Tag: Rainier Pederson

  • Opinion: Danger at the door of Student Government

    Our government has, in recent years, become increasingly dysfunctional as obstructionism — the political strategy of preventing work from getting done — brought about by partisan warfare in both houses has rendered Congress unable to govern effectively. I worry that many patterns of obstruction such as the filibuster that prevent representatives of both parties from…

  • Opinion: Hiding in plain sight — how administration obfuscates its intent 

    UTD administration had 21 students, staff, alumni and community members arrested, but not once has the administration pointed to a specific part of UTD or UT System policy that the arrested individuals violated. Administration has fundamentally failed to listen to its students and has instead established a grossly restrictive and prescriptive policy.   The UTD Office…

  • Collin County Jail releases detained protesters, families rejoice

    As of 4:30 p.m. May 2, all 21 individuals arrested and detained at Collin County Jail after Texas law enforcement’s May 1 raid of UTD’s “Gaza Liberation Plaza” encampment were released.  The arraignment process began around 9:30 a.m. May 2 and the first detainee — Associate Art History Professor Ali Asgar Alibhai — was released…

  • XAI Reprom Wonderland Royale

    Inflatable ruby-red dice bounce through the air as impassioned prom-goers dance, laugh and swap stories.  The sharp pulse of a beat reverberates through the Visitor Center’s Atrium at Chi Alpha Iota Diaternity’s 2024 “Reprom” as chapter members celebrate the winners of the “Wonderland Royale” themed royalty elections — a Monarch of Hearts, Monarch of Clubs,…

  • The TikTok ban is good, actually

    The House of Representatives passed a bill on March 13 threatening to ban TikTok for cyber security breaches. Although this ban was done for security reasons, it will also help to control short form video content that has spread doom scrolling and caused attention spans to shorten. Students should advocate for local governments to regulate…

  • Sandwalking into a new generation of sci-fi

    Thump, Thump, Thump. The rhythmic beats of a thumper draws Shai-Hulad through the spice-covered hills of Arrakis towards an exiled duke burdened by prophecy, his hooks ready to sink into the coarse skin of the sandworm… and the hearts of “Dune” fanatics.   Paul Atreides returns to the big screen right where he left off after…

  • UTD’s secret weapon: Rahul Peddi

    Finance and economics junior Rahul Peddi has bided his time, slowly climbing the charts in independent tournaments to become the chess team’s unexpected ace in the upcoming season.   Although his performance last year wasn’t acknowledged through accolades, Peddi played in significant tournaments on his own throughout the year, increasing his rating to prepare for…

  • Save Reunion Tower: in defense of Hunt Realty

    The proposal of a bullet train between Houston and Dallas is long overdue, but it cannot come at the cost of removing 46 years of city symbolism and sustainable housing for an already struggling community. Comets should petition their officials in support of further study of sustainable public transportation projects, otherwise we will continue creating…

  • Riccio: playing with fire

    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…