The MIT reactor began operating in 1958. It was shut down for repairs in 1974, but the overhaul was completed two years later. The reactor has been running 24 hours a day ever since, according to the website.
Hoicka said he feels that MIT is not being completely honest with the community on the issue.
"I have some significant doubts that MIT is telling the whole story about what is going on with this reactor," he said.
Hoicka added that MIT's explanation that the reactor is used only for what he called "a handful of medical experiments" doesn't add up.
"It's got to cost a fair amount of money to run this nuclear reactor," he said. "Who's paying for all of this? It doesn't make sense from just a budgetary standpoint."
MIT is one of about 30 universities in Sarah E. Scrogin '96 contributed to thereporting of this article.