As I write in late July, we’re contending with a major tax increase on the annual returns from MIT’s endowment as well as other investments and assets. This new tax burden will strain the resources we use to support research, innovation, and student scholarships and financial aid—the heart and soul of the Institute. And the financial impact on us will be significant: This tax increase alone will cost in the range of 10% of MIT’s annual central budget. Unfortunately, we face the prospect of further threats to our mission and financial model this fall when Congress considers drastic cuts to the research budgets of federal agencies. And all this comes on the heels of multiple US science agencies capping their reimbursement of research infrastructure and administration expenses well below actual costs. These reimbursements are critical to operating our world-class research enterprise, and that’s why we have challenged the government’s actions in court. I don’t expect we all agree on the ideal contours of the Institute’s future. But I have to believe that we all agree it should have a future.For more information—and ways to help—you can consult these online resources:– Visit Understanding MIT for a comprehensive view of the Institute’s value to the nation and the world. – Go to Stand up for MIT and find ways to take action.– And visit MIT’s Response to government activity page to keep up to date on what’s happening in Washington and how it’s affecting the nation’s great research enterprise. MIT was built with the support of generations of alumni and friends—and it’s up to us to keep its foundations strong for those to come. So I hope you will join me in standing up for MIT.