At the speed of blight
How UTD bungled its COVID-19 response
When the pandemic first broke out, the UTD community seemed to come together to support one another during a time of crisis. However, as the outbreak progressed, students had been left to fend for themselves while begging an apathetic administration for even a hint of support. When UTD extended spring...
CRT is critical for effective diversity training
Executive order limiting critical race theory education is detrimental to federal agencies
America considers itself a “melting pot”, yet minority groups continue to face systemic discrimination and prejudice. While diversity trainings can breed possible positive effects through active communication, the current administration’s restrictions upon trainings that recognize inherent bias can negatively impact this opportunity. The recent executive order on “Combating Race and...
Custom majors for custom dreams
Customizable degree plans give students control over their academic experience
Though the current college major system at UTD provides numerous options for students, giving students the chance to design their own major and explore areas of interest would promote flexibility and alleviate pressure to fulfill a certain number of requirements. With almost 80% of college students in the United States...
Confirm Amy Coney Barrett now
Why the current administration should appoint a new judge before election day
President Trump has nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court to fill the vacancy left by the late Justice Ginsberg; the Senate should approve his nomination swiftly and before the election. Judge Amy Barrett is a catholic, conservative, female judge who has served on the Seventh Circuit Court...
Reopening the library is long overdue
Why McDermott Library should reopen study spaces
UTD is open for business, but the continued closure of the library leaves Comets scratching their heads. Except for the Eugene McDermott Library, every building on UTD’s campus is open: Comets can study, take classes, eat and work out within the campus’ many buildings. And while the library does have...
LGBT + mental wellness
Mental healthcare for LGBT+ people should be prioritized, protected
The LGBT+ community maintains significantly higher suicide rates, especially within younger age groups. It is imperative that LGBT+ oriented healthcare be more widely available and protected. Among Americans between 10-24 years old, members of the LGBT+ community are up to three times more likely to contemplate suicide than their peers,...
Neither rain, nor sleet, nor lack of government aid
The United States Postal Service needs funding to ensure a fair election
As election season approaches and the pandemic continues, mail-in voting is becoming an increasingly attractive option. Since cutbacks on funding for the Postal Service could greatly hinder the ability to vote by mail, it is incredibly essential for the agency to receive immediate funding. The United States Postal Service has...
Honorlock is not the key to proctoring
Honorlock's surveillance unduly burdens students' test-taking ability
As midterm season approaches, students are experiencing an Orwellian nightmare. With UTD professors having the option to use remote proctoring, several students have been forced to comply with the use of Honorlock for their exams. As classes transitioned into virtual settings, the demand for remote proctoring software like Honorlock, Proctorio...
It’s time to build – again
Innovation will come from embracing existing political structure, not trying to work around it
As a result of the pitiful COVID-19 pandemic response, incompetent national leadership all around and a polarized populace like no other, our country is amidst one of the worst bouts in history. We need directed leadership and purpose to build out of this rut. You might look to the west...
Popping quizzes (more often)
Quizzes are better than exams for students’ knowledge retention, mental health
“Hell week.” Defined by Urban Dictionary, it is the time of a college student’s month where tests, projects and papers are all due within the span of a few days – usually around midterms and finals. But does it have to be this way? Opting for frequent quizzes can eliminate...