News

After Court Restores Research Funding, Trump Still Has Paths to Target Harvard

News

‘Honestly, I’m Fine with It’: Eliot Residents Settle In to the Inn as Renovations Begin

News

He Represented Paul Toner. Now, He’s the Fundraising Frontrunner in Cambridge’s Municipal Elections.

News

Harvard College Laundry Prices Increase by 25 Cents

News

DOJ Sues Boston and Mayor Michelle Wu ’07 Over Sanctuary City Policy

MIT: 'Fear of Flying' Now Playing

SEX

By Jonathan H. Alter

Names, sex, newspapers. They don't mix.

Two MIT women have learned that lesson in recent weeks, as fellow engineers continue to react to the women's article, published in an MIT newspaper, evaluating the sexual performance of three dozen identified male partners.

Roxanne Ritchie's and Susan Gilbert's Consumer Guide to MIT Men appeared in the April 28 issue of "thursday," an alternative MIT weekly, has touched off a controversy downriver, including dark hints of disciplinary action by the university against either the authors, the paper, or both.

"thursday" fears it may lose the office space the university provides.

The article put "star" ratings and obscene comments on the quality, longevity and versatility of the effort next to the names of 36 MIT students. Together, the two women claim to have sampled all 36 men.

"Like sleeping with a small Texas longhorn. Yes, he takes his boots off first," the description of one "two star" performance-denoting "Mediocre but maybe worth trying"--read

'"I did it,' he said. 'Did what?' I asked," was of one of the less complimentary comments.

The student named in that evaluation said yesterday he was "pissed off about my name being used." But, he added, "MIT is out to get 'thursday'--something it's wanted to do for a long time."

Other students named in the article said last week they found it "amusing" but had heard rumors of a possible law suit and complaints to administrators.

Ritchie, who said she resented "the immaturity of the response of the MIT community" to the article, claims to have been continually harassed by other students since the story appeared.

Want to keep up with breaking news? Subscribe to our email newsletter.

Tags