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UTD's student-run newspaper since 1980

The UTD Mercury

UTD's student-run newspaper since 1980

The UTD Mercury

UTD's student-run newspaper since 1980

The UTD Mercury

Photo Courtesy of Hussein Alhraishawi

Students, alumni detained at Love Field Airport while protesting Biden’s arrival in Dallas

January 9, 2024

UTD students and alumni were among a dozen protesters detained Monday night demanding a ceasefire in Gaza and shutting down a main entrance to Love Field Airport as President Joe Biden landed in Dallas. According...

Anika Sultana | Mercury Staff

Bring our rocks back!

December 4, 2023

“Censorship.” “Cowardly.” “Bring our rocks back.” These were the sentiments expressed by students the morning of Nov. 20, when UTD administration removed the Spirit Rocks from campus. Admin...

Photo By André Averion | Mercury Staff

Student Affairs removes Spirit Rocks for platforming ‘extended political discourse’

December 4, 2023

The Spirit Rocks, UTD’s preeminent platform for student expression, were removed from campus Nov. 20 after “extended political discourse” about the conflict in Israel and Palestine, raising concerns...

Photo By André Averion | Mercury Staff

Student Affairs removes Spirit Rocks for platforming “extended political discourse”

November 20, 2023

The Spirit Rocks, a popular public platform for student expression, were removed from campus Nov. 20 after “extended political discourse” about conflict in Israel and Palestine, raising concerns...

Graphic By Anika Sultana | Mercury Staff

Red Light: UTD Sexual Harassment Policies Threaten Comets’ Liberties

November 13, 2023

UTD should amend its Student Grievances policy to match the definition of sexual harassment in its Sexual Misconduct Policy. While firm anti-harassment policies are important and necessary, inconsistent...

Pictured above are over 300 students gathered at TI Plaza preparing to march across campus in solidarity with Palestine and in protest against an email sent by President Benson on Oct. 16 about the Israel-Hamas war. Below on the left is a Palestinian student who said 12 of her distant cousins, uncles and other family members were killed from airstrikes between Oct. 15 to Oct. 25. "There was a circulating video of a doctor in my family who could not keep his composure at a hospital after finding out his brother and father were murdered," she said. On the right is one of the leaders of the march chanting. All Photos By Surjaditya Sarkar, Jason Sadanandh| Mercury Staff

‘Benson you can’t hide’: Hundreds of protestors denounce violence in Gaza, call out Benson

October 30, 2023

Hundreds of students marched from TI Plaza to SSA at 2 p.m. Oct. 25 in response to UTD President Richard Benson’s statement expressing sympathy for Israeli casualties without acknowledging Palestinian...

Anika Sultana | Mercury Staff

‘Disappointed to be a UTD student’: Benson’s Israel-Hamas statement disrespects grieving Comets

October 20, 2023

Not only does UTD president Richard Benson’s latest message about the Israel-Hamas war disrespect grieving students, it successfully alienates students with ties to Palestine at a time where Palestinian...

Comets react to war in Middle East, graffiti spirit rocks for Palestine, Israel

October 16, 2023

Amid upheaval in the Middle East, UTD students spray painted the Spirit Rocks at least eleven times over three days, alternating between the flags of Palestine and Israel. OCT. 11, 4 p.m OCT. 12,...

Mango is one of two cats that UTD student Shubhankar Kawle tortured. Mango survived Kawle's abuse but had to have his front leg amputated. The photo was taken right after Mango's surgery.

UTD student sentenced to six years in prison for animal cruelty

September 18, 2023

UTD graduate student Shubhankar Kawle was sentenced to six and a half years in prison on Aug. 31 for torturing two house cats, one of whom had to be euthanized due to severe injuries; the other had a...

Meet the Editors Behind The Mercury Newspaper

September 4, 2023

Fatimah: Fatimah Azeem is a psychology senior from Dallas, Texas. She’s been working at The Mercury since she was a freshman, starting off as a staff writer, and then moving on to Opinion Editor...

Grace Cowger | Mercury Staff

Former Comet accused of attempted murder sentenced to probation

August 21, 2023

A former UTD student on trial for attempted murder and felony battery was sentenced to 36 months of probation on Aug. 2. Nika Nikoubin Former business administration junior Nika Nikoubin — who...

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Fatimah Azeem