Tag: Anika Sultana
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Abbott’s age verification order spells Internet doom
Texas’ recent attempt to restrict access to pornography intrinsically fails to actually protect minors and legal consumers of porn while exposing them to new data risks. The Texas legislature passed HB 1181 June 2023 with the intent of limiting the access Texas citizens have to “sexual material harmful to minors on an Internet website” by…
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In the wake of death
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…
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Byrne Brothers bring Celtic tunes to North Texas Irish Festival
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…
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UTD student found dead in parking lot
Story update: March 4, 2024 On Monday, March 4, a report from the Dallas County Medical Examiner confirmed that the cause of death was suicide. Students who are in crisis can contact UTD Talk (972-883-8255), a 24/7 crisis counseling hotline, to speak to a mental health professional. The Student Counseling Center is available for appointments…
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Comets’ critical critique of cinema
“Oppenheimer”, “Barbie”, “American Fiction” among Oscar nominees this year While “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” might be the most famous of this year’s Oscars nominees, the eight other films up for “Best Picture” give them a run for their money. Since movies are an integral part of UTD’s campus culture, as seen with widespread campus participation in…
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Hating furries proves you’re uneducated
Everyone knows furries are embarrassing, creepy perverts – but how much of that belief stems from miseducation? Whether uploading illustrations of their humanoid animal personas — better known as fursonas — online or dressing up as their characters for community meetups, the furry community’s rapid growth has received an explosive backlash for being inherently sexual,…
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New year, new classes — but don’t drop old friends
New semesters are exciting because they offer one of the most enriching experiences campus life has to offer: new social opportunities, which are important in not just your growth as a student but as a person. But while it might be a “new year, new you,” don’t forget to maintain your budding friendships from previous…
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ODEI removed: trans students react
Texas SB 17 is officially in effect, bringing an end to the Galerstein Gender Center and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Trans students have been left with far fewer on campus resources; some now turn to student organizations like Pride for support. As part of UTD’s adherence to the state law, identity-based workshops…
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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion replaced with OCRS
UTD’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is dismantled as of Dec. 31 and will now be replaced by the Office of Campus Resources and Support, or OCRS, in compliance with SB 17. Under SB 17, universities in Texas are now banned from enforcing diversity statements in hiring procedures or providing faculty and staff with…