[Unified-mailman] Today's System Problem Lecture

[Steven R. Hall]

Folks,

I'm sending this e-mail to share my thoughts on the events that took 
place in today's lecture, so that everyone understands why I and the 
other Unified staff consider the behavior seen today unacceptable.

First, the posters that were on the wall at the beginning of the 
lecture (which I removed before some of you came in) certainly appeared 
to be designed to indicate your displeasure with Prof. Pittinsky. I am 
well aware that many of you were unhappy about the on-line team 
surveys. The surveys have been a topic of concern for the Unified 
staff, and your input on this issue is important to us. Indeed, 
respectful input to Prof. Pittinsky on this point would have been 
appropriate. However, the nasty tone that was conveyed to Prof. 
Pittinsky in the posters has no place at MIT, where respect for 
individuals is a core value. Unfortunately, Prof. Pittinsky saw the 
posters before I had removed them, so the damage was done. I don't know 
whether he took offense at the posters, but a reasonable person 
certainly could take offense. Prof. Pittinsky is owed an apology on 
this point.

The projector hack is a somewhat different matter. Hacks at MIT have a 
long tradition, and all MIT men and women should take pleasure in a 
well-executed hack. Had the projector hack been stopped at the 
appropriate time, it would have fit well within the MIT tradition of 
hacking --- it was technically well executed, the slides were 
imaginative, and the slides poked gentle fun at the faculty, without 
being disrespectful. The problem, of course, was that the hack 
continued long after the gag was funny, after I had asked at least 
twice that we respect the speaker. The continuation of the hack showed 
great disrespect for Prof. Pittinsky, and to a lesser extent, Prof. 
Coleman, myself, and the class. On this point as well, Prof. Pittinsky 
is owed an apology.

I've said several times during the term that I think that this class is 
one the nicest Unified classes I've known, and I stand by that. I also 
said at the end of class that I was very disappointed in the class, 
which is not quite right.  I'm really disappointed in those members of 
the class who treated our guest with such disrespect, whether intended 
or not. The strong disappointment I expressed today reflects the shock 
that I felt that members of this class could treat a guest that way.

Today's lecture reflects badly on MIT, the Unified staff, and Unified 
students. I have already offered an apology to Prof. Pittinsky. I hope 
and expect that those who are responsible for today's unpleasant events 
will do the right thing, and offer their own apologies to Prof. 
Pittinsky as well.

Steven Hall