In 1995-96 student enrollment was 9,960, compared with 9,774 in 1994-95. There were 4,495 undergraduates (4,472 the previous year) and 5,465 graduate students (5,302 the previous year). The international student population was 2,138, representing eight percent of the undergraduate and 33 percent of the graduate populations. These students were citizens of 104 countries. (Students with permanent residence status are included with US citizens.)
In 1995-96, there were 3,013 women students (1,705 undergraduate and 1,308 graduate) at the Institute, compared with 2,813 (1,604 undergraduate and 1,209 graduate) in 1994-95. In September 1995, 471 first-year women entered MIT, representing 42 percent of the freshman class of 1,122 students.
In 1995-96, there were, as self-reported by students, 2,630 minority students (1,980 undergraduate and 650 graduate) at the Institute, compared with 2,496 (1,944 undergraduate and 552 graduate) in 1994-95. Minority students included 363 African Americans (non-Hispanic), 37 Native Americans, 505 Hispanic Americans, and 1,725 Asian Americans. The first-year class entering in September 1995 included 493 minority students, representing 44 percent of the class.
Degrees awarded by the Institute in 1995-96 included 1,223 bachelor's degrees, 1,350 master's degrees, 28 engineer's degrees, and 554 doctoral degrees -- a total of 3,155 (compared with 2,839 in 1994-95).
The following highlights some particular accomplishments in addition to the normal services provided by the Office in the areas of registration; maintenance of academic/address/biographical records; certification of MIT attendance; transcripts; tuition administration; cross-registration; subject, classroom, and exam scheduling; classroom maintenance and renovations; Academic Calendar; degree audit; Commencement and diploma preparations; Catalogue subject/curricular management; interpretation of policy; maintenance/operation of the Student Information System; privacy of information; and statistical reporting:
Designed, implemented, maintained, and publicized an interactive, integrated subject listings/schedule on the World Wide Web which allows students to query on a number of subject characteristics and times, then create a schedule preview which displays conflicts; modified system based on feedback from students, faculty, and staff; developed schedule for updating system; worked with departments, HASS Office, UROP Office, subject instructors, and others to link to their Web pages; worked with UAA to include descriptions and schedule information for undergraduate seminars on subject listings/schedule.
Collaborated with Communications Office and Information Systems to create a Web version of the Summer Session Catalogue that lists only "real" subjects being offered, supplied from Registrar's Office PC Catalogue database; worked with departments to determine list of "real" subjects offered in the Summer Term; designed Web version so that specific audiences are targeted and directed to the appropriate information; linked to related Web pages; simplified and minimized the number of printed copies.
Worked with the Committee on Race Relations to provide electronic copy of subject listings for Race Relations Guide.
Created a Registrar's Office home page on the Web that lists areas and phone numbers and includes links to other related pages, including Summer Session Catalogue, Commencement, Schedules Office home page, and Academic Calendar; responded to questions sent to Registrar's Office web address associated with home page.
Redesigned Application for Advanced Degree and Transcript Request Form, worked with Registrar's Office staff to make forms easier to use.
Worked with COC and CUP to uphold the policy in the Faculty Regulations that limits departmental programs to 15 1/2 subjects as an absolute upper limit, in that it must apply to every path through the program.
Continued to provide HASS Office, IAP Office, Committee on Race Relations, and departments with electronic passes of subject information for their various publications.
Developed and implemented an e-mail notification system on MITSIS to enable administrative offices to easily communicate with students.
Enhanced the Registrar's Office module on Athena OLSIS by improving the biographic and academic information available to students.
Assisted the work of the CAP by doing research on the history of Incomplete grades which supported their recommendation to change the policy regarding incompletes.
Coordinated with Academic Computing to implement secure electronic mailing to students at the request of Vice President Gore's Office.
Collaborated with RCA to implement a new procedure for the electronic transfer of incoming freshman housing data.
Collaborated extensively with Physical Plant, Dean for Undergraduate Education, and Planning Office regarding maintenance of classrooms; provided design input for the new classrooms in Building 56 and Building E51 renovation Phase II; in response to faculty desires, planned and implemented Athena workstation and projection capabilities in 10-250. Collaborated with Audio-Visual and Academic Computing to install equipment suitable for classroom operation, such as video demos, computer notes etc.; responded to several requests for classroom utilization data.
Pioneered a web site for scheduling information including detailed descriptions of the classrooms integrated with a campus and floor map, policies and procedures for reserving classroom space, listing of rooms not scheduled by the Schedules Office, listing of support services in Audio-Visual and Physical Plant with links to each service. Notified students via the Web of rescheduled final examinations allowing them to know earlier and more efficiently.
Collaborated with the Sloan School to automatically pre-register incoming students for a series of core subjects, automated notification of students on their Reg Form regarding status in Lottery classes based upon Sloan's results.
Worked with ISO to register Visiting Students for the first time.
Vicky Diadiuk left the office after nearly five years as Associate Registrar for Curriculum Services joining the Microsystems Technology Laboratories. Dorothy Ann Gordon and Varian F. Woolfork retired after more than twenty-five years each of dedicated service to the Registrar's Office; they made significant contributions in many areas of the office. David S. Wiley retired this May. It was through David's vision that the Student Information System came to be. He was the guiding force and chief architect behind MITSIS, and a warm and loving friend to many at MIT. We wish David and his family much happiness on their farm in Virginia.
The Registrar's Office staff will be heavily involved in all areas of Student Services Reengineering. Two-thirds of the staff are serving on teams in the areas of Best Practice Research, Academic Services, On-Line Student Access, Student Services Center, and Human Resources. Design of an electronic certification system has been completed and implementation is expected this Fall which will optimize service for students.
Elizabeth C. Bradley
Mary R. Callahan
Constance C. Scribner
MIT Reports to the President 1995-96