MIT has unveiled groundbreaking reports today detailing the progressive development of the innovative MIT Stephen A. Schwarzman College of Computing, marking a transformative moment in higher education.
The comprehensive reports synthesize the extensive work of five dedicated working groups that have spent months exploring strategic directions for this pioneering institution. These teams have investigated critical aspects including organizational structure, cutting-edge curriculum design, faculty recruitment strategies, social responsibilities, and advanced computing infrastructure—all with a focus on artificial intelligence integration.
Established in October 2018, the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing represents the most significant institutional transformation at MIT since 1950. This revolutionary initiative reimagines how computing education and research can bridge traditional disciplinary boundaries across MIT's five renowned schools.
Responding to computing's pervasive influence in society and academic inquiry, the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing will function as a campus-wide interdisciplinary hub. It will propel breakthrough research in computing and artificial intelligence while deepening our understanding of technology's social and ethical dimensions.
Collaborative Solutions Development
The working groups comprise over 100 distinguished MIT faculty members, students, and staff who have operated since February, incorporating valuable community input and leveraging a campus-wide Idea Bank. Each group submitted comprehensive reports last week, outlining visionary pathways for the college's future.
Working group co-chairs participate in a strategic steering committee guiding the college's formation, convening regularly to explore synergies among different focus areas. This committee includes MIT Provost Martin A. Schmidt, Engineering Dean Anantha Chandrakasan, and Faculty Chair Susan Silbey.
"I wish to express my deep appreciation to the Steering Committee and all working group members for their dedicated work during recent months," Schmidt stated in a campus-wide email. "Their efforts have been invaluable in shaping this transformative initiative, especially considering the extensive territory covered within a limited timeframe."
Each working group evaluated multiple, often intersecting concepts for the Schwarzman College of Computing. These reports present organizational possibilities rather than final decisions, carefully weighing various approaches' advantages and challenges.
The Working Group on Organizational Structure, led by EECS Department Head Asu Ozdaglar and Sloan School Professor Nelson Repenning, assessed optimal frameworks for the college while considering MIT's existing computing research strengths and the needs of all five schools.
The group explored structures enabling interdisciplinary collaboration across all five schools, with particular attention to the relationship between the college and EECS. They outlined innovative approaches for faculty affiliations that maintain departmental connections while fostering college-wide engagement.
The Faculty Appointments Working Group, co-chaired by Urban Studies Department Head Eran Ben-Joseph and Electrical Engineering Professor William Freeman, examined faculty recruitment models, appointment types, rights and responsibilities, and mentoring frameworks.
The group proposed innovative joint appointment structures enabling faculty to contribute to both the new college and existing departments. They emphasized the need for clearly defined expectations regarding research, teaching, and mentoring guidelines to support this multidisciplinary approach.
The Working Group on Curriculum and Degrees, co-chaired by Computer Science Professor Srini Devadas and Chemistry Professor Troy Van Voorhis, developed creative approaches to computing education.
Their recommendations include strategies to expand computer science minor participation, create interdisciplinary "threads" within existing majors, develop joint degree programs, and potentially establish computing as a General Institute Requirement. The group also outlined innovative approaches to graduate education, including computational certificates and expanded joint graduate degrees integrating AI and machine learning concepts.
The Working Group on Social Implications and Responsibilities of Computing, co-chaired by Humanities Dean Melissa Nobles and Robotics Professor Julie Shah, explored methods to integrate social and ethical considerations throughout the college's fabric.
The group examined approaches to weaving ethics and social responsibility into the curriculum through dedicated courses and integrated modules within technical classes. They also proposed incorporating ethical dimensions into research projects and experiential learning opportunities, including MIT's renowned UROP program.
The Working Group on College Infrastructure, co-chaired by Nuclear Engineering Professor Benoit Forget and Aeronautics Professor Nicholas Roy, conducted a comprehensive assessment of MIT's future computing infrastructure needs.
Recognizing the diversity of research projects across campus, the group recommended against a one-size-fits-all approach to computing infrastructure. They prioritized enhanced computing resources, improved data management systems, expanded student training programs, and increased professional technical staff to support the college's ambitious research agenda.
Path Forward
MIT community members are invited to review these visionary reports and provide input on the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing's development.
"I invite you to examine these preliminary reports and share your feedback," Schmidt wrote. "Your perspectives will be invaluable as we continue shaping this transformative institution through ongoing community engagement."
Community input will be collected until June 28, after which final reports will be published.
The MIT Schwarzman College of Computing will officially launch this fall, with full development spanning several years. MIT plans to appoint 50 new faculty members to the college within five years, with positions distributed between the college and existing departments. The university has identified a location for the college's new building at 44 Vassar Street, with completion targeted for late 2022.
In February, MIT announced the appointment of Dan Huttenlocher SM '84 PhD '88 as the college's inaugural dean, with his tenure beginning this summer.
The MIT Schwarzman College of Computing is supported by a historic $1 billion commitment for computing research and education—the largest investment of its kind by a U.S. academic institution. This initiative is anchored by a $350 million foundational gift from Stephen A. Schwarzman, chairman, CEO, and co-founder of Blackstone.
