Virtual introduction to campus
By The Mercury / July 6, 2020
With the onset of COVID-19, the necessity to avoid large gatherings and keep safe social distancing resulted in amendments to...
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You teach eTeach
By The Mercury / July 5, 2020
Students training to be teachers through the UTeach Dallas program face increased uncertainty in their prospective career after the pandemic...
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Ask Me Anything
By The Mercury / July 5, 2020
Following a series of viral social media posts, UTD junior Nifa Kaniga’s activism as part of the Black Lives Matter...
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Taking green from blue
By The Mercury / July 5, 2020
If you have so much as opened a social media app this past month, you have surely been met with...
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UTDon’t Open
By The Mercury / July 5, 2020
Everything is bigger in Texas: from our unbridled Texas pride and vast expanses of land to our unwavering commitment to...
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On Police Oversight
By The Mercury / July 5, 2020
In any true functioning democracy, community input shouldn’t be arduous. The coronavirus pandemic has been a catalyst to the evolving...
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Not biting clickbait
By The Mercury / July 5, 2020
With more people turning to social media for news, the risk of circulating fake news increases. Fake news and altered...
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Your tuition, by the numbers
By The Mercury / July 5, 2020
Tuition for summer classes has not decreased during the move to completely online classes. A petition was started in early...
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Under one roof
By The Mercury / July 5, 2020
UTD is developing a plan to address future COVID-19 cases as students return to on-campus housing. On June 16, UTD...
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Returning to labs
By The Mercury / July 5, 2020
Research labs opened under limited circumstances since campus closed this spring are now steadily increasing capacity, with COVID-19 safety measures....
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Professors discuss hesitations about teaching in person
By The Mercury / July 5, 2020
In the fall, professors will have the option to choose whether they teach face-to-face or online. The Faculty Retention and...
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Remote Learning: the benefits, the drawbacks
By The Mercury / July 5, 2020
Spring 2020 provided a glimpse at online instruction and how students and teachers adapted to changes in learning conditions; now,...
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Student enrollment concerns in fall 2020
By The Mercury / July 5, 2020
For various students, changes and uncertainty about fall 2020 campus functionality brings up many unforeseen issues including financial problems and...
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‘I feel that I’m not being seen or heard’
By The Mercury / July 5, 2020
When classes transitioned online, psychology junior Labiba Zarin Halim said she was not adequately accommodated and is concerned about how...
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‘If those 90 days pass, they lose their status and they’ll have to go home’
By The Mercury / July 5, 2020
International students who graduated in May 2020 face questions about their employment and residency status amidst a shifting market. After...
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‘You have a responsibility. Everyone has a responsibility.’
By The Mercury / June 17, 2020
Tamara Havis is a computer engineering senior. Chizuruoke Ukachi-Nwata is a junior majoring in speech-language pathology and audiology. Axum Taylor...
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Dallas faces rise in domestic violence cases during shelter-in-place policies
By The Mercury / June 15, 2020
Following the first wave of COVID-19 in the U.S. and the subsequent period of social distancing, an increase in cases...
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What does the fight for civil rights look like in 2020?
By The Mercury / June 15, 2020
After the events surrounding George Floyd’s death and the subsequent protests that erupted in nearly all states across the nation,...
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Designing flexible, effective virtual courses
By The Mercury / June 15, 2020
As online classes continue into the summer semester, professors are learning to make adjustments to online schooling. Based on feedback...
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A community that CARES
By The Mercury / June 15, 2020
The CARES Act and two student emergency funds are major sources of financial aid to UTD students struggling financially during...
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Are you looking after yourself?
By The Mercury / June 15, 2020
The COVID-19 crisis, as well as the eruption of Black Lives Matter protests, have made the world feel on the...
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Different country, different plan
By The Mercury / June 15, 2020
In light of a worldwide crisis, it seems that a non-living organism has effectively exposed the fundamental flaws in our...
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Contrarian Creativity
By The Mercury / June 15, 2020
Obstacles in life are often unexpected — especially lately. Scrambling for opportunities, something to do, many have found themselves stuck...
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Guarding against Vanguard
By The Mercury / June 15, 2020
Riot Games’ “Valorant” has been stealing the hearts of gamers on the FPS scene, with thousands of players even before...
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‘Everyone is in a dilemma. Everyone has doubts.’
By The Mercury / June 15, 2020
Akshat Bhati, an international supply chain management graduate student, said it was a dream to come to the United States....
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24/30 with COVID-19
By The Mercury / June 15, 2020
As coronavirus shifts students’ academic plans, the 24-in-30 rule remains relevant to ensure graduation. This rule says that students have...
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‘Coexist with COVID-19’
By The Mercury / June 15, 2020
Beginning early May, Texas Governor Greg Abbott began the process of the gradual reopening of Texas. By now, the state...
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Letter from the Editor
By The Mercury / May 25, 2020
Dear incoming student, I don’t know about you, but the last several weeks have been a blur of days that...
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Note-able guidelines
By The Mercury / May 25, 2020
Six ways to adapt notetaking habits to college When you wake up, what you eat and how you study are...
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Exploring off-the-grid
By The Mercury / May 25, 2020
Activities, locations off campus to discover UTD is a hub of activity during the week, and the surrounding Dallas metroplex...
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Gone phishing
By The Mercury / May 25, 2020
How to tell you’re reading a scam email Congratulations! You have been chosen to receive a free scholarship! Just confirm...
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Temoc: the mascot, the mystery, the meme
By The Mercury / May 25, 2020
A brief history of UTD’s iciest Comet As you arrived to UTD, you may have heard of the magnificently fiery...
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A Guide to Title IX
By The Mercury / May 25, 2020
Title IX, or Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972, is a civil rights law that protects people...
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Letter to freshmen
By The Mercury / May 25, 2020
Alumna Ananya Malik writes in to wish incoming freshmen well Welcome to UTD! While the beginning of your freshman year...
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Hiker’s gear
By The Mercury / May 25, 2020
Academic, financial resources to help you succeed The transition from high school to college can feel overwhelming, but there are...
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Backwoods currency
By The Mercury / May 25, 2020
Navigating Comet Cash spending locations Comet Cash — usable with a swipe of your Comet Card — is your handy-dandy...
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Keeping your wits about you
By The Mercury / May 25, 2020
How to manage mental health on your next great adventure Ask almost any college student if they’re feeling stressed, and...
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Befriending fellow hikers – virtual edition
By The Mercury / May 25, 2020
Four ways to connect online with future classmates One of the biggest transitions that is occurring globally is the switch...
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Learning the ropes
By The Mercury / May 25, 2020
What every freshman should do their first year Kicking off freshman year can be a major adjustment for anyone. As...
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Scavenging healthy trail food
By The Mercury / May 25, 2020
How to maintain good nutrition in college Navigating freshman year of college can be overwhelming, with new roommates, unfamiliar buildings...
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Off the beaten path
By The Mercury / May 25, 2020
Hidden spots to discover around campus UTD has lots of hidden gems that don’t appear on maps. Check these spots...
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Finding direction
By The Mercury / May 25, 2020
A compass for navigating a virtual class format, habits for success The Student Success Center has a wide set of...
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Debate camp transitions online
By The Mercury / May 5, 2020
Camp leadership navigates software to shift workshops to remote format Despite being miles apart, students discuss strategy in separate virtual...
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Sound on to press play
By The Mercury / May 4, 2020
Why sound is more important than graphics to player experience What makes a video game go beyond average isn’t just...
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Changes to JSOM community service requirement
By The Mercury / May 4, 2020
Social entrepreneurship class moves online, alternatives offered on case-by-case basis JSOM has a community service requirement that requires students to...
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Archer fellowship moves online
By The Mercury / May 4, 2020
Students interning in Washington D.C. move back home, finish courses online The Archer fellowship is a program that gives UT...
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Clubs adjust meetings, membership requirements to a virtual format
By The Mercury / May 3, 2020
Student organization center helps groups transition online With the university closing for the rest of the 2019-2020 school year, many...
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UTD Students in National Guard deployed to combat COVID-19
By The Mercury / May 3, 2020
Balancing school, military service during a global pandemic In response to the domestic spread of COVID-19, UTD students serving in...
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Social media virus
By The Mercury / May 3, 2020
How to fight the spread of misinformation online COVID-19 can be cured by ingesting fish-tank cleaning products or flushing your...
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SSBU players rank in top ten
By The Mercury / May 2, 2020
‘Super Smash Brothers Ultimate’ Comet eSport players achieve high power ranking In the first season of competitive “Super Smash Brothers...
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Continuing Onward Online
By The Mercury / May 2, 2020
How to apply the message of ‘Onward’ when we’re all inside “Onward” was one of the films that was hit...
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Refunds issued for meal plan holders
By The Mercury / May 2, 2020
UTD began issuing partial refunds on April 15 Following the cancellation of campus housing in response to COVID-19, UTD has...
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Privacy versus public health
By The Mercury / May 1, 2020
The importance of navigating personal privacy during a global pandemic Around the world, countries continue to wage their battle against...
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Members of UTD community volunteer to produce face masks
By The Mercury / May 1, 2020
ACME Creation Lab recruits volunteers to distribute personal protective equipment After personal protective equipment shortages were caused by the COVID-19...
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Anti-love or anti-repression?
By The Mercury / April 30, 2020
A rebuttal to ‘Pro-sex/Anti-love’ Content warning: sexual assault “‘Abby’ -- we’ll call her—” This was the beginning of an all-too-familiar...
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Lockdown cinnamon rolls
By The Mercury / April 30, 2020
Two UTD students launch a homemade cinnamon roll business Psychology sophomore Mason Kitchens and electrical engineering junior Chase Ferrell are...
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Ask Sophie
By The Mercury / April 30, 2020
Advice from one student to another Q: How can I keep a good relationship with my significant other during COVID-19?...
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UTD custodian nominated for national custodian award
By The Mercury / April 29, 2020
30-year UTD employee Bron Clayton continues custodial efforts during shutdown UTD building services supervisor and member of the facilities management...
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Integral Calculus exam crashes eLearning
By The Mercury / April 29, 2020
Students unable to complete math test due to volume of test takers, make-up exam offered Students faced an eLearning crash,...
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So close, yet so far
By The Mercury / April 29, 2020
How to stay connected with friends during social distancing Among the major aspects of our daily routine, social interaction has...
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‘Feel that celebration with them even though they’re not physically present with us’
By The Mercury / April 28, 2020
Students discuss changes to their religious celebrations as a result of quarantine Students across campus are celebrating Passover, Easter and...
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My daughter, the healthcare worker
By The Mercury / April 27, 2020
What it’s like to live with someone on the front lines My daughter is a healthcare worker at Parkland. She...
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COVID-19 at UTD by the Numbers
By The Mercury / April 27, 2020
Survey conducted, student discusses her experience with coronavirus After UTD’s campus closed and students left to slow the spread of...
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Volunteering under quarantine
By The Mercury / April 27, 2020
OSV provides list of remote volunteer opportunities Though in-person volunteer opportunities have been dwindling with the rise of COVID-19, the...
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SUAAB holds virtual events for rest of semester
By The Mercury / April 20, 2020
Following UTD’s transition to online classes, the Student Union & Activities Advisory Board canceled all of their remaining in-person spring...
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Undergraduate lab courses mitigate online shift
By The Mercury / April 20, 2020
Virtual simulations, data analysis help instructors with web-based teaching Laboratory coordinators are using various methods to transition traditionally in-person lab...
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Gunman dead after hijacking DART bus in Richardson, wounding three officers
By The Mercury / April 19, 2020
At about 11 a.m. today, a gunman boarded a DART bus in Richardson, opened fire and led police on a...
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Students face monetary losses after study abroad cancellations
By The Mercury / April 19, 2020
University officials recently made the decision to suspend all international travel through the calendar year due to the coronavirus pandemic....
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Dead economy
By The Mercury / April 19, 2020
How the COVID-19 response prioritizes corporations over individuals In the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. has seen...
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Hypocrisy of Democracy
By The Mercury / April 19, 2020
How Joe Biden’s cult of personality harms women As Joe Biden’s political campaign was resurrected just over a month ago,...
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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott aims to reopen state
By The Mercury / April 18, 2020
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed three executive orders on April 17 in an effort to reopen the state amidst the...
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Local businesses face coronavirus pandemic head-on
By The Mercury / April 18, 2020
How owners, managers are keeping their stores afloat With a statewide order mandating social distancing in Texas, local businesses are...
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Lights, Camera, Asian American
By The Mercury / April 18, 2020
Why Asians in Hollywood movies need to move past token characters I’ve always wondered what it’s like to be a...
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Financialization: A Tragedy
By The Mercury / April 18, 2020
When profit takes precedence, students suffer Cranes, orange street signs, dirt and neon yellow jackets have all become sights UTD...
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Shelter-at-home(less)
By The Mercury / April 17, 2020
Why supporting homeless shelters is critical during quarantine While many of us are safe within our own homes during the...
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Pro-sex, anti-love
By The Mercury / April 17, 2020
How porn degrades women, distorts the mind “Abby” — we’ll call her — has what you might call the ideal...
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Positivi-tees
By The Mercury / April 17, 2020
Senior creates brand of T-shirts with QR codes that prompt comforting stories, funny videos An engineering student aiming to lift...
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Comet Cupboard continues to operate despite physical location closing
By The Mercury / April 16, 2020
Volunteers prepare boxes of food to distribute to students on first-come first-serve basis The Comet Cupboard’s campus location shut down...
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Good Life Versus Long LIfe
By The Mercury / April 16, 2020
'Being Mortal,’ rethinking end-of-life care Unfortunately, you’re going to die. However, through modern medicine, that can be postponed — risk...
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Student counseling center continues therapy services online
By The Mercury / April 15, 2020
Staff adjusts to online switch amidst coronavirus pandemic UTD’s Student Counseling Center has transitioned to online teletherapy in response to...
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Game Review: ‘Animal Crossing: New Horizons’
By The Mercury / April 15, 2020
Popular simulation game lets players virtually socialize during stay-at-home orders Video games have a bad rap for ultra-violent gameplay filled...
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Accessibility in online classes
By The Mercury / April 14, 2020
How professors can accommodate disabled students amidst online shift With the switch to online learning, the Office of Student AccessAbility...
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Students leave on-campus housing, adjust to moving back home
By The Mercury / April 14, 2020
How campus housing changed in wake of COVID-19 In mid-March, UTD began asking students living on campus to start the...
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International Self-Isolation
By The Mercury / April 14, 2020
How to stay grounded in a foreign country during COVID-19 The novel coronavirus has disrupted the lives of billions and...
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Pre-medical, pre-law advisors weigh in on credit/no credit grading
By The Mercury / April 13, 2020
UTD recently announced that undergraduate students have the option to consider credit/no credit grading for their spring 2020 classes. Students...
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Helping Hands for Healthy Eating
By The Mercury / April 13, 2020
Students, university step up to support community during pandemic As UTD shelters in place, students have formed a mutual aid...
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How UTD professors are adapting to online classes
By The Mercury / March 30, 2020
With the rest of the semester’s classes being moved online, professors at UTD have had to adjust their classwork to...
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