Stata Center

Stata Center

CAC Stata Center


This icon of architecture on MIT's campus was designed by Frank Gehry and brings together the three triads of MIT education: teaching, research, and community. It is an exciting environment with the academic and research labs of CSAIL, LIDS, and Linguistics and Philosophy combined with the Faculty Lunch Program and the R and D Pub located in the towers of the center. The focal point of the facility is the Vest Student Street with it's featured promotion and display boards, student and community activity booths, and benches and café seating meant to foster informal interactions and conversation. Its services include the Forbes Family Café, recreation space, ATM, and displays of art. The Center provides unique outdoor gathering spaces, including the Dertouzos Amphitheater, the Sean Collier Memorial, and other terrace areas.

As extensive as space is in the center, event facilities are primarily limited to the five classrooms located on the Vest Student Street. These facilities are comprised of the Kirsch Auditorium, two flat classrooms (sixty seats each in 32-124 and 32-144), and two tiered classrooms (ninety seats each in 32-141 and 32-155). These are under the scheduling control of the Registrar's Office and require their review and approval before any program planning can begin.

As classrooms, these spaces are assigned for teaching Monday through Friday through the academic semesters. During the evening, on weekends, and during Summer and IAP periods, they may be approved for use by student activities, as well as departments, labs, and centers for conference, seminars, and social programming. Once a request has been reviewed and approved by the Registrar's Office, event support is available through CAC.

The Dertouzos Amphitheater, Amphitheater Terrace, Forbes Café, Stata Balconies, and other Vest Student Street public areas are booked and managed through the Campus Activities Complex.