The MIT Security and Emergency Management Office initiated a campus-wide emergency test drill in late August that consisted of sending messages via phone, e-mail, and text messaging to members of the MIT community. The office, which was launched on July 1, 2007, serves as a resource center for security-related issues. Approximately 26,000 e-mail messages were sent in under five minutes.

Researchers, Nobel laureates, students, and curious people alike gathered Thursday evening to celebrate the Seventeenth “1st Annual Ig Nobel Prize Ceremony” held in the Sanders Theatre at Harvard University. Created to honor 10 achievements each year that “first make people LAUGH, and then make them THINK,” the ceremony was complete with hysterical antics, odd science demonstrations, a chicken theme, and, of course, improbable research.

President Susan Hockfield, along with top MIT officials, presented optimistic remarks to a crowd of about 300 at Tuesday’s State of the Institute forum in Kresge Auditorium, ending a three year hiatus for the event. Also speaking at the forum were Provost L. Rafael Reif, Chancellor Phillip L. Clay PhD ’75, and Executive Vice President and Treasurer Theresa M. Stone.