The Task Force produced an exhaustive study and many great proposals. When I became chancellor, President Vest handed the Task Force report to me and said, 'Make it happen. For those of you present who have not read the Task Force report, I recommend it to you. At MIT, we already have world-class educational and research programs. He went on to note how, from an architectural and planning perspective, Massachusetts Avenue divides the MIT campus, literally and figuratively.
Student activities dominate west of the street and faculty control activities on the east side.
Student life has been largely the responsibility of students. He outlined the majors steps MIT is undertaking to accomplish the goal of an enhanced residential experience, including construction of a new undergraduate residence in which social spaces will serve as magnets for building community. He also noted that the new undergraduate residence will incorporate space for five faculty apartments in addition to housemaster and associate housemaster suites, representing a further integration of faculty into residential life. Following the recommendations of the Task Force, we are interested in strengthening the communications skills of our students, enhancing opportunities for students to develop team-building and leadership skills, and providing additional access for undergraduates to do coursework at the Sloan School. This past year represents the tail end of a decade-long shift in the way research universities are supported and run.