Found 155 Results for Letters to the community

Updates

To keep you informed, find the latest news, events, and reports coming out of our office—plus the provost’s Letters to the Community.

Home

The Office of the Provost oversees MIT’s academic and research endeavors, enabling our faculty, staff, and Institute to thrive.

Resources

As part of the Provost Office’s mission to support MIT faculty and staff, we have curated helpful resources from across the Institute to guide all faculty, assist administrators, and enhance scholarship research.

Community Building Seed Grant Fund call for proposals

Letters · The Community Building Seed Grant Fund will encourage community-building efforts among faculty and instructor colleagues.

Executive Vice Provost

Your help in setting the tone for our community

Letters · We are writing to ask directly for your support and engagement in helping to set the tone for our whole community, especially if you work with students.

Community ideas: Potential budget responses to federal actions

Resource ·

Supporting a safe, welcoming, and respectful community at MIT

Letters · The Institute will undertake activities to prevent harassment, sexual misconduct, and discrimination.

Ground rules for our community

Letters · We write to highlight the values, rules, and guidelines that make it possible for all of us to share the campus successfully while pursuing MIT’s vital mission.

John Dozier named Institute Community and Equity Officer

News · After a nationwide search, MIT has named John H. Dozier, an experienced higher-education leader with significant expertise in the areas of diversity and inclusion, as its new Institute Community and Equity Officer (ICEO).

MIT to ease masking, testing, attestation requirements

Letters · The Omicron surge now appears to be behind us. And while almost 4,500 of our MIT colleagues, classmates, and friends have tested positive since December, we are not aware of anyone in our community who has been hospitalized during that time due to Covid.

MIT building access plan for the fall

Letters · We write with an update on our building access policy, which has spurred conversation across our community in recent days.

Research Assistant Tuition Subsidy Increase

Letters · In March, we wrote to the community to describe how MIT is investing in strategic priorities to address longstanding Institute needs during the coming 2023 fiscal year.

COVID-19 precautions to finish the semester strong

Letters · As you may be aware, last week we had an increase in COVID-19 cases in our community.

Welcoming the MIT Values Statement

Letters · More than a year ago, 22 members of our community took up a challenging piece of work: They set out to create a values statement that could reflect MIT’s distinctive character and speak to all of us, in every role.

Upcoming changes to building access

Letters · In August, we wrote to you about our plans to engage the community as we developed MIT’s approach to building access for the spring semester and beyond.

Proposed Free Expression Statement for MIT

Letters · Last fall, debate around the handling of the Carlson Lecture spurred our community to focus on important questions about freedom of expression and academic freedom.

Areas of Oversight and Collaboration

The Provost’s Office team provides advice and counsel to the senior leaders of the schools and colleges, key offices, and affiliated institutes in furthering MIT’s commitment to best-in-class academics and research.

3 Questions: Provost Cynthia Barnhart on MIT’s community of excellence

News · With the MIT values statement recently published and MIT’s Strategic Action Plan for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion nearly complete, Provost Cynthia Barnhart provides her thoughts on the importance of diversity within the context of MIT’s commitment to excellence.

In virtual town hall, MIT leadership updates community on Covid-19 responses

News · As the MIT community adjusts to this unique period of separation and disruption, the Institute’s top leaders held an online “town hall” on Tuesday to answer some of the most frequent questions being asked by students, faculty, and staff.

MIT community members who work to eradicate sexual violence recognized at 2023 Change-Maker Awards

News · Students and employees were celebrated for their efforts in combating sexual misconduct.

Thirty-four community members receive 2023 MIT Excellence Awards, Collier Medal, and Staff Award for Distinction in Service

News · Prestigious awards recognize community support of MIT’s goals, values, and mission.

MIT community members honored with 2024 Franklin Institute Awards

News · Vice Provost Paula Hammond and four others recognized for “dreaming up solutions to global challenges — advancing health, sustainability, and human connection.”

Community members receive 2024 MIT Excellence Awards, Collier Medal, and Staff Award for Distinction in Service

News · Staff members receive recognition for their exceptional support of the MIT community.

Where climate meets community

News · MIT’s Living Climate Futures Lab takes a human-centered approach to investigating a global challenge.

Commencement participation from employees

Letters · Commencement week is a time when we celebrate an important academic and research milestone for our graduating students.

Exciting move for Krystyn Van Vliet

Letters · We write today to announce that Associate Provost and Associate Vice President for Research Krystyn Van Vliet will step down effective October 10, 2022, to serve as the vice president for research and innovation at Cornell University.

New F&A Rates for FY2023 and FY2024

Letters · MIT recently concluded negotiations with the Office of Naval Research (ONR) for facilities and administrative (F&A) rates for fiscal years 2023 and 2024.

Thank you for your participation in Commencement

Letters · We write today to add our thanks for your work in preparing for this year’s Commencement ceremonies, welcoming our guests to campus, and creating a memorable celebration of our graduates’ accomplishments.

Upcoming Covid testing changes at MIT

Letters · More than two years have passed since Covid-19 entered our lives. During that time, we have learned just as much about our own resolve and resilience as we have about the virus.

Tim Jamison concludes appointment as Associate Provost

Letters · I write today to announce that Tim Jamison, Robert Robinson Taylor Professor of Chemistry and former Chemistry department head, will conclude his term as associate provost effective June 30.

Published guidance on faculty promotion and tenure

Letters · I write today to share an important final piece of work driven by former Faculty Chair Rick Danheiser regarding MIT’s faculty promotion and tenure processes.

Join Solve at MIT on May 5 with Yuval Harari, Shirin Ebadi & more

Letters · I write to invite you to join an exciting event on our campus: Solve at MIT's Opening Plenary session, “Ethical and Inclusive Innovation: Solving With, By, and For the Most Underserved.”

Investing in the future of MIT

Letters · Last October, President Reif shared news of the exceptional performance of MIT’s endowment, and announced that MIT would be drawing on newly available resources immediately to invest in strategic priorities.

Register to participate in Commencement 2022

Letters · With Commencement season nearly here, we write to update you on this year’s plans and invite you to participate in the festivities.

Sharing report from Ad Hoc Committee on Arts, Culture, and DEI

Letters · In the summer of 2020, President Reif outlined a number of steps the Institute would take to address the lasting legacy of racism.

Commencement 2023 ceremony schedule

Letters · We write to share important updates about the schedule and format for MIT’s Commencement 2023 ceremonies.

Special one-time payment

Letters · Many of you have expressed concerns about the current inflationary environment and the additional stress and financial pressures it is causing.

Update on graduate student unionization

Letters · Last week, the MIT Graduate Student Union and United Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers of America (MIT GSU-UE) filed a new petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

Graduate student union negotiations set to begin

Letters · On September 19, MIT will begin collective bargaining negotiations with the MIT Graduate Student Union and United Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers of America (MIT GSU-UE).

Update on progress of Task Force 2021 and Beyond recommendations

Letters · In May 2020, President Reif charged Task Force 2021 and Beyond with creating “blueprints for building a better MIT” in a post-pandemic world.

The latest on grad student union negotiations

Letters · In a nutshell, the negotiations have been collegial and constructive. Much ground has been covered, yet there is much more to explore with the GSU.

Catastrophic Events

Community support · In times of crisis, MIT pulls together in support of one another and of those most deeply affected. Here you will find resources for the Institute community and guidance for engaging scholars and students beyond our campus.

Letter to the MIT community: Announcing the Climate Project at MIT

News · President Kornbluth introduces a major campus-wide effort to solve critical climate problems with all possible speed.

Exploring New Academic and Institutional Models for MIT – September 2025

Research & teaching · Insights, ideas, and perspectives on how the Institute might adapt to the changing environment for U.S. higher education, gathered through faculty discussion groups convened in spring and summer 2025.

MIT’s Response to Significant Financial Stresses

Resource ·

People

Senior leaders, Institute Professors, and innovators across the Institute work with the provost and our office to shape the future of MIT’s academics, governance, and research.

MIT Working Group on Scholarly Content and Generative AI

Working group charge As Generative AI evolves at a rapid pace, members of the MIT community are seeking guidance on the appropriate use of scholarly content in the training of GenAI models. Some scholars at MIT are concerned about use of their own content for GenAI, such as by tech companies who use content (with […]

Inviting you to inaugural “Dialogues Across Difference” with John Tomasi

Letters · We invite you to join us for the first in a new series of guest lectures and campus conversations called “Dialogues Across Difference: Building Community at MIT.”

Nominations open for 2023 MIT Staff Award for Distinction in Service

Letters · We invite the MIT community to consider colleagues who have made remarkable contributions to the Institute for the MIT Staff Award for Distinction in Service.

Exciting move for ICEO John Dozier

Letters · John Dozier will step down as Institute Community and Equity Officer (ICEO) on June 30 to become president of Columbia College.

Dan Hastings appointed interim ICEO & interim associate provost

Letters · Dan brings to these interim roles a remarkable depth and breadth of professional accomplishment and service to the Institute community, as well as an impressive record of national service.

Launching the Future of the Arts at MIT Committee

Letters · The committee will advise the Institute on new ways to envision the place of the arts in our community.

Dimitris Bertsimas Appointed Vice Provost for Open Learning

Letters · Dimitris will be responsible for working with our community and the Open Learning team to advance Open Learning’s mission.

Let’s team up to make a difference in our neighborhood

Letters · Vice Provost Paula Hammond writes to faculty about the MIT Community Service Fund (CSF).

Working Group on Scholarly Content and Generative AI

Letters · We write today to announce the launch of a working group that will advise the Institute on best practices for community members and units using scholarly content to train generative AI (GenAI) models.

Updated Analysis of Hammond-Hopkins Reports

Resource · Procedures to avoid ethical and legal conflicts of interest when interacting with organizations outside MIT.

NLRB decision on fellows

Letters · NLRB has responded to a petition by the MIT Graduate Student Union.

Commencement participation from employees

Letters · We encourage all staff to take an active role in Commencement festivities.

The latest on negotiations with the GSU

Letters · We write to share updates on MIT’s negotiations with the Graduate Student Union (GSU).

Attend Solve at MIT on 5/4 with President Kornbluth and Tony Elumelu

Letters · The public opening plenary of Solve at MIT 2023 will feature world-renowned artists and thought leaders tackling some of the world's most complex challenges.

MIT urges the GSU to re-engage at the bargaining table

Letters · We remain committed to reaching the GSU’s stated goal of arriving at an agreement in May.

Why graduate students should vote “yes”

Letters · We urge the GSU and its members to act to conclude the negotiating process with a “yes” vote.

Seeking candidates: associate provost for faculty advancement

Letters · We’re opening an internal search to fill an important faculty role.

The case for voting “yes”

Letters · The GSU vote on whether to accept a comprehensive offer from MIT begins this Monday and will be open through Thursday.

MIT Museum director stepping down

Letters · John Durant will step down as the Mark R. Epstein (Class of 1963) Director of the MIT Museum on December 31, 2023.

Call for proposals: Impact papers on generative AI

Letters · We seek to fund the work of individual PIs or groups of faculty to develop impact papers that articulate effective roadmaps, policy recommendations, and calls for action across the broad domain of generative AI.

Paula Hammond appointed vice provost for faculty

Letters · In her new role, Paula will oversee Institute-wide strategies and programs to support faculty excellence and advancement.

Proposals due Aug. 15 re. generative AI impact papers

Letters · With the August 15th deadline coming up, we write now to encourage you to submit a proposal, as an individual or as a group.

Seeking candidates: senior vice provost for research

Letters · The senior vice provost for research (SVPR) is an important new faculty role that will strengthen MIT’s research enterprise.

Changes to under-recovery administration

Letters · The Institute is allocating new central resources to DLCIs to support under-recovery of F&A costs.

Commencement 2024 ceremony schedule

Letters · Information about the schedule for MIT’s Commencement 2024 ceremonies is now available.

Inviting you to “Dialogues Across Difference” with Malick Ghachem

Letters · Professor of History Malick W. Ghachem is a constitutional historian and member of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Free Expression.

New call for proposals: Impact papers on generative AI

Letters · We again invite proposals to develop impact papers that articulate effective roadmaps, policy recommendations, and calls for action across the broad domain of generative AI.

Campus safety and policies around protests, postering and free expression

Letters · The provost shares a letter highlighting important policies around postering, protests and free expression.

Nominate MLK Visiting Scholars for Academic Year 2024-2025

Letters · For decades, MLK Scholars have been enriching the intellectual life of the Institute with their research and teaching.

Faculty career resources

Letters · Resources are available through the MIT Provost Office of Faculty Programs to support you throughout your career.

Search for new SMART leader

Letters · Professor Gene Fitzgerald will step down as director and chief executive officer in December 2024, and a search for his successor will begin shortly.

Michael John Gorman appointed MIT Museum director

Letters · Michael John is poised to enhance our collective efforts in making the MIT Museum a beacon of innovation and public engagement.

Seeking candidates: Vice Provost for Open Learning

Letters · The VPOL will set a strategic vision for transforming teaching and learning on and off MIT’s campus.

Update: Vice President for Research search

Letters · The search for the next faculty leader of the Institute’s research enterprise has been reopened until February 5.

Dean David Schmittlein to step down

Letters · For nearly 17 years, we have relied on and benefited from Dave’s inspiring vision, skillful leadership, and collaborative nature.

Seeking candidates: Vice Provost for International Activities

Letters · The VPIA provides intellectual leadership, guidance, and oversight of the Institute’s international policies and engagements.

Faculty Portable Child Care Subsidy Program

Letters · Support is available to faculty through the Faculty Portable Child Care Subsidy (FPCCS) program.

Mitigating risk in international and outside professional activities

Letters · Vice Provost Richard Lester shares new resources for faculty and researchers.

Nominate an outstanding MIT employee this spring

Letters · We invite you to consider those individuals who have made MIT a better place and to submit a nomination on their behalf.

Register to participate in Commencement 2024

Letters · We encourage all staff to take an active role in Commencement festivities.

Final update on Task Force 2021 and Beyond implementation progress

Letters · There has been significant progress toward our shared goal of “building a better MIT” thanks to the blueprints for action provided to us by Task Force 2021.