MIT Handbooks

The MIT Handbooks consist of books with general information about the Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus, local culture and social activities, and academics. The publications have various names and creators, The Handbook of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, The Social Beaver, This is MIT, MIT Today, How to Get Around MIT (HowToGAMIT) but generally provide similar information on how to navigate life in and around MIT.

The Handbook of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology was produced by the Technology Christian Association and provided general information about MIT extra-curricular activities and area resources. Editions available here span approximately from 1913-1951.

The Social Beaver was produced by the Technology Christian Association, (re-named the Technology Community Association in 1957) and focuses mainly on social or recreation aspects of MIT and the area, such as sports, clubs, dining, religious services, local colleges, fraternities, and dating. Editions available here span approximately from 1952-1969.

This is MIT and MIT Today were official publications by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology produced as part of the Bulletin, which also included the General Course Catalogues, Reports of the President , and other publications. These handbooks provided general information about MIT such as dorms, departments, applications, faculty and staff, specializations, and classes. Additions available here span approximately from 1924, 1952-1985. How to Get Around MIT (also known as HowToGAMIT) was a fully comprehensive, independent student-produced guide to MIT, Cambridge and Boston. It was designed to welcome all new members of the MIT community and to act as a reference book for those whom have been here a while. All incoming first year undergraduate students received free copies of the book, as did most incoming graduate students and many staff and postdoctoral associates. The book contained sections relating to emergency information, academics, life and culture at MIT, activities and facilities, and things to do around MIT and in the greater Boston area: shopping, sightseeing, restaurants and entertainment. It also contained advice on everything from how best to find an apartment in the area to what you should and shouldn't do if you were arrested. Editions available here span approximately from 1969-2008.

Recent Submissions

  • How to Get Around MIT 

    ​​Massachusetts Institute of Technology (​​Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Institute Archives and Special Collections, 1970-09)

  • The Social Beaver 

    ​​Massachusetts Institute of Technology (​​Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Institute Archives and Special Collections, 1969)

  • The Social Beaver 

    ​​Massachusetts Institute of Technology (​​Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Institute Archives and Special Collections, 1967)

  • The Social Beaver 

    ​​Massachusetts Institute of Technology (​​Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Institute Archives and Special Collections, 1968)

  • The Social Beaver 

    ​​Massachusetts Institute of Technology (​​Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Institute Archives and Special Collections, 1966)

  • The Social Beaver 

    ​​Massachusetts Institute of Technology (​​Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Institute Archives and Special Collections, 1965)

  • The Social Beaver 

    ​​Massachusetts Institute of Technology (​​Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Institute Archives and Special Collections, 1964)

  • The Social Beaver 

    ​​Massachusetts Institute of Technology (​​Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Institute Archives and Special Collections, 1963)

  • The Social Beaver 

    ​​Massachusetts Institute of Technology (​​Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Institute Archives and Special Collections, 1962)

  • The Social Beaver 

    ​​Massachusetts Institute of Technology (​​Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Institute Archives and Special Collections, 1959)

  • The Social Beaver 

    ​​Massachusetts Institute of Technology (​​Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Institute Archives and Special Collections, 1960)

  • The Social Beaver 

    ​​Massachusetts Institute of Technology (​​Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Institute Archives and Special Collections, 1961)

  • The Social Beaver 

    ​​Massachusetts Institute of Technology (​​Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Institute Archives and Special Collections, 1958)

  • The Social Beaver 

    ​​Massachusetts Institute of Technology (​​Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Institute Archives and Special Collections, 1957)

  • The Social Beaver 

    ​​Massachusetts Institute of Technology (​​Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Institute Archives and Special Collections, 1956)

  • The Social Beaver 

    ​​Massachusetts Institute of Technology (​​Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Institute Archives and Special Collections, 1955)

  • The Social Beaver 

    ​​Massachusetts Institute of Technology (​​Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Institute Archives and Special Collections, 1954)

  • The Social Beaver 

    ​​Massachusetts Institute of Technology (​​Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Institute Archives and Special Collections, 1952)

  • The Social Beaver 

    ​​Massachusetts Institute of Technology (​​Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Institute Archives and Special Collections, 1953)

  • MIT Today 

    ​​Massachusetts Institute of Technology (​​Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Institute Archives and Special Collections, 1979)

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