Defending Tradition
What would MIT be without hacking? What if you were assigned to your dorm? What if fraternities were banned?
The Problem
Many of the unique traditions that give MIT its character are being threatened. Time and again, administrative decisions are implemented without input from the student body. The recent controversies over Ashdown and Burton-Conner’s kitchens are two of many examples. We need to make sure that all students are consulted in all these discussions.
Hacking
Three students were recently caught hacking in the E52 Faculty Club. While they were eventually cleared of all charges, those charges should never have been considered in the first place . More importantly, the administration should have pledged its support for these students from the get go, not in the face of intense public pressure. Not too long ago, there was a proposal on the table to fine individuals who were caught hacking on the rooftops of MIT buildings. Again, the proposal was defeated, but why was it set forth in the first place? The introduction of such measures (even if they a re ultimately rejected) is having a chilling effect on the hacking community. We will not stand for further attacks on this tradition.
REX / Fraternity Rush
REX and fraternity rush are also being compromised. The amount of time that they are being allotted is steadily decreasing, and student input is going unheard. Administrators must give REX a higher priority so that it is not just a necessary event to be wiggled into the hectic Orientation schedule. Furthermore, it may be possible to extend Rush so that it is given more time before the start of school.
The Solution
Committee on Institute Communication (CIC)
There is currently no central bridge between administrators and students – the CIC will assume this role. The administration claims that it actively collects student feedback even when few students sit on its committees. Such feeble efforts to gauge student reaction will not be tolerated in the future. From now on, it will not be able to make this claim in good faith unless it submits a proposal outlining its proposed policy changes to the CIC. This committee will ensure that all affected parties are brought to the table before any final decisions are made. With the CIC in place, there will no longer be any ambiguity over whether student feedback has or has not been received on a given proposal.