[awm]

Completely agree. The key point is not "applying" these traits, or treating them as "tricks," its simply that the professors there embody that ideal. As an undergrad, it was easy for me to grab 10 minutes of any professor's time, even if it wasn't related to their courses or study. A lot of my classes had over 300 students in them, yet that didn't keep a professor from meeting with me either.

[bbq]

How would you summarize MIT's attitude?

[awm]

May sound corny, but I'd have to say "Fostering." If you show interest in something, be it knowledge about a subject or field (or entrepreneurship), they will always make sure you have all the resources you need. Part of this (and has been voiced in some of the other comments) is that they will never block you from learning or exploring something.

[bbq]

Fostering is a great word for the attitude we should strive for.