Category: Editorials
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Red Light: UTD Sexual Harassment Policies Threaten Comets’ Liberties
UTD should amend its Student Grievances policy to match the definition of sexual harassment in its Sexual Misconduct Policy. While firm anti-harassment policies are important and necessary, inconsistent and extrajudicial definitions of sexual harassment threaten students’ constitutional right to free speech. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting free speech…
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‘Disappointed to be a UTD student’: Benson’s Israel-Hamas statement disrespects grieving Comets
Not only does UTD president Richard Benson’s latest message about the Israel-Hamas war disrespect grieving students, it successfully alienates students with ties to Palestine at a time where Palestinian civilians are suffering one of the worst humanitarian crises in the Middle East, tensions between local groups are heightening and violent hate crimes are on the…
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Anti-DEI bill will harm all students if passed
A Senate Bill in committee — 88(R) SB 17 — could mean the end of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as we know it at UTD. If passed in its current state, SB 17 would strike down major resources such as the Gender Center and Multicultural Center and likely dissolve the DEI office as a whole.…
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Vote ‘yes’ for the fee referendum
Vote ‘Yes’ to the upcoming student fee referendum vote on October 4. If you’ve ever been inside the Student Union at peak hours, you understand just how crowded the current building is. Peak lunchtime lines go up to an hour waiting for a Chik-fil-a sandwich, and once you get the food it’s hard to find…
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Farage needs to be removed from the classroom
Students, alumni, members of the LGBTQ community nationwide and many allies are clamoring for UTD to cut ties with computer science instructor Timothy Farage following his hurtful and backward-minded tweet on July 15 in which he called for researchers to “find a cure for homosexuality.” Farage’s termination might be justified, but we shouldn’t hold our…
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Recent student deaths are our wake up call
By now you’ve probably heard: Two of our fellow students died this past week. Within that time, there has been a spike in student activity on social media and Reddit and students have even come to The Mercury in person for answers and what was going on after we discovered the first death was a…
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Editorial Board: As a community, we should address domestic violence
The deadliest mass shooting in Plano’s history, claiming the lives of five alumni, was a direct result of domestic violence. The Mercury stands against domestic violence and calls upon Comets to do more to recognize and prevent abuse. Ultimately, one man’s violent actions took nine people’s lives and 10 families are forever affected. While alumna…
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Ed Board: Presidential, vice presidential candidates well-suited for uncontested positions
Because this year’s Student Government presidential and vice presidential candidates are running unopposed, the Editorial Board of The Mercury has decided to publish an evaluation of the candidates in place of an endorsement. The content of the evaluation is based on an interview The Mercury conducted with the candidates. Running on the Comet Unity ticket,…
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Editorial Board: We endorse Hillary Clinton for presidency
Hillary Clinton is the only candidate to vote for in the 2016 presidential election. She is one of the most qualified candidates to ever run for office. In addition to having invaluable foreign policy experience, she is offering specific, feasible policy options. At The Mercury, we don’t feel it necessary to expound on Donald Trump’s…
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Low diversity in staff draws unnecessary attention
Dallas Morning News article criticizes UTD faculty for not representing enough racial backgrounds to reflect growing student population One of the things I like best about UTD is the diversity and open-mindedness of the people here. People of different backgrounds support each other in celebrating one another’s holidays, while professors and staff bring many interesting…