MIT Presidential Search
Photo by Alvar Saenz-Otero
Welcoming Dr. Susan Hockfield, MIT's 16th President
The MIT Corporation convened the morning of August 26, 2004 to unanimously elect Dr. Susan Hockfield as the 16th president of MIT. A community meeting and reception was held that afternoon at 2:00 p.m. to introduce the new president-elect to MIT student, staff and faculty (see a streaming video of the event).
The Student Advisory Group to the MIT Corporation Committee on the Presidency is pleased to wholeheartedly endorse and welcome Dr. Susan Hockfield, the new President-Elect of MIT. Throughout the entire search process, both undergraduate and graduate student feedback and counsel were actively sought by the Faculty Advisory and Corporation Committees. We appreciate that our hopes and concerns were fully acknowledged and our recommendations taken seriously. We very much look forward to a productive working relationship in the years to come between the Hockfield administration, the Graduate Student Council, the Undergraduate Association, and the broader MIT student community.
Brief Biograpy of Dr. Hockfield
There will be continued student involvement during the upcoming transition period in the welcoming and orientation of the new president. The GSC and UA will keep the student body informed on the details of how to get involved in this process as soon as they are available.
You may also check this webpage or email sag-ccp[at]mit[dot]edu for updates or to get involved.
Charge of the Student Advisory Group (SAG) to the Corporation Committee on the Presidency
The Student Advisory Group to the Corporation Committee on the President, consisting of representatives from both the graduate and undergraduate student population and chaired by the GSC and UA Presidents, was charged to "provide the Corporation with a representative student perspective on the challenges facing MIT in this decade, and on the experience and personal qualities that should be found in the next president." The Student Advisory Group was also welcomed to and did provide nominations of specific individuals for the MIT Presidency. The group provided input throughout the process until the final decision was made.
Report of the Student Advisory Group to the Corporation Committee on the Presidency (Public Version)
Timeline and Process
The Student Advisory Group followed a very strict and well defined timeline and process as outlined below. As much input from the student body as a whole was gathered as possible, and all recommendations have been made using that input.
- December, 2003: planning process begins
- January, 2004: committee structure finalized and membership selected -- Presentation at 1/13/04 meeting
- February 2, 2004: members of student advisory group begin visiting the graduate departments and soliciting comments and suggestions from interest groups
- February 4, 2004: survey forms completed by atendees of GSC General Council Meeting
- February 12, 2004: Open forum #1 to solicit student input -- Presentation by SAG | Presentation by Dr. Kirk Kolenbrander
- February 4, 2004: Open forum #2 to solicit student input
- March 12, 2004: draft of summary report (based on compilation of all collected student input) sent to a number of GSC and UA email lists to solicit further student feedback
- March 18, 2004: student advisory group submits formal report to Corporation Committee on the Presidency (CCOP)
- April 1, 2004: student advisory group presents its findings in person to the CCOP and provides further feedback in response to questions
- April 12, 2004: Public version of report released by student advisory group
- August 26, 2004: MIT Corporation convenes to elect Dr. Hockfield as MIT's 16th President
Related Links:
- Bylaws of the Corporation defining the President's role
- President's role in the Institute Organizational Chart
- History of the Office of the MIT President
- MIT Office of the President Records 1930-1959 (Archival Collection 4)
- President Vest's speeches, interviews, and other communications
- MIT Reports to the President
- MIT Presidential Search Website
Contact the Student Advisory Group
