Category: News
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Campus construction update: projects ongoing
Several roads and pedestrian paths will be closed from the beginning of June 24 to Aug. 16 because of new developments in construction, altering the usual trajectory of both vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Major construction projects have been underway since fall 2023 such as the Performance Hall, SOM Phase III and the new Student Success…
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New BBS dean appointed
UTD selected Adam Woods as the next dean for the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences. Woods’ term as Dean begins Aug. 15, 2024. Since fall 2023, BBS has operated without a dean, with Margaret Owen overseeing BBS as an interim dean. She will return to her position as faculty beginning fall 2024. Before coming…
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‘A giant among men’
The weather on June 28 is bright and sunny, a perfect fit to commemorate former UTD alumnus and director of the Multicultural Center Bruce August Jr. through a new reflection space near the Sciences building. This wide-reaching community collaboration is a testament to how beloved August was to UTD administration and faculty. Multiple administrative offices…
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Despite administration’s silence, community supports 21 arrested at ‘Gaza Liberation Plaza’
In a historic first, UTD administration called in law enforcement with riot gear to destroy the “Gaza Liberation Plaza” encampment while arresting 21 students, faculty, alumni and community members. Despite outcry across the UTD community, administration has not responded to demands to drop legal charges and disciplinary action against those arrested. Students for Justice in…
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From the ground: Gaza Liberation Plaza
As Palestinian solidarity encampments pop up across dozens of U.S. college campuses, UTD’s own Gaza Liberation Plaza joined a long running student-led campaign of activism calling for cease-fire and divestment. On the same day Gaza Liberation Plaza was created, state troopers and local law enforcement arrived on campus, destroyed the encampment and arrested the students,…
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Solidarity: letters in response to May 1 encampment arrests
The following are letters, emails and petitions that were written in response to law enforcement’s raid of UTD’s “Gaza Liberation Plaza” encampment, where 21 individuals were arrested. These documents have not been modified or edited by The Mercury. This article will be updated as new signatures are collected or additional letters are published. Table of…
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Collin County Jail releases detained protesters, families rejoice
As of 4:30 p.m. May 2, all 21 individuals arrested and detained at Collin County Jail after Texas law enforcement’s May 1 raid of UTD’s “Gaza Liberation Plaza” encampment were released. The arraignment process began around 9:30 a.m. May 2 and the first detainee — Associate Art History Professor Ali Asgar Alibhai — was released…
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Comets, community members demand return of 21 individuals detained overnight at Collin County Jail
Nine students, three professors, one alum and eight community members were arrested after state troopers and local police stormed UTD’s “Gaza Liberation Plaza” encampment at 4 p.m. May 1. Officers transported the detainees to Collin County Jail, where they remained until the evening of May 2. Protests demanding the release of the 21 individuals began…
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Law enforcement raids pro-Palestine encampment, arrests students and faculty
Less than 12 hours after pro-Palestine student activists formed the “Gaza Liberation Plaza” encampment in UTD’s Chess Plaza, local police and state troopers stormed the event, dismantling the tents and barricades constructed throughout the day and arresting student and faculty protesters. At 4:30 a.m., a coalition of student groups including Students for Justice in Palestine,…
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Comets create encampment in solidarity with Gaza
Students established a solidarity encampment with Gaza at the Chess Plaza, surrounded by walls made of cardboard, plywood and tires with a sign reading “Free Palestine: all the walls will fall.” State and local police forces arrived 4 p.m., tearing down the encampment and arresting at least 16 students and three professors less than 12…