for women," but it is recommended for everyone. Also, the Medical Department has several pamphlets dealing with special topics. Stop by and browse (E23-205). Members of the Psychiatric Service also have experience as sexual counselors (x3-2916).

Don't rush to have sex just because you're now at college. There can be a lot of pressure, especially if "everyone" in your living group is sexually active. If you're not sure, you're probably not ready. Nightline (x3-8800) and the Contact Line (x3-6460) can help you think things through, as well as offer advice on birth control and protection from sexually-transmitted diseases.

Pregnancy

If you have even the slightest suspicion that you are pregnant, get a pregnancy test immediately. (Pregnancy tests are free from the MIT Medical Department and many Boston clinics.) Prompt action will save you lots of trouble later. If you decide on an abortion, the procedure is safer and cheaper earlier; if you decide to carry to term, early care will help your child later. You gain nothing from just worrying. Call the MIT Medical Department or a clinic (see the Yellow Pages) and refer to The New Our Bodies, Ourselves for further information.

If you are pregnant, you still have options. You can choose to keep the child, put it in foster care (e.g., with a relative until you are out of school), give the child up for adoption, or have an abortion.

Abortion

Abortion is a procedure which terminates pregnancy. If done during the first trimester, the actual procedure is very brief and can be performed as an outpatient procedure.

Never opt for an illegal abortion. The Medical Department's Obstetrics/Gynecology Service (x3-1315) offers completely confidential counseling and referrals. The Member Services Office (x3-5979) can tell you about health insurance coverage. The social workers at Planned Parenthood (99 Bishop Allen Drive, Cambridge, 492-0518) can also direct you to good legal abortion centers.

Birth Control

Anybody connected with MIT can obtain contraceptive information and prescriptions from the Medical Department regardless of age or marital status. As always, such matters are confidential between the patient and the physician.

The Dean's office recently started a program of distributing condoms in dormitories. Dispensers may be located in bathrooms or stairwells; your graduate resident should be able to offer specifics.

The Women's Health Education Network Contraceptive Roadshow is available for presentation to interested student groups. Call the Medical Department's Health Education Service (x3-1316) for more information.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Sexually transmitted diseases (STD's) are at or near epidemic levels throughout the US. The most dangerous STD is AIDS, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. This deadly virus is transmitted only by the exchange of body fluids, such as blood or semen. There is no known cure for the disease, but it is possible to reduce the risk of developing it by practicing "safer sex" (use a condom) and limiting the number of sexual partners you have. Groups with a particularly high risk of contracting the virus are intravenous drug users and people who have had unprotected sex. If you suspect that you may have AIDS, or have been exposed to it, you can see an internist at the Medical Department. Testing for HIV infection is done confidentially at MIT, at no charge; the results are not placed in your medical record. You can also get a confidential screening for the HIV antibody at Mass. General (726-2000) or the Fenway Community Health Center (267-7573). For more information, call the AIDS Hotline (1-800-235-2331), or the AIDS Action Line (536-7736). The Med Department can also help, of course, with examinations and information.

Most other STDs are curable if treated early. If you suspect you have one, contact the Medical Department and get checked; lab tests are quick and accurate. If you do have one, tell all of your partners and have them tested. Remember, STD's are often without early symptoms in the female though they can have serious consequences for both sexes years later.

Counseling

Planned Parenthood, physicians, psychiatrists, social workers, and a clinical sociologist as well as clinics, religious counselors, and social service groups can be useful for helping you make your decisions about sexual activity. MIT has four social workers in residence (see Social Workers). The social workers and the Dean's Office can be particularly helpful in dealing with monetary problems.

Rape

Go immediately to a safe location and call the Campus Police (253-1212, or 100 from any Institute phone) or a friend for transportation to a medical facility. The Campus Police have 3 female officers trained in rape crisis available at all times - just ask. Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (492-7273) is an excellent facility for dealing with these delicate cases. It is important to go to a hospital for treatment of injuries and tests for STDs and pregnancy. Hospitals do not routinely report the crime of rape to the police. Reporting is your choice and your responsibility.

If you are going to press charges, it is important not to wash, change clothing, or straighten up anything before calling the police or going to the hospital. If you decide not to go to the police immediately, write down everything about the assault you can remember. Keep these details in case you change your mind.

Date Rape

If your date forces you to have sex against your will, it is rape. Whether or not you agreed to go to his room, or whether you had anything to drink, "no" means "no."

Missing Persons

If you can't find someone, call the UESA (x3-6776) or Campus Police (x3-1212) and the Senior Faculty Resident of your dorm if you live in one. Be prepared to supply all the resident information on the missing person. Don't call the person's home unless it's absolutely necessary. The Dean's Office will handle it.

Harassment

"Some of the people in my dorm refuse to stop making crude and tasteless racial jokes in my presence. They recently pulled a few hacks which embarrassed and humiliated me. I am fed up with their brand of humor!"

"One of my professors propositioned me. Even though I told him that I'm not interested, he keeps hinting around that it might make a difference in my grade."

"I make no secret of my homosexual preferences, and I don't try to impose my beliefs on others. However, my frankness has made me the target of all kinds or abuse and insults. I've had to move out of my dorm..."

If you are being unreasonably bothered by any person or group of people, tell someone. You do not have to just suffer silently and put up with or ignore such behavior. The Institute has a very strict policy on harassment, which is defined as "verbal or physical conduct which has the intent or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's educational and/or work performance at MIT, or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive educational or work environment on or off campus." The intent and effect are both important because if someone is hurting you, even if they don't mean to, they should be made aware of it and stopped.

If you can't get the offensive behavior to stop on your own, speak with someone at the Institute about it. In addition to any of the resources mentioned in the Counseling section of this chapter, you might like to talk to one of the Ombudspersons: Mary Rowe (Room 10-213, x3-5921) or Judy Jackson (3-221, x3-5446) who are great to talk to and will take your problem very seriously.

If you would like more information before you talk to someone, pick up the brochures Tell Someone and You Can Make A Difference (available from the UAAO, room 7-104), or look up harassment in the index of the MIT Course Catalog.

Prejudice

If you feel mistreated in any way for reasons of racial, ethnic, or sexual bias, speak to the deans (5-106, x3-4861). If you feel you have been the victim of discrimination in employment or other opportunities, take your complaint to the Equal Opportunity Committee (E19-239, x3-1591).

MIT has an Affirmative Action Plan presenting the Institute's objectives and procedures for ensuring equal opportunity for minorities and women in employment (both) and in letting contracts. Copies of this plan are on file in the Information Center (7-121, x3-4795), and in the various Personnel Offices, in the Office of Minority Affairs (Leo Osgood, 7-145, x3-7940).

Massachusetts also maintains an agency to deal with cases of suspected discrimination, the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (120 Tremont St., Boston, 727-3990).

Nighttime Safety

MIT is an urban school!
There have been cases of armed robbery, rape, and assault on campus. Some years ago, two MIT students hitchhiking on the Harvard Bridge were robbed. One was brutally murdered while the other was "luckier" - he was only in critical condition for several weeks. More recently, there have been many muggings in the Main Street/Kendall Square area and along Memorial Drive. Don't ever carry large sums of money alone, especially after dark. Avoid unlit or isolated areas such as Briggs Field or even the parking garages. On returning to campus from outlying communities, give some thought to well-lit routes. Wherever you go after dark, try to have a few friends with you if possible. The Campus Police will escort late working students and employees from main buildings to dorms or parking lots at night, if requested (x3-1212). They run the SafeRide van every night until 3 AM, and will send a police car for you until the morning. When in doubt, call them. It's not worth the risk. The Campus Police have a wide variety of crime prevention and safety information available from their Crime Prevention Unit. Stop by anytime.

Women's Resources

Since males outnumber females at MIT, women here may have different experiences and problems than they would in other places. All services that are open for males are also available for women; in addition, a few activities and services especially for women are available.

The Margaret Cheney Room (3-310, x3-4880) is a suite of rooms especially set aside for female students. It has a grand piano, complete kitchen equipment, beds, study areas, and showers. It serves as a meeting place for women's activities and women in general. The combination is available from CSS (5-106) to all currently-registered female MIT students. Locker space is also available from the same office. Various women's groups use the Cheney Room for their meetings and social gatherings. In order to reserve the rooms for such activities, call x3-4861.

If you are female and have a problem (medical, social, academic, psychological), all the counseling and medical services of the Institute are open to you. However, if you prefer counseling or treatment by a female, you can get it. People you can talk to are Mary Rowe in the President's Office and Lynn Robertson in CSS. Be warned of "women prejudiced against women;" it does happen sometimes.

MIT Medical has twenty five women doctors with training in various specialties including internal medicine, dermatology, and obstetrics/gynecology. Gynecology is covered by MIT Students' Medical Insurance. Birth control advice and contraceptives are available on a confidential basis to those who want them. For more information call the Medical Department. They will also provide referrals for abortions.

If you should find yourself discriminated against because of your sex, (or any other reason), notify Mary Rowe (10-213, x3-5921), Special Assistant to the President, who is specifically concerned with the quality of life for all women (and men) connected with MIT.

Women's groups at MIT include:

Association of MIT Alumnae (x3-8233) AMITA serves as an organization through which current students may meet with alumnae to discuss careers, chat informally, etc. AMITA may be contacted through the Alumni Association.

Association for Women Students (W20-447) AWS is run by students. The projects it undertakes are determined by the members and can include finding speakers, giving support to the women's sports program, serving as an information resource, and possibly founding a Women's Center at MIT.

Minority Women's Programs (20B-140; x3-7979) Lynn Roberson, Staff Assistant for Women Students, can give you more information. Although there are a variety of resources available to women students at MIT, minority women's interests and concerns can be specifically addressed via support groups, activities, and programs. At present, minority women are active in planning programs of interest to them. If you are interested in becoming involved, your presence would be most welcome.

Pro-Femina (W20-447, x3-8898) Pro-Femina is a feminist group that does activist work on and around the MIT campus. They write a newspaper, sponsor speakers and slide shows, and hold rallies.

Society of Women Engineers (W20-447; x3-2096) SWE is an international organization of engineers and scientists dedicated to supporting the professional interests of women. The MIT SWE section supports the objectives of the national organization with career guidance, professional development, and friendly support. They are a social and personnel support group as well as for women of all disciplines.

Tech Community Women TCW (formerly Technology Wives Organization) is an organization which welcomes into membership women who are wives of students or of employees as well as single women who are MIT students or employees. The purpose of the organization is that of welcoming women into the MIT community and helping them to feel at home here. The activities, which provide social fellowship and promote the broadening of members' interests, are publicized each month in the TCW newsletter, New Directions.

The Wives' Group is a support and self-help program sponsored by MIT Medical for American and international wives of students, staff, faculty, and visiting scientists. It helps members develop a social network and make connections with other women and resources to find jobs, further education, do volunteer work, or develop careers. For more information call Dr.Charlotte Schwartz (x3-1614) or come to E23-376 to speak with the Wives' Group secretary.

Women's Advisory Group is a committee of representatives of women's groups at MIT which serves as a lobbying group for improvements or decisions affecting MIT women. Representatives are chosen by women's groups. For more information contact Mary Rowe (10-213, x3-5921).

Women's Athletic Council consists of representatives from each women's team at MIT and exists to further the development of athletic programs and facilities for women. (MIT has an extensive women's athletic program. There are varsity basketball, fencing, gymnastics, softball, swimming, sailing, tennis, volleyball, and crew teams as well as synchronized swimming, rugby, lacrosse, and cheerleading clubs.)

MIT Women's Conference of the IFC addresses the concerns of the groups which (1) have memberships in the MIT Inter-Fraternity Council, and (2) have members who are women. For information, call Lynn Robertson at x3-4861.

Women's Forum members include all women at MIT. They meet at noon on the first and third Mondays of the month to discuss a wide variety of topics and offer a good opportunity for faculty, employees, spouses, and students to get together. (x3-7741).

MIT Women's League includes all wives of faculty, administrative and research staff and all female staff members. They have a meeting room (Emma Rogers Room, 10-340) and an adjoining office (10-342, x3-3656). In addition to having special programs, members are involved in a number of projects that benefit the community at large (e.g., furniture exchange, English classes for foreign wives, Christmas Convocation, TCA-Red Cross Blood Drives, Seminar Series, and the Newcomer Welcoming Committee).

Off-campus women's organizations include:

Boston Women's Collective, Inc. (490 Beacon St., Boston, 542-5955) is a non-profit organization that researches and publishes educational materials.

Boston Women's Health Collective (465 Mt. Auburn, Watertown, 625-0271) has written the book The New Our Bodies, Ourselves and has an ongoing interest in health care and services.

Women's Law Collective (Cambridge, 492-5110) is a group of women attorneys who handle private legal matters for free. They also test litigation on problems affecting women. If they accept your case, their services are free.

Sojourner is a feminist journal of the arts for sale in many local bookstores.

Check with the New Words Bookstore (Hampshire St., Cambridge) about other local feminist publications, clubs, etc.

Lost and Found

Check the Student Center Office (W20-500, x3-3913) for items lost in the Center, Kresge, or the Chapel. Around dorms, check the desk. After two weeks everything is sent to the master Lost and Found (W31-219, x3-9753). Valuables are held there for at least four months, and other things (e.g., gloves, hats, shoes) for two months. Sets of keys are handled in the same manner as other things.