Conservative news media watchdog attacks SB 17 compliance | March 18, 2024
Accuracy in Media — a conservative media watchdog — secretly filmed UTD employees in a Feb. 15 video, asking leading questions about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion practices, which were made illegal by Texas SB 17. Despite controversy around the video, university officials maintain that UTD is SB 17 compliant. Accuracy in Media’s website says that […]
Chess Team snags awards at Southwest tournament | March 18, 2024
The UTD Chess Team improved their standing by placing second in the 2024 Southwest Chess Collegiate Championship on March 9, also qualifying for the 2024 Texas Collegiate Super Finals in fall. The UTD women’s chess team was the top scoring women’s team in the tournament. UTD Chess held this tournament on campus, registering eight teams […]
La Llorona shares her sorrowful tale on campus | March 18, 2024
Piercing cries of pain overcome the steady murmur of a river as La Llorona wanders hopelessly in search of the children she drowned; this infamous figure from Latin American culture was brought to life on stage on Feb. 23, as one student channeled her tale of despair to explore grief and loss through a unique […]
In the wake of death | March 18, 2024
In the past few weeks, you have probably heard about the deaths of fellow students and grappled with the shock at losing classmates and friends. We at The Mercury have felt the heaviness too, especially with one of the deaths confirmed to be a suicide. Students struggling with suicidal thoughts — know you are not […]
Student Government: stop hiding from students | March 18, 2024
Over half of SG’s senators ignored their promise of transparency to students when they hid away to discuss a high-stakes resolution at a public meeting. Meaningfully participating in SG means facing the public eye, even if there’s backlash. And if senators can’t handle the scrutiny, then SG is not the place for them. SG passed […]
Films should respect naked bodies, not stigmatize them | March 18, 2024
Hollywood blockbusters suggest nudity can only exist to invoke a sense of sexuality or for shock value, and given how affected we are by the media we consume, these sensationalizing portrayals could be affecting your personal relationship with nudity. Save yourself by opting for an indie film instead. 2024’s Vanity Fair Hollywood profile did, for […]
Riccio: playing with fire | March 18, 2024
Between iWeek, Biryani Night and Lunar New Year, UTD is well-acquainted with beautiful and thoughtful events highlighting diverse traditions. Unfortunately, not every cultural event can be a success, and nothing proves that quite like Thomas Riccio’s stomach-twisting “Dragon Eye” video exhibit. “Dragon Eye,” which showcased the lifestyles of people from China’s Miao ethnic group, was […]
Foundational physics in a fridge | March 18, 2024
In the underground floor of the Bioengineering and Sciences building sits the Quantum Transport Lab. Although it might not delve into teleportation, its study of particles interaction at the quantum level is no less fascinating. The Quantum Transport Lab at UTD investigates particles at an impossibly small scale by putting elements at absolute zero temperatures. […]
UTD Alumnus creates ChatGPT-powered language learning app | March 18, 2024
As language learning tools flood the digital landscape, Lingua Link emerges to fill in the gaps left by Duolingo and similar apps, using the powers of AI to augment your studying. Lingua Link, cofounded by UTD alumnus and account manager Seth Dolginoff and software engineer Etan Cohn, is available for download in the Apple Store. […]
Who’s who in the SG Exec Race? | March 18, 2024
SPIRIT TICKET: Business administration junior Shashank Yalamanchi is running for Student Government President under the SPIRIT ticket. Currently the vice president of Chi Phi Fraternity, Yalamanchi said he believes his sociable personality qualifies him for the role. Business analytics sophomore Frydda Romero is running for vice president under the same ticket; as vice president of […]
Pub demolished | March 18, 2024
Demolition of the Pub’s exterior structure began on March 14. Admin has said demolition on the Pub and the Green Center will continue through the spring semester, with plans to construct a new student union in place of the Green Center and to build an expanded Gaming Center in place of the Pub. Vice President […]
UTD transfer students beat out state graduation averages | March 18, 2024
Forty-five percent of Texas transfer students graduate within six years, according to the Texas Tribune. As UTD has a six-year transfer graduation rate of 73.1%, The Mercury decided to look into how this trend applies to Comets, how transfers fare at UTD and how transfers can use the resources UTD offers to ensure their graduation. […]
Dallas native explores trauma and religion in new thriller | March 18, 2024
“The Magdalenes” by Jeanne Skartsiaris takes readers along a roller coaster of secrets and a quest for justice. Beyond the thriller element, the book encourages readers to reflect on the darkness that lies beneath the surface of seemingly polished lives. Skartsiaris, who grew up in Dallas, utilizes her experience as a medical-legal photographer of a […]
Student government declares support for permanent ceasefire | March 18, 2024
S.R. 2023-12, addresses what is described as a humanitarian crisis in Gaza due to the “direct actions of the IDF.” The resolution supports a release of Israeli hostages in exchange for the permanent ceasefire, a rejection of dehumanizing language against Palestinians, a condemnation of both antisemitism and Islamophobia and a request that President Benson officially […]
Meet The Mercury: understanding the newspaper | March 18, 2024
Established in 1980, The Mercury has worked to inform, educate and entertain the students of UTD through accurate and representative journalism for four decades. But for Comets outside the publication, it may not be clear how exactly the paper operates. The Mercury Newspaper is a part of Student Media, an independent Student Affairs department which […]
Muslims celebrate arrival of Ramadan with bazaar night | March 18, 2024
The night of March 1 saw UTD’s Muslim community abuzz with the vibrant spirit of communal joy as the month of Ramadan approached. Over 70 vendors, including student merchants, transformed the Plinth and mall into a marketplace mimicking bazaars, a melting pot of culture and cuisines from the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia. […]
Modern European media revives the romance genre | March 18, 2024
David Nicholl’s 2009 novel “One Day” has returned as a limited television series, revisiting a charming and heartbreaking love story spanning over 20 years. This slow burn romance revives the dying genre of rom-com, using realism to modernize classic romance tropes and put other current romance media to shame. “One Day” follows the lives of […]
Comets sees mixed results in Division III tournament | March 18, 2024
The UTD men’s basketball team qualified for the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament, beating Trinity in the first round before falling to Nebraska Wesleyan to close out their season. The women’s team fell to Ozarks on Feb. 20 in the quarterfinals, bringing their season to an end. The men’s team fended off a late comeback […]
Byrne Brothers bring Celtic tunes to North Texas Irish Festival | March 18, 2024
After their eccentric and high-energy performance at the North Texas Irish Festival, the family-based band The Byrne Brothers immersed themselves in a warm Texas welcome and they are excited to continue sharing Irish music all over the world. The family of five first came to America from Donegal, Ireland, in 2015 for vacation, then returned […]
All eyes on Donnelly | March 18, 2024
Guard Nick Donnelly has emerged as an important player for the men’s basketball team’s offense and defense. Averaging career-highs in points, assists, steals and rebounds this season, Donnelly played a major role in the Comets’ ASC title victory. Donnelly, a junior, joined the Comets in his freshman year as a shooting guard, specializing in shooting […]
No-No Boy is a yes-yes for the music industry | March 18, 2024
No-No Boy gave Comets insight into his musical journey and life experiences on March 5, and a musical songwriting workshop on March 6 where No-No Boy performed his music. Julian Saporiti, aka No-No Boy, engaged students through immersive keynote speeches and performances focused on Asian history covering topics like concentration camps for Japanese people in […]
Sohta Nakabayashi plucks top prize | March 18, 2024
In the 22nd Annual Texas Guitar Competition and Festival, first-place winner Sohta Nakabayashi won not only a cash prize, but an array of awards. Nakabayashi’s multicultural musical background has shaped his accolade-filled career, driving his passion and inspiring others. Nakabayashi, a 23-year-old guitarist originally from Japan, now studies music at the Madrid Royal Conservatory in […]
Entering the frame with ‘Women in Animation’ | March 18, 2024
While scribbling away at drawing pads and polishing off character designs, UTD’s Women in Animation chapter allows its members to get a taste of the elusive industry and create the magic behind animated films and video games. Women in Animation is an international non-profit organization with student-run chapters across the U.S., U.K. and Canada. WIA […]
