They do.

There's even an MIT "joke" that's just a string of course numbers followed by "out," indicating the stereotypical path of a struggling MIT student.

Yes. It's number one on the '101 thugs to do before you graduate' list every year. It's actually not that hard. There's only 24 (including skipped numbers).

You do it without thinking about it.

Yes, it's not that hard when it's totally immersed in the school culture.

The buildings are all referred to by number on MIT campus too (Building 14), and while it takes a little while to get used to that it becomes second nature before long.

That's what he said.