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>We uphold the principles of the scientific method, of fact- and reason-based objective inquiry. Science is not a special interest; it is not optional. Science

>We uphold the principles of the scientific method, of fact- and reason-based objective inquiry. Science is not a special interest; it is not optional. Science is a foundational ingredient in how we as a society analyze, understand, and solve the most difficult challenges that we face. >For any member of our community who may feel fear or oppression, our doors are open and we are ready to help. We pledge to work with all members of the community – students, faculty, staff, postdoctoral researchers, and administrators – to defend these principles today and in the times ahead. Now, these things sound nice on paper, but they run completely contrary to my experience in dealing with universities in my community. If you aren't pay tuition, they won't tell you the time of day. That's completely fair, but let's call a spade a spade.

sethherr 10y ago
That's why they define community as "students, facility, staff, postdoctoral researchers and administrators" - not just people nearby.
assface 10y ago
> Now, these things sound nice on paper, but they run completely contrary to my experience in dealing with universities in my community. If you aren't pay tuition, they won't tell you the time of day. Are you talking about faculty or administration people? I always try to reply to everyone who contacts me even if they aren't a student. I even respond to the people that email me theories that rely on P=NP.
lwf 10y ago
As a long-time non-student-but-affiliate MIT person, initially as "some person who volunteered to work on some SIPB project[1]", I've been continuously amazed by the degree of openness of the MIT community. I could just walk in and visit the computer club, or go to an event with friends. Sure, administration doesn't care, but members of the faculty are regularly willing to help out non-students. (I got a temporary account by asking a staff member nicely, to help me work a project that furthered the goals of computing at MIT) So, thank you, MIT faculty, for clearly stating that people from all backgrounds are still welcome here[2]. [1]: http://sipb.mit.edu/ http://sipb.mit.edu/ [2]: http://yawh.mit.edu/ http://yawh.mit.edu/

sethherr 10y ago

That's why they define community as "students, facility, staff, postdoctoral researchers and administrators" - not just people nearby.

assface 10y ago

> Now, these things sound nice on paper, but they run completely contrary to my experience in dealing with universities in my community. If you aren't pay tuition, they won't tell you the time of day. Are you talking about faculty or administration people? I always try to reply to everyone who contacts me even if they aren't a student. I even respond to the people that email me theories that rely on P=NP.

lwf 10y ago

As a long-time non-student-but-affiliate MIT person, initially as "some person who volunteered to work on some SIPB project[1]", I've been continuously amazed by the degree of openness of the MIT community. I could just walk in and visit the computer club, or go to an event with friends. Sure, administration doesn't care, but members of the faculty are regularly willing to help out non-students. (I got a temporary account by asking a staff member nicely, to help me work a project that furthered the goals of computing at MIT) So, thank you, MIT faculty, for clearly stating that people from all backgrounds are still welcome here[2]. [1]: http://sipb.mit.edu/ http://sipb.mit.edu/ [2]: http://yawh.mit.edu/ http://yawh.mit.edu/