MIT after affirmative action

Also: New rules for North End feast; recapping the third night of the DNC [❤️ Donate]( [View in Browser](   August 22, 2024  ☀️ Sunny, with a high near 75. Good Morning Boston, Gov. Maura Healey is [reportedly scheduled]( to get her moment in the spotlight tonight at the Democratic National Convention. But first, the news: - After affirmative action: MIT is welcoming a less-diverse class this fall compared to previous years, and the university says it's because of [the Supreme Court ruling last year that ended affirmative action](. Stu Schmill, MIT's dean of admissions, told WBUR's Dan Guzman that - [as expected]( - the court decision led to a drop in students from historically underrepresented groups for the incoming Class of 2028. - What's different: In [the last few years]( 25% of MIT's incoming students identified as Black, Hispanic, Native American or Pacific Islander. But for the Class of '28, that dropped to 16%. (The same group makes up an [estimated]( 45% of all K-12 students nationally.) - What's the same: The incoming class is not any more or less accomplished when it comes to the admission office's "quantifiable characteristics," like high school grades or standardized test scores. "Many people have told me over the years that MIT ought to care only about academic excellence, not diversity," Schmill [wrote in a blog post yesterday](. "But every student we admit, from any background, is already located at the far-right end of the distribution of academic excellence." - Go deeper: Schmill said racial inequality is especially pronounced in STEM fields, because Black and Hispanic students are less likely to attend high schools where subjects like calculus, physics and computer science are taught. [Read more here](. - What's next: For decades, MIT has sponsored [programs]( to expand K-12 access to advanced STEM courses. [Last year]( it also announced students from families making less than $75,000 a year would not be charged tuition. However, MIT President Sally Kornbluth suggested yesterday they must do more to increase racial diversity amid the new legal restrictions. - Trending down: Money isn't flowing like it used to for Greater Boston's biotech sector. A new report from the global real estate service firm Savills found that local investment was down through the first half of the year, even as the life sciences sector has seen an increase in funding nationally, WBUR's Zeninjor Enwemeka reports. - By the numbers: Investors have poured $3.7 billion into Boston's life sciences sector so far this year. That's down roughly 20% compared to the same time last year. - Why? Chris Gorczyca, the head of the life science brokerage team at Savills, says local venture capitalists are taking a harder look at companies before investing. "VCs are really looking for founding teams that have sort of been there and done that before," Gorczyca told Zeninjor. "And so I think the Boston market is just, you know, being a little more prudent with some of their investments." - The big picture: Greater Boston remains a top life sciences hub - and Gorczyca says he's optimistic about future funding as big pharma companies continue to expand their footprint here. - In the North End: Saint Anthony's Feast weekend gets rolling tonight, a [rare]( opportunity for outdoor dining in the iconic neighborhood. WBUR's Paul Connearney reports organizers expect up to 300,000 people over the next four days for religious processions, live entertainment and lots of Italian food. [Check out the schedule]( and [scroll through all the vendors here](. - This year's event will include new measures to keep things family-friendly, after [several arrests]( for underage drinking and rowdy behavior at the feast last year. According to organizer Mike Bosco, there'll be extra security and a new rule that "anyone under the age of 21 will have to be accompanied by a parent." - Pro tip: Finding parking in the North End will be even more difficult than usual, so consider taking the T. - Not again: There's yet another delay to [transition five Massachusetts hospitals]( of the hands of the bankrupt Steward Health Care. WBUR's Martha Bebinger reports a bankruptcy court judge was expected to review agreements today. However, the hearing has been postponed ([again]( until next Tuesday. - Why? Martha reports that court filings suggest Steward, the hospital landlords and lenders can't agree on how to split sale proceeds of four hospitals: Saint Anne's in Fall River, Good Samaritan in Brockton, Morton Hospital in Taunton and Holy Family in Haverhill and Methuen. Meanwhile, landlords are[ challenging Healey's attempt to seize]( Elizabeth's in Brighton. P.S.- [This week's episode]( of The Common features a conversation with WBUR powerhouse reporter and interim Morning Edition host Deborah Becker. They talk all about her longer career and her long love of food. [Listen to it here!]( Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters The Rundown [Tim Walz headlines third night of DNC with help from Clinton, Oprah and Stevie Wonder]( Tim Walz accepted the Democratic Party's vice presidential nomination tonight in Chicago, closing out a slate of speakers that included Oprah Winfrey and former President Bill Clinton. 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[Read more.]( Anything Else? - From a candlelit concert to a rooftop workout class to a circus-themed extravaganza, [here are five ways to make the most of the final pre-Labor Day summer weekend]( around Greater Boston. - Actress Mindy Kaling joked about "outing" Kamala Harris as Indian during remarks at the Democratic National Convention last night. The Massachusetts native also [gave a shoutout]( to her home state, Jayson Tatum and Ben Affleck. ("Hang in there.") [Watch the full speech here](. - More from the DNC: You can also [listen here]( how Mayor Michelle Wu is raising Boston's concerns in Chicago. - Film critic Sean Burns writes that director Nathan Silver's new movie "Between the Temple" is [the most anxious comedy you'll see this year.]( - As Democratic vice presidential nominee and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz works to introduce himself to the country, [his Gen Z daughter Hope is lending a hand](. Historians say it's a new political dynamic that has rarely been seen on the White House campaign trail. What We're Reading 📚 - How a Law That Shields Big Tech Is Now Being Used Against It ([The New York Times]( - Snail farm in city office sparks tax avoidance probe ([BBC]( - 'I didn't have the words': Genealogists link woman to Elizabeth Freeman, who helped end slavery in Mass. ([The Boston Globe](   Tell Me Something Good [Polly Pocket gets life-sized in Littleton]( In honor of Polly's 35th birthday, Mattel and Airbnb partnered to develop a 1-to-1 replica Slumber Party Fun compact. The 42-foot-tall structure is equipped with custom Polly-inspired clothes and a play kitchen stocked with snacks popular in the '90s. [Read more.]( [Polly Pocket gets life-sized in Littleton]( In honor of Polly's 35th birthday, Mattel and Airbnb partnered to develop a 1-to-1 replica Slumber Party Fun compact. The 42-foot-tall structure is equipped with custom Polly-inspired clothes and a play kitchen stocked with snacks popular in the '90s. [Read more.]( Play: [WBUR's daily mini crossword.]( Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: [Behold the luckiest place in Massachusetts.]( 😎 Forward to a friend. They can sign up [here](. 🔎 Explore [WBUR's Field Guide]( stories, events and more. 📣 Give us your feedback: newsletters@wbur.org 📧 Get more WBUR stories sent to your inbox. [Check out all of our newsletter offerings.](   [Donate](   # # Want to change how you receive these emails? Stop getting this newsletter by [updating your preferences](.   I don't want to hear from WBUR anymore. Unsubscribe from all WBUR editorial newsletters [here](.   Interested in learning more about corporate sponsorship? [Click here](. Trustees of Boston University on behalf of WBUR, 890 Commonwealth Ave Boston, MA, 02215, US Copyright 2024 WBUR-FM, All rights reserved.