Day: October 1, 2018
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Cut from curriculum
Judeo-Christianity, the Alamo and the removal of important female figures — the Texas State Board of Education’s committee hearings may be the most ridiculously “Texas” things one could expect. In mid-September, over the course of four days, the committee members of the SBOE discussed a number of changes to the public school’s curriculum before coming…
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Moving beyond misconceptions
One of the biggest consequences of being a minority sect in the midst of a big religion like Islam is that our traditions and viewpoints are never accurately represented in mainstream media, textbooks or even among other members of the Islamic community. As a Twelver Shiite, a sub-branch of the Shiite sect of Islam, my…
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The Editorial Board: No more excuses
We have an opportunity to change our nation — to determine the direction of our policies and mold a better future. But only if we give ourselves the power to do so. With the Oct. 9 voter registration deadline quickly approaching, it’s important now more than ever to register to vote. There is no excuse…
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Female video gamers join male-dominated industry
Lindsay Caudill, a marketing sophomore, has been an avid gamer since the age of six. Now, she serves as an analyst for both the A and B “Overwatch” esports teams. “I’ve always been doing games, but I was really excited about Overwatch when it came out,” Caudill said. As the esports team gains momentum, the…
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Women’s soccer achieves 9-game winning streak
The women’s soccer team has only let one opposing shot get past its defense, making its current cumulative score 34-1 over the past nine games of the season. The team, led by head coach Kanute Drugan since 2014, has reached the semifinals of the regional American Southwest Conference for four consecutive years. “I think the…
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Esports team reaches quarterfinals
The UTD “Overwatch” team kicked off its season by advancing to the quarterfinals of a local tournament. The new convention, OP Live Dallas, was sponsored by the professional esports team Dallas Fuel and took place on Sept. 22 in Irving. One of the main events of the convention was an “Overwatch” collegiate tournament involving 16…
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Activist’s latest book interweaves stories of protest, hope
In his book, “On The Other Side of Freedom,” Black Lives Matter activist Deray McKesson compiles a compelling collection of experiences from the 2014 protests in Ferguson, Missouri that impart a lasting knowledge of the racial challenges our society faces, and our role in creating hope through community efforts. Although the author scatters the concept…
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Reopened borders, renewed hope
Earlier last month, the land border between Ethiopia and Eritrea reopened for the first time in two decades. UTD students from both countries celebrated the implications such a change will have for their families and for the future of their nations. The neighboring African countries of Ethiopia and Eritrea have been mired in conflict for…
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Professor develops AI essay grading program
For professors struggling to cope with stacks of papers to grade, new software — developed by a UTD researcher and powered by artificial intelligence — may offer a long-term solution. Vincent Ng, a computer science professor who works with UTD’s Human Language Technology Research Institute, is developing an automated grading system for longform essays. Ng…
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West Nile virus cases reported in local area
Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported that the city of Richardson uses agent orange in mosquito adulticide sprays. The Mercury regrets this error. After a Richardson resident contracted an aggressive form of West Nile virus last month, the city’s health department officials ordered mosquito adulticide spraying in nearby neighborhoods. However, there…