On behalf of the Department of Linguistics and Philosophy, welcome to MIT! This page was created to provide information regarding both the department and MIT.

Registration Day Party

MIT is closed on Monday, September 5th for the Labor Day Holiday. On Tuesday, September 6, 2022 from noon-2pm the department will host a Registration Day Gathering in our 8th floor lounge, Dreyfoos Tower of the Stata Center, Building 32. Food and refreshments will be served. We hope you can attend!

Campus Access and Covid-19 Related Information

For the most up to date and detailed information, visit MIT NOW. If you have not completed the Covid Pass process, please visit: https://covidapps.mit.edu (many of you have already completed this as part of the onboarding procedures).

Vaccination Policy

All MIT faculty, staff, enrolled students and visitors must be up to date with their Covid-19 vaccines, or have received an exemption from vaccination, in order to work, study, and/or live on campus. “Up to date” means a person has received all doses in the primary series and one booster when eligible. Please review the Covid-19 vaccination policies at at: https://now.mit.edu/policies/vaccination/.

Class Schedules

Arrival Information

International scholars on a J-1, F-1 OPT or J-1 Fulbright, should register with the ISchO via their online platform ISchO Portal. You do not need to visit their office to register. You should receive a “pre-arrival” email from the IScho, but if not, please follow the instructions below. You will be asked to upload copies of your immigration documents, and once complete, your SEVIS records will be validated.

J-1 Scholars (sponsored by MIT’s ISchO)

  1. Go to https://ischoportal.mit.edu
  2. Select “Full Access Log-in,” Kerberos ID and Password is required
  3. On the left menu, click J-1 Scholar Services
  4. At J-1 Scholar Services, click J-1 Arrival and Registration and complete e-forms in the following sections:
Section When to complete
Pre-arrival Before arrival to MIT
J-1 Registration Upon arrival
To Fill Out upon ISchO Request Only upon request by ISchO for additional information
Sign Up for J-1 Orientation Upon completion of J-1 Registration section

Other Scholars (for example, scholars on F-1 OPT/ STEM-OPT, J-1 Student or J-1 Scholar from another institutions, etc.)

    1. Go to https://ischoportal.mit.edu
    2. Select “Full Access Log-in,” Kerberos ID and Password is required
    3. On the left menu, click General Scholar Services
    4. At General Scholar Services, click Arrival and Registration and complete all “e-forms” in the section.

MIT ID Card

Digital ID card: MIT has launched a digital version of the MIT ID card for use on iOS and Android devices. Your mobile MIT ID can be carried in the Apple Wallet for iPhone and Apple Watch or in the MIT Atlas mobile app on Android phones. Information can be found at: https://idcard.mit.edu/mobile-id-faq
Physical ID card:  There are a few options to obtain a physical ID card.
Self-service kiosk:
If you have access to campus using Covid Pass, you can print your own ID card at a self-service kiosk on campus. Kiosks are located in buildings E17, 16, 32, W20, and W35. Please ensure you have completed your Covid Pass requirements, then generate your ID card QR code. In the MIT Atlas mobile app:
  • Tap “MIT ID”
  • Tap “Get a physical card”
  • Tap “Generate QR Code”
  • Hold the QR code six inches in front of the scanner on the self-service kiosk and follow the on-screen instructions.

Your new card will take 2-3 minutes to print. Once your new card is printed, any previous MIT ID card will become invalid for use.

In person:
Please visit the Atlas Service Center, 1st floor of building E17. You may upload a photo to mycard.mit.edu (certificates required) before going to the center.  At the Atlas Service Center welcome desk, identify yourself and your MIT affiliation. Please bring a valid passport, U.S. driver’s license or U.S. government-issued picture ID for proof of identity. Driver’s licenses from other countries, college/university IDs from other institutions, credit/bank cards or insurance cards will not be accepted.
By mail:
You may also request to have your ID card mailed to you. Contact the Atlas Service Center at atlascenter@mit.edu, or call 617-253-3000.

Come visit the department

The department is located at 32 Vassar Street, 32-D808 (Dreyfoos Tower).

  1. Once cleared with the Scholars Office, please visit the Atlas Service Center, 1st floor of building E17,  to receive a MIT ID card. You should upload a photo to mycard.mit.edu (certificates required) before going to the center.  You need to show a valid ID: passport, U.S. driver’s license, or U.S. government issued picture ID. They do NOT accept driver’s licenses from foreign countries, college/university IDs from other institutions, credit/bank cards, or insurance cards. The name on your ID must match the name that MIT has on file for you. The Card Office will not issue your ID card earlier than the start date of your appointment. *Fall 2021 update: Once arriving at the Atlas Service Center you will need to call the number on a sign in front of the door. A person will ask you a few questions and then let you into the Service Center. 
  2. The department is located at 32 Vassar Street, 32-D808 (Dreyfoos Tower). You will need to have completed the steps on this page to access the department. Headquarters staff will not be returning to campus until August 30th. Please email me when you arrive and we can set up a time after August 30th so I can give you a welcome tour of the department.

Useful Links

MIT Atlas App: For the MIT community. Navigate your MIT world. Interact with the community and the systems you need to organize and accomplish your work. MIT Atlas is the mobile companion to atlas.mit.edu and will be enhanced with additional features as we continue to develop, expand, and improve this app. Available for iOS 13+ and Android 7+.

MIT Campus Map

IST: Information Services and Technology Support team at MIT provides explicit instructions on how to register for your Kerberos/Athena/email account, get certificates for your computers and mobile devices, browse and download available software, find mobile device support and discounts on plans and much more.

MIT Libraries: The MIT Libraries are dedicated to advancing research, teaching, and learning at MIT and beyond. They support every part of the Institute with distinctive collections, world-class service and expertise, and welcoming spaces. We’re committed to making the groundbreaking research and scholarship of MIT freely available to the world, to ensuring its accessibility for future use, and to solving complex 21st-century information challenges.

Newcomers Guide: Information compiled by the International Scholars Office but some information pertains to all new visitors.

MIT Transportation Office: Information about getting to, from and around MIT. Please note, only benefit-eligible visitors qualify for the free T-Pass program. Visiting Scholars & Visiting Students are not eligible. However, you may add money to your ID at MBTA subway stations and use it to ride the subway instead of purchasing the paper Charlie tickets.

MIT Medical: MIT Medical has been serving members of the MIT community and their families for more than 100 years. They offer a single centralized source for all your health care needs, including comprehensive health insurance, care and treatment at our own medical centers, and an extensive roster of health and wellness programs.

MIT Spouses and Partners: MIT Spouses & Partners Connect is a dedicated network for the significant others of MIT students, postdocs, staff and faculty who have relocated to the Boston area. They organize activities that help you meet people, discover work and career opportunities, improve your English, share experiences and passions, and get information about living and parenting in Boston.

MIT Community Wellness: Community Wellness at MIT Medical works with the entire MIT community to provide the resources and programs that can help you make healthy choices.

Athletics Center: Open to all, MIT Recreation offers a variety of ways for you to play, swim, run, dance, stretch-out and get moving with their memberships.

Shuttles: Shuttles, operated by the Parking and Transportation Office, are available to the MIT community as an alternate mode of transportation.

MIT Mobile App: The MIT Mobile app brings many essential Institute services to your mobile device.

MBTA Transportation System (non-MIT): Public transportation services in Greater Boston, Massachusetts.

MIT Campus Police: The primary mission of the MIT Police is to provide for the safety and security of all members of the MIT community. Hopefully it’s never needed, but MIT’s emergency number is 617-253-1212 or 3-1212 on campus.

MIT Alert: MIT Alert is the Institute’s emergency notification program, designed to provide information and advisories via a number of communication channels including Institute voicemail, email and text message for the safety and security of the MIT community. To improve MIT’s ability to contact you in an emergency, please add your emergency notification information to MIT Alert, including the phone number for your personal cell phone or mobile device and your non-MIT email address, if you have one.

Spiritual Support and Religious Life: The Chaplain to the Institute and the Board of Chaplains at MIT all provide spiritual and personal support to students, faculty, staff and the MIT community.

Institute Community and Equity Office (ICEO): The mission of the ICEO is to advance a respectful and caring community that embraces diversity and empowers everyone to learn and do their best at MIT.