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Initiatives

Division of Student Life Mission "As a critical part of MIT's educational mission, the Division of Student Life (DSL) leads campus efforts to set new standards for excellence in integrating living and learning at the Institute. We work to foster a safe, healthy and supportive environment for the MIT community that maximizes well-being and the development of skills for a balanced life. DSL places service to students as the highest priority for its staff, programs, services and facilities. We partner with others including students, MIT Faculty, Staff and Alumni/Alumnae to enable and maintain a campus community founded on personal and group responsibility, fairness and respect, where individual differences are expected and appreciated and learning is fundamental." - Division of Student Life Mission Statement Adopted August 2003 Achievement of this mission requires continual development and evaluation. The associated pages provide information to help the campus community understand our current priorities and initiatives.
 
To assist in the direction of student life, the Institute has a standing committee of the faculty: Committee on Student Life.
 
Initiatives
Below is information on several of the current initiatives of the Division of Student Life

Alcohol & Other Drug Prevention Training and Education MIT offers programs to increase awareness of alcohol and other drug use, and enhance the capacity of community members to assist and support one another in dealing with these issues. Two popular programs are:

  • PartySafe Social Host Training – Educates the MIT Fraternities and dormitory residents on responsible beverage service, as well as legal liabilities and ethical obligations when hosting parties and serving alcohol to peers.
  • ENTICE Program – Encourages student groups to consider and address how their living communities and social affiliations (i.e. fraternity or sorority membership) affect personal alcohol use, community safety and violence prevention.
  • The Center also provides ongoing seminars and training to MIT professional staff on policy and procedure issues, legal regulations and liability, and detection and referral of individuals with alcohol or other drug problems.

 
Screening and Brief Intervention [BASICS] for Students to “Self-Check” Personal Alcohol Use The CDSA Center offers BASICS, a program for early intervention associated with high risk alcohol use for first year students and student athletes. The program is also used as a response to alcohol related violations of community standards and as part of the health focused follow up process for students transported for an alcohol related injury or intoxication. The primary objective of BASICS is to decrease high-risk drinking behaviors and prevent consequences associated with alcohol abuse for the individual and the community. Key Contact: Danny Trujillo, Associate Dean. 
 
 
Campus Dining Campus Dining continues to develop and adapt its multi-contractor approach to providing food services to the campus. Through competition, we ensure product and service quality and good value for dining patrons. This competitive model also allows us to replace vendors and/or change concepts that have lost their customer appeal, ensuring a dynamic program that continually adapts to the MIT's changing needs. For FY '06 new initiatives exemplifying Dining's adaptability included the development of a dinner program for East Campus at Pritchett, 7 night a week House Dining at Baker House, and the introduction of independent restaurateurs in the Lobdell Food Court. Key Contact: Richard Berlin, Director of Campus Dining, Residential Life.
 
 
FSILG Task Force and Project Aurora In the spring of 2003, former MIT President Charles M. Vest convened a special FSILG Task Force to consider the status and future development of the Institute's 37 Fraternities, Sororities, and Independent Living Groups (FSILGs), which together serve well over 1,000 current students and inspire the affection and loyalty of tens of thousands of alumni. In 18 months the Task Force completed its work, which was followed by implementation phase called Project Aurora. Virtually all the Task Force's recommendations were realized, including periodic, comprehensive updates to the entire FSILG alumni community and increased professional staff from the FSILG Office. President Susan Hockfield has been extremely supportive of the FSILG community and it's continued expansion and evolution. Key Contacts: Bob Ferrara '67, Senior Director, Strategic Planning, Communications, and Alumni Relations, and Kaya Miller, Assistant Dean for FSILGs and Res. Life Programs.
 
 
Housing Updates Nightwatch staff received a detailed training session with MIT Campus Police. This training will be a yearly event and will improve the security of our student residents. One displaced student from Louisiana was housed in the Graduate Housing system and six students were housed in the Undergraduate Housing system. Housing fees were waived for these students. Graduate Housing is working with the MIT Card Office to streamline and automate the process of granting housing access on the MIT Card for graduate housing occupants.
MIT Off Campus Housing Services

  • Collects information on available rentals which are then posted on a secure web site accessible only by affiliates of MIT (current students, staff and faculty). This site is updated daily.
  • Advises students staff and faculty on issues involved with living off campus ranging from finding an apartment locally to landlord/tenant law to roommate disputes.
  • Advises areas of MIT needing to accommodate visitors locally for a week or a semester.
  • Advises programs at MIT on issues surrounding accommodations for their program participants.
  • Review leases for students, staff and faculty.
  • Maintain a relationship with local property owners and real estate agencies for the benefit of our community needs.