Comets demand University take action against professor after controversial social media post | July 24, 2022
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 tweet spread rapidly throughout the […]
Multiple students bring Farage’s classroom conduct to light | July 24, 2022
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 White officers in Cleveland in […]
Farage needs to be removed from the classroom | July 24, 2022
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 […]
Dining Hall West Pond quality-tested for first time | July 24, 2022
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 multiple ways. While creeks and […]
Tech Bar blends tech with artistic expression | July 24, 2022
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 the months since the Office […]
The Activity Center should be available year-round | July 24, 2022
Students living or working on campus can’t get access to the gym if they aren’t enrolled in class or aren’t willing to pay $65, and that shouldn’t be the case. Students living or working on campus for the summer that aren’t enrolled in summer courses should get the same access to the Activity Center or […]
‘Stranger Things’ deserves serious videogame | July 24, 2022
“Stranger Things” deserves to get its own video game outside of Netflix’s mobile gaming scheme. It’s proven itself in several crossovers, and with top billing for a Netflix original already, it’s time we see its own dedicated game to stand out. To preface, the paranormal 1980s themed TV show isn’t a stranger to video games […]
UNIVERSITIES COMBAT OMICRON SURGE WITH DIFFERENT TACTICS | January 24, 2022
Universities across Texas responded to the omicron surge and the pandemic with varying measures. How well have they succeeded? Looking at UT, UTSA, UTA, TAMU and UNT in comparison to UTD, most Texan universities have taken similar steps to UTD in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic. Daily health checks, proactive testing and constant mask and vaccine […]
SHC offers booster shot | January 24, 2022
The Student Health Center is now offering COVID-19 vaccine booster shots to eligible students. As with previous COVID-19 vaccines provided by the SHC, these boosters will be the Moderna brand. Director of Student Health Center Lea Aubrey said the state determines booster brand and quantity based on statewide vaccine availability. Students eligible for a booster […]
Intramurals leagues remain on-track | January 24, 2022
While the omicron variant has disrupted the start of many Comets’ 2022 academic schedules, on-campus recreation offerings and intramural leagues continue with only a few minor adjustments. “The biggest adjustment we have had to make is just with student staff,” said Benjamin Piper, University Recreation’s associate director of programs. “From now until we come back […]
COVID surge once again disrupts UTD spring policies | January 24, 2022
UTD’s response to the omicron wave in the DFW area includes a number of policies beyond the week-long postponement of the semester and subsequent transition to online instruction through Feb. 4. Due to the high transmissibility of the omicron variant and the increased demand for testing in the North Texas region, the randomized surveillance testing […]
Eco hub starts to sprout | January 24, 2022
The Eco Hub is more than just a farm; it is a 20,000 square foot space that has encouraged innovation and education, fostered student leadership and will provide a safety net for UTD students affected by food insecurity. The farm was established to provide fresh produce grown by student volunteers and contribute food to the […]
Res hall pipe burst causes flooding | January 24, 2022
A broken toilet caused five dorms in Residence Hall North to take a swim this past winter break – and what caused the toilet to break is still unclear. On Dec. 23, over winter break, one of the toilets on the first floor of Residence Hall North had a flush valve diaphragm break; this caused […]
Motorcyclist caught in crash on Waterview and Synergy Park | January 24, 2022
A UTD graduate student got into a serious motorcycle accident near campus on Nov. 15 and is currently in recovery. Business analytics graduate Ralish Routray was on his way to UTD around 7:30 p.m. to meet with a friend. He was waiting at the traffic light between Waterview Parkway and Synergy Park Boulevard and made […]
Dazzling Drag returns to UTD | January 24, 2022
Chi Alpha Iota (XAI) diaternity’s annual drag show returned this fall in a night filled with dazzling costumes, charitable donations and energizing performances. Featured performers from the gender-inclusive Greek organization spoke with The Mercury about their experience planning and putting on an in-person show in these chaotic times, as well as what drag – an […]
I Love U A-Latte | January 24, 2022
Every time you wake up, you go through a morning- or late afternoon- routine, and for many students that includes getting a cup of tea or coffee. If you’re tired of hitting up the on-campus Starbucks every day, let me introduce you to I Love U A Latte, a new place to get your fix […]
Retrograde Reads: War Dogs By Greg Bear | January 24, 2022
Interviewing Vietnam veterans was certainly one of my more formative high school experiences. I remember long nights in garages among folding chairs and spent beer cans, asking for permission to record and getting several expletives along the lines of “sure, why not” in answer. The context of these conversations gives a bit of background for […]
SGA restoring student art initiative to campus | January 24, 2022
Walking past the Student Union Market to grab a bite to eat, you might’ve noticed the “Blank Space Project” – a 14’ x 6’ art display. While it’s been a permanent fixture for three years, the initiative is in the process of being revived with new and more diverse forms of artwork. The “Blank Space […]
Screaming for stronger finale | January 24, 2022
There is an expectation among moviegoers that sequels must be original while maintaining iconic aspects of the previous films; that is especially true with a franchise like “Scream,” which has become a darling of both horror movie buffs and superfans. This, however, is no easy feat. Horror movie sequels often lack the same je ne […]
UTD should impose seven-day quarantine for students | January 24, 2022
Given research suggesting that the coronavirus is most highly transmissible for seven days after contraction, UTD should adopt a seven-day isolation period as the new norm. The FAQ section on the Comets United webpage says contact tracers will determine isolation timelines based on CDC guidelines – which recommend five days of isolation for individuals in […]
NFTs provide nothing of value to the games industry | January 24, 2022
Gaming NFTs are an inherently ridiculous idea, needlessly reinventing the wheel while spinning tall tales of impossible cross-platform items and skins, ultimately providing nothing of real value to the general gaming populace. Non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, are generally a contentious subject, coming under fire from many different angles. I won’t be discussing the environmental impact […]
‘Beneath the Dead Oak Tree’ thrills like no other comic | January 24, 2022
Filled with beautifully-illustrated and poetically-written horrors, this story is short – but not sweet. And being short doesn’t mean it’s any less complex: the craftsmanship Carol demonstrates in just 32 pages is genius and beautifully haunting. To summarize, “Beneath the Dead Oak Tree” uses gorgeous visuals, aristocratic animals and lulling dialogue to present a cautionary […]