Category: Featured
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Freshman, Sophomore Gather Students to Communicate with Spirits
Curiosity and boredom propelled them to open a box that had not been opened in years. The box — a game of summoning spirits — was something that intrigued them, and in a dorm room, two students called spirits using their Ouija board. Computer science freshman Jarod Shelton and sophomore Rishi Chandna began using the…
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UTD Lab Unveils Saliva-based THC Test
A team of UTD researchers has developed a sensor to test tetrahydrocannabinol levels in saliva. THC is the main psychoactive compound in marijuana that induces a “high” in users. Researchers in bioengineering professor Shalini Prasad’s lab developed the biosensor as an accurate measuring tool to measure cannabis consumption. “(It) can be used for primarily the…
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All in the Family
One look at Michael Farmer’s office door is all you need to discern that he is a professor in Chinese studies. With a Mao Ze Dong meme displayed prominently at eye-level, it’s clear to see that he is a man with a sense of fun too. Scanning among the other amusing signs, however, one might…
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Online Student Petition for Campus Swings Receives over 600 signatures
Swings and playgrounds tend to be associated with the carefree whimsy of childhood — but could they also have a place on a college campus? For Eric Aaberg, business administration sophomore and president of Comet Life, the answer is simple. “We want to encourage students to stay on campus more,” Aaberg said. “An addition of…
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Survey Finds Mixed Opinions on SHC
Students report late fees, convenience of center The Student Health Center provides a range of medical services from blood work to prescribing birth control, but despite its benefits, students have given the center mixed reviews. Criminology senior Simone Sanborn has been a regular patient at the SHC since her freshman year at UTD, and said…
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‘They ruined their life by doing this’
Students, ex-member talk about experiences with Elohim Bible Study Club Editor’s Note: Christy’s name has been changed to protect her identity due to fear of retribution from church members. Editor’s Note: This article has been updated since publication to include quotes from another UTD student who was approached by club members. Christy listened eagerly as…
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Game Space: Troubled Beginnings
Gaming club members discuss feeling disappointed, ignored after creation of official esports department In 2012, gaming as a competitive sport seemed a distant dream for students at UTD. It began with three students deciding to open up a chapter of TESPA, a known national gaming organization, at UTD to increase awareness about gaming and esports.…
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Esports to Add ‘Rocket League’ Team to Roster
The esports department announced the addition of a “Rocket League” team to the official varsity roster, making it the fourth esports team in the athletics department. “Rocket League” is a game in which players drive rocket-powered cars to maneuver a giant soccer ball into a goal. In the competitive version, teams of three face off…
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Mock Trial Takes First at Annual Tournament
A UTD mock trial team went undefeated and finished in first place with a perfect ballot at their latest tournament. The team competed at the Bulldog Brawl against four other teams from two other universities, Gonzaga University and Washington State. The Bulldog Brawl is an annual tournament hosted by Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. Political…
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‘It Allows Us to Have Our Own Heritage, Our Own Pride’
Editor’s note: A previous version of this article incorrectly reported the number of Native American students at UTD. The Mercury regrets this error. While some UTD students celebrated a recent Dallas City Council decision to change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day, others disagree with the change, citing an erasure of Italian history. The resolution was placed on the…