Author: The UTD Mercury
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Community helps fellow Comet in time of need
After a UTD student left work the night of April 6 to find her car and all its contents, including her laptop and textbooks, stolen, her friend posted an online fundraiser to the UTD subreddit to help. Less than 24 hours later, the university community had donated nearly $200. Computer science senior Nika Darab ended…
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Movie review: ‘Avengers: Endgame’
Editor’s Note: This story includes spoilers for the movie. Speechless. I feel as if that is the only word that comes to mind when looking back at the movie. This movie did an amazing job at making me go through an emotional rollercoaster, but nonetheless, I had goosebumps the entire three hours. Although I did…
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Dallas DA attempts prosecution reform
Since taking office in January, Dallas County District Attorney John Crezuot has adopted a policy of declining to prosecute low-level first-time offenses in a bid to reduce the amount of tax dollars going toward prisons. Crezuot aims to reduce prison overflow in the county. “The jail is not a suitable place for the mentally ill…
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Alum finds new gig fixing electronics free of charge
One UTD alum chose to return to campus after graduating, where he now splits his time between work and providing free repairs for student electronics in a bid to reduce waste production. Josef Velten graduated in 2012 with a Ph.D in material science and engineering. He returned to UTD to work on campus as a…
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Student workers voice confusion over sexual misconduct reporting
In the aftermath of allegations of sexual harassment and managerial misconduct by Chartwells managers, faculty and student leaders raised questions about mandated reporting of sexual misconduct and the responsibility to respond to such allegations. Certain students, such as those elected to Student Government, are also considered “responsible employees” and are required by law to report…
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UH extends lease cancellation deadline after rent increase
In early April, housing officials notified incoming on-campus residents of increases in rent pricing for 2019-2020, citing aging facilities and equipment as reasons for the change. Soon after being notified, residents took to Reddit to voice concerns about the timing of the notification as well as the deteriorating infrastructure in the units. When the newest…
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Auxiliary Services renews contract with Chartwells
University officials are working with Chartwells to implement a new eight-year food service contract, with an option to extend it for a full 12 years. Bryce Brownlee, UTD’s director of the Office of Contract Administration, said the university received two bids in a January 2018 request for proposals — one from Chartwells and one from…
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Whatcha Eatin’? Honeycomb
Besides sugar, honey is perhaps the most familiar sweetener we know and love. And most of us also probably know that honeycomb (and the honey that comes with it) is produced by bees. But what are the details of the process, and how is UTD involved? To answer these questions, my friend and fellow editor…
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Select Chartwells employees to hold union election in May
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated since its original publication. After a months-long organizing effort, certain Chartwells workers will be able to participate in a May 2 election to determine whether they want to be represented in collective bargaining by local chapter 1000 of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union. Student and temporary workers will not be able to…
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Artists use ‘experimental methods’ in exhibit
A large white rectangular block stands in the middle of a large white room in the SP/N Gallery at Synergy Park North 2. One side is adorned by detailed cutout black and white pictures of mushrooms, and the other side covered with small framed black and white photos of smiling people covered with paint splatters…