MIT
MIT Faculty Newsletter  
contents Vol. XXIX No. 2
November / December 2016

This issue of the Faculty Newsletter features commentary on the recent Presidential election, including our Editorial: "Resisting Anti-Science Stances of the New Administration." We also offer "Evolution of Schools, Departments, and Centers at MIT," and In Memoriams for Susan L. Lindquist and George Rathjens.

Spotlight
MIT DomeCredit: Wikimedia Commons
Can A University Become Carbon Neutral?
An MIT class project looks at climate action plans from 22 U.S. colleges and universities.
Skoltech – A Professional and Personal Journey
Prof. Ed Crawley reflects on his years as first President of the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology.
 
A Message From MIT Faculty Affirming Our Shared Values
The President-elect has appointed individuals to positions of power who have endorsed racism, misogyny and religious bigotry, and denied the widespread scientific . . .
Editorial
Resisting Anti-Science Stances of the New Administration
Editorial Subcommittee
U.S. Presidents have had a history of enthusiastic and constructive engagement with science and technology. Notable among them have been Washington and . . .
Can A University Become Carbon Neutral?
Timothy Gutowski
This is the question we took up as a class project in 2.83/2.813 for the spring term 2016. We looked at the climate action plans of 22 colleges and universities in the . . . .
On Gracious Professionalism
Woodie Flowers
The election has been painful. It reminds me that we have a responsibility to help students become thoughtful citizens. Rational thought blended with empathy seems . . .
Skoltech – A Personal and Professional Journey
Ed Crawley
I was at an airshow with my son on the Fourth of July, 2011 when I received a call from Duane Bonning – was I interested in flying to Moscow to interview for Skoltech . . .
Evolution of Schools, Departments, and Centers at MIT
Thomas W. Eagar
In the March/April 2016 Faculty Newsletter, Professor Olivier de Weck wrote an excellent review of the birth, progress, and subsequent dismemberment of the . . .
In Memoriam
Susan L. Lindquist
It is with deep sadness that we record here a memorial resolution marking the passing of Professor Susan L. Lindquist, our valued colleague, collaborator, and friend.
In Memoriam
George Rathjens
James Walsh
I first met George Rathjens, who recently died at the age of 90, when I was thinking about applying to MIT’s Defense and Arms Control Studies (DACS) program . . .
An Institute-Wide Festival of Learning
Sanjay Sarma
MIT’s sustained commitment to teaching and learning is widely recognized. Combined with its pioneering role in fostering educational innovation, MIT is transforming . . .
Do you have unreleased software projects you’d like to clean up
and release as open source, but don’t have time?
Spread the Joy of Giving This Holiday Season
Laura Anca Chichisan
This November and December, faculty can brighten the holiday season for families experiencing poverty through the MIT Giving Tree program. Led by the Priscilla . . .
The Alumni Class Funds Seek Proposals for
Teaching and Education Enhancements
The Office of the Dean for Undergraduate Education is requesting proposals for projects for the 2017-2018 academic year that improve the quality of teaching, . . .
Letters
¡¡¡Retired Faculty Alert!!!
Jean Jackson
When I recently attempted to renew my annual membership and locker fee at the DAPER desk, I was told it would cost over $800. As that was considerably more . . .
Letters
Improving Institute Faculty Meetings
Bob Simha
Bravo to Patrick Winston for speaking out in the Faculty Newsletter to make the faculty meetings more truly engaging for the members. Over the half-century that I have . . .
Letters
On Gender Differences in Submitting Admissions Maker Portfolios
Mark Noga
I just read “Gender Imbalance in MIT Admissions Maker Portfolios." I’m not sure of the actual application rate for men versus women at MIT, but the numbers in the chart . . .
Letters
Access MIT and Transit Commuter Benefits
Ken Pierce
Re: “MIT Administration ‘Walking the Talk’ on Transit Commuter Benefits,” by Frederick P. Salvucci. I invariably enjoy reading your articles in the Faculty Newsletter..
Letters
Keep Up the Good Work
Luca Daniel
Thank you for your continuing excellent work and service. I just finished reading a few articles in the most recent September/October 2016 issue and I just simply wanted . . .
M. I. T. Numbers
Campus Research Expenditures FY 1997–2016
M. I. T. Numbers
MIT Research Expenditures FY 1940–2015
   
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