Academic senate approves credit/no credit options for fall, spring
This post will be updated as more information is gathered The Academic Senate voted today to approve credit/no credit and pass/fail grading options for Fall 2020 and Spring 2021. Student Government president Sara Brennan said that the Senate approved UTD President Richard Benson’s recommendations for grading option changes, which are...
Spring enrollment for in-person classes remains same as fall
Vast majority of students either didn’t have choice or opted for virtual format
123 classes at UTD were offered in-person this semester, but next semester is promising a slightly decreased availability of 114 in-person classes. According to a survey conducted by The Mercury, 10 percent of students will be attending in-person classes, while the other 90 percent either did not have the choice...
Big Idea Competition goes virtual, Glaucomedi takes first prize
Online format had different structure with pre-recorded pitches, live streamed Q&A session
Featuring a keynote speech from Mark Cuban on Nov. 19, this year’s Big Idea Competition was held virtually – with medical technology startup Glaucomedi winning first place in the student track. The Big Idea Competition is a startup pitch competition that began 14 years ago at UTD. Students, faculty or...
Student Government’s push for extended credit/no credit option fails
Students called for an extended credit/no credit option similar to the one offered last spring; but despite Student Government’s push to make the option available, the measure didn’t pass. Under normal circumstances, students must indicate whether they would like to take a course with credit/no credit grading – pass/fail for...
Streamlining internship application process
QuickApply simplifies online job applications for students
A new software engineering job search tool allows computer science students to quickly find and apply for internships. The tool’s creator, Alex Ruber, studied computer science and math as an undergraduate at UC San Diego and has internship experience at Yahoo, Udemy and NASA. This experience with applying for internships,...
Developer proposes new apartment complex near campus
Housing development is suggested to meet need caused by student population growth
In response to rapid student population growth and a shortage of on-campus housing, two new apartment complexes have been proposed for development just north of campus. According to the agenda for the Nov. 17 meeting of the Richardson City Plan Commission, the proposal consists of two apartment buildings: a five-story...
‘It’s not what we want for y’all, but there is light at the end of this tunnel’
Freshmen discuss their first-year experience online
The transition from high school to online college has UTD freshmen finding new ways to cope with new problems. In a survey conducted by The Mercury, out of 150 respondents, 77% of freshmen respondents said that they felt like they didn’t have a normal first semester of college or a...
No freshman McDermott scholars to be selected next academic year
For the 2021-2022 academic year, the process for selecting McDermott Scholars has been discontinued. As a result, there will be no freshman class of scholars next year. The program made this choice due to COVID-19 guidelines that would significantly change the format of the finalist weekend, which typically entails 150...
‘We are grateful for the students for sharing their ideas and giving us their time’
Student members of ‘Living Our Values’ task force leave citing slow progress, difficulty managing duties with other responsibilities
The Living Our Values task force has introduced three implementation plans for the upcoming semester. After the death of George Floyd in May, the Black Student Body group sent a letter to President Benson with demands for on-campus reform. In June, UTD formed the Living Our Values task force to...
