Tag: Maria Shaikh
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What’s that orange pod in the Student Union?
The Office for Campus Resources and Support introduced a LilyPad lactation pod to the Student Union’s first floor in the beginning of the spring 2024 semester, providing a convenient space for pumping and breastfeeding. The first of its kind at UTD, the pod is designed for lactating mothers to nurse children or express breastmilk 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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Green Day saves their fading reputation with ‘SAVIORS ’
Although most casual listeners have only heard tracks from “American Idiot,” Green Day and their furious, political, deliciously all-American pop punk has remained a household name for fans of alternative music since the ’90s. Their 14th studio album, “SAVIORS”, meets the incredible precedent set by “American Idiot” and other indisputable classics like “Dookie” — a…
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Biased Spirit Rocks reporting misrepresents Comets
“We are winning.” “Love them both.” “No peace on stolen land.” Chances are, you remember reading those words on the Spirit Rocks last semester. But the story of UTD’s infamous “rock wars” has been twisted to suit news outlets’ personal narratives, endangering the truth and our school’s reputation. For many Comets, last fall was defined…
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Bring our rocks back!
“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 claimed the rocks were never intended for “extended political discourse,” like the month long back-and-forth between pro-Israel and pro-Palestine groups before their removal. But this argument is…
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Student Affairs removes Spirit Rocks for platforming ‘extended political discourse’
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 of censorship. According to an early morning email from Student Affairs, recent messages on the rocks “have been inconsistent with their original purpose and guidelines,” and “extended…
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A week of protests for Spirit Rocks
Hundreds of impassioned Comets participated in a week of events protesting the Spirit Rocks’ Nov. 20 removal, organized by the Progressive Student Coalition. The coalition, also known as PSC, was formed earlier this month by a group of student organizations to promote progressive causes on campus, primarily calling for the reinstatement of the rocks and…
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Student Government passes resolution demanding Spirit Rocks return
With a nearly unanimous vote and resounding applause, Student Government passed S.R. 2023-08 on Nov. 28, a resolution demanding UTD reinstate the Spirit Rocks. UTD admin removed the Spirit Rocks from campus on Nov. 20, triggering immediate student backlash, including multiple petitions for SG to push against the decision. Over the following week, SG senator…
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Student Affairs removes Spirit Rocks for platforming “extended political discourse”
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 of censorship. Students have been spray painting the Spirit Rocks with drawings and slogans to express themselves since Student Affairs placed the boulders on campus in 2008.…
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Red Light: UTD Sexual Harassment Policies Threaten Comets’ Liberties
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 and extrajudicial definitions of sexual harassment threaten students’ constitutional right to free speech. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting free speech…