Farage apologizes after backlash from UTD community
On July 25, CS instructor Timothy Farage issued an official apology for wanting a “cure for homosexuality” in a letter to The Mercury. The following is what he said. “A week or so ago, I tweeted about an article dealing with monkeypox. The article said that a common way to...
Comets demand University take action against professor after controversial social media post
Students and alumni are pushing for UTD to fire or censure Timothy Farage, a senior computer science lecturer, after he tweeted, “Can we at least try to find a cure for homosexuality, especially among men?” in a now-deleted tweet commenting about the monkeypox outbreak in New York. The July 15...
Multiple students bring Farage’s classroom conduct to light
When Samuel Button walked into his discrete math course one autumn day in 2016, he was expecting a math lesson. Instead, he recalls, his instructor Timothy Farage opened the lecture of the day with a spiel about Tamir Rice, the 12-year-old Black boy who had been shot and killed by...
Dining Hall West Pond quality-tested for first time
Environmental expert warns pond could harm wildlife, lead to E-coli wave if not cleaned weekly
After concerns of contamination in the pond by Dining Hall West, the pond was quality-tested for the first time. Environmental Program Manager Chandani Rana said that while pH levels, dissolved water levels, and conductivity for the pond were approved, pollution caused by students and staff could impact the community in...
Tech Bar blends tech with artistic expression
Art competition first of Bar's many welcoming events
The TechKnowledgy Bar hosted its first official art contest this summer, uniting technology and artistic expression in the first of many outreach events. UTD’s Tech Bar was first introduced as a free service ran by UTD students for Comets in Fall 2021. IT Support Specialist IV Amanda Pritchard said in...
CS professor calls for ‘cure for homosexuality’
Editor’s note: This story, first published on July 15th, is developing and will continue to be updated. The original article will be listed below the latest updates. A senior CS graduate adviser and lecturer said, “Can we at least try to find a cure for homosexuality, especially among men?” in...
What are these hooked posts for by the gazebo?
Have a hammock? Well, UTD has hammock stands you can hang your hammock up on and nap in this summer. Associate Director of University Recreation, Chris Alpine, says there are four main areas on campus that have hammock stands: near the Gazebo, the Admin building, the Disc Golf Course, and...
Comets ‘Bent’ on remembering Holocaust
The UTD Theatre production brings to life play exploring WWII-era homosexuality, humanity and hope on stage
With Holocaust Remembrance Day coming up on April 27, the UTD Theater’s spring play sheds light on an often-overlooked part of the horrors of Hitler’s regime: the persecution and murder of gay men. History is not kind, here, and neither is director Chris Treviño’s staging. The show’s listed content warnings—including...
Comets report alleged food poisoning at Dining Hall West
A Richardson health department inspection in early April found no major health violations in the facility
Several Comets reported becoming ill after eating at Dining Hall West. UTD denied food poisoning allegations, however, and campus facilities passed the City of Richardson’s subsequent health inspection. The Mercury spoke with three students who became ill after eating at Dining Hall West on March 29, though many more filed...
How Comets Observe Ramadan
As the soulful call to prayer sounds, signifying sunset, healthcare freshman Siham Awel sinks her teeth into a chewy, sweet date—the first bite of sustenance she’s had in 16 hours. Awel and a sizeable contingent of Muslim Comets abstain from eating and drinking from just before sunrise to just after...