+def get_or_create_mit_user(username, ):
+ """
+ Given an MIT username, return a Django user object for them.
+ If necessary, create (and save) the Django user for them.
+ If the MIT user doesn't exist, raises ValueError.
+ """
+ user, created = auth.models.User.objects.get_or_create(username=username, )
+ if created:
+ backend = ScriptsRemoteUserBackend()
+ # Raises ValueError if the user doesn't exist
+ try:
+ return backend.configure_user(user), created
+ except ValueError:
+ user.delete()
+ raise
+ else:
+ return user, created
+