Upper-division credit requirement to be lowered | February 13, 2023
The minimum upper-division credit required for graduation will be lowered from 51 credit hours to 45 starting in fall 2023. The push to lower upper-division credit requirements started two years ago. The academic senate gathered on Jan. 26 and approved administrative legislation that allows for the required credit hours for...
The academic war on artificial intelligence | February 13, 2023
The rise of artificial intelligence is sparking discussion between educators about how to proceed in the classroom — work with AI or against it? ChatGPT, the newest trending AI chatbot, restarted the controversy over AI in education. Reaching 1 million users in its first five days ChatGPT is a language...
Comets help fellow students plan their degrees with Nebula Labs | February 13, 2023
Following its beta release in fall 2022, Nebula Planner, an interactive degree planner that supports any combination of degree plans, hopes to launch its full release later this semester. The Nebula Planner is an initiative by Nebula Labs, a former project from the Association for Computing Machinery’s engineering division (ACM)....
Museum shows legacy of Jim Crow | February 13, 2023
The Jim Crow exhibit in Old City Park is open until Feb. 23, revealing the history behind the pre-gentrified Black community of Dallas. Old City Park houses a collection of historic houses, including the Shotgun House, where the exhibit is located. The exhibit was developed under Assistant Professor of History...
UTD student, cofounder and CEO of tech startup helping drivers save gas | February 13, 2023
Junior computer science major Tom Vazhekatt balances a full college workload along with being the cofounder and CEO of his startup route optimization company, Routora, ambitiously taking on a route that propels his career and education. Vazhekatt launched Routora on March 30, 2022. The business’s primary goal is decreasing the...
Accessibility promises, mandated senator meetings and advisory council report | February 13, 2023
Accessibility Resolution In their most recent senate meeting, Student Government (SG) passed a resolution emphasizing the shortcomings of accessible infrastructure on campus. Examples discussed included lack of sufficient accessible parking, braille signage and poorly maintained infrastructure. The resolution aims to allocate SG efforts to advocate for the betterment of accessible...
Semiconductor institute projects 5,000 new jobs | February 13, 2023
UTD has opened the North Texas Semiconductor Institute (NTxSI), which will provide job support for students in preparation for the fastest growing industry in DFW. Semiconductors are one of the most valuable commodities in the modern world. These materials are fabricated into transistors and integrated circuits, producing technology required for...
UTD chess team takes home plaque from KCF cup | February 13, 2023
The UTD chess team held its ground and secured a win at the third Annual Kasparov Chess Federation University Cup. UTD competed at the online international tournament from Feb. 4 to Feb. 5 with four teams — UTD A, B, C and D. Each team was categorized based on its...
Comics & Activities: 2/13/2023 | February 13, 2023
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Comet Connections | February 13, 2023
THE SLOW BURN Freshman literature major Megan Tran was participating in her high school JROTC program when she first met freshman computer science major Anthony Abubakar. However, the couple didn’t have a love at first sight moment, as Abubakar was breaking up with one of Tran’s friends. “I actually got...
How to identify the American Robin | February 13, 2023
American Robins are among the most common garden birds in North America and have a popular presence in parks and lawns Most know these birds from their rich caroling that can be heard from the rise of dawn. A robin’s chest and belly are a warm orange, while its back...
Fleeing fish makes a splash at Minna art market | February 13, 2023
Reeling in customers by the dozen right as they walked through the doors, Fleeing Fish’s Yeon Poche and Yvonne Yu made their off-campus debut at Minna Art Market. Showing off their brand-new table bought just for the event, the artist duo displayed their brightly colored prints, stickers and keychains at...
SG promises increased student advocacy, resource promotion and internal reform | February 13, 2023
The Mercury sat down with Student Government (SG) President Kruthi Kanduri and Vice President Margaret Belford to discuss progress on their campaign promises made in April 2022. Kruthi and Belford, who ran on separate tickets, expressed a uniform interest to put student needs at the front of their goals last...
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Rocketbelly delights with self-serve boba options | February 13, 2023
If you’re seeking self-serve boba, baked items or fried “rocket” chicken, head over to family owned Rocketbelly and prepare for an experience similar to space travel. The shop is practically light-years away from campus in Arlington. But with something as beloved as bubble tea paired with the option of individual...
‘Dead Space’ could fill the cinema void of cosmic horror | February 13, 2023
The recent “Dead Space” remake has brought waves of nostalgia for many and asks the question: why isn’t there a “Dead Space” movie in the works? Fans welcomed the video game remake that’s helping revamp the genre of deep space horror. The claustrophobic and inescapable nightmare of being trapped on...
HBO’s ‘The Last of Us’ enchants fans new and old alike | February 13, 2023
Gamers tend to have negative opinions when it comes to TV adaptations of their favorite video games, believing that their beloved characters cannot be recreated faithfully. But these fears are entirely squashed by the masterpiece that HBO has put together for “The Last of Us.” With five episodes out so...
Classical band Duo Mantar brings history to life | February 13, 2023
Duo Mantar came to UTD on Feb. 4 during their national tour to recapture the cultural majesty of 75 years of Israeli music. Presented by the Ackerman Center for Holocaust Studies and AHT, award-winning American guitarist Adam Levin and Jacob Reuven — mandolin professor at the Jerusalem Academy of Music...
‘MILF Manor’ — dystopia or reality? | February 13, 2023
Disturbing as it is, TLC’s “MILF Manor” should surprise no one, as it follows logically from the problematic themes that viewers have long supported by watching reality shows. “MILF Manor” is as bizarre as it sounds: it is a reality series where older women visit a resort in Mexico under...
Microaesthetics dangerous for young adults, not liberating | February 13, 2023
The trendy micro aesthetic lifestyles cluttering the internet might seem appealing and harmless, but they are actually obstacles to true individualism. We live in a society where it seems like a necessity to identify with a categorical lifestyle – an aesthetic. Most aesthetics took root in social media during the...
Soft launches the opposite of romantic | February 13, 2023
Posting a picture of your partner’s side profile on your Instagram isn’t a “soft launch,” you’re just media obsessed. Love is in the air! Valentine’s Day and its capitalistic hold on the American public has once again invaded aisles in the form of chocolate boxes and teddy bears at our...
Comets rocket through McMurry to make ASC playoffs | February 13, 2023
Racing toward the ASC Championship Tournament, the Comets dominated McMurry’s War Hawks on Feb. 6 at one of the final home games of the season before dropping their seven-game win streak to top-seeded Mary Hardin Baylor at an away game last Thursday. Before their loss to long-standing foe, Mary Hardin...
Third head coach in history of women’s soccer | February 13, 2023
Stephen Shirley replaced Kanute Drugan as head coach of the UTD women’s soccer team, becoming the team’s third ever head coach. After a 7-7-2 record in 2022, the program hopes this change will boost them to their first championship since 2002. Shirley spent most of his life playing and coaching...
Women’s basketball drops neck-to-neck game | February 13, 2023
February 4th: Loss against #23 Hardin-Simmons 48-67. The Comets’ five-game win streak came to a halt on Feb. 4 with a defeat against Hardin-Simmons University. This is the second time the Comets have lost to the Cowgirls, who are currently undefeated in this season of the American Southwest Conference (ASC)....
Men’s tennis team recovers from snowstorm with crushing win | February 13, 2023
The UTD men’s tennis team started the 2023 ASC season strong with a win against the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor on Feb. 4 at an away game. The Comets led the doubles 2-1 and ended the singles 5-1, totaling to a 7-2 victory against the Crusaders at the Yvonne Li...
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