Bruce August Jr: beloved director of MC in memoriam | April 17, 2023
A leader, a mentor and a friend, Bruce August Jr. was a pillar in the UTD community for cultural representation and school spirit. The director for the Multicultural Center, founding president of the Black Faculty and Staff Alliance, a former director for the Texas Association of Black Personnel in Higher Education Board, a District 4 […]
Why are housing prices increasing? | April 17, 2023
Price increases are linked to renovations, utility inflation, existing debt and general trends in the real estate market. Going into 2023-24, University Housing prices increased at a cumulative average of 6.9%, compared to 3.2% in the prior year. 1×1 floor plans are still the most expensive, but also saw a much larger jump in price […]
Student Government calls on UTD to ‘DIVEST FROM DEATH’ | April 17, 2023
Student Government passed a resolution calling on UTD to divest funds from five weapon-manufacturing companies on April 4 as a push against militarism and for corporate responsibility. S.R. 2022-40, or “Divestment for Militarism,” recommends that UTD divest its shares in the University of Texas Investment Management Company, or UTIMCO, which manages UTD’s investments and endowment […]
UTD Esports to split from Athletics | April 17, 2023
The Department of Student Affairs and Student Union Administration have recently made the decision toseparate the UTD esports program from the athletics department, allowing it to have its own highermanagement instead of falling under the SU. While discussed by both Student Affairs and the SU Administration, the final decision was made by GeneFitch, the vice […]
Texans battle fentanyl crisis | April 17, 2023
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin and in recent years has been implicated in overdoses linked to laced drugs. Sheila Elliott, the supervisor for the UTD EMT Department, said that while Richardson has not been affected by the crisis by direct cases, it has spilled over into Carrollton. […]
UTD MUN celebrates success in the Big Apple | April 17, 2023
Model UN wrapped up their last conference of the year in New York from April 2 to April 6, representing 15 countries and receiving 24 awards. The New York conference spanned five days, with the UTD team representing Bosnia and Herzegovina–Serbia. This year, members have received seven position paper awards, 11 committee awards, two Outstanding […]
UTD student wins Tiktok scholarship | April 17, 2023
Cindy Aguirre, a junior international political economy major, was awarded the $500 normandiealise National Scholarship Month TikTok Scholarship as the only one of 10 finalists in the nation to win. Organized by Bold.org and awarded by Normandie Alise Cormier, a scholarship strategist who founded the educational enterprise XollegePass, the scholarship aims to raise awareness and […]
Richardson City Council Agenda Q&A | April 17, 2023
Student Government and student advocacy group Comets for Better Transit hosted a town hall meeting for Comets to ask Richardson city council members questions about their priorities for the next term. Mayor Paul Voelker and council members Bob Dubey, Jennifer Justice, Janet DePuy, Joe Corcoran, Ken Hutchenrider and Arefin Shamsul all attended the April 6 […]
Students protest anti-LGBT bills | April 17, 2023
A group of UTD students made their voices heard at the state capitol, where lawmakers voted on several controversial bills targeting the LGBTQ+ community. The UTD chapter of advocacy group Texas Rising bused a handful of students on March 28 to the capitol for support of H.B. 970, a bill that would repeal laws that […]
Loved law advisor retires | April 17, 2023
After five years at the helm of UTD’s Pre-Law Advising Center, Director Barbara Kirby will retire at the end of the semester. Although she made a name for herself in corporate law, Kirby found her true calling in teaching and mentoring students. “I have come to believe that we need good lawyers now more than […]
Northside vandals strike | April 17, 2023
Northside residents reported a string of vandalism in late March in and around Building 13. Several residents of Northside Building 13 reported graffiti both in stairwells and on unit front doors, in a string of vandalism that was featured on March 27 in an Instagram post from utdbruhmoments. Richardson PD officer Teddy Yoshida said that […]
Revolutionizing research | April 17, 2023
A UTD chemist graduate is engineering a simpler and safer way to inject powder vaccines painlessly, potentially revolutionizing the healthcare industry. Ph.D. student Yalini Wijesundara created the Metal-Organic Framework Jet, which can administer therapeutic agents through the skin with just a puff of compressed air. The technology could be applied in veterinary medicine, agriculture, vaccinations […]
JSOM pays respects to professor | April 17, 2023
Professor Robert Stephen Molina passed away in his sleep on April 3, 2023, leading JSOM students and faculty to remember his legacy. The sudden death of Molina has left JSOM in shock, as they have lost a critical member of the community. Students describe him as a very direct and straightforward person from his history […]
New SG elects speak for UTD | April 17, 2023
The 2023-2024 Student Government elections have concluded, and the students have selected the term’s executive officers. The Mercury interviewed junior computer science major Srivani Edupuganti and freshman data science major Leah Sullivan, who ran under the ticket Inspire to explore SG’s future at UTD President-Elect Srivani Edupuganti What are your plans for the upcoming academic […]
Alumni mends gaps in education | April 17, 2023
UTD neuroscience alumnus Sofia Babool founded a startup company known as BrightOwl in August 2021. The company aims to close educational gaps for students through an online tutoring service. BrightOwl also employs college students looking for a part-time job amidst the pandemic. In the short time since she graduated, Babool’s company has come to employ […]
The need for speed | April 17, 2023
Spring is here, and students are back to using all their creative forms of transportation! With everyone out of hibernation, curiosity got the best of The Mercury, and we decided to pit Comet against Comet in a bid to figure out the fastest way to get to class. Let’s set the framework for this marathon. […]
Library archive linked to famed pilot and women in aviation | April 17, 2023
From rocket scientists to NASA pilots, UTD has a history of shooting for the stars. But at only half a century old, many Comets aren’t aware of the school’s extensive roots in aviation and connections to famous female pilots. Deep in the bowels of the Testing Center on Synergy Park resides “The History of Aviation […]
Staycation Cafe Delights | April 17, 2023
If you’re looking for a morning coffee or sweet treat, stop by Staycation Coffee for beverages and bites in a small, cozy neighborhood cafe. Staycation Coffee – just a 13-minute drive from campus – is owned by Nichola McClendon, who was inspired after a vacation to Puerto Rico to create a coffeehouse that encapsulates a […]
NCT Dream discusses dreams at Roundtable | April 17, 2023
Energetic, passionate and inspirational, NCT DREAM, a Korean pop group, shared advice in a virtual interview with The Mercury for college students pursuing their dreams. The Mercury received an opportunity to attend a virtual roundtable with the members of world-renowned K-pop boy band NCT DREAM, along with journalists from other universities across America. In honor […]
A day in Ramadan : from sunrise to sunset | April 17, 2023
As the sun sets on UTD, healthcare freshman Rafah Shaik passes out steaming kabobs and paratas to masses of hungry students eager — but more importantly, grateful — to eat after 16 hours of fasting. Shaik is one of hundreds of Muslim students on campus that are fasting this Ramadan, and one of many spending […]
The Fix: A Day Cafe | April 17, 2023
As a busy student, finding a cafe that’s friendly for both unwinding and socializing can be a challenge, but A Day Cafe could be the place you’re looking for. A Day Cafe is a trendy coffee spot with an inviting environment and a colorful menu that caters to the taste buds of all guests. This […]
UTD Spirit Team Wins Nationals | April 17, 2023
Celebration broke out in Daytona Beach, Florida after the UTD Spirit Team took home national awards in every category they competed in from April 6 to April 8 at the NDA/NCA College Competition. Bringing home three trophies, a plaque and two new banners, the Spirit Team also won four national titles. Two of the national […]
Comet shines as esports program leader | April 17, 2023
As head coach of UTD’s official Rocket League team, accounting sophomore Daniyal Ghayasuddin has accomplished outstanding feats in the world of esports, including coaching a collegiate team and hosting several events, and continues to share his passion for the field with the community. Ghayasuddin has been the coach for the Rocket League team for about […]
UTD wins first place in sword fighting tournament | April 17, 2023
UTD swordsmen clashed blades and brought home first and third-place accolades on April 2 in the second-ever Texas College HEMA Alliance Tournament. UTD’s Historical Swordfighting Guild — the team that brought home awards — has taught Historical European Martial Arts or HEMA since 2021. The guild has 24 registered members and is still growing, making […]
Softball nationals upcoming | April 17, 2023
The Comet softball team is currently tied for third place with 11 wins and four losses in the Division III American Southwestern Conference. Here is everything you need to know before the May 11 ASC tournament, including the recent games you might have missed. The softball team began the season in Memphis, TN with two […]
Comet baseball post-midseason | April 17, 2023
The Comets baseball team is nearly at the end of its season. With 11 wins and seven losses in the Division III American Southwestern Conference, the team stands at second place in the conference. Here’s everything you need to catch up on before the ASC tournament on May 4, including recent games you might have […]
You (probably) can’t be an anonymous source | April 17, 2023
There’s an inquiry you receive a lot as an editor at The Mercury — “Can I be anonymous?” And the answer, for the most part, is no. From news stories to opinion pieces, The Mercury receives a surprising number of students requesting to both share their voice in our publication and yet also remain unnamed. […]
TA compensation needs to change at UTD | April 17, 2023
UTD teaching assistants, or TAs, do not get compensated like every other school in the UT system does, and that needs to change. Students who successfully complete a course at UTD can become a TA because they have proven that they have enough knowledge to help other students succeed. Other schools in the UT system, […]
Dutch Bros vs. Starbucks | April 17, 2023
Cheaper, faster and tastier, Dutch Bros has become my new go-to coffee spot near campus. Dutch Bros is a drive-thru coffee chain that has a practically endless number of flavor syrups and drink combinations. It is a cornerstone of my college experience thus far because of the phenomenal customer service and customizability of the drinks. […]
A-lister celebrities sound tone-deaf in award speeches | April 17, 2023
The 2023 SAG Awards highlighted celebrities’ false relatability through speeches aiming to inspire struggling workers to just work hard to get what they want. But these celebrities failed to acknowledge their immense privilege. Each year, America anticipates in award shows that celebrate outstanding movies and television shows. One award show in particular stands out as […]
Is ChatGPT smarter than you? | April 17, 2023
Embracing UTD’s research spirit, and for the sake of quenching curiosity, The Mercury asked ChatGPT over 100 questions on different topics to test the limits of its creativity, logic and problem-solving skills. ChatGPT, the AI response generation tool that has consistently taken the internet by storm, was released on Nov. 30, 2022 by OpenAI as […]
Art exhibit celebrates Taiwanese artists on the autism spectrum | April 17, 2023
UTD welcomed artists and art teachers all the way from Taiwan to display their works of art on April 1 to share insight on living life as an autistic individual. The works of art, which are displayed in the JSOM atrium, were all created by autistic individuals under the Taiwan Xingqier Creative Arts Association. In […]
Mamma mia, the Mario movie is fun! | April 17, 2023
Nintendo and Illumination’s latest film release “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” is the most fun in theaters I’ve had all year and an encapsulation of the charm of the Mario universe. But while this movie was a colorful and accurate adaptation of the game, it fails to appeal to film critics, lacking basic storytelling and […]
Traveling through eras in song | April 17, 2023
The Eras Tour has been the talk of the internet ever since its announcement, and Taylor Swift’s pitstop in Arlington, TX for the March 31 to April 2 weekend proved the hype. Taylor Swift has released 10 original albums in total since her debut, but the last album she was able to tour was “Reputation” […]
“Honor Among Thieves” brings a beloved fantasy world to life | April 17, 2023
Directors John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein’s spin on the beloved fantasy game received a commendable 91% on Rotten Tomatoes. The cast lineup for the film is stacked with veterans like Chris Pine and Hugh Grant, as well as new faces like Justice Smith. The film is a continuation of “The Forgotten Realms,” a fantasy […]
College romance takes the spotlight in “Dear.M” | April 17, 2023
“Dear.M” takes place in an alternate universe of the year 2020 where the pandemic never happened and tells the story of six college students who meet after being assigned as roommates. The drama was set to premiere in 2021 but was postponed until mid-2022. Despite the later premiere, the drama’s story is unharmed by the […]
Buzzing for the “Swarm” | April 17, 2023
While many details about Amazon Prime’s new show “Swarm” are murky in the trailers, fans are abuzz because of the big names associated with the series. Musician and actor Donald Glover is a co-creator and the show features musician Chole Bailey and Billie Eilish in her acting debut. The series follows Dre (Dominique Fishback), a […]
Northside sprinklers make it rain | January 17, 2023
A series of fire sprinkler bursts on Dec. 24 resulted in water damage in five different Northside buildings, causing thousands of dollars in resident property damage. Close to freezing temperatures in late December caused several water lines in Northside’s fire sprinkler system to freeze, crack and burst. Maureen Omrod, Senior Vice President of Marketing and […]
Comet Basketball Breaks Records | January 17, 2023
The Comets showed a legacy-defining defense in their midseason victory on Jan. 5 before arriving to a neck-to-neck loss on Jan. 7. January 5: Winning against Concordia Texas 51-24. The UTD Women’s Basketball Team opened the midseason on Jan. 5 with a victory against Concordia that earned them a ranking of #1 defense in the […]
New study abroad programs take flight | January 17, 2023
The new international education program is seeking to make study abroad more affordable for students by offering a variety of programs at a reduced price. Dean of Graduate Education Juan Gonzalez said UTD enhanced its international education program to include 12 faculty-led program options, taking place from May to August. The programs are purposefully curated to […]
State-Issued TikTok Ban hits UTD | January 17, 2023
After an order issued by Gov. Greg Abbott on Dec. 7, UTD must delete TikTok from all state-issued devices and formulate a policy for the app on personal devices in the coming months. On Dec. 21, OIT began removing the popular social media platform from all UTD-owned devices and awaits further instruction from the governor […]
UV Clubhouse Resurrected | January 17, 2023
After a four year closure, the Phase 8 Clubhouse is undergoing renovations and will be available for students during the spring semester. Setting an enrollment record for fall 2023 with 31,570 students, UTD ranks as one of the fastest-growing universities in the country. Matthew Grief, Associate Vice President of Student Affairs, said there is […]
Chess Team Holds Steady at Pan-Ams | January 17, 2023
The UTD Chess Team secured several key draws at the 2023 Pan-American Intercollegiate Team Championship but failed to qualify for the final four. UTD Chess competed in the Pan-Ams from Jan. 5 to Jan. 8. in Seattle, Washington. UTD Team A finished in sixth place with a rating of 2558, Team B in ninth and […]
Rising Stars Shine Bright on UTD Basketball Teams | January 17, 2023
As the UTD men’s and women’s basketball teams reach the midpoint of their seasons, rising athletes emerge for each team. Women’s basketball freshman Amanda Crowninshield and men’s basketball sophomore Rob Wade have both been instrumental to their respective team’s successes this year and promise a bright future for their programs. Women’s basketball coach Joe Shotland […]
Comics & Activities: 1/17/2023 | January 17, 2023
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Vivienne Westwood: A history | January 17, 2023
When fashion icon Vivienne Westwood died on Dec. 29, celebrities and casual consumers alike mourned her. However, Westwood is immortalized by her rich history and influence on alternative fashion, especially here at UTD. A surge of individualistic freedom, rebellion and anti-establishment ideology powered the beginning of the punk movement in the ‘70s, rivaling the popularity […]
Gossip Girl reuses old tropes, offers nothing new for the series | January 17, 2023
Welcome back Upper East Siders. It’s that time of year again when a tired TV show tries to redeem itself with a reboot. You guessed it, it’s Season 2 of the new “Gossip Girl.” The second season seems to reuse “Gossip Girl’s” old tropes rather than adapt them for Gen Z viewers, like the first […]
Sh**ting Stars Shines Bright | January 17, 2023
A gem that shouldn’t be missed from 2022, “Sh**ting Stars” — also known as Shooting Stars — is the perfect drama to kickstart your heart for 2023. The romantic comedy follows top star Gong Tae-sung (Kim Young-dae) as he returns to Korea from a year-long volunteer trip, returning to both the cheers of fans and […]
Lookism Persuades Even The Pretty | January 17, 2023
The classic series “Lookism” recently became the first Webtoon to receive a web animation on Netflix. As implied by the title, the Netflix series discusses pretty privilege in a way that is persuasive to even the privileged and the pretty. “Lookism” appeals so widely in part because it offers its viewers ways to learn from […]
The Tower of Hollywood Topples in “Babylon” | January 17, 2023
The Mercury spoke with the director and producer of “Babylon,” which chronicles the highs and lows of vintage Hollywood. The film, released worldwide on Dec. 23, won a Golden Globe for Best Original Score, and the film and the actors are nominated for the 95th annual Oscars. The beginning of Hollywood screams romanticism, filled with […]
Hub for Hip Hop in a Dallas Warehouse | January 17, 2023
Aspiring artists and music lovers from all over the Dallas area convene every Thursday night in a decked-out warehouse to share music and network with fellow creators. The event is called the Speakeasy Open Mic, founded by visionary Trey-Michael Dae. Typically, open mics are reserved for somber, coffee-shop type music. This is not the case […]
Dallas Isn’t Ready for the World Cup | January 17, 2023
While FIFA is branding the World Cup as a Dallas event, it will actually be hosted in Arlington, creating a spiral of issues for the unprepared city of Dallas and unfairly discrediting its true host city, Arlington. The FIFA World Cup is one of the biggest international events and, on paper, Dallas is one of […]
Save Our Parking Garages | January 17, 2023
With all the facilities we have on campus, there is no excuse for littering. Comets need to take proper trash disposal more seriously. UTD is ranked Gold by the Association for Advancement in Sustainability in Higher Education, meaning holistically, the campus is doing well with its green initiatives. With generally clean spaces to congregate in […]
Men’s basketball holds first in ASC | January 17, 2023
The UTD Men’s Basketball Team opened up the 2023 midseason with both a historic first for UTD and their first loss in the American Southwest Conference, which held them tied for first place in the ASC. January 5: Winning against Concordia Texas 107-74. The UTD Men’s Basketball Team opened up the midseason with a victory […]
Esports heads leave program | January 17, 2023
As Brandon “Texhorn” Bingham and Carter “Stellaric” Hawks exit UTD, the respective creator and broadcast leads of the esports program, they leave the program with big shoes to fill. Bingham and Hawks both graduated in fall 2022. Bingham, who was the Creator Lead for the Content Creator program, joined the esports program in fall 2021 […]
Comets exceed in ASC standing | January 17, 2023
The UTD women’s and men’s basketball teams earned exciting victories against East Baptist University on Jan. 12 at their first away game of the year. After losing to the Cru on Jan. 7, the men’s basketball team came back with a knock-out victory, winning 75-69 against East Texas Baptist University’s Tigers. Similarly, the women’s basketball […]